You will follow the traces of the Byzantine and Ottoman empires in Istanbul. Blue Mosque, Hippodrome, Grand Bazaar, Topkapi Palace, Little Hagia Sophia Mosque are the most popular historical places. You will visit these historic sites on the guided tour and information about their history.
Hotel, Airport or Cruise Port
7-8 