Spend a day exploring old city of Istanbul in a very unusual way. This excursion on foot will show you the highlights of Istanbul: visit The Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, Ancient Hippodrome and Grand Bazaar with our professional tour guide. Experience the bustling atmosphere of the beating heart of Istanbul, with its splendid mix of cosmopolitan and historical attractions on this full day Istanbul Tour.
Istanbul Tour Highlights
- Tick off multiple Istanbul must-sees in just one day
- Visit the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia
- Learn about Ottoman sultans at Topkapi Palace
- Try out your bargaining skills at the Grand Bazaar
- Avoid hidden costs with entry fees, lunch, and hotel transfers included
- Benefit from the more personalized service of a small-group tour
Istanbul Tour Itinerary
We will pick you up from the hotel (city center hotels). Then you will meet with your group and guide at the meeting point. We will visit Hippodrome, Hagia Sophia Museum, Blue Mosque, Grand Covered Bazaar, Topkapi Palace, Sultan Tombs. End of the tour we will drop you off to your hotel.
Let's start to explore Istanbul. The first visit is to Ancient Hippodrome. It was the center of sports activities in Constantinople.
Blue Mosque, as known as the Sultanahmet Mosque (UNDER RENOVATION NOW), is a breath-taking building is one of the most majestic Ottoman mosques in all of Turkey. (Closed on Friday)
Hagia Sophia is the most famous museum in Turkey and one of the greatest marvels of architecture. Hagia Sophia was built as a church in the 6th century by Emperor Justinian.
Topkapi Palace, which has been home to the Ottoman dynasty for many years, was used for educational administration and as the art center of the state. (Closed on Tuesday)
Grand Bazaar, is the biggest market and the most attractive shopping center of Istanbul which has lots of shopping opportunities. Leather factory, Carpet Showroom, etc...(Closed on Sunday and Official Holidays)
Includes
- Professional guide
- Hotel Pick-Up and drop-off
- Guaranteed to skip the long lines
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- Lunch in a terrace restaurant with a great view of the city
What's not Included
- Entrance fees to Hagia Sophia and Topkapi Palace are not included (own expense)
Museum entrance tickets (Hagia Sophia: 25 Euro, Topkapi Palace and Harem Section: 50 Euro
- Drinks
- Gratuities
Ancient Hippodrome
The square, located in the southwest of Hagia Sophia and arranged in a way to hold chariot races, was called Hippodromos (hippodrome, horse-running area) during the Byzantine period and was of great importance as a place where various political events and some uprisings started. This square, the construction of which began during the reign of the Roman Emperor Septimius Severus (193-211), and famous monuments such as the obelisk brought from Egypt and the Serpentine Column brought from the Delphi Apollon Temple, were erected on the middle line of this square.
German Fountain
It is a gift from the German Emperor Kaiser Wilhelm II to Sultan Abdulhamid II in 1898 as a sign of sincere friendship. The fountain placed in the hippodrome square, one of the important areas of the Byzantine period, impresses with its different architectural structure. The architect of the building is Max Spitta. The architect worked in Germany, and the work completed there was brought to Istanbul in parts and combined here.
Obelisk of Theodosius
The Walled Column, 32 meters high, was built in a form that tapers towards the hill. Normally, there was an obelisk in the middle of the hippodromes built in the Roman period. However, a second obelisk was erected at the hippodrome in Istanbul to glorify the city, similar to the Circus Maximus hippodrome in Rome, which has two obelisks.
The Serpent Column
The Serpent Column is an Ancient Greek monument made of bronze depicting three entangled python snakes from the Hippodrome in Sultanahmet Square. Today, two of the snakeheads belonging to this column are missing, and the third is on display in the Istanbul Archaeological Museums.
The Blue Mosque
Sultan Ahmet Mosque was built by Sultan Ahmet I in the 17th century by Sedefkar Mehmet Aga, one of the students trained by Mimar Sinan. The mosque is also known as the Blue Mosque, as there are intense blue-colored Iznik tiles on the walls of the mosque. There are 21 thousand 43 eye-catching Iznik tiles on the walls of the mosque.
Hagia Sophia
Hagia Sophia, which is among the most visited museums in the world; It is one of the most prominent monuments in the world in terms of art and architectural history. It was described as the 8th wonder of the world by Philo of the East in the 6th century BC.
30 Facts You Should Know About Hagia Sophia
Topkapi Palace
After the conquest of Istanbul in 1453, the construction of Topkapi Palace, which was started in 1460 at the request of Fatih Sultan Mehmet, was completed in 1478. Topkapi Palace, which was not built with all its additional structures at once like Dolmabahce Palace, expanded with the additions until the 19th century.
Grand Bazaar
The Grand Bazaar, located in the center of Istanbul, in the middle of Beyazit, Nuruosmaniye, and Mercan districts, is the world's largest bazaar and one of the oldest covered bazaars. There are approximately 4,000 shops in the Grand Bazaar and the total number of employees in these shops is approximately 25,000.
Frequently Asked Questions of Istanbul Tour
Booking Your Tour
Questions: Should I take the tour at the beginning of my stay?
