Music and Theatre by Ferry on the Bosphorus

In Istanbul the ferry is an everyday means of transport; Istanbul Arasi turns that familiar journey into a culture and arts programme. Launched by IBB Kultur AS, it brings together a musical performance, theatre and guided narration aboard a ferry leaving from Kabatas pier. The idea behind it A Bosphorus tour is one of the most common things to do in the city, but most of the time it passes with people simply looking at the view. What differs here is that the duration of the voyage is filled with a programme. As the ferry moves, there is music or short theatre on one side and, on the other, the buildings along the shore explained by a guide; so you learn what the waterfront house, fortress or mosque you are passing actually is, at the same moment. How the programme works Each sailing is held with a different artist or ensemble, the programme ranging widely from well-known names in Turkish music to jazz and contemporary groups. The sailing leaves from Kabatas, runs along the Bosphorus and returns to the same pier. It lasts about as long as a ferry tour, so you can finish the programme and carry on with the rest of your day. When to go Spring and summer evenings are the most sought-after, as the deck is usable when the weather is clear and sunset falls inside the voyage. In autumn the light is softer and the crowd thinner. In winter sailings become less frequent and the inner saloon is used. Practical notes Places are limited by the capacity of the ferry, so tickets are bought in advance and sell out quickly for popular names. Kabatas pier has tram and funicular connections, so getting there is easy. On evening sailings it is cooler on the water than on land, so take a layer. Space on deck is limited, and boarding early improves your chance of a seat. Who it suits For those seeing the city for the first time it is a start that gives both a view and information; for residents it is a way of seeing a familiar route differently. For families with children the ferry is already an interesting setting, and the length of the programme does not outrun a child's attention span. The ordinary ferry as an alternative If you cannot make a programmed sailing, the Bosphorus itself is a spectacle that costs next to nothing; scheduled ferries from Eminonu or Kabatas pass the same shore. The difference is the narration and the music; the view is the same.