Home > Istanbul > Istanbul Two Continents Half-Day Tour
USD $50.00
Istanbul Two Continents Half-Day Tour
Istanbul, Turkey
From the opulent palaces of Istanbul's European shore to magnificent views from the city's Asian side, this leisurely four-hour afternoon tour shows you the best of magical Istanbul.
Your tour of Istanbul starts with a visit to Beylerbeyi Palace. Beylerbeyi Palace was constructed in 1861–65 by Sarkis Balyan, a famous Armenian architect. Beylerbeyi is the largest and most elegant Ottoman palace, located right by the Bosphorus Bridge and the waterfront.
After touring the palace, you will then cross the Bosphorus Bridge for a unique chance to travel from one continent (Europe) to another (Asia) in only two minutes!
Once on the Asian side, you'll enjoy magnificent views of Istanbul from Camlica Hill, the highest point in the city. The picture-postcard panorama of Istanbul is spread before you from a viewpoint of beautiful gardens landscaped in the traditional Ottoman style.
Overall not a bad tour, but not the most interesting topics. Might not do again.
Review by: MJ W, October 2014
It was a great bus tour but the resistance to let me use my mobility aids limited the trip because the driver wouldn't let me use my wheelchair. He was very upset that I wasn't 100% physically fit and able to run a marathon. I could not find anyone who spoke English to explain why the risk of the palace in plastic shoe covers is extremely dangerous for falls and wondered if they had safer options. I saw the English guide for about 30seconds and was told to sit in the corner at the Palace because he had to get going. No one else spoke English. He didn't apologize, ask if he could help out at all, nothing. He told me I couldn't go on his tour, but needed to take the spice market tour instead, which wasn't my interest. I suspect it was just his attitude. I opted for the French and German speaking bus rather than fight with the English guide or take a tour I didn't need.
Review by: js839, October 2014
Good short half day tour. We were picked up and dropped off at our hotel. We started by going to Asia. Had some time to take pictures and walk around. We then went to the palace, which was great. The tour guide could have been a little bit more personalable. He seemed somewhat robotic, but nice.
Review by: Mrs E S Duarte D, October 2014
Nice to see a different part of the city and good overall views. Would be best done on a clear day. Excellent guide
Review by: Virginia R, July 2014
While the tour was short, it was a great opportunity to visit the Asian side of Istanbul. The temperature was a bit cooler than the European side and it has beautiful palaces and vista outlooks. We also had an opportunity to taste delicious Turkish ice cream made with goat milk and Orchid powder1
Review by: gail, May 2014
Unfortunately it rained heavily on the day of the tour and we saw very little, but enjoyed the Sumer palace
Review by: Edward K, April 2014
It was nice taking a trip over the Bosphorous, but this could have been so much better._br/_
Aziz was a great tour guide, explaining the history and taking you around._br/_
This trip was really only 2 hours not a half a day, add in another hour of picking up and dropping people off._br/_
You start off with some free time up at the highest point on the Asian side, really nice views. Then you drive around, I forget what places we stopped at except the last stop which was the Sultans summer palace. Really nice palace. This trip could be so much better however. Suggestions: Spend more time in other Asian parts and also make a stop at the Dolambache palace - that would have been really nice.
Review by: christinementiply, March 2014
Guide excellent. Wonderful trip
Review by: Raymond C, March 2014
We seemed to join another tour at the halfway point, the place was good but the rest of the trip.seemed a bit pointless
Review by: Robert S, January 2014
The guide on this tour was less fluent in English than the guide on my other tour._br/_
This tour spent more time on the bus than I expected, hence less time at the sites I wanted to see._br/_
I'm not loudly complaining, it's just that I didn't find the half-day tour to be as valuable as a full-day tour.
Review by: JASe, December 2013
Istanbul...what a great city! A city on 2 continents. While most of the treasures_br/_
are on the European side, a tour, including the Asian side, makes the trip better.
Review by: Johanna P, August 2013
Beautiful views across Istanbul and marvelous palace with good guide.
Review by: Kevin K, June 2013
all this tour comprises is a trip up a very high hill for a photo opportunity and then a visit to the former Sultan's summer palace. That's it. Not great value.
Review by: Claudia A, June 2013
Great half day trip to the Asian side of Instabul. Crossing over the bridge you'll visit a palace and then up the hill for panoramic views! Beautiful!
Review by: 123gabyn, May 2013
We were picked up on time, (1.00 PM) but the tour started at 2.00 PM because of transfers to another bus. We loved the view of the hill and the palace (but I find this a little bit unorganised, we had to wait for almost half an hour at the entrance). I think 35 euro is too much, when you take the hop on hop off (Bospharus/city window) than you can do this on your own.
Review by: Julian E, April 2013
Another awesome experience through Viator. Our tour guide was super friendly and very knowledgeable about Istanbul, answering all of our questions and explaining what we were seeing in great detail. The tour included a trip over the big cable suspension bridge and up to the top of the highest hill in Istanbul with spectacular views of the entire city, plus a guided tour of the summer palace used by two sultans in the 19th century. I highly recommend this tour as its a great way to see both continents in one day. Amazing views and definitely worthwhile.
Review by: Mrs. Celia M, February 2013
worth doing if have a spare afternoon would have liked a little more info on Istanbul's history as we travelled. Guides English could have been better
Review by: Frank G, February 2013
I imagine it is not easy to coordinate groups of people and then arrange for them to be in specific locales at specific times. I can accept that to a certain extend, but we were kept waiting 40+ minutes before we even got on the road to begin our tour. Time is precious in a new city, right?
