Golden Horn & Bosphorus Cruise - Reviews

Rating of the activity

8.10 / 10

8.1053790500157 3,179 reviews | 42,336 travellers

385 traveler-submitted photos

Customer scoring

1600

1032

365

125

Type of traveler

Traveling alone (228)

Couple (1032)

Group of friends (540)

With small children (94)

With older children (516)

Reviews from real clients who booked our products.

See only reviews with text

Jun / 29 / 2025

Miguel

Valladolid, Spain

I travelled with teenagers

La excursión merece la pena. El guía que nos tocó (creo que se llamaba Arsen) muy amable y hablaba bastante bien español, además de inglés. Nos indicó que podíamos bajar en la parte asiática y él se bajó del barco con los que lo hicieron, para no dejarles solos e indicarles cómo volver a la parte europea. Translate this opinion into English.

The excursion is worth it. Our guide (I think his name was Arsen) was very friendly and spoke Spanish quite well, as well as English. He told us we could get off on the Asian side, and he got off the boat with those who did so, so as not to leave them alone and to show them how to get back to the European side. Opinion translated. Show original.

I travelled with teenagers

Jun / 12 / 2025

Roberto

Madrid, Spain

I travelled with small children

El punto de encuentro queda lejos del lugar donde parte el barco. Y la parada que se hace en la zona asiática a la vuelta demoró en exceso el regreso por estar un tiempo esperando a tener hueco pata amarrar el barco al muelle. Las explicaciones del guía fueron interesantes. Translate this opinion into English.

The meeting point is far from where the boat departs. The stop in the Asian section on the way back delayed the return trip considerably, as we had to wait for a space to tie up at the dock. The guide's explanations were interesting. Opinion translated. Show original.

I travelled with small children

May / 21 / 2025

Michelle

Chile

I travelled with friends

Buen tour, excelente guía. Sin embargo, tener cuidado con lo siguiente: hay un fotógrafo, quien toma fotos y aunque digas que no, él insiste. Luego va una mujer, con las fotos dentro de un álbum, el cual tiene 4 fotos aproximadamente y por esto te cobra 1500 liras, unos 39 dólares. O sea para 2 personas el valor es de casi 80 dólares. INACEPTABLE. La mujer intenta negociar, pero aunque sea la mitad, el precio sigue siendo bastante alto, para algo que ni siquiera pedimos. Esto fue lo único malo Translate this opinion into English.

Great tour, excellent guide. However, be careful with the following: there's a photographer who takes pictures, and even if you say no, he insists. Then a woman comes along with the photos in an album, which has approximately four photos, and for this she charges you 1,500 lira, about $39. That's almost $80 for two people. UNACCEPTABLE. The woman tries to negotiate, but even if it's half the price, the price is still quite high, for something we didn't even order. This was the only bad thing. Opinion translated. Show original.

I travelled with friends

May / 20 / 2025

Anonymous

Spain

El crucero es bastante completo. Buena explicación y te dan la opción de quedarte en Asia para seguir disfrutando. Sin embargo el guía Edu tiene muy malas formas de trato con la gente. Si bien a ratos es muy simpático, en otras ocasiones era bastante mal educado, enojandose cuando le preguntaban algo o cuando lo interrumpían. Translate this opinion into English.

The cruise is quite comprehensive. The explanations are good, and you have the option to stay in Asia to continue enjoying it. However, the guide, Edu, has a very poor attitude toward people. While he's very friendly at times, at other times he's quite rude, getting angry when someone asks him a question or interrupts him. Opinion translated. Show original.

May / 16 / 2025

Maribel

Spain

I travelled with teenagers

El crucero super bonito, logras apreciar la belleza de Estambul en un atardecer super especial. Echamos en falta que durante el recorrido nos fueran dando más explicaciones. Son 3 horas que llegan a hacerse algo largas. Podrían citarnos más cerca del punto de embarcación. Translate this opinion into English.

The cruise was super nice, allowing you to appreciate the beauty of Istanbul at sunset. We missed more explanations during the tour. It's a three-hour tour that can feel a bit long. They could have met us closer to the embarkation point. Opinion translated. Show original.

I travelled with teenagers

May / 13 / 2025

Leonardo De Leon

Quetzaltenango, Guatemala

I travelled with my partner

Excelente muy bien guiada, de manera profesional y muy didáctica, entretenida y bastante ordenado en su presentacion, mantuvo la atención del grupo. Lo recomiendo ampliamente tanto para personas de habla hispana como en inglés, guía originario de Turquía conuy buena pronunciación en castellano. La embarcación en muy buenas condiciones y recorrido indudablemente hermoso tanto en vista de mezquitas y palacios como de las vistas de la infraestructura y belleza natural de Estambul. Vale la pena !! Translate this opinion into English.

