Istanbul Must See:Hagia Sophia Bluemosqu Topkapı Basilica Cistern Bosphorus Tour

based on 160 reviews

Duration:8 hours to 9 hours (approx.)
Location: Istanbul, Turkey

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Local istanbul experience with a professional licensed tour guide!
With this experince you will see the city from a different window and you will not be same as before.
Firstly we start the day at Sultanahmet area and visit the Hagia Sophia and Bluemosque. After that we will visit the Topkapı Palace. You will listen to different histories about Roman and Ottoman Empires.
Then free time for lunch, we will go Bosphorus tour (on a public bosphorus boat) to see marvellous istanbul from the sea.for 90 minutes.
These are only starters, you will have the main course on the tour :-)
What we will see in this tour:
Hagia Sophia
Bluemosque
Hippodrome
Basilica Cistern
Grand Bazaar (Closed on Sundays)
Topkapi Palace
Bosphrous cruise (90 minutes -(public bosphorus boat)

Private tour option is also available. Check details.
If you are arriving to Galataport (Cruise terminal) it is easy to reach to meeting by tram in 20 minutes

WHAT'S INCLUDED

✓ Arriving to Galataport (Cruise terminal)? it is easy to reach to meeting point by tram in 20 min
✓ Professional Guidance in English
✓ Public transportation tickets if required

✗ Pick up and drop off from the hotels are not included.
✗ Topkapı Palace Museum entrance ticket is extra which exactly 50 USD pp
✗ Lunch
✗ On Tuesdays Dolmabahce Palace entrance ticket is extra which is exactly 35 USD pp
✗ Basilica Cistern ticket is excluded (25 USD pp)
✗ Bosphorus tour ticket is excluded (5 USD pp)cash please
✗ Gratuities
✗ *** Please note that there isn't any priority entrance with the guides at the mosques.***
✗ ***if you pick up the early timings we don't wait at the mosque lines a lot. (recommended)
✗ The entrance fee for Hagia Sophia is 27 USD pp) cash please

WHAT TO EXPECT

1. Hippodrome
Hippodrome of Constantinople, located in Sultanahmet/Istanbul, was a public arena mainly for chariot races. The word hippodrome comes from the Greek hippos (horse) and dromos (way). The Hippodrome of Constantinople was also home to gladiatorial games, official ceremonies, celebrations, protests, torture to the convicts and so on. Hippodrome functioned all in Roman (203-330 CE), Byzantine (330-1453 CE), and Ottoman (1453-1922) periods.
2. Blue Mosque
Known as the Sultan Ahmet Camii (or Sultan Ahmed Mosque), this breath-taking building is one of the most majestic Ottoman mosques in all of Turkey. *** Please note that there isn't any priority entrance for the guides at the mosques. We skip the lines at the museums*** Don't trust who can do that!
3. Hagia Sophia Mosque
The Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque / Ayasofya-i Kebir Cami-i Şerifi, with its innovative architecture, rich history, religious significance and extraordinary characteristics has been fighting against time for centuries, was the largest Eastern Roman Church in Istanbul. Constructed three times in the same location, it is the world’s oldest and fastest-completed cathedral. With its breathtaking domes that look like hanging in the air, monolithic marble columns and unparalleled mosaics, is one of the wonders of world’s architecture history. The sheer dazzling beauty of mosque with its magnificent play on space, light, and color provokes worship in the believer! Hagia Sophia pose on the ground of the first hill of Istanbul, precisely at the tip of the historic peninsula, surrounded by the Sea of Marmara, the Bosphorus and the Golden Horn on three sides. *** Please note that there are 2 lines one for buying tickets with cards and if you bring cash we can skip the tickets line to go in***
4. Topkapi Palace
it served as the main residence and administrative headquarters of the Ottoman sultans: Topkapı Palace and Harem (Topkapı Sarayı) are likely to have more colourful stories than most of the world's museums put together. Libidinous sultans, ambitious courtiers, beautiful concubines and scheming eunuchs lived and worked here between the 15th and 19th centuries when it was the court of the Ottoman empire. A visit to the palace's opulent pavilions, jewel-filled Treasury and sprawling Harem gives a fascinating glimpse into their lives. *** Please note that to see all palace takes one full day that's why we spend our time to see main highlights according to your desire. *** We skip the lines here as this is a museum and guides can have priority.***
5. Basilica Cistern
This subterranean structure was commissioned by Emperor Justinian and built in 532. The largest surviving Byzantine cistern in İstanbul, it was constructed using 336 columns, many of which were salvaged from ruined temples and feature fine carved capitals. Its symmetry and sheer grandeur of conception are quite breathtaking, and its cavernous depths make a great retreat on summer days. *** We skip the lines here as this is a museum and guides can have priority.***
6. Grand Bazaar
Istanbul's Grand Bazaar (Kapalıçarşı in Turkish) is one of the world's greatest shopping destinations and, spanning 30,700 square meters, the largest covered market in the entire world.
7. Bosphorus Strait
We will do a bosphorus cruise on a public boat for 90 minutes. Bosphorus is worth to visit not only for business but also for recreation and eye appeal. Alongside the Strait on both continents, there are exceptionally attractive views of Ottoman architecture created by manor houses and palaces. Most of the tourist attractions also have some kind of this magnificent scenery.
8. Dolmabahce Palace
***ONLY ON TUESDAYS WE DO VISIT ***Dolmabahce Palace built in 19 th century is one of the most glamorous palaces in the world. It was the administrative center of the late Ottoman Empire with the last of Ottoman Sultans was residing there.
9. Ortakoy Mosque
Located just before the Bosphorus Bridge, the Ortaköy Camii, Turkey (Ortaköy Mosque Turkey) has to have one of the most picturesque settings of all of the Istanbul mosques. Indeed, Ortaköy Mosque photos, with the bridge in the background are often used to demonstrate that particular Istanbul juxtaposition of traditional and modern.
10. Rumeli Fortress
Rumeli Castle (Rumeli Hisarı) is an Ottoman fortress dating to 1452. It was built by Ottoman sultan Mehmed II (Mehmed the Conqueror) in preparation for the conquest of Constantinople. The castle is situated on the shore of the Bosphorus Strait at its narrowest point with approximately 660 meters. It is just opposite of Anadolu Castle (Anadolu Hisarı) which is another Ottoman castle built-in 1394 by Bayezid I. Both Anadolu Castle and Rumeli Castle were built by Ottoman sultans in order to prevent military and economic aid to the Byzantine Empire coming from the north, Black Sea. Thus, the Bosphorus strait connects the Black Sea with the Marmara Sea.
11. Kucuksu Pavilion
This attractive part of the İstanbul strait on the Asian shore is mentioned by Byzantine historians, and in Ottoman times became one of the imperial parks known as Kandil Bahçesi (Lantern Garden). Sultan Murad IV (1623-1640) was particularly fond of Küçüksu and gave it the name Gümüş Selvi (Silver Cypress), and in several sources from the l7th century onwards the name Bağçe-i Göksu is used. During the reign of Mahmud I (1730- 1754) Divittar Mehmed Paşa built a two storey timber palace on the waterfront here which continued to be used by Selim III (1789-1807) and Mahmud II (1808-1839).
12. Beylerbeyi Palace
Described by some as a miniature Dolmabahce Palace but without the crowds, the Beylerbeyi Sarayı (Beylerbeyi Palace) was commissioned by Sultan Abdülaziz to act as an imperial summer residence. With 24 rooms, 6 halls, and a hamam, it would have been quite the summer home and was also used to entertain visiting dignitaries.
13. Galata Tower
Also known as the Galata Kulesi Museum, an iconic symbol situated in the Galata quarter of İstanbul, Türkiye. Considered among the oldest towers in the world and one of the symbols of İstanbul, Galata Tower (Galata Kulesi) was included in the UNESCO World Heritage Temporary List in 2013. Galata Tower, one of the most important structures that make up the silhouette of İstanbul, was used as a long-term fire watchtower and was named Galata Fire Tower.
14. Anadolu Hisari Fort
Constructed under the edict of the ottoman emperor, yildirim bayezid, in beykoz district today to facilitate to istanbul’s conquer, the anatolian fortress is one of the pieces that greatly contributes to the charming silhouette of istanbul.

