Sweeping view of Istanbul with the domes and minarets of the Süleymaniye Mosque towering over colorful hillside buildings and boats on the Golden Horn.

Istanbul, Turkey

Cruises to Istanbul, Turkey

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Things to do in Istanbul

Istanbul flares across two continents — a city of convergence and caffeine, where architectural legacies, shared flavors and vibrant bazaars fuel a thriving scene of art, fashion and nightlife. You’ll see domes that dare gravity, mosaics that showcase empires and a bazaar that feels less like shopping and more like time travel. This is where centuries of empire leave their mark in ancient monuments, Byzantine structures and Ottoman palaces, where the Bosphorus flows past chic resort towns, and where Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque captivate with monumental beauty and stunning frescoes.

Explore things to do in Istanbul
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  • The Hagia Sophia in Istanbul with its massive dome and four slender minarets, surrounded by trees and colorful city buildings near the Bosphorus.

    Admire the soaring dome of Hagia Sophia and feel the echoes of empires in its marble.

  • Entrance to Topkapi Palace in Istanbul with tall towers, stone walls, spring flowers and visitors walking through the gardens.

    Walk through Topkapi Palace and gape at treasures and chambers built for sultans.

  • The Blue Mosque in Istanbul with its domes and six tall minarets surrounded by trees, set against the backdrop of the Bosphorus and city skyline.

    Slip inside the Blue Mosque, where your footsteps fade and silence becomes sacred.

  • Interior of Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar lined with stalls selling colorful mosaic lamps, decorative plates and traditional crafts under arched ceilings.

    Immerse yourself in the Grand Bazaar, where carpets, tea, copper and color weave together in a dazzling whirl.

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Explore with Istanbul shore excursions

What do you take away from the city that has everything? These excursions offer a richly layered view of Istanbul, bringing you distinctive experiences that reveal the city’s history, culture and modern energy — from a place that still carries its stories in its streets, architecture and daily life.

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  • Narrow cobblestone street in Istanbul lined with colorful buildings and shops, leading to the historic Galata Tower in the distance.

    Best of Istanbul

    You’ll motor into Old Istanbul, where the Blue Mosque looms like an invitation in stone, then slip through Topkapi Palace’s jeweled secrets and hushed harem passages. After lunch, you’re unleashed into the Grand Bazaar’s labyrinth of spice, silk and chaos. Cap it off beneath Hagia Sophia’s dome — where history holds its breath just for you.

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  • A boat cruising the Bosphorus in Istanbul with the Suleymaniye Mosque and its tall minarets rising above the city’s hillside buildings.

    Istanbul Highlights & Bosphorus Cruise

    Hit the Hippodrome’s ancient footprint, snap the Blue Mosque’s domed silhouette, then slide onto a boat and let the Bosphorus Strait carry you between Europe and Asia. Palaces, seaside mansions and castle towers drift past. Land again for the Grand Bazaar’s swirl of colors and Topkapi’s view over continents.

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  • A vibrant stall in Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar filled with hand-painted ceramic plates, bowls, hanging lanterns and traditional textiles in bold colors.

    Treasure Hunt in the Grand Bazaar for Families

    Why go sight-seeing when you can hunt for treasure? Turn shopping into a challenge for the whole family. Kids get maps and clues to guide your group through dozens of streets and past thousands of shops, chasing riddles and prizes. The adults? You’ll be right behind, bargaining, laughing and maybe regretting not buying that lamp. Whoever unearths the hidden loot wins bragging rights.

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  • Colorful mounds of spices in red, yellow, green and black stacked in baskets at Istanbul’s famous Spice Market.

    Istanbul City Walls & Spice Bazaar

    Trace the old city’s skeletal walls — gates, towers, battles echoing in stone. Then step into Spice Bazaar: smoke scents, sweet teas, saffron clouds and impossibly soft Turkish Delight. Taste, sniff, argue prices and walk away with pockets full of spice (and probably a few new obsessions).

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  • An upside-down Medusa head carved in stone, used as a column base in the dimly lit Basilica Cistern with glowing red arches overhead.

