Istanbul Conquered Tour

Can you "conquer" Istanbul in just one day? Journey from Byzantium to Constantinople to the city of Islam on this tour of the most iconic landmarks in Istanbul, opening a window onto the city's past and present. We'll begin with the awe-inspiring Hagia Sophia, a masterpiece of Byzantine architecture standing tall and proud in the center of Istanbul. Containing more than 1,500 years of Turkish history within, the Hagia Sophia has been both a church and mosque, and now houses a museum. Then we'll head across the street to the crown jewel of Istanbul: the Blue Mosque. Sporting six minarets, 260 windows, and tens of thousands of blue tiles, the mosque is one of the most striking places of worship in Istanbul . Don't forget to ask your guide about the significance of the six minarets. Next, we'll take you to the ancient Hippodrome, a popular meeting spot steeped in the history of Turkey. The notorious Nika riots - a political protest that led to the massacre of tens of thousands of people in 532 AD - happened here along the same tracks where chariot races once took place. Need a break? We'll step back to the present for lunch with the locals in a side-alley cafe. Here you'll get a chance to converse with members of the community and learn about daily life in Istanbul. Once you've had your fill of Turkish cuisine, Topkapi Palace awaits. This opulent complex overlooking the Bosphorus is a real national treasure whose lavish harems have more than a few stories to tell about the rich sultans who resided there from 1453 and 1839. To conclude our grand tour of Istanbul we'll seek out treasures of a different kind in the famed Grand Bazaar, containing 3,000 shops along 61 different arcades. Meet the locals, hone your haggling skills, have a true Turkish coffee, and shop till you drop. This tour ends at the Grand Bazaar.

The Grand Bazaar is closed on Sundays. Tours departing on Sundays will go to the nearby Spice Market instead.