Excellent, very well-guided, professional, and very educational. The tour was entertaining and very organized, keeping the group's attention. I highly recommend it for both Spanish and English speakers. The guide is originally from Turkey and has excellent Spanish pronunciation. The boat was in very good condition, and the tour was undoubtedly beautiful, both with views of the mosques and palaces, as well as the infrastructure and natural beauty of Istanbul. It's worth it! Opinion translated. Show original.

I travelled with my partner

May / 06 / 2025

Silvia Micchia

Buenos Aires, Argentina

I travelled by myself

Un paseo excelente. Nuestro guia Nacho un genio, explico absooutamente cada edificio y monumento importante que vimos en ambas margenes del Cuerno de Oro y el Bosforo y al bajarnos en el lado asiatico dio tan precisas insrucciones que no habia manera de perderse. Gracias equipo Civitatis! Translate this opinion into English.

An excellent tour. Our guide, Nacho, was a genius. He explained every important building and monument we saw on both sides of the Golden Horn and the Bosphorus, and when we got off on the Asian side, he gave such precise directions that there was no way we could get lost. Thank you, Civitatis team! Opinion translated. Show original.

I travelled by myself

May / 04 / 2025

Marcial

Vigo, Spain

I travelled with my partner

Son menos de 3 horas de recorrido, ya que hay que contar el tiempo de desplazamiento al muelle y, en nuestro caso, esperar dentro de la embarcación a otra excursión para llenar el barco. Se echa de menos que ese tiempo se pudiese en invertir en más recorrido por el Cuerno de Oro o avanzar más en la parte asiática de la ciudad. De todas maneras es una buena aproximación a la belleza de Estambul y recomiendo hacerla a última hora de la tarde para ver el atardecer desde el barco. Translate this opinion into English.

The trip takes less than three hours, since you have to factor in travel time to the dock and, in our case, waiting on the boat for another excursion to fill the boat. It's a shame that we could have spent more time exploring the Golden Horn or exploring the Asian side of the city. In any case, it's a good introduction to the beauty of Istanbul, and I recommend taking it in the late afternoon to watch the sunset from the boat. Opinion translated. Show original.

I travelled with my partner

May / 02 / 2025

Miguel

Huelva, Spain

I travelled with teenagers

El guía es estupendo, aunque en una ciudad como Estambul debería hablar un poco más de historia. Es absurdo citar tan lejos del barco a la gente. Hubo un problema con el barco que no estaba esperándonos y el recorrido empezó muy tarde. Después el recorrido del barco es muy bonito. Actividad muy recomendable. Translate this opinion into English.

The guide is great, although in a city like Istanbul, he should have talked a little more about the history. It's absurd to meet people so far away from the boat. There was a problem with the boat, which wasn't waiting for us, and the tour started very late. Afterward, the boat tour is very beautiful. Highly recommended. Opinion translated. Show original.

I travelled with teenagers

Apr / 27 / 2025

Maria De Los Angeles Mocciola

Buenos Aires, Argentina

I travelled with my partner

Excelente Recorrido tal cual lo pactado ! Lo bueno sería que allá alguien, cuando te dejan en el lado Asiático que te acompañe en el regreso , porque no hay nadie que hable Español y no es tan fácil regresar porque el Metro a la parte Europea Vieja. Porq no sabes donde bajar y aguardar el metro todo escrito en Turco nada en Inglés! Tuve suerte que encontré un turco GENIAL QUE TOMO EL METRO CON NOSOTROS! Iba Justo para Santa Sofia ! ! Translate this opinion into English.

Excellent tour just as agreed! The best thing would be to have someone, when they drop you off on the Asian side, accompany you on the return, because there is no one who speaks Spanish and it is not so easy to return because the Metro goes to the Old European side. Because you don't know where to get off and wait for the metro, everything is written in Turkish, nothing in English! I was lucky to find a GREAT Turkish guy WHO TOOK THE METRO WITH US! He was going right to Santa Sofia!! Opinion translated. Show original.

I travelled with my partner

Apr / 25 / 2025

Felix Ernesto Montes De Oca

Rio Tercero, Argentina

I travelled with my partner

Seria excelente si el punto de encuentro fuese en el mismo lugar de embarque fue una distancia larga a recorrer y para una persona con movilidad reducida se hizo muy dificil por ritmo y lugares por los cuales pasamos. Por el resto muy bien explicado por parte del guia y se aprendio mucho. Seria calificacion Excelente modificando punto de encuentro. Saludos Translate this opinion into English.

