Istanbul tours and excursions

Istanbul tours

Boat tours

The best way to get those famed Istanbul skyline views is by boat and Bosphorus Strait Cruises are popular among tourists. Şehir Hatları (sehirhatlari.com.tr) is a ferry company offering Bosphorus tours.

Walking tours

There are many walking tours available.

Excursions from Istanbul

Gallipoli Peninsula

The drive from Istanbul to Gallipoli Peninsula is about five hours but for many, the long journey is worth it to pay their respects at the WWI battlefield sites (now one of Turkey's major historical national parks) which were the scene of one of WWI's most famous campaigns.

Princes' Islands

A cluster of nine islands southeast of Istanbul is serviced by a number of ferries from Istanbul. No cars are allowed on these islands so rely on bicycles or horse-drawn phaeton carriages to get around. Büyükada is the largest island and worthy diversions include the former summer house of Leon Trotsky and Aya Yorgi Church.

Visa and passport information is updated regularly and is correct at the time of publishing. You should verify critical travel information independently with the relevant embassy before you travel.