Bosphorus Lunch Cruise — Private Yacht Charter with Onboard Lunch

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Bosphorus Lunch Cruise — Private Yacht Charter with Onboard Lunch

Charter a private yacht for a relaxed midday cruise along the Bosphorus. Lunch options, onboard dining and the entire Istanbul skyline as your backdrop — customised to your group, date and preferences.

2 hours on water
Lunch options

4.8/5 · 4,100+ reviews

Reserve Your Yacht Charter

Lunch on the Bosphorus, Sun on the Deck

The Bosphorus Lunch Cruise is a slow, sunlit two hours between Europe and Asia. You board at Kabataş, settle into a private window-side table and watch Dolmabahçe Palace, the Bosphorus Bridge and the Maiden’s Tower drift past while a fresh Turkish lunch is served course by course.

It’s the cruise we recommend to first-time visitors who want to see the city, eat well and not lose half a day to taxis between sights. Two hours, one boat, one continuous panorama from the Old City to the Asian shore — and lunch you’ll actually remember.

Lunch options are flexible and customised to your group. Vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free and halal-friendly menus can be arranged on request — let us know your preferences when booking.

Bosphorus Lunch Cruise table view
Lunch cruise boat with Bosphorus view
BOOK YOUR LUNCH CRUISE

Bosphorus Yacht Charter with Onboard Lunch

A relaxed midday charter on the Bosphorus with onboard lunch options, comfortable seating, and the entire Istanbul skyline as your backdrop. Customised to your group, date and preferences.

Popular
Bosphorus Lunch Cruise with private table and Turkish menu
4.8/5 · 4,100+ reviews

LUNCH CRUISE · PRIVATE TABLE

Bosphorus Lunch Cruise

5-Course Lunch · Soft Drinks · Open Deck

  • 2-hour cruise with your own private table
  • 5-course Turkish menu — cold & hot starters, mains, dessert
  • Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options on request
  • (on request)
  • Free cancellation up to 24h before departure
  • No deposit, pay on the boat

DURATION

2 hrs lunch

Flexible departure

MENU

Onboard lunch

Vegetarian & vegan options

OPEN DECK

Sun & sea

Photography stops included

REAL VOICES, REAL LUNCHES

Bosphorus Lunch Cruise Reviews from Real Istanbul Travellers

“We took the lunch cruise on our second day in Istanbul and it ended up being the highlight of the trip. The window table, the sea bass and the slow pace of the boat — exactly what we needed after a morning of running between mosques.”

SM

Sara & Marco

Italy · April 2026 · Couple

“Travelled with two kids (6 and 9). The crew gave them a small fruit plate before our starters arrived and the open deck gave them somewhere to move. Great option if you don’t want to gamble on a long restaurant lunch with children.”

EH

Emma H.

United Kingdom · April 2026 · Family

“Booked this for a small business group of six. The private table layout, vegetarian options for two of us and the panoramic views worked far better than the corporate restaurant we’d planned. The team handled the timing for our group seamlessly.”

MB

Markus B.

Germany · March 2026 · Business group

BEST MONTHS

Best Months for a Bosphorus Lunch Cruise

Lunch service runs daily, all year. The view changes with the season — pick what you came to Istanbul for.

Spring

MARCH — MAY

Tulip season ashore, mild 18–22°C on deck. Our quietest months for lunch — easy to get a window table even on a same-day booking.

Summer

JUNE — AUGUST

Peak season. Open deck is the place to be at lunch — book 3–5 days ahead. Sea breeze keeps the boat cooler than the city.

Autumn

SEPTEMBER — NOVEMBER

Warm light, fewer crowds. Often the best photography window of the year — the strait turns soft gold from October on.

Winter

DECEMBER — FEBRUARY

Heated indoor saloon, dramatic skies, fewer guests. The 13:00 departure catches the brightest light of the day.

DIFFERENT TIME OF DAY?

Looking for a Different Time of Day?

Lunch not the right slot? Two natural alternatives if your day is already booked between 13:00 and 15:00.

Bosphorus Day Cruise

Six hours of daytime sailing with a multilingual audio guide. Best for first-time visitors who want every landmark and don’t mind a longer trip.