It would be excellent if the meeting point were at the boarding point. It was a long distance to travel, and for a person with reduced mobility, it was very difficult due to the pace and the places we passed. Otherwise, the guide explained things very well, and we learned a lot. I would rate it Excellent if we modified the meeting point. Best regards. Opinion translated. Show original.

I travelled with my partner

Apr / 22 / 2025

Daniel

Soria, Spain

I travelled with friends

Actividad muy interesante y muy bien llevada ya que, una vez te montas en el barco, te van explicando todo lo que aparece a los dos lados del Bósforo. Por poner un pero, no entendimos muy bien por qué se nos cita a todo el mundo en un sitio para luego darnos un paseo de 15 minutos donde, sinceramente, no hay apenas explicación de nada y, además, no se oye (a pesar de las buenas intenciones del guía) debido a que vamos por mitad de la ciudad y en grupo numeroso. Consejo: quedar cerca del barco Translate this opinion into English.

A very interesting and well-run activity, as once you board the boat, they explain everything that exists on both sides of the Bosphorus. One drawback: we didn't quite understand why everyone was shown a meeting point and then taken on a 15-minute tour where, honestly, there was hardly any explanation and, what's more, you couldn't hear anyone (despite the guide's good intentions) because we were traveling in the middle of the city in a large group. Tip: Stay close to the boat. Opinion translated. Show original.

I travelled with friends

Apr / 22 / 2025

Laura

Palma De Mallorca, Spain

I travelled with small children

Éramos un grupo de 30 personas y a la hora de hacer la explicación se ha perdido bastante información, pues en el ultimo momento se ha unido gente de fuera solo para hacer el trayecto y ha quedado un poco impersonal , casi con una autoguia hubiese sido más aprovechado.

We were a group of 30 people, and when it came to explaining the information, a lot of information was lost because, at the last minute, people from outside joined us just to do the tour, and it became a bit impersonal. It would have been more useful with a self-guide.

I travelled with small children

Sentimos que la experiencia no se haya ajustado del todo a lo esperado. En Civitatis solo deseamos que nuestros clientes vivan las mejores experiencias posibles. Para ello, tomamos nota de todos los comentarios con intención de mejorar. Translate this opinion into English.

We're sorry that the experience didn't quite meet expectations. At Civitatis, we only want our customers to have the best possible experiences. To that end, we take note of all comments with the intention of improving. Opinion translated. Show original.

Apr / 20 / 2025

Maria Pilar

Zaldibia, Spain

I travelled with my partner

El crucero con el guía Nacho ha sido una pasada, nos ha explicado muy bien todo lo que íbamos a ver y una vez finalizado el viaje, cuando hemos bajado en la parte asiática, también nos ha ayudado mucho. Jarraitu horren jatorra izaten. Mila mila esker. Translate this opinion into English.

The cruise with our guide, Nacho, was fantastic. He explained everything we were going to see very well, and once the trip was over, when we got off on the Asian side, he was also very helpful. Thank you so much, thank you so much. Opinion translated. Show original.

I travelled with my partner

Apr / 18 / 2025

Margalida

Spain

Pues habíamos reservado el tour a las 18 horas para ver puesta de sol y ponía que bajábamos a la parte asiática. Pensábamos cenar allí y volver por nuestra cuenta y estando a bordo me dicen que no, que bajámos donde habíamos empezado. Las explicaciones en el barco muy centradas en hoteles y viviendas de lujo y un guia poco cercano. Cuando llegamos no esperó a que todos hubiéramos bajado del barco.

Well, we had booked the 6 p.m. tour to watch the sunset, and it said we were going down to the Asian side. We were planning to have dinner there and return on our own, but once on board, they told me no, that we were going back to where we started. The explanations on the boat were very focused on hotels and luxury homes, and the guide was not very friendly. When we arrived, he didn't wait until everyone had disembarked the boat.

El servicio se realizó tal y como aparece descrito en nuestra página web. Sentimos si alguno de sus elementos no estuvo a la altura de lo esperado. Ya hemos tomado nota de los comentarios y esperamos que nos ayuden a seguir mejorando. Translate this opinion into English.

The service was performed as described on our website. We apologize if any of the elements fell short of expectations. We have already taken note of your comments and hope they will help us continue to improve. Opinion translated. Show original.

