Bosphorus Dinner Cruise & Turkish Night Show, Dinner Included
Overview
Bosphorus Dinner Cruise & Turkish Night Show, Dinner Included
See Istanbul from the Bosphorus after dark, when the palaces, waterfront mansions and bridges are lit up. This dinner cruise sails between Europe and Asia while a freshly prepared dinner is served on board.
The evening includes an entertainment programme with a Turkish folk dance show, a belly dance performance and music with a dance floor. You can choose an alcoholic or non-alcoholic drinks package, and hotel pick-up and drop-off are arranged for you, so the whole night runs without any planning on your part.
Tour Info
Itinerary
Luxury Bosphorus Dinner Cruise
Pick-up is between 19:00 and 20:00, depending on your location, and the cruise starts at around 20:30.
- Hotel pick-up: you are collected from your centrally located Istanbul hotel or your chosen location and driven to the pier.
- Boarding and welcome: a welcome drink is served and guests are shown to their tables.
- Dinner: cold starters (meze platter), a main course (fish, chicken or meat), salad, and dessert or fruit.
- Entertainment: Turkish folk dance show, belly dance performance, DJ, music and dance floor, and sometimes live shows depending on the boat.
- Return to the pier at the end of the cruise.
- Drop-off: transfer back to your hotel or preferred location.
Inclusions & Exclusions
- ✓Hotel Pick-up and Drop-off
- ✓Bosphorus Dinner Cruise
- ✓Dinner Service
- ✓Soft Drinks
- ✓Entertainment Programme
- ✓Unlimited Alcoholic Drinks (Alcoholic Package, Extra Charge)
- ✓Non-Alcoholic Drinks (If Selected)
- ✓Air-Conditioned Transportation
- ✓Local Taxes
- ✕Imported Alcoholic Drinks
- ✕Personal Expenses
- ✕Tips and Gratuities
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel free of charge up to 7 days before the tour for a full refund. Cancellations within 7 days of the tour are not refundable. All times are local time.
Write a review
Have you traveled with us? Share your experience to help other travelers.
Travel guides
- Istanbul Day Trip from Antalya: Your Flight, Our Guide at the Airport
- Istanbul Boat Rental 2027: Private Boats and Yachts on the Bosphorus, Hourly Prices
- Sunset Bosphorus Yacht Cruise: Times by Month, Route and Prices
- Bosphorus Yacht Rental Istanbul: Hourly Prices, Piers and Extras
- Istanbul Trip from Oslo 2027: Direct Flights, What to Do and Tour Prices
- Chinese-Speaking Guide in Istanbul 2027: Private Car from $220
- Korean-Speaking Guide in Istanbul: Private Tours from $199 per Group
- Japanese-Speaking Guide in Istanbul 2027: Private Tours from $199
- Yacht Party Istanbul 2027: Birthday, Proposal and Event Yachts
- Private Bosphorus Yacht Tour 2027: Yachts by Group Size, Hourly Prices and Routes
Bosphorus dinner cruise with Turkish night show: what you need to know
This evening cruise on the Bosphorus combines dinner, a Turkish night show and the lights of Istanbul between Europe and Asia, from $90 per person. Hotel pick-up and drop-off, a welcome drink, a full dinner, soft drinks and the entertainment programme with a Turkish folk dance show, a belly dance performance and a dance floor are included. You can add an unlimited local alcoholic drinks package if you wish.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Duration | About 6 hours from hotel pick-up to drop-off |
| Price | from $90 per person |
| Pick-up | 19:00 to 20:00 from central hotels or your chosen location |
| Cruise starts | Around 20:30 |
| Included | Transfers, dinner, soft drinks, welcome drink, folk dance and belly dance shows, DJ, local taxes |
| Not included | Alcoholic package (extra charge), imported alcoholic drinks, tips |
Is the Bosphorus dinner cruise worth it?
For most visitors, yes, especially on a first trip to Istanbul. After dark the palaces, waterfront mansions, mosques and bridges along the Bosphorus are lit up, and seeing them from the water is one of the most beautiful views the city offers. The cruise also solves a whole evening in one booking: transport, dinner, entertainment and sightseeing, with no need to find a restaurant or a taxi back. It is a lively, social night out rather than a quiet fine-dining experience; if you want privacy and a gourmet meal, a private yacht is the better choice.
What is served for dinner?
| Course | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Welcome | A welcome drink as you are shown to your table |
| Starters | Cold meze platter |
| Main course | Fish, chicken or meat |
| Salad | Served with the main course |
| Dessert | Dessert or fruit |
| Drinks | Soft drinks included; unlimited local alcoholic drinks with the alcoholic package |
Tell us about vegetarian or other dietary needs when you book so the kitchen can prepare.
