The Bosphorus

The Bosphorus is the strait that threads through the heart of Istanbul, dividing Europe from Asia and linking the Black Sea to the Sea of Marmara - some 31 kilometres long, between 700 metres and about 3.4 kilometres wide and 13 to 110 metres deep in midstream, the narrowest strait in the world used for international shipping; the Greek name was read as the cattle crossing, after the myth of Io. Busy with ferries and ships, its shores are lined with Ottoman palaces, ancient fortresses, wooden waterside mansions and grand mosques, and a cruise along its length, watching the city and two continents drift past, is one of the great pleasures of Istanbul.

Highlights

• The strait cruise - the boat trip between Europe and Asia.
• The waterside palaces - the Dolmabahce Palace and Ottoman mansions.
• The bridges and fortresses - the great bridges and Rumeli Fortress.
• The two continents - crossing between Europe and Asia by ferry.

When to go

Spring and autumn for the mildest weather and calm water; a sunset cruise is especially beautiful as the city lights come on. The public ferries offer the same views far more cheaply than the tourist cruises.

Things to know

The cheap public commuter ferries offer much the same views as the pricier tourist cruises, so they are the local's choice. The full-length cruise up to the Black Sea takes most of a day. The shores are scenic but the water is busy with heavy shipping traffic.

Nearby

The old city sights, the Dolmabahce Palace and the Asian side of Istanbul are all along its shores.

Key facts