Organize your Turkey cruise-ship shore excursions in Istanbul and Ephesus with local experts. Insight Travel’s knowledgeable guides will give you the ‘insight’ into Turkey that we’re known for. 

We can tailor an itinerary to suit your disembarking and embarking times and maximize your time on shore or you can take one of our Insight small group tours. Our 

professional guides and drivers will meet you and drop you off at your ship. You just disembark, pass through the customs building (in some cases) and you will be met with a sign that has your name on it, then start your discovery of Istanbul or Ephesus.

If you are starting or finishing your cruise in Turkey, we can also provide you with pre- and post-cruise packages for any city in Turkey or you may want more freedom by hiring a guide only or a guide and driver etc.

Many cruise passengers who have organized their shore excursions through Insight Travel have been thrilled with their experiences. To find out more read our Customer Testimonials

THE MOST POPULAR SMALL GROUP AND PRIVATE CRUISE SHIP EXCURSIONS FOR A FULL DAY IN ISTANBUL

SULTANAHMET - SMALL GROUP OR PRIVATE TOUR
Pick up from your cruise ship at 8.30. We will cross the Galata Bridge and start our visit of the historical center of Istanbul with a visit to the magnificent St. (Haghia) Sophia, built by the Emperor Justinian. See the Topkapi palace, with its collection of priceless jewels, crystal, silver and porcelain, robes worn by the sultans and relics of the prophet Mohammed. You may also visit the Harem (optional and extra). Lunch in a local restaurant (optional on private tours), which is a historical building designed the Architect Sinan/ We cross Sultanahmet square and continue to the Blue Mosque, built for Sultan Ahmet I, its six minarets and precious Iznik tiles. We will also se the Hippodrome, Obelisk of Theodosius, Snake Pillar and Fountain of Wilhelm II. Discover also the back streets of Istanbul and the Theodosian Cistern (or Basilica Cistern on private tours). Shopping in the Grand Covered Bazaar. Return to your ship at approximately 17.30.

BOSPHORUS CRUISE WITH DOLMABAHCE - SMALL GROUP OR PRIVATE TOUR
Pick up from your cruise ship at 8.30. Cross the Galata Bridge and the Golden Horn. Start your discovery of the inviting and fragrant Egyptian Spice Market.. We then visit the 19th c. Dolmabahce Palace on the Bosphorus. We drive along the Bosphorus, leaving the European side for Asia, then to Camlica Hill for a panoramic view Istanbul. We have a lunch in a nice seafood restaurant near the water (optional on private tours) then visit the Sadberk Hanim Museum, with its beautiful private collections of archaeological and ethnographical items. We Cruise the Bosphorus in the afternoon by ferry, passing the impressive Rumeli Fortress, Ottoman seaside mansions, marble palaces and small fishing villages. Drop off at your ship around 17.30. 

ISTANBUL CITY WALLS AND CHORA - SMALL GROUP OR PRIVATE TOUR

Pick up from your cruise ship at 8.30. Today you will take an alternative tour or Istanbul and drive along the shore of the Marmara Sea, where there are some interesting sections of the Byzantine Sea-wall and "Yedikule" fortress with the Golden gate. We then turn inland and drive along the Theodosian land walls. We may visit the Sacred Spring of the Fish (Greek Orthodox Church). This forgotten shrine is 1500 years old. Or alternatively on private tours a visit 

of the Church of St. George, which is located in the complex of the Orthodox Ecumenical Patriarch, and houses important relics of the early church fathers from Anatolia. We continue to the Kariye Church (Chora museum) with its 14th c mosaics depicting scenes from the Bible, and then Tekfur Palace, one of the finest examples of Byzantine architecture existing in Turkey. We also visit Pierre Loti Hill and get a view of the Golden Horn. We then walk down to Eyup Imperial Mosque. Return to your ship around 16.00 (Private tours may include other sights). 

ISTANBUL - THE GOLDEN HORN - PRIVATE TOUR ONLY
Pick up from your cruise ship and start your discovery of the historic neighborhoods of the Golden Horn where different religious groups live in harmony in Istanbul. You may visit the Neve Shalom or Askenazi Synagogue in Galata, the Zulfaris Museum, with historic and ethnographic sections, celebrating over 500 years of friendship between Turks and Jews. We continue along the scenic Golden Horn to Balat and then continue to the mosque, tomb and complex of Eyup, standard bearer of the Prophet, which is an important place of pilgrimage for Moslems. We continue inland and view the old Byzantine City Walls the Chora Church (Kariye Museum) with its 14th c mosaics and frescoes. We drive back toward the Golden Horn to the neighborhood of Fener. Visit the Church of St. George which houses relics of St. Euphemias, St. John Chrysostom and St Gregory Nazienzen. The Orthodox Ecumenical Patriarch, Bartholomew I resides here at the "See of Constantinople". We will also drive past the Bulgarian Church, which is made entirely of cast iron cross. We end the tour with a view of the Golden Horn, the Bosphorus and the historic peninsula of Istanbul from the Galata Tower. Drop off at your cruise ship around 17.00.

