Escape the busy streets of the city on this full day tour from Istanbul, combining Ottoman history with some of the greenest corners of the Bosphorus region. This private daily excursion travels in a comfortable, air-conditioned vehicle with a professional English-speaking guide, making it an easy and relaxing way to see a different side of the city.
The day begins in Arnavutkoy, an elegant district on the European shore of the Bosphorus Strait. Its streets are lined with beautifully preserved wooden yali mansions, small seafood restaurants and the prestigious Robert College, making it a delightful introduction to the city's waterfront heritage.
Next comes Rumeli Fortress, a colossal medieval citadel ordered by Sultan Mehmet II in the mid-1400s during his campaign to take Constantinople. Remarkably, over 3,000 workers completed the massive structure in only four months. Today it welcomes visitors as a museum and occasionally hosts concerts and festivals within its ancient walls.
In the afternoon, the tour continues to the Ataturk Arboretum, a serene botanical haven in the north of the city with tranquil lakes and an extraordinary collection of flora. The final stop is Belgrad Forest, widely regarded as one of the greenest areas of Istanbul, where you can walk shaded paths and unwind in nature before returning to your accommodation around 6.00pm. Please note that lunch and dinner are not included, so you may wish to bring snacks or plan a meal along the way. This easy-paced Istanbul day trip suits travellers aged 12 to 88.
| Tour type | Private · day tour |
|---|---|
| Duration | Full Day |
| Price | From €295 per person |
| Departures | Every day |
| Guide | Licensed guide in your language |
| Stops | 4 |
| Entrance fees | Included |
| Booking | Instant request online, confirmation within 24 hours · TÜRSAB-licensed operator (A-5751) |
Your full day programme — click to see every stop.
Bosphorus Shore and Belgrad Forest Route
Your day tour begins with a 9.00am pick-up from your accommodation in Istanbul, travelling in a comfortable, air-conditioned, non-smoking vehicle. The first stop at around 10.00am is Arnavutkoy, a charming historic neighbourhood on the Bosphorus shoreline. Here you will wander among elegant Ottoman mansions, quaint restaurants and notable buildings such as the prestigious Robert College, soaking up the district's distinctive architecture. At approximately 11.30am you continue to Rumeli Fortress, the imposing medieval stronghold built in just four months by more than 3,000 workers for Sultan Mehmet II's conquest of Constantinople. Now an open-air museum, the fortress also stages concerts and festivals, and your entrance fee is included. Around 1.00pm the journey heads to the Ataturk Arboretum, a tranquil botanical garden with serene lakes and close to 2,000 varieties of plants from across the world — a paradise for nature lovers. At 2.00pm you arrive at Belgrad Forest, one of the greenest spots in the city, where the rest of the afternoon is spent strolling beneath the trees and enjoying the peaceful woodland atmosphere with friends and family. The tour concludes with a return transfer to your accommodation at approximately 6.00pm.
Istanbul → Nature → Istanbul Rumeli Fortress → Belgrad Forest
Modern, comfortable and fully-equipped vehicles — the same fleet we use on your tour.
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Real, verified reviews from travellers who explored Turkey with us.
My husband and I chose Inca Tour for our honeymoon and we are so glad we did. The boutique hotel selection was beautiful and the Bosphorus dinner cruise was so romantic. Thank you for making our trip special!
It was important for us to have a guide who spoke Russian, and Ender was wonderful. He explained every detail at Dolmabahce Palace. The Princes Islands day trip was a beautiful break from the busy city.
Our guide Ender was incredibly knowledgeable about Turkish history. The hot-air balloon ride at sunrise in Cappadocia was the highlight of our trip. Everything was perfectly organized — from airport pick-up to the last d...
Ender was our Italian-speaking guide and we felt like family. He took us to local spots tourists never see. The hotel choice in Sultanahmet was perfect for walking everywhere.
10+ years later we still talk about our Cappadocia balloon ride and the Bosphorus sunset cruise. Some memories are timeless. Thank you Inca Tour!