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Posted By : Gita_S
Luthfulla was very helpful and friendly. He made the entire day fun with his jokes and stories. It was like touring with a good friend. He helped us after the tour with information about what else to do. Thank you for an enjoyable and informative tour! Would definitely recommend
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2023-12-30 23:21:17

Posted By : David_M
This is a wonderful way to see the highlights of Istanbul in one day! I felt like it was super efficient and I can leave happy knowing that I made the most out of my two and a half days here.

Two tips that I’d wish I’d known before I went:

1) If you’re going in the winter, bring layers. Once the sun sets, it gets really cold - especially on the Bosporus!

2) Wear comfortable shoes. We did a TON of walking, which was great - but I made the mistake of wearing new shoes and at the end of the day, my feet were not happy.

I’d also recommend you start earlier in the day if possible. The tour runs about 9 hours, so starting earlier gives you a whole evening in Istanbul as well.

Knowledgeable tour guide, plenty of free time to shop and wander, and you see all the sights! Amazing tour.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2023-12-22 05:59:59

Posted By : Mohamed_A
The architecture of the mosques was amazing. Our guide was quite knowledgeable and was able to help us with the important information at each site. The holy relics area of the palace was a highlight.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2023-12-22 02:06:06

Posted By : Rabs
Really enjoyed this tour. Our tour guide Lutfullah gave us a lot of information about each place we visited. He also gave us some free time to take pics at each place. Overall I would recommend this tour to see the main sightseeing places.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2023-12-21 19:44:42

Posted By : Elizabeth_S
We had a fabulous day on this tour. It was well organised and our guide, Lütfullah, was one of the best we’ve had! His knowledge of his country’s history was incredible and he made this a fun and informative tour. There were 4 other people on our tour and Lütfullah changed the order of things slightly to accommodate everyone and nothing was any trouble for him! Thankyou Lütfullah…we will happily recommend your tour to anyone visiting Istanbul!!
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2023-12-11 16:21:27

Posted By : Getaway217935
Awesome I loved it . It was an experience to remember. I highly recommend experiencing it. Worth every penny.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2023-12-06 06:06:18

Posted By : Elizabeth B
We greatly appreciate the time and knowledge our guide Lutfullah shared with us. We were toured all four of these historic buildings! The sights were incredible and Lutfullah was engaging and informative. He readily answered all of our questions and helped us understand some of the fascinating culture and customs.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2023-11-24 06:38:00

Posted By : s_leymanb490
It was our first trip after the pandemic. We met up there with our school friends. As the tour hit the top sights of the city in a day we booked this tour.
Lutfullah has full of knowledge of city and there was no null point in the tour.
We tried best Turkish food in a local restaurant.
Thanks for a memorable day!

Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2023-11-24 00:08:44

Posted By : williamjQ3140DP
We had a great tour of Istanbul with Ludo. He was efficient, patient and knowledgeable about Turkey. He answered all our questions and took us to a delicious place for lunch. I would recommend Ludo and his company.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2023-11-08 13:24:12

Posted By : s0mkitt
Ludo is a knowledgeable and wonderful guide. There is so much to take in, and he explained everything perfectly. He was very patient with questions, picture taking, and all done at a comfortable pace. I would highly recommend them.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2023-11-08 11:47:06