The 4 Best Market Boat Tours in Istanbul

1.Small-Group Bosphorus Cruise and Istanbul’s Egyptian Bazaar

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 208 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $90Our pick

Visit Istanbul’s 17th-century Spice Bazaar, shop for Turkish sweets and spices, then cruise the Bosphorus between Europe and Asia. Neon Tours provides hotel pickup on Istanbul’s European side, a guide, local-ferry cruise, and return transfer. Expect a small group of up to 15, though transport arrangements can vary.

“Great half day tour. It ends up being about a 45 min tour of the Spice Market. Enough time to buy some baklava and Turkish delight. Then onto a boat cruise for about 90 mins. Good chance to get some pics along the river. Great afternoon!”

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2.Morning Bosphorus Cruise and Spice Bazaar

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 25 reviews · 4 hours · from $90

Spend four hours exploring Istanbul by land and water. Visit the Egyptian Spice Bazaar, then cruise between Europe and Asia past Rumeli Hisari, the Bosphorus Bridge, Ottoman mansions, palaces, and hunting lodges. English guiding, hotel pickup, and a private or ferry boat are included.

“The spice bazaar where we had a private meeting with a shop owner to learn about their products without the pushing nature of most vendors. Also the cruise was beautiful. My only complaint is that sitting on the outdoor deck, it was not possible to hear the boat’s explanations of what we were seeing over the boat’s speakers. We could have gone downstairs which was indoors and perhaps heard better. But it was too sunny of a day to be inside.”

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3.Private Bosphorus Cruise and Egyptian Bazaar with Motor Yacht

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 24 reviews · 4 hours (approx.)

Meet your English-speaking guide at an Istanbul hotel on the European side, visit the Egyptian Bazaar, and cruise the Bosphorus past palaces, bridges, mosques, and Rumelihisar Fortress. Guides such as Gülay, Onur, Hakin, and Ilker Ulus have been praised for clear explanations and personal service.

“Highly recommended, so much better than a group tour !”

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4.Istanbul Shore Excursion: Small-Group Bosphorus Cruise and Istanbul Egyptian Bazaar

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 23 reviews · 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $90

From Galataport, your small group visits the 17th-century Egyptian Spice Bazaar, then cruises the Bosphorus past Dolmabahçe Palace, Beylerbeyi Palace, and Rumeli Hisarı. Guides such as Ali and Seckin have led past departures. Expect about 45 minutes at the market and 90 minutes on the water.

“It was great seeing Istanbul from the Bosphorus River. It's amazing to think that Istanbul is on 2 continents~~Asia and Europe! This was a nice, relaxing cruise”

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