Answer: Definitely! Anytime is a good time to take Istanbul Tour. But if it works for your schedule, it's best to take the tour at the beginning of your trip.
Questions: Do I have to buy my tour tickets in advance? Can I just turn up and pay in cash?
Answer: You can book a tour through this website up until one hour before the tour start time. But our tours do often sell out in advance, and we'd hate you to miss out so to ensure you get the time and date you want, please book well in advance. You can book on our web site and pay to the guide on the tour as well.
Questions: Can I get an invoice for my booking?
Answer: If you'd like an invoice, please contact us at info@bosphorustour.com BEFORE purchasing and we'd be happy to arrange this for you.
Questions: How do I pay for the tour?
Answer: When you book your tour through our secure booking system, you will be able to pay with credit card. Or you can pay in cash on the tour as well.
Questions: I'm a solo traveller. Can I book a tour too?
Answer: Of course you can! One of the great things about our tours is the chance to meet other fellow travelers.
Questions: Are your tours suitable for kids?
Answer: We love having curious kids and their parents on our daytime tours! Keep in mind that there is a fair bit of walking involved and the samples may not always be what children are used to.
Questions: Something came up! Can I cancel or reschedule my tour?
Answer: We allow free cancellations and date changes (pending availability) up to 24 hours before your tour.
Questions: Do you offer private Istanbul tours?
Answer: Depending on availability, we do offer private versions of our tours. We can also offer tours and experiences for larger groups. Contact us at info@bosphorustour.com and we'll get back to you with options.
Questions: Who are the guides?
Answer: We know that along with the food, the most important thing on a tour is the guide. And that's why we work with the smartest, most passionate, most talented bunch of storytelling guides around. Our guides not only know and love their city, they also have a rare knack for making our guests just as excited about their home as they are.
Questions: Can I shop during the tour?
Answer: Our tours do include some time to shop at certain food shops, however unscheduled stops are discouraged for the sake of finishing the tour on time and out of respect to other guests. If you'd like to return to any shops or stops for shopping after the tour, please ask your guide for directions.
Questions: What happens if it's raining?
Answer: Grab an umbrella and get ready for an exiting tour! Our tours are held rain or shine. Please check the conditions and dress appropriately.
Questions: Do the tour guides expect gratuities?
Answer: Gratuities are greatly appreciated, although never expected nor mandatory. The standard gratuity in the tour industry is 10-15%.
Questions: What language are your tours in?
Answer: Currently our small group tours are offered exclusively in English, but if you would like a private experience in another language, please get in touch and we can see if it is possible to accommodate your group.
Istanbul City Tour; Hagia Sophia:
This is a must-visit attraction in Istanbul. It is a stunning example of Byzantine architecture and was once a church, then a mosque, and now a museum. You can admire the stunning mosaics and learn about the history of the building.
Hagia Sophia Private Tour on Istanbul Tour
Hagia Sophia is a must-see attraction in Istanbul with Istanbul tour and a private tour can enhance your experience. Here are some options for a private tour of Hagia Sophia:
Hagia Sophia Private Tour Guide on Velena Travel
You can hire a private tour guide who is knowledgeable about the history and architecture of Hagia Sophia. They can give you an in-depth tour of the museum and answer any questions you may have.
A Hagia Sophia private tour can be tailored to your interests and preferences. You can request to focus on certain aspects of the museum or spend more time in certain areas.
A Hagia Sophia private tour can provide you with more opportunities to take photos of the museum without crowds or distractions. With a Hagia Sophia private tour, you can set your own pace and spend as much or as little time as you want in each area of the museum.
Private tours of Hagia Sophia can be arranged through tour operators or independent tour guides.
Istanbul Tour and Cultural Walking Tour of the Old City
Tick the iconic Hippodrome, Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, and Topkapi Palace off your bucket list with our Istanbul Tour. We take you inside with Skip the Line Tickets and transport you back to a time when the Hippodrome was used for violent gladiatorial games. Visit the Blue Mosque where you can see the most beautiful blue panel tiles. Wander the Hagia Sophia, its Architects, created a new style inspired by ancient monuments, as your friendly guide brings the sprawling ruins to life with entertaining stories and facts.
Top it off with a visit to Topkapi Palace for spectacular views of the Imperial Palace. With plenty of photo opportunities and our engaging and knowledgeable guide, our Istanbul Tour is the best way to uncover the layers of the Byzantium and Ottoman Empires' history is this fascinating area of Istanbul.
One Day Istanbul Tour
Istanbul tour; Discover the most amazing places in Istanbul on a full-day guided tour of Istanbul to the city's historic sites and landmarks.
In addition, other tours we organize, apart from Istanbul tour, are as follows; We do Historical Old Istanbul City Tour 'Istanbul City Tour, Byzantine & Ottoman Traces, (Full Day)' and private guided Istanbul Daily City Tours, Dolmabahce Palace Tour and Bosphorus Cruise on Luxury Yacht, Marvellous Tour of Istanbul with Bosphorus Cruise, Istanbul Tour with Bosphorus Cruise and Dolmabahce Palace, Bosphorus Sightseeing Tour, Istanbul City Tour, Istanbul Shore Excursion, Private Istanbul Express Sightseeing Tour and historical trips.
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