I managed to walk along the Bosphorus twice: first on July 26, 2013, and then almost a month later, in August. The difference was: in July, we preferred to ride on the ferry after 6 pm, and in August we rode the day and with a small, 5-month child.
Of course, the first option is more preferred. In July, Istanbul is terribly hot, walk all day in a cap, glasses and do not part with a bottle of mineral water, which, however, is offered at every step for half a liter of half liters (25 American cents). I would advise you still stay at the evening walk, when not so hot. In the afternoon, you can walk along the Sultanahmet, visit the Archaeological Museum, the Museum of Ayia Sofia, the Blue Mosque, Yebatant, and in the evening just go on the ship. My English-speaking friend called this Boat Cruise.
So, from where we go. I will say right away that not from the Sultanammet. There are several shipments. We went from Emineni Square, for example. My friend lives in a sleeping area of Istanbul, knew the road, but I will say exactly that the fastest is to take a high-speed metro tram. Stop Emineny - your destination.
The cost of pleasure in the summer of 2013 was fluctuated from 12 to 15 Turkish lira (US $ 6-7). Wishing a lot. Before the trip, you can and need to eat. In August 2013, I, my girlfriend blissing and her baby tried sandwiches with roasted fish. The taste is similar to the Baltic sprats, but at all I did not eat anything like this in my life. Try it.
Of course, do not forget to drink all this with a water (in Turkish "Su").
Preparing this fish at the pier on the water here on such people.
Agree that looks beautiful.
Learn in detail travel schedule, before going. There are several travel options. The first: lasts 6 hours. You float on the state ferry from Emina to Anadolu Kavaga. 2 hours there, 2 hours back and 2 hours to resemble the ruins of the Genoese castle or have a snack in the village. During the path of the ferry, there will be 5 stops. This pleasure is available only in summer and only 3 times a day. The total cost of such an excursion is 25 lir (12 US dollars), if you go only one way - 15 lire.
We took advantage of the second excursion for 12 lire. We drove to the Station of Olyault and without stopping. We walked to the Fatiha Bridge, and then unfolded back. The only thing I don't know is, this, we sailed on public or private ferry. The first time was probably private, as the excursion was in the evening, while the state ferry only walks at 14.30. Nor paradoxically, and there, and there the cost was 12 li. Just private ferries are much more, almost every hour depart, so you can't wait long. In the way you will spend a half - a maximum of 2 hours. My friend, however, said that it was possible to find a trip for 10 lire. But we never found anything like that day. Perhaps some kind of shoe and lowered the price to dial more people.
Pay attention how many people gathered to ride.
Here we are blissing on the ferry.
And here I am sunbathe in the sun!
During the excursion I saw people of different ages, many foreigners. Everyone there is a place, but it still needs to occupy as quickly as possible, as everyone wants to sit down.
On the ferry there is a toilet and a shop with food. You can go down and buy, but you can wait for a merchant who goes almost every hour and offers water and snacks.
What can be seen on the way? First of all, this is a Suliman Mosque, Suleiman's magnificent and his wife, from Ukraine, Roksolana, is buried. Next we see many different mosques and palaces of the 19th century. We pass nightclubs, restaurants and summer villas are far from the poor inhabitants of Istanbul. Next, there will be an Bosphorus suspension bridge, which is among the top ten of the most extended on the planet and Bridge Sultan Mehmet Fatiha (the second Bosphorus Bridge). In the evening it is generally magnificent, as the bridges are literally burning with lights. At the end of the cruise, we notice the famous maiden tower.
So, remember that the journey through the Bosphorus is preferable to perform in summer (I'm not sure, or organize it in spring and autumn). And then - depending on your schedule: if the day was saturated, then go to the clock cruise at 5-6 pm, but also do not tighten, because not all ferries are sent late. In the evening, the sights are highlighted, the ferry fits the breeze and sea coolness. Day journey can be very hot and not so memorable.
Second. You can go practically in any bright time of the day, having a snack before and while traveling and paying relatively few. In 2013, 12 Turkish lira is 48 Ukrainian hryvnias, as for one-hour swimming, even by the standards of Ukraine it was inexpensive. There are no age-related, linguistic and racial restrictions on the ferry, you can generally do not own, like me, and everyone will understand. You see, the blissing took 5-month Nicholas, and no one said anything, even helped a stroller. One "but": no one gives a guide and says nothing. You can learn about the route on the map at the pier or on the Internet.
Excursion will be interesting to people of different ages. This is an unforgettable pleasure. I would be honest, I would love to ride a couple more times.