Apr / 16 / 2025

Alberto

Valladolid, Spain

I travelled with my partner

Un guía absolutamente fantástico, con un sentido del humor estupendo y un español perfecto. Explicaciones muy interesantes y una duración muy apropiada. Al final los guías ayudaron en otra serie de cosas muy útiles para desenvolverse en Estambul. Genial Translate this opinion into English.

An absolutely fantastic guide, with a wonderful sense of humor and perfect Spanish. Very interesting explanations and a very appropriate duration. In the end, the guides helped with a number of other very useful things for getting around Istanbul. Brilliant. Opinion translated. Show original.

I travelled with my partner

Apr / 15 / 2025

Luis Sánchez Agüero

Madrid, Spain

I travelled with teenagers

Con la megafonia que utilizaba el guia no se oía bien ni fuera ni dentro del barco; su expresión en español no era mala pero insuficiente para explicación de detalles captando la atención del publico. El recorrido me pareció algo acelerado sin detenernos en temas o sitios que pudieran ser relevantes

The guide's PA system was difficult to hear both inside and outside the ship. His Spanish wasn't bad, but it wasn't enough to explain details and capture the audience's attention. The tour seemed rushed, with no attention paid to any relevant topics or sites.

I travelled with teenagers

Nuestro equipo local se esfuerza por ofrecer una experiencia amena para disfrute de todos los participantes, respetando el itinerario descrito en nuestra web. Aun así, tomamos nota de los comentarios con intención de seguir mejorando. Translate this opinion into English.

Our local team strives to provide a pleasant experience for all participants, adhering to the itinerary outlined on our website. However, we take note of your feedback and aim to continue improving. Opinion translated. Show original.

Apr / 15 / 2025

Carlos

Barcelona, Spain

I travelled with my partner

Había demasiada gente, como en casi todo en Turquía (y eso que estábamos en temporada baja). Tuvimos poca interacción con el guia, pero básicamente te lleva desde el punto de encuentro caminando hasta un puerto a 15-20 minutos. En el bote el guia intenta explicar par de cosas de los sitios por donde pasamos, pero con la cantidad de gente es prácticamente imposible de disfrutar. Al final nos fuimos lejos de la multitud para estar tranquilos.

There were too many people, like almost everything in Turkey (even though it was low season). We had little interaction with the guide, but he basically takes you from the meeting point to a port 15-20 minutes away. On the boat, the guide tries to explain a few things about the places we pass, but the sheer number of people makes it practically impossible to enjoy. In the end, we headed away from the crowds to relax.

I travelled with my partner

Apr / 13 / 2025

Enrique

Vigo, Spain

I travelled with my partner

El crucero nos mostró los lugares de interés principales del cuerno de oro y el Bósforo (palacios, mezquitas, torre de la doncella, puentes...), mientras el guía comentaba información interesante y aspectos históricos de cada sitio. Tuvimos la opción de desembarcar en la parte asiática, pero decidimos seguir en el barco y volver al punto de partida, ya que habíamos planeado ver esa parte por nuestra cuenta en otro momento. Ha sido una experiencia muy interesante. Repetiríamos. Translate this opinion into English.

The cruise showed us the main sights of the Golden Horn and the Bosphorus (palaces, mosques, the Maiden's Tower, bridges, and more), while the guide shared interesting information and historical insights about each site. We had the option to disembark on the Asian side, but decided to stay on the boat and return to the starting point, as we had planned to explore that side on our own at a later time. It was a very interesting experience. We would definitely do it again. Opinion translated. Show original.

I travelled with my partner

Apr / 13 / 2025

Joaquín

Spain

I travelled with friends

El guía no explicó nada durante el recorrido desde la tienda La Pasión Turca, hasta el barco. En el barco todo bien salvo algunos problemas de megafonía que el guía atribuyó a que alguien había pisado el cable. Buenas explicaciones al quedarnos en la parte asiática.

The guide didn't explain anything during the tour from the Turkish Passion store to the boat. On the boat, everything was fine except for some PA problems, which the guide attributed to someone stepping on the cable. The explanations were good, as we were on the Asian side.

I travelled with friends

Los guías se esfuerzan por dirigir el tour de forma completa, pero también accesible para todos los participantes, intentando cumplir con todas las expectativas. Sentimos que la experiencia no haya estado a la altura de las expectativas. Tomamos nota de los comentarios para ayudarnos a mejorar en lo posible. Translate this opinion into English.

The guides strive to provide a comprehensive yet accessible tour for all participants, striving to meet all expectations. We apologize that the experience didn't live up to expectations. We're taking note of your feedback to help us improve as much as possible. Opinion translated. Show original.

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Golden Horn & Bosphorus Cruise - Reviews

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