Istanbul City Highlights Full Day Tour: Sophia, Topkapi Palace, Hippodrome, Blue Mosque and Grand Bazaar | Small Group of 12 Pax | Lunch Included
5.0
Tour Code: 670260
$85.00 per person
Best Price Guaranteed
Departure CityIstanbul
End CityIstanbul
Duration6 hours
LanguageEnglish Live
Tour ThemesCultural & Historical
Guide TypeGuided Tour
Group SizeSmall Group
Activity LevelModerate
Highlights
• This is a customised full-day small-group tour with an expert local guide
• Visit Topkapi Palace, it housed the ottoman sultans for nearly 400 years
• Experience shooppin with locals in world-famous Grand Bazaar
• Walk through the Hippodrome and see German Fountains and magnificent Blue Mosque
• Visit Hagia Sophia with its breathtaking mosaics
• Learn history from your expert local guide about Byzantines, Ottomans and modern Turks
• Visit Topkapi Palace, it housed the ottoman sultans for nearly 400 years
• Experience shooppin with locals in world-famous Grand Bazaar
• Walk through the Hippodrome and see German Fountains and magnificent Blue Mosque
• Visit Hagia Sophia with its breathtaking mosaics
• Learn history from your expert local guide about Byzantines, Ottomans and modern Turks
Itinerary
Enjoy a fullday tour of the UNESCO site of Sultanahmet Old Istanbul with an extensive guided tour. You'll enjoy the magical Istanbul and its signature sights: the Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Hippodrome of Constantinople and Grand Bazaar.
According to your tour pick-up time, meet your guide and begin your full-day tour.
First, explore Hagia Sophia. Meaning "Divine Wisdom," Hagia Sophia was the largest building on earth, barring the Egyptian Pyramids and the Great Wall of China. Built by Emperor Justinian in 537 AD, it served as the religious center of the city during the Byzantine period. The building was used as a church for 916 years and as a mosque for 481 years. In 1934, by the order of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, it was converted into a museum and has since been open to visitors.
Next, visit Topkapi Palace. In addition to being the imperial residence of the Sultan, the palace also served as the seat of government for the Ottoman Empire. It housed the Ottoman sultans for nearly 400 years until the Dolmabahçe Palace was built. In 1924, it was converted into a museum. Today, Topkapi Palace is famous for its harem, royal treasury, and holy relics sections.
Continue your tour to the Hippodrome. Built by the Roman Emperor Septimus Severus in 203 AD, the Hippodrome was the civil center of the city during the Roman period, where up to 100,000 spectators could gather. Located in the heart of Sultanahmet, surrounded by the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, and Topkapi Palace, today the Hippodrome is home to the Egyptian Obelisk (Dikilitaş), Serpentine Column (Burma Sütun), Constantine Column, and the German Fountain.
Afterwards, visit the Blue Mosque. Built by Ottoman Sultan Ahmet I in 1616, it is located opposite Hagia Sophia. The Blue Mosque, officially named Sultanahmet Mosque, is one of the most famous landmarks of the old city, renowned for its six minarets and magnificent dome. Though officially named Sultanahmet Mosque, visitors gave it the nickname "Blue Mosque" due to the stunning blue tiles that adorn its interior walls.
Finally, explore the Grand Bazaar, one of the greatest bazaars in the world. With 18 entrances and more than 4,000 shops, the Grand Bazaar was built between 1455 and 1461 by Sultan Mehmet the Conqueror. Today, shops selling similar merchandise are grouped together in their own streets or inns, following the original Ottoman system. The tour concludes at the Grand Bazaar, where you can explore at your leisure.
According to your tour pick-up time, meet your guide and begin your full-day tour.
First, explore Hagia Sophia. Meaning "Divine Wisdom," Hagia Sophia was the largest building on earth, barring the Egyptian Pyramids and the Great Wall of China. Built by Emperor Justinian in 537 AD, it served as the religious center of the city during the Byzantine period. The building was used as a church for 916 years and as a mosque for 481 years. In 1934, by the order of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, it was converted into a museum and has since been open to visitors.
Next, visit Topkapi Palace. In addition to being the imperial residence of the Sultan, the palace also served as the seat of government for the Ottoman Empire. It housed the Ottoman sultans for nearly 400 years until the Dolmabahçe Palace was built. In 1924, it was converted into a museum. Today, Topkapi Palace is famous for its harem, royal treasury, and holy relics sections.
