ALL IN ONE DAY ISTANBUL - Historical Tour of Istanbul With Bosphorus Cruise

Having limited time in Istanbul and you want to make the most of it, we have planned a perfect day on which you can explore the most important sights such as the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, Grand Bazaar, Ancient Hippodrome, Suleymaniye Mosque in the old town and finish your day with a relaxing Bosphorus sunset cruise on a luxurious yacht.

Start Point:
Hotel Pick-Up End Point:
Hotel Drop off Duration:
10 hrs. Departure:
09:00am

Start Point: Hotel Pick-Up End Point: Hotel Drop off Duration: 10 hrs. Departure: 09:00am

REVIEWS

€ 160.00_{/Per Person}

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Istanbul Old City Tour with Art Historian Tour Guide

Experience Istanbul's timeless sights on a full-day tour of the city's stunning historic places. Listen for the ancient echoes of pounding hooves and charioteers at Hippodrome Square and spot the distinctive tiles of the Blue Mosque. See the Byzantine mosaics and minarets of Hagia Sophia, then follow in the footsteps of powerful sultans, courtiers, and generals at Topkapi Palace. Continue your tour in the vibrant Grand Bazaar, browsing bright displays of handicrafts, carpets and souvenirs.

Higlights of Istanbul Old City Tour

Small-group tour of Sultanahmet, Istanbul's old city
Admire the breathtaking architecture and decor of the Hagia Sophia, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Visit the Blue Mosque and Topkapi Palace, both gorgeous monuments from the Ottoman Empire
Hear about the role of the Hippodrome in the days of the Byzantine Empire
Browse the shops in the vibrant and historic Grand Bazaar
Learn about the long history of Istanbul, the Byzantine Empire and the Ottoman Empire
Small-group tour with a maximum of 8 participants provides a more customized experience
Relax over lunch at a traditional restaurant

The most beautiful view in the world at dusk, Bosphorus Sunset Cruise

Sail down the Bosphorus passing Dolmabahce Palace, impressive Bosphorus Bridges, and beautifully designed seaside villas along both sides of the Bosphorus, before rounding the spectacular tip of the old city and ultimately cruising only a few feet away from the magnificent Maiden's Tower. Put a classy end to the day with a sunset cruise on a luxury yacht.

Highlight of Bosphorus Sunset Cruise

Swap crowded bus tours for a luxurious Bosphorus sunset cruise on a 25 meters yacht
Get incredible sunset photo opportunities you wouldn't see otherwise
Learn as you travel-hear commentary from an on-board guide
Enjoy luxury perks-drinks and canapes are included

Sights You Will Visit in Old City Tour

Sights You Will See from the Yacht

PROGRAMME

08:15 - 09:00
Pick up from your hotel and transfer to the starting point

09:00 - 16:00
Visits to the main historical sights in the old city (with lunch break).

What's Included

Professional guide
Hotel pickup and drop-off
Guaranteed to skip the long lines
Air-conditioned vehicle
Lunch in a terrace restaurant with a great view of the city
Entrance tickets to Topkapi Palace
Light snacks, cookies, delicious Turkish baklava, fresh seasonal fruits platter, homemade lemonade in summer months and fresh fruit juice in winter months, tea and coffee
2.5-Hour Bosphorus cruise on a 25 meters luxury yacht

What's not Included

Visit to the Harem in Topkapi Palace is not included (own expense)
Drinks
Gratuities

Itinerary for Istanbul City Tour

Istanbul Old City Tourist Map

Sunset Cruise on the Istanbul Bosphorus

Places to visit on this Istanbul Tour

Sultanahmet District (Old City)
Ancient Hippodrome
Obelisk of Theodosius
Serpent Column
Walled Obelisk
German Fountain
Blue Mosque
Hagia Sophia
Sogukcesme Street
Topkapi Palace
Grand Bazaar

Bosphorus Sunset Cruise

The sights and places you will see on Bosphorus Sunset Cruise

THE EUROPEAN SHORE

Dolmabahce Mosque
Dolmabahce Palace
Naval Museum of Istanbul
Ciragan Palace
Ortakoy Mosque
The Bosphorus Bridge
Arnavutkoy
Bebek Bay
Rumeli Fortress
The Fatih Mehmet Bridge
Emirgan
Galata Bridge
Golden Horn
Galata Port

THE ASIAN SHORE

Kanlica
Amcazade Huseyin Pasa Yali
The Fortress of Asia
The Palace of Kucuksu
The Yali of Kucuksu
Kandilli
Vanikoy
The Kuleli Naval Station
Cengelkoy
Beylerbeyi
Beylerbeyi Palace
Kuzguncuk
Maiden's Tower

BLUE MOSQUE

The Blue Mosque is one of the most prominent landmarks of Istanbul. It is very impressive with its beautiful semidomes, nice courtyards and six slender minarets.