ISTANBUL ASIAN DISCOVERY - PRIVATE TOUR ONLY
Pick up from your cruise ship and visit the exotic Egyptian Spice Market on the Golden Horn, then cross the bridge over the Bosphorus to Camlica Hill for a great view of Istanbul. We visit Beylerbeyi Palace, the summer residence of the Ottoman Sultans and Kuzguncuk; one of the most beautiful of the old neighborhoods in Asian Istanbul, with its quaint wooden houses. Drive through Uskudar town and take a short boat ride to the Maiden's Tower on an island in the Bosphorus. Drive to Kadikoy, which was known as Chalcedon in ancient times. Here are very colorful flower shops, antique dealers, delicatessens, and herb and spice sellers. You may visit the fashionable district of Moda. You will see a mix of old and new where old Ottoman houses and modern architecture stand side by side. We may also take a walk near the Bosphorus and stop in a teahouse, visit the historical Moda wharf and a holy spring dedicated to St. Catherine, visit the beautiful bays of Kalamis and Fenerbahce with wonderful views of the Princess Islands and Bosphorus. We will also stop at the historic Haydarpasa Train Station and return to the European side by ferry. Drop off at your cruise ship around 17.30.

JEWISH HERITAGE - PRIVATE TOUR ONLY
Visit the Askenazi Synagogue, and then cross over the Golden horn to Balat, which has been the core of Jewish presence in Istanbul for over five centuries. We then continue to Neve Shalom Synagogue. Visit the old neighborhood and the Ahrida Synagogue. It is the oldest and most beautiful synagogue in Istanbul and was built in the 15th c. Later we will visit the Galata Tower and the old neighborhood of Galata and where you can get a nice view of Old Istanbul and the Zulfaris Museum, with historic and ethnographic sections, celebrating over 500 years of friendship between Turks and Jews. We will end the tour in Ortakoy, where the Sephardic Jews were welcomed to Turkey by the Ottoman Sultan (nice cafes and small restaurants). *Prior notice and copies of passports are needed for this tour. 

PRIVATE CRUISE SHIP EXCURSION FOR 2 HALF-DAYS IN ISTANBUL

DAY 1 
Disembark from your cruise ship in the afternoon. Visit The St. (Haghia) Sophia, which was built by the Emperor Justinian. It was the largest building in the world for over 1000 years. We continue to the Blue Mosque, built for Sultan Ahmet I, which is a unique piece of architecture with its six minarets and features 20,000 beautiful Iznik tiles. See the ancient Hippodrome with Obelisk of Theodosius, Snake Pillar and German Fountain of Wilhelm II. Wander in the Grand Covered Bazaar and time for shopping. Also visit the exotic Egyptian Spice Market on the Golden Horn. Return to your ship or continue to the entertainment district of Taksim for a Turkish Night Show (extra). 

DAY 2 
Pick up from the ship in the morning. Visit the Topkapi palace, which was used by the Ottoman Sultans from the 15th to 19th centuries. We will also see the impressive collection of priceless jewels, crystal, silver and porcelain, robes worn by the sultans and relics of the prophet Mohammed. (Entrance to the Harem is optional and extra). Visit the Yerebatan Saray Underground Cistern. Return to your cruise ship.
** This tour can be altered-sites can be added or changed depending on interest and time

THE MOST POPULAR PRIVATE CRUISE SHIP EXCURSION FOR 
A FULL DAY IN THE EPHESUS AREA

EPHESUS, ST JOHN, HOUSE OF VIRGIN MARY AND ARTEMIS TEMPLE
Disembark your cruise ship in the morning. We will visit the house where The Virgin Mary allegedly spent her last days, then the Basilica of St. John also the Temple of Artemis, which was one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Then the ancient city of Ephesus including a full visit to the Celsius Library, the marble paved Arcadian Road, the Brothel, the Roman Baths, the Theater where St. Paul preached. We will see the statue of Ephesian Artemis while touring the Archaeological Museum of Ephesus in Selcuk. You may visit the wine-growing village of Sirince as part of your tour. Return to your cruise ship.

*If you have a full-day in Kusadasi but have already seen Ephesus, you may want to visit Izmir and Sardes, Pergamon, Miletus, Priene, Didyma or other sights of the Aegean area.

PRICE: CONTACT US

PRIVATE CRUISE EXCURSIONS INCLUDE
*All full-day private cruise excursions include entry fees, parking and road tolls.
*Pick up and drop off at your cruise ship 
*Transportation in A/C non-smoking car or minibus with professional English speaking guide/driver 
*Ferry if needed.

PRIVATE TOURS DO NOT INCLUDE: Lunch, beverages, tips and items of a personal nature. Please add 6% for any amount paid by credit card.

ALSO AVAILABLE: 
*PRIVATE GUIDE SERVICE FOR CRUISE SHIP PASSENGERS 
*PRIVATE GUIDE AND PRIVATE CAR OR MINIBUS FOR HALF OR FULL DAY

Cruise Ship passengers: 
Please note that we need the arrival and departure details of your ship as well as the dates when you inquire so that we can coordinate your visit according to the time and day that museums are open. We also work around avoiding the crowds caused by the other cruise ship passengers visiting "en-masse" by varying the itinerary and trying to get an early start.