Sunset cruise on the Bosphorus

The departure time changes every day — on purpose

Istanbul's sunset moves by more than four hours across the year: around 20:45 in June, around 16:25 in December. A cruise that leaves at the same time all year is either sailing in daylight or sailing in the dark for half the season.

Ours boards ninety minutes before the real sunset for that date. In August that means boarding around 18:35; in December, around 15:05. The time shown when you pick your date is calculated, not copied from a brochure.

What happens on board

We sail up the European shore — Dolmabahçe, Ortaköy, under the Bosphorus Bridge — then hold position near Rumeli Hisarı while the sun goes down. The engines go quiet, tea is served, and you have time to take photographs without the boat moving underneath you.

On the way back we pass the Maiden's Tower with the city lit. The whole trip is two hours, with upper deck seating and an English-speaking host.

Soft drinks and Turkish tea are included. This is not a dinner cruise — if you want dinner on the water, our Bosphorus dinner cruise is the one to look at.

Shared or private

The shared sunset cruise is €40 per adult and €24 per child aged 4–11; under fours travel free. The rate is flat all season with no weekend or holiday surcharges — and Monday-to-Thursday departures are 10% cheaper, applied automatically at booking.

If you would rather have the boat to yourselves at golden hour, the same yacht is available as a private charter at €250 per hour during sunset hours, minimum two hours.

Booking and cancellation

Nothing to pay now — you pay on board on the day, in cash or by card. Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure. If the weather makes sailing unsafe, you get another date or a full refund.

We send the boarding time and meeting point to your WhatsApp when you book, and again the day before, so nobody is standing on the wrong pier at golden hour.