HAGIA SOPHIA

Hagia sophia from the Golden Age of Byzantine, this once Christian church is one of the most extraordinary buildings in the history of architecture. It played a very important role in the Byzantine Empire and later as a mosque in the Ottoman Empire.

TOPKAPI PALACE

Topkapi Palace was more than just the private residence of the Sultan and his court, İt was the seat of the supreme executive and judiciary council, the Divan and the training school. Dormitories, gardens, libraries, schools, even mosques were at the service of the court. Attached to the palace were diverse imperial societies of artists and craftsmen which produced some of the finest work in the whole empire.

LITTLE HAGIA SOPHIA MOSQUE

Little Hagia Sophia (Kucuk Ayasofya Camii), formerly the Church of the Saints Sergius and Bacchus, is a former Eastern Orthodox church dedicated to Saints Sergius and Bacchus in Constantinople, later converted into a mosque during the Ottoman Empire. Today the environment is a worth seeing natural culture center of the lost Ottoman Arts.

HIPPODROME AND OBELISKS

The square in front of the Blue Mosque covers the site of the ancient "Hippodrome", one of the most famous areas in Byzantine.

GRAND BAZAAR

The oldest and the largest covered market place (Grand Bazaar) in the world is situated in the center of the city.

BOSPHORUS SUNSET CRUISE

Bosphorus Sunset Cruise With Live Tour Guide on Luxury Yacht

Cruise Part

16:00
Transfer to the yacht

16:30 - 19:00

Bosphorus Sunset Cruise on Luxurious Yacht

Witness the enchantment of Istanbul with a 2.5-Hour evening cruise along the beautiful Bosphorus! Aboard the glass-encased luxury yacht, enjoy the city’s main attractions at dusk with informative commetary of your guide, savor a delicious tradational Turkish drink (demirhindi) and canapés as you cruise the strait and delight in the magic of Istanbul’s urban shoreline as night falls.

Your Most Personalised Bosphorus Cruise Experience in Istanbul

A sunset on the water is an amazing way to end your cruise experience and an equally amazing way to start your evening! Whether it's to impress that special someone with a picture-perfect moment or just appreciate a great time with great mates - a sunset cruise is something everyone will remember.

Few places in the world are as mesmerizing as Istanbul in the setting sun. Aboard an elegant yacht, drinking tradational Turkish drink and nibble on canapés and fruits from tastefully arranged platters, you glide by palaces and minarets, while sailing the Bosphorus on this relaxing cruise.

When dusk sets in, soothing breezes arrive from the Sea of Marmara, and the sky over the city puts on a colorful dress—tinted with shades of orange and rose. The muezzin calls from a towering minaret. Majestic palaces and villas stand still along the strait’s banks, as if nothing has changed over a millennium. You breathe in the legacy of ancient Byzantium, Constantinople, and the mighty Ottoman Empire with each breath of fresh, salty air.

Kick back and ride gentle waves in the comfort of a yacht. Watch the city and its iconic landmarks pass by—a perfect way to unwind after a busy day of sightseeing.

Good to Know

Confirmation will be received at the time of booking
Not wheelchair accessible
Children must be accompanied by an adult
The dress code is smart casual
Please advise any specific dietary requirements at the time of booking
Topkapi Palace is closed on Tuesdays instead you will visit Dolmabahce Palace.
Grand Bazaar is closed on Sundays, instead, you will visit the open-air bazaar
Stroller accessible
Near public transportation
Blue Mosque is closed Friday mornings and our guide will show & introduce from outside
Most travelers can participate
We as BOSPHORUS TOUR ISTANBUL, want to ensure the minds of travelers that, all the necessary safety measures and precautions will be maintained at all times; hand sanitizer will be available, masks will be given out, seats will be blocked out on coaches, reduced groups sizes and social distancing measures will be taking against COVID-19 infections. We will follow up on the new regulations/restrictions permanently and update our procedures accordingly. This tour/activity will have a maximum of 8 travelers Operated by BOSPHORUS TOUR ISTANBUL

View from Seafront Lounge Restaurant Terrace

Where you have the lunch: Seafront Lounge, a very good restaurant on a top terrace with amazing views of Istanbul and the Bosphorus

What you have for the lunch: The lunch menu has 3 options. First option is fish ( sea bass ,sea bream) coming with onion and watercress. The second choice is grilled chicken with chips and rice. The last choice is meatball ( beef) accompanied with chips and rice. All these options will come with salad and 3 plate of cold appetiser(meze).

ALL IN ONE DAY ISTANBUL
Historical Tour of Istanbul With Bosphorus Cruise | all other comments »

Jack V Los Angeles, CA - 1,421 contributions

Best day and sunset boat tour in Istanbul!!

