Hi Everybody, I'm going to Istanbul for 4 days and have a schedule to see all of the main sites in the old town and new district. Rick recommends the public ferry Bosphorus cruise all the way up to the asian fishing village. He states it should take 6-7 hours.
My question: Is this worth it? I've got a fairly tight schedule as it is, but want to experince some quieter, more scenic moments on this trip. Anyone who has taken this trip, I'd love to hear about it. Thanks
Posted by
Dunwoody, Georgia
338 posts
I've taken that trip and I enjoyed it. It does take about 6 hours and makes for a very relaxing day. You'll see a lot from the water along the way. The castle and views of the Black Sea are interesting and there are a couple of nice cafes at the last stop (Andolu Kavagi). However, if this is your first visit and you only have 4 days I suggest that you pass on this since it takes so much time. You could create a shorter version of the trip by eating lunch or dinner at the Galata Bridge (to allow you to eat fresh fish on the water) and hiring a boat and do a shorter cruise of the Bosphorus around Istanbul. Those take a couple of hours. Some of the other participants on this board may be able to provide you advice and recommendations if you want to hire a boat. I was in Istanbul last year, but have not cruised the Bosphorus since 2004 or 2005 and don't want to steer you wrong with outdated advice. Good luck.