Continue your tour to the Hippodrome. Built by the Roman Emperor Septimus Severus in 203 AD, the Hippodrome was the civil center of the city during the Roman period, where up to 100,000 spectators could gather. Located in the heart of Sultanahmet, surrounded by the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, and Topkapi Palace, today the Hippodrome is home to the Egyptian Obelisk (Dikilitaş), Serpentine Column (Burma Sütun), Constantine Column, and the German Fountain.
Afterwards, visit the Blue Mosque. Built by Ottoman Sultan Ahmet I in 1616, it is located opposite Hagia Sophia. The Blue Mosque, officially named Sultanahmet Mosque, is one of the most famous landmarks of the old city, renowned for its six minarets and magnificent dome. Though officially named Sultanahmet Mosque, visitors gave it the nickname "Blue Mosque" due to the stunning blue tiles that adorn its interior walls.
Finally, explore the Grand Bazaar, one of the greatest bazaars in the world. With 18 entrances and more than 4,000 shops, the Grand Bazaar was built between 1455 and 1461 by Sultan Mehmet the Conqueror. Today, shops selling similar merchandise are grouped together in their own streets or inns, following the original Ottoman system. The tour concludes at the Grand Bazaar, where you can explore at your leisure.
Tips
* Admission Fees (per Person)
- Topkapi Palace: 55.00 EUR
- Hagia Sophia: 25.00 EUR
Note: The tour guide will have pre paid Skip-The-Line tickets to avoid long ticket queues. The cost of used entry tickets can be paid to the tour guide in cash Dolar, Euro or Turkish lira.
* Departure Time: 08:30 (approx.).
* Departure point: Centrally located Istanbul Hotels (Sisli, Besiktas, Taksim, Sultanahmet, Aksaray).
* Ending point: Grand Bazaar.
- Topkapi Palace: 55.00 EUR
- Hagia Sophia: 25.00 EUR
Note: The tour guide will have pre paid Skip-The-Line tickets to avoid long ticket queues. The cost of used entry tickets can be paid to the tour guide in cash Dolar, Euro or Turkish lira.
* Departure Time: 08:30 (approx.).
* Departure point: Centrally located Istanbul Hotels (Sisli, Besiktas, Taksim, Sultanahmet, Aksaray).
* Ending point: Grand Bazaar.
Visiting Attractions
Hagia Sophia
Blue Mosque
Hippodrome of Constantinople
Topkapi Palace
Grand Bazaar
Meal
B: Excluded, L: Included, D: Excluded
What’s Included
Includes
- English Speaking Guide
- All sightseeing mentioned in the itinerary
- Lunch in a local restaurant
- Pick Up from Istanbul Hotels (centrally located)
- Land transportation by air-conditioned non-smoking vehicle
Excludes
- Admission fees to attractions
- Beverage during the tour
- Tips to the guide & driver (optional)
- Personal expenses
Special Notes
- It is highly suggested that the clients reconfirm their departure/pickup times by calling or emailing to the local tour operator no later than 24 hr before the service.
- Clients must be ready at the departure point 15 minutes before the exact pickup time.
- If you cannot find the service you need please contact our dedicated Custom Team to advise of your requirements.
- Please take passport for children if any.
- Hotel pickups from outside of city center is upon availability and may require supplement fee.
- Topkapi Palace is closed on Tuesdays and Basilica Cistern will be visited instead.
- Grand Bazaar is closed on Sundays.
- The local operator cannot be held responsible for entry denied due to improper dressing.
- Its highly recommended to make a travel insurance for your holiday, as the local operator can not be held responsible for the incident(s) which may occur during the tour.
The time we mentioned in the itinerary is for reference only. Please refer to your guide on tour for the actual arrangement. The visiting order and duration might be changed according to actual and practical situation for better service.
This tour/activity is overseen by a select local operator in the region. Upon booking your tour or activity and after receiving confirmation, you will be issued an e-ticket detailing the local operator's name and contact information. If you require assistance finding a specific tour, please contact us for more information.
Yellow Fever Vaccination Requirement: If you have traveled to or transited through yellow fever-endemic regions including East African countries (excluding Tanzania) or South American countries, either before or after your trip, you may be required to present a valid yellow fever vaccination certificate. This requirement can apply not only for joining tours but also for certain flights or entry into specific countries. For more details, please refer to the official site: : Yellow Fever Risk Areas - Fit for Travel
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