What is the Turkish night show?
The entertainment programme includes a Turkish folk dance show with regional costumes, a belly dance performance, and music with a DJ and a dance floor where guests are invited to join in. On some boats there are additional live shows. Expect energy and audience participation; it is part of the fun.
How long is the Bosphorus dinner cruise?
Allow about six hours for the whole evening, including the pick-up between 19:00 and 20:00, the cruise itself starting around 20:30, and the drive back to your hotel at the end. It is a late night, so plan a relaxed start the next morning.
Dinner cruise, lunch cruise or private yacht?
| Bosphorus option | Best for | Price from |
|---|---|---|
| This cruise | Night views, dinner and a show with transfers | $90 |
| Bosphorus lunch cruise with hotel pick-up | Daylight views, lunch, a licensed guide, 3 hours | $75 |
| 2-hour private Bosphorus yacht cruise | Your own yacht with a guide | $600 per group |
| Bosphorus private yacht for up to 12 | Private yacht by the hour, dinner on board on request | $299 per hour |
| Aura private yacht charter | Our lowest hourly private yacht rate | $190 per hour |
What should you wear on a Bosphorus dinner cruise?
Smart-casual is right: what you would wear to a nice restaurant. There is no strict dress code. Bring a jacket or warm layer, even in summer, because it gets cooler on deck at night when you go outside for photos. Comfortable shoes help if you plan to dance.
When is the best time to take a dinner cruise?
The cruise runs year-round. From May to September the evenings are warm and the outside decks are pleasant. In winter you stay mostly inside and step out for the views; the lights on the water are just as beautiful. Weekends and summer nights book up first.
Is it suitable for children?
Yes. Families with children are welcome, and the shows are colourful and lively. Note that it ends late, which is worth considering for small children.
How do you book?
Choose your date on this page and send the form, or message us on WhatsApp with your hotel name and whether you want the alcoholic or non-alcoholic package. We confirm your pick-up time in writing, and you pay only after confirmation. For more ideas see our Istanbul tours and our Turkey tour packages.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pay during the tour?
Yes, you can pay on the day of the tour, either at pick-up or on the boat.
Is hotel pick-up and drop-off included?
Yes. You are picked up from your hotel or preferred location in central Istanbul and dropped off after the tour.
What is included in the dinner?
A freshly prepared dinner is served on board while the boat sails between Europe and Asia, with soft drinks included in the price. You can add an unlimited local alcoholic drinks package for an extra charge or keep the non-alcoholic option; imported alcoholic drinks are not covered by either package. The entertainment programme, hotel pick-up and drop-off in an air-conditioned vehicle and local taxes are also included.
What time does the dinner cruise start?
Hotel pick-up is between 19:00 and 20:00, depending on your location. The cruise starts at around 20:30 after boarding.
Which landmarks will we see?
You see Istanbul's illuminated landmarks, such as the Galata Bridge, the Maiden's Tower and the Bosphorus bridges, along with the historic shoreline and city skyline lit up at night.
How long does the tour last?
Plan on about 4 to 4.5 hours from pick-up to drop-off on most evenings. Hotel pick-up runs between 19:00 and 20:00, the boat sails at around 20:30, and the return drive depends on where your hotel is. On busy nights with many hotel stops it can take longer, so do not book anything else for the same evening.
Are alcoholic drinks included on the Bosphorus dinner cruise?
Soft drinks are included in the standard price. Alcohol is not, but you can choose the unlimited local alcoholic drinks package for an extra charge when you book. If you prefer, choose the non-alcoholic package instead. Imported spirits and wines are not part of either package and are paid on board, so tell us your choice in advance and we price it on your booking.
Is the Bosphorus dinner cruise worth it?
It is worth it if you want one easy evening with the lit palaces, mansions and bridges, dinner and a lively show, all with hotel transfers arranged. It is a shared boat with music and a dance floor, so it is not a quiet romantic dinner. For a private evening on the water, a private Bosphorus yacht for your own group is the better choice.
Similar tours
Best of Istanbul Private Tour, 1-3 Days with Professional Guide
A licensed private guide for 1, 2 or 3 days in Istanbul: the Old City, the Bosphorus and the Golden Horn, planned around your interests.
Istanbul Private City Tour by Mercedes Vito, 1-6 People
Explore Istanbul's top sights at your own pace in a private Mercedes Vito with a professional driver, for up to 6 people.