Description
Points of Interest
- Hagia Sofia
- Hippodrome
- Topkapi Palace
- Blue Mosque
- Grand Bazaar & Carpet Demonstration
- Underground Cistern
- Topkapi Palace Harem
Be sure to read the Special Notes further down this page for important requirements and restriction.
Step back in time to an era of opulence and dazzling color on this walking tour of Istanbul. After a scenic drive in your motorcoach from the port, you arrive at Byzantine Hippodrome for a photo opportunity that captures this arena, once the heart of Constantinople's political and sporting life. The Blue Mosque unveils a multitude of domes and graceful minarets and over 20,000 interior blue Iznik tiles. Topkapi Palace Museum, your next stop, is the former palace of silk-clad Ottoman sultans. Now a museum, it displays an extraordinary collection of art, and jewels, including the famed Topkapi Diamond. Explore the Harem, with its hidden quarters and tales of intrigue, adds a layer of mystery to the experience. After a traditional Turkish lunch, you'll enjoy outside views of Hagia Sophia, one of the greatest surviving examples of Byzantine architecture. Its exterior offers a majestic spectacle. Admire the awe-inspiring Byzantine architecture of this former basilica, capturing photographs that encapsulate the grandeur and historical significance of this iconic structure. The Underground Cistern and a visit to the Grand Bazaar round out historic tour.
Special Notes:
Topkapi Palace Museum is closed on Tuesdays.Should the Underground Cistern not be available due to maintenance works in progress, you will visit the Serefiye Cistern, instead.
Attire for visiting the mosque should cover shoulders and knees; shoes must be removed before entering; bring or wear socks. Shoe bags will be provided. In addition to covering shoulders and knees, all women must cover their head with a scarf. Professional photography and flash are not allowed. Please be aware of the ongoing restoration of the Blue Mosque.
On Friday calls; Blue Mosque visit will be substituted with a historical Ottoman Mosque.
Please be aware of the ongoing restoration of the Blue Mosque.
Please be aware of the ongoing restoration of the Topkapi Palace; some exhibits may be closed or artifacts maybe on temporary loan to other museums. Your guide will not accompany you into the Treasury Section of the palace.
The sequence of tour stops may vary; expect extreme dense traffic. Once in Old Istanbul, passengers will walk between the major sites.
This tour is not wheelchair accessible.
This tour uses headsets.
Details
Tour timeline may vary to avoid overcrowding, etc.