Now you will hop on a Bosphorus Cruise, through the waterway separating the two continents – Europe and Asia – giving you a perfect chance to take amazing photographs of marble palaces, ancient wooden villas of Ottoman architecture besides modern residential areas and luxurious apartments. The Rumeli Fortress (seen from the boat – no interior visit), is the historical armament built by the Conqueror to control and protect the Bosphorus and is a unique example of military architecture. As you travel along the cruise route, you will be able to see the Imperial Gardens of the Royal Yildiz Palace, the Bosphorus Bridge that connects the continents of Europe and Asia, the Beylerbeyi Palace, the Maiden's Tower (also known as Leander's Tower), and Üsküdar District. Private boat service is only offered for Private Tours.

This horn-shaped estuary divides European Istanbul. One of the best natural harbours in the world, the Byzantine and Ottoman navies and commercial shipping interests were centered here. Today, lovely parks and promenades line the shores where the setting sun dyes the water a golden colour. At Fener and Balat, neighbourhoods midway up the Golden Horn, whole streets of old wooden houses, churches, and synagogues date from Byzantine and Ottoman times. The Orthodox Patriarchy besides here at Fener. Eyup, a little further up, reflects the Ottoman style of architecture. Cemeteries sprinkled with dark cypress trees cover the hillsides. Many pilgrims come to the tomb of Eyup in the hope that their prayers will be granted. The Pierre Loti Cafe, atop the hill overlooking the shrine is a wonderful place to enjoy the tranquillity of the view. Istanbul is an international art and cultural centre. The International Arts and Cultural Festival is held each year in June.

Balat is one of the oldest and most spectacular districts of Istanbul. The second you step foot along its narrow cobbled streets and historic buildings, you sense an atmosphere unlike anywhere else in Istanbul, and indeed the world. The district is genuinely hidden away a little bit, set past the shores of Eminönü along the Golden Horn. It’s quite close to the metro stop along the Golden Horn (called Haliç in Turkish), within comfortable walking distance. The coastal road all along the Golden Horn is extremely pleasant, with massive parks all along and families walking along the promenade all the way up to Pierre Loti at the end of the Golden Horn. But once you step inside Balat, all that drifts away as you’ve stepped into an Istanbul of yesteryear. So let’s go exploring!

Time to ride a cable car to the Pierre Loti Coffee House for a breathtaking view of the Golden Horn. Travel up the winding Golden Horn — lined by parks and promenades — to visit the holy district of Eyüp, named after an officer in the army of the Prophet Mohammed who died during a siege of Istanbul and is buried here. Hugging the hill behind the 15th-century Eyüp Sultan Mosque is a sprawling cemetery of strange, beautiful, turban-topped tombs. For the best views, head to the hilltop Pierre Loti Cafe, named after the French novelist and naval officer. Loti wrote his 1876 novel Aziyadé at this establishment back when it was called the Rabia Kadın Café.