    Hippodrome, Byzantine Cistern & Blue Mosque

    Start at the Hippodrome — whisper where chariots once thundered. Descend into the Underground Cistern, where columns dive into darkness and dripping echoes follow you. Then enter the Blue Mosque, where walls explode in blue. Cap it off with a glimpse of Hagia Sophia and a bazaar stroll.

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  • Interior of Rüstem Pasha Mosque in Istanbul, with intricate blue Iznik tiles, patterned arches and a grand central dome.

    Late Riser – Ottoman Istanbul

    Wake up when the streets feel more forgiving, then hit Rüstem Pasha Mosque to see tiles blot the walls like poetry. Wander the Islamic Arts Museum — artifacts, manuscripts and designs pushing your idea of ‘delicate.’ Finish in the Grand Bazaar; shop slow, snack often, drift back to port asking “Did I dream that?”

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  • Fresh simit bread rings covered in sesame seeds displayed on a wooden tray along a busy street in Istanbul.

    Turkish Food Experience

    This is sniff‑and-chew diplomacy. You’ll dart from simit with sesame seeds to smoky kebabs, nut-crusted baklava and strong Turkish coffee or thick tea. Learn spices you didn’t know existed. Laugh, taste, repeat — and return to the ship with a happy stomach.

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  • Vibrant Turkish mosaic lamps hanging in clusters at Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar, glowing with multicolored glass patterns.

    Breakfast Cruise, Blue Mosque & Grand Bazaar

    Board a boat at dawn, breakfast in hand, sail against the Bosphorus rising around you. Disembark into the Grand Bazaar’s frenzy, where colors and goods fight for your attention, then slip off your shoes, enter the Blue Mosque and watch silence settle beneath its domes.

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Explore all Istanbul shore excursions

Experience the Istanbul port on your next cruise

Princess ships dock at the Port of Istanbul’s cruise terminal — Galataport in Karaköy. You're already on the European side, with trams and taxis ready to drag you into the thick of it. If your Mediterranean or European cruise brings you here, or if you have the good fortune to start your adventure from Istanbul, good news: you're already steps from old Constantinople’s beating heart. The Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia and Topkapi Palace? They’re not just close — they’re practically calling your name.

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Historic Colosseum in Rome under blue sky

10-Day Mediterranean with Greek Isles & Turkey

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Cape Drastis - Corfu, Greece

18-Day The Best of the Mediterranean

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Bellver Castle, Palma, Mallorca

21-Day The Best of the Mediterranean

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Discover Istanbul on your next cruise

Cruise to Istanbul and you’re signing up for one of the world’s greatest city convergences — East meets West, sultans meet street vendors, faith meets architecture that refuses to stay quiet. See historic sites like Hagia Sophia and Topkapi Palace, shop in labyrinthine markets, ride the Bosphorus and come back thrilled that your schedule lets you stay so long.

Cruise to Istanbul
The Blue Mosque in Istanbul framed by tall minarets, palm trees, autumn foliage and a turquoise fountain in the foreground.

Stroll past palm trees and glowing autumn leaves as the Blue Mosque towers over Istanbul’s lively square.

Colorful spice piles, dried herbs and ornate ceramic plates on display inside Istanbul’s bustling Grand Bazaar.

Dive into the sights and scents of Istanbul’s spice markets.

A smiling couple stands at the railing of a Princess® cruise ship, enjoying the open sea and blue sky.

A couple stands together on the wooden deck of a Princess® cruise ship, gazing out at the open sea beneath a bright blue sky dotted with clouds.

Front-facing view of a Princess® cruise ship sailing through calm ocean waters.

Cut through the world’s waterways and experience the planet’s most exciting coastlines from a sea-side perspective; our fleet is your luxury-and-entertainment-packed transport to adventure.

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Step aboard any Princess® ship and discover your new favorite way to travel. Each vessel is a floating playground of flavor, comfort and top-deck experiences. Enjoy freshly prepared local dishes, Broadway-caliber entertainment, oceanview fitness and wellness studios, family programming and beds so comfortable they’ve won awards. 


No two ships are identical, but they all share one mission: turn your vacation into a standing ovation.

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Cruises to Istanbul FAQs

*The port location is subject to change. Please check itinerary details after you book for more information.

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