See Day Cruise

Bosphorus Dining Cruise

Evening cruise with a full dinner, live entertainment and the Istanbul skyline lit up. Best for travellers staying in town for the night.

See Dining Cruise

+35K

Lunch Guests

4.8/5

Average Rating

2 hrs

Lunch on Water

24/7

Reservation Support

ANSWERS BEFORE YOU BOARD

Bosphorus Lunch Cruise FAQ

What is included in a Bosphorus Lunch Cruise in Istanbul?
A private yacht charter with onboard lunch options, customisable menu, and the Bosphorus skyline as your backdrop. Specifics depend on the yacht and package you choose — contact us for a tailored quote.
How long does a lunch cruise on the Bosphorus last?
The cruise itself is two hours on the water — typically from 13:00 to 15:00. With hotel pickup and drop-off the full experience runs about three hours door to door.
What time does the Bosphorus lunch cruise depart?
Daily departures at 13:00 and 15:00 from Kabataş Pier. We confirm the exact time the day before your reservation based on the boat schedule.
How much does the Bosphorus Lunch Cruise cost?
Pricing varies depending on yacht size, group, season and onboard menu options. Contact us via WhatsApp with your group size and date for a tailored quote.
Where does the lunch cruise depart from?
Kabataş Pier, on the European side. We provide easy public transit access from Sultanahmet, Taksim, Beşiktaş, Karaköy and the central Asian-side districts on request.
What kind of food is served on the lunch cruise?
Lunch menus are flexible and arranged based on your preferences and group size. We can prepare Turkish lunch menus, vegetarian/vegan options, gluten-free and halal-friendly choices — please mention your needs when booking.
Are vegetarian and vegan menus available?
Yes — vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free menus are prepared on request at no extra charge. Just tell us when you book or up to 24 hours before departure.
What landmarks will I see during a Bosphorus lunch cruise?
Dolmabahçe Palace, the Bosphorus Bridge, Ortaköy Mosque, Beylerbeyi Palace, Rumeli Fortress, the Maiden’s Tower and the full skyline of the Old City, with photo-friendly stops on the open deck.
When is the best time to take a lunch cruise in Istanbul?
For weather, May–June and September–October are ideal. For the best light on the strait, the 13:00 departure year-round. For the quietest experience, weekday cruises in spring and autumn.
Can I book a private lunch cruise on the Bosphorus?
Yes — full private boats are available for groups of 8 or more, weddings, birthdays and corporate lunches. Pricing starts from €499 for the boat with a 2-hour itinerary; contact us for a tailored quote.
Is the lunch cruise suitable for children?
Yes. The boat has a covered indoor saloon and an open deck, lifejackets are on board for kids of every size, and the kitchen prepares simple kids’ plates on request. Children under 6 cruise for free.
How is the lunch cruise different from the dining cruise?
The lunch cruise is a 2-hour midday yacht charter focused on relaxed daylight cruising with onboard lunch options. The dining cruise is an evening 3-hour cruise with a full dinner and live entertainment under the lights of Istanbul.
Is alcohol served on the lunch cruise?
Soft drinks, Turkish tea and Turkish coffee are unlimited and included. Wine, beer and rakı are available from the bar at à la carte prices, paid on board.
Can I cancel or change my lunch cruise reservation?
Yes — free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure, no deposit required. Date changes are free anytime subject to availability. Contact us via WhatsApp at +90 545 866 35 44.
Is private table service provided?
Yes — every reservation includes a private table for your party. Window-side tables are assigned on a first-booked basis; reserve 3+ days in advance to lock one in.
What should I wear on the Bosphorus lunch cruise?
Smart casual is fine. In summer, light layers — there’s a sea breeze on the open deck. In winter, a jacket if you plan to spend time outside; the indoor saloon is heated.
What is the best lunch cruise Istanbul has to offer?
Charter a private yacht for a relaxed midday cruise with onboard lunch options. Contact us for a tailored quote based on your group, date and preferences.

CONTACT

Give us a call or fill in the form below and we will contact you. We endeavor to answer all inquiries within 24 hours on business days.