Highlights / General details

Visit the mesmerizing ancient site of Hagia Sophia and marvel at this masterpiece of Byzantium history.

Take in the majestic Blue Mosque and learn about the delicate, intricate work that makes up this world-famous site.

Listen to colorful stories of sultans at Topkapi Palace and explore all the site’s ancient treasures.

Enjoy a tasty Turkish lunch with locals in a hidden café.

Haggle with local vendors and get lost in the labyrinth of alleys that make up the famous Grand Bazaar.

Inclusion

Local English-speaking guide; Entry fees; Lunch, tea and coffee

Exclusion

Hotel pick-up and drop-off; Souvenirs and items of a personal nature; Gratuities for your local guide.

Hours of operation

Available Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday at 8:30am.

Duration

Approximately 9 hours.

Location

Meeting Point: Pudding Shop Lale Restaurant, Divanyolu Caddesi No.6 34400, Sultanahmet, Istanbul. For further explanation perhaps use the Sultanahmet tram stop as reference. The restaurant is located on the street where the tram lines runs through Sultanahmet, approximately a three minute walk from the Sultanahmet tram stop.

Ending Point: Grand Bazaar.

Itinerary

Can you “conquer” Istanbul in just one day? We’re certainly going to try! Take a journey from Byzantium to Constantinople to Sultan Mehmet Fatih’s city of Islam on this historical tour that stops at some of the most iconic sites in Turkey while also showing you the city’s exciting present.

Start your Istanbul tour with a dose of awe at Justinian the Great’s Hagia Sophia. This masterpiece of Byzantine architecture stands tall and proud in downtown Istanbul, holding within its walls more than 1,500 years of Turkish history. This mind-bogglingly beautiful site is also somewhat of a chameleon — it has lived its long life as a church, a mosque, and now as a museum. It’s also a movie star: anyone who’s seen From Russia with Love will feel a bit like James Bond when they step inside.

You’ll then head just across the street to the jewel in the Istanbul crown. Sultan Ahmet I’s Blue Mosque is one of the most striking sights in Istanbul, with its iconic blue-tiled walls (the tiles number in the tens of thousands!), 260 windows, and six minarets. Don’t forget to ask your guide the significance of those six spires.

Next, your Istanbul city tour will take you to the ancient Hippodrome. Today, this charming promenade is a popular meeting point for Istanbulites, but it is also an integral part of Turkish history. Chariot races once took place along this strip, which was also home to the notorious Nika riots — a dramatic political protest in 532 AD that led to the massacre of tens of thousands of people.

Need a break? We’ll step back to the present and join the locals as we lunch in a hidden café. You’ll enjoy friendly conversation with members of the community and learn about daily life in Istanbul.

Once you’re filled with Turkish cuisine, Topkapi Palace awaits. This opulent complex overlooking the Bosphorus is a true Istanbul treasure, with many colorful stories about the rich sultans who lived there between 1453 and 1839.

Lastly, you’ll seek out treasures of a different kind in Istanbul’s famed Grand Bazaar, which offers up 3,000 shops to explore along 61 streets. Meet a few of the local characters, perfect your haggling skills, have a true Turkish coffee, and shop till you drop.

Note that the Grand Bazaar is closed on Sundays, so if you choose a Sunday departure, you’ll explore the nearby vibrant Spice Market, filled with delectable and colorful Turkish spices, treats, coffees, and teas.

Additional Information

Please be aware that the standard of dress throughout Turkey is conservative. To respect this and for your own comfort we recommend modest clothing. This means clothing that covers your shoulders and knees for both women and men. Note that at the Blue Mosque, women are required to cover their hair (we recommend bringing a scarf with you), and both men and women will need to remove their shoes.

Participant restrictions

Children below the age of 6 are not permitted on this tour.

Policies

Cancellation: 2 days prior 100% penalty. No show 100% penalty.

Complete information, including local telephone numbers at your destination, will be included on your Confirmation Voucher.

**All information requested must be supplied or booking is subject to automatic cancellation**