Discover the spectacular Old City of Istanbul...The best tour for discovering Istanbul city by an expert guide. You will see the main sights including the Blue Mosque, Hippodrome, Aya Sofya Mosque, Topkapi Palace, and Grand Bazaar
WHAT'S INCLUDED
✓ Pickup / drop off service is provided from/to centrally located hotels at European side of Istanbul
✓ Professional guide
✓ Private Tour
✓ Transport by air-conditioned minivan
✗ Food and drinks
✗ Entrance Fees
WHAT TO EXPECT
1. Hippodrome
Istanbul is a city that has historical and modern sightseeing places. The city has a rich history of 2,500 years. Begin your full-day tour at the Hippodrome, once the site of chariot races during the Roman and Byzantine era. See the ancient monuments which stand here to this day, such as the Obelisk of the Theodosius, the Serpentine Column, and the Column of Constantine.
2. Blue Mosque
We continue to the Blue Mosque. Famous for its beautiful courtyard and impressive minarets, the mosque gets its nickname from the splendid blue tiles that cover its interior walls and is probably the most photographed site in Istanbul.
3. Topkapi Palace
Behold the imperial complex of Ottoman sultans at Topkapi Palace (Topkapi Sarayi), the royal residence in Istanbul throughout the first 400 years of the Ottoman Empire. The palace contains myriad buildings and courtyards, including a treasury, harems, an armory, imperial halls, and royal chambers—all with intricate Iznik tilework and opulent architecture.
4. Hagia Sophia Mosque
After a short break for lunch, our next venue is the Hagia Sophia, one of the world's architectural gems. An ancient basilica dating back to the 4th century, the Hagia Sophia stood as the Cathedral of Constantinople for over a thousand years before being converted into a mosque in 1453; today it serves as a museum attracting people from all over the world.
Built in 532 as the world’s largest place of worship, the Hagia Sophia (Ayasofya) shifts its identity with the times but never loses its grandeur. Converted from a church to a mosque during the Ottoman era and becoming a museum in 1935, the pink-hued Old City building is one of Istanbul’s don’t-miss attractions.
5. Grand Bazaar
We end your tour at Istanbul's famous Grand Bazaar, the largest and the oldest covered marketplace in the world, where you may find all kinds of gifts, leather, clothing, rugs, antiques, and jewelry in an authentic Oriental atmosphere.
Immerse yourself in the sights, sounds, and aromas of this bustling bazaar, and shop till you drop!
ADDITIONAL INFO
• Specialized infant seats are available
• Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
• Child rate applies only when sharing with 2 paying adults
• Children must be accompanied by an adult
• Due to the COVID-19 Virus the itinerary may change due to opening hours of some attractions.
• Grand Bazaar is closed on Sundays; free time will be provided aronud different place by your guide on Sundays
• Hagia Sophia is not a museum, open to public sight, so there might be long lines to visit inside, there is no option to skip the line
• Dolmabahce Palace is closed to visitors on Mondays.
• Topkapi Palace is closed to visitors on Tuesdays
• A minimum of 2 people per booking is required
• This is a walking tour.
CANCELLATION POLICY
• For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
• If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
• Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
• Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
• This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.
