Easy Up to 7 hours
Many visitors to Istanbul never make it out of Sultanahmet area. This is because of major sights, shopping precincts and eateries within easy walking distance. Historical Istanbul (former Constantinople) was the heart of both Byzantium and the Ottoman Empire, where emperors and sultans built their grand places of worship and palaces. Here you will see some of the city’s best historic sights and immerse yourself in the eclectic mix of cultures all around you!
Type: | Full Day Tour | Private | | Walking | Shopping | Mosque Visit | Historic Sites |
Meeting Point: | Meet up in Sultanahmet Square, Hotel, or Cruise Port |
Places to visit/see: | Sultanahmet Mosque (Blue Mosque) | Hippodrome | Egyptian Obelisk | German Fountain | Walled Obelisk | Basilica Cistern | Hagia Sophia | Topkapi Palace | Grand Bazaar | Spice Market |
Timing : | 9.00 am to 5.00 pm |
==Inclusions==
==Exclusions==
Additional Information
Pricing Details:
The historical city of Istanbul, the only city in the world located on two continents, was the capital of three great empires; Roman, Byzantine and the Ottoman Empire. Istanbul is also a holy city, where mosques, churches and synagogues exist side by side.
Starting the day visiting TOPKAPI PALACE, which is huge, opulent 15th-century palace, occupied by sultans for 400 years, housing Ottoman treasures. You will learn about the residence and administrative headquarters of the Ottoman sultans and hear the glory of the past.
We are never tired of visiting HAGIA SOPHIA MOSQUE ( Originally a Byzantine Basilica) with glittering mosaics of Biblical scenes in vast, and its massive dome are guaranteed to impress. Admire the impressive dome one of the world’s architectural masterpieces once was the world’s largest cathedral..
Continue with nearby BASILICA CISTERN is the largest of several hundred ancient Byzantine cisterns built by Emperor Justinian shows off impressive Roman engineering. You will learn about Basilica Cistern and discover the mystery of Medusa heads from Greek mythology and recognize a scene in the James Bond movie From Russia with Love..
SULTAN AHMET MOSQUE aka Blue Mosque is Istanbul’s most famous landmark, distinctive for its six minarets and 16th century blue tiles. (limited visiting/viewing inside due to an ongoing restoration)
Next stop is HIPPODROME OF CONSTANTINOPLE, today a public square with remnants of the ancient hippodrome such as German Fountain which is a gift of Kaiser Wilhelm, Egyptian obelisk with circa-1400 B.C and Serpentine Column Ancient Greek bronze column with missing serpent heads.
This could be delicious Pide (flat bread with ground meat and vegetables ) and Doner Kebab along with local drinks.
The mosque is the first mosque ever which was built in Baraque Style and you can easily see it if you have an eye for the detail.
Indulge in some shopping in Grand Bazaar. 4,000 shops are full of treasures including carpets and kilims, silks, jewelry, ceramics, icons and leather goods
End up the day visiting the historic the 350 years old SPICE MARKET which is famous for spices, Turkish delights and souvenirs. Experience the bustle of the Spice Market and lose yourself among the spice, herbs, nuts and Turkish Delight stalls.
Departure Point:
This restaurant is located on the street where the tram lines (T1) run through Sultanahmet, approximately a 2-minute walk from Sultanahmet tram stop. Your guide will be waiting for you in font of this restaurant.
Return Details:
Our tour concludes in Eminönü where Galata Bridge is, leaving you free to continue your Istanbul sightseeing.