Review by: A and V, February 2013
Bus tour across the bridge, unfortunately it was raining,the guide gave general information, only 2 visits not so exciting
Review by: Betty S, December 2012
This was a good tour and enjoyed by all three of us. It gave us a better understanding of Istanbul and we were very pleased.
Review by: Knud Erik L, November 2012
We we're picked uo at the appointed time but then driven around for half an hour, dropped off and had to wait for the right bus. It took too long.
Review by: Inita G, November 2012
Most enjoyable day in Istanbul, unforgettable tour and very well organized. Umut is a fantastic guide, full of knowledge, spoke perfect english and kept our interest at all times. The summer residence was delightful and absolutely amazing! Stunning views from Camlica Hill. Loved this tour and highly recommend!
Review by: Dimity, October 2012
Palace was specatular. Great insight into the city
Review by: Trisha, September 2012
This was an interesting afternoon, the Beylerbeyi Palace was amazing and the view from Camlica Hill was great. Would recommend.
Review by: fei, September 2012
Visit dolmabahce palace, no space between the different groups visiting the palace at the same time resulting in a cacophony of all languages from guides.
Review by: Paul C, September 2012
I would definitely recommend this tour but it did seem a bit hurried. Not the tour companies fault, just a lot to cover in a short amount of time.
Review by: EARL S, September 2012
Tour was very good. They picked us up at our hotel, on time and drove us to the meeting point. As it turned out, the real tour started about 1/2 mile from our hotel. They could just ads easily picked us up on the way to the Asian side. _br/_
The view from the Asian side is much different than the European side. This area is newer, more modern. They took us to the highest hill and the views were terrific._br/_
The summer palace was nice, but they do not allow you to take pictures and we would have liked to do so._br/_
All in all, the guide was knowledgable and answered questions. His English was very good.
Review by: Laura S, July 2012
Very enjoyable, fabulous trip - saw lots of places we wouldn't have had time to see on our own. Thank you
Review by: WAYNE W, June 2012
Very good way to get an overview of Istanbul on both sides of the Bosphorus
Review by: ricotarola, June 2012
The tour could have been more informative, but the views from Camlica hill are breathtaking.
Review by: Dorothy, May 2012
A half day is not a great deal of time to see much of anything, but Viatour came through with this tour, providing a good overview of the city, the information on the sites and much, much more. Thoroughly enjoyed and for anyone who has very limited time available, this is a good tour to take.
Review by: Ann L, March 2012
good overview
Review by: Brian O, March 2012
This was a good trip efficiently organised. The guide was pleasant and very knowledgeable. My only criticism was that so much infomation was given on the coach that one could not take it all in. Perhaps it would be better if the details of not every building were given.
Review by: LOBNA I, November 2011
it was good informative tour guides was v.good
Review by: Loren G, November 2011
Very good tour. The guide spoke very good english and was clearly understood. The pace of the tour was fine.
Review by: Henry B, September 2011
HARD TO UNERSTAND GUIDE WITH BIG GROUP. OTHER TOUR GROUPS HAD EAR PIECES AND THE GUIDE TALKED IN HIS MIKE. THIS SYSTEM WORKS GREAT BUT WE DIDN'T HAVE IT.
Review by: Monica G, June 2011
good
Review by: Didzis B, May 2011
Only dissatisfaction was choosen object (Beylerbeyi Palace). It would be better if we visit Dolmabahce Palace instead of Beylerbeyi Palace. _br/_
I purchased tour to day when Dolmabahce Palace is open but still other object was choosen.
Review by: Patricia G, May 2011
We were picked up at our hotel, then drove 45 minutes to the departure point. We then proceded to drive PAST our hotel before beginning our tour. Would have saved us a lot of bus time if we were picked up on the way to the tour. The tour did not last as long as stated in the description. We did enjoy what we saw though. Istanbul is a fascinating city with so much to see!
Review by: Wang O, May 2011
tour guide was not very knowlegble.It was very fast too.
Review by: Krishnan Vaitheeswaran, May 2011
Excellent guide - a decent afternoon.
Review by: G R, April 2011
This is a bit of a rip off. We only go up a hill and then to a summer palace Not worth th cosst. The guide did rcommend a good restaurant, Hamdi to go to afterwards..
Review by: Keith D, April 2011
What we saw was nice. A view from the highest point in Instanbul and the sultan summer palace. However, this was not worth the nearly $50 a person that we paid.
Review by: Jusna B, February 2011
This tour needs to be taken during the summer period to enjoy one self.
Review by: Dharmilla T, January 2011
This tour was undertaken with ITS through Neon Tours. The local guide was very good._br/_
This was a beautiful tour, however, quite short!!!
Review by: Rana M, October 2010
I wish we had knows in advance which palaces were toured on which days. We thought we were going to dolomache palace, but were disheartened when we realized that we were visiting Beylerbeyi palace instead. In the future, I would suggest confirming which palace is scheduled for the day you are planning if your heart is set on one over the other.
Review by: Antony Martin Prakash L, September 2010
Impressed with the timely pick up but the tour did not cover all parts of the plan. Excellent tour guide - informative and enteraining
Review by: Anonymous, Australia, June 2010
This is really a tour of the Asian side of Istanbul - fighting a lot of traffic, normal for Istanbul - to visit a lookout on the Asian side and then to visit the Beylerbeyi Palace on the shores of the Bosphorus. The tour was a lot shorter than 4 hours - but still worthwhile.
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