Tripadvisor review: This is the best way to see istanbul in a day. The city guide was amazing and shared incredible information on all of the most important Istanbul sites. And the two hour sunset cruise is the best way to see Istanbul by day and at Sunset. If you have more than one day take a day tour one day and a night cruise another day. The day and night were so well done. And I was lucky to meet two of the owners that are the reason why this company has the best tours in Istanbul. They actually cared what I thought. A truly unique way to see Istanbul that i eWorld highly recommend.
Date of experience: May 16, 2022

Shots from the visitor camera;

Arash T Calgary, Canada - 3 contributions

100% Recommended!!!

Tripadvisor review: Regardless of your trip duration, this is a worth while activity. You will visit the old European part of the Istanbul covering many places and iconic historical locations in once day. The tour finished the long-walking exhausting day in a yacht ride which was so relaxing. Yunus was extremely friendly, knowledgeable, accommodating, and very patient. We were a group of 17 people and he managed the group, timing, togetherness, and the pace of the tour extremely well. He was well educated with 2 degrees, fully familiar with background and history behind the locations, and capable of answering the questions by participants. The lunch was beyond expectations. We've taken many tours in Europe and normally the food and places by such tours are mediocre at best; but, Yunus took us to a roof top restaurant with 4 item appetizers followed by the main course (both fish and meatball were fantastic though the chicken was a bit dry) as well as desert. The yacht was memorable. After a long day full of walking (I mean it when I say walking!) and moving from a place to another, it was a peace of mind to sit and relax and enjoy the scenery, bridges, river banks, etc. all surely accompanied with Yunus' information, background, and narrative.
Date of experience: May 6, 2022

dragon2804 UK - 18 contributions

Excellent tour, fantastic guide, highly recommended

Tripadvisor review: This was a long day, but absolutely worth doing. Yunus, our guide for this trip, made sure that we got the history of Istanbul, and it's many influences over the years, including the impact of invasions on the lasting memorials within Istanbul. On this trip, you get to visit the Hippodrome, the Blue Mosque, Ayia Sophya, Topkapi palace and the Grand Bazar ( credit card damage alert ! ). We finished the day with a sunset cruise on the Bosphorus, some of the most beautiful scenes of the trip. Yunus did a great job of managing the varied interests of the tour group, making sure that everyone got value from the day. If you're new to Istanbul, this is a great introduction, but as someone who has been before, I would also recommend this as I learned more about this amazing city. Yunus also gave us hints and tips for our last free day, so highly recommended.
Date of experience: April 9, 2022

suad alkhawaja 1 contribution

Knowing Istanbul

Tripadvisor review: Great tour, we have enjoyed all of it. My sister and my self, very well organized, helpful and exciting
Date of experience: April 1, 2022

Ihsan_A

One day in Istanbul

Viator review: We were lucky enough to have younus as our tour guide for one day in Istanbul. His knowledge and insight of the city were easy to follow as we walked our way through the blue mosque, hagia sophia and topkapi palace . We would highly recommend this tour and ask for younus.
Date of experience: Apr 2022

Antoine B

Brilliant historical tour of Istanbul old town at night with Yunus

I had the great chance to do an evening tour of Istanbul old part with Yunus and I definitely recommend it!
Yunus is a brilliant guide, passionate about his city and its history, and he took time to answer all my numerous questions.
I had a really nice time discovering all this incredibly rich History : we visited and discussed about Hyppodrome Square, Egyptian Obelisk, Constantine Column, Serpentine Column, German Fountain, Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace...
The time of the tour was also super convenient for me and it's quite unique to visit these landmarks by night when there are a lot less people around. The monuments are well enlightened so you can still contemplate them really well, and it gives a different perspective than during day light, it's beautiful.
Go for it, you won't regret it!
Date of experience: October 8, 2021

Júlíus Sór G

Amazing tour ! Highly recommend. You can see all the main sights in one day. Terrific guides.

Amazing tour ! Exceeded our expectations. We saw all the main sights in one day. Our guide Yunus was terrific and very knowledgeable and patient. Our lunch was very good with a nice view from the terrace. The boat ride (2,5 hours) was also excellent. Beautiful sights and the service/atmosphere very good ?? Highly recommend.
Date of experience: October 5, 2021

Firas

Great Trip Around Istanbul

Yunis was a great guide, very knowledgeable and sets up a great day exploring Istanbul. We were pleased with the experience and Yunis's professionalism.
Date of experience: October 6, 2021

Abdalla

Nice tour

Guid was very knowledgeable. Explained everything with details. Followed the schedule exactly and no time wasted . Enjoyed the tour .
Date of experience: October 6, 2021

Inclusions

Two ways hotel transfers
Professional tour guide throughout the day
Museum entrance tickets to the sights in the itinerary
Lunch in a lovely restaurant
2.5 Hours yacht cruise on the Bosphorus
Snacks, cookies including baklava, fresh season fruits, soft drinks served abord the yacht

Additional info

Hagia Sophia will be replaced with Underground Cistern on Monday
Blue Mosque will be replaced with Nuruosmaniye Mosque on Friday
Grand Bazaar is closed on Sunday
Vehichle is used only for the necessary part of these tours, so please be prepared for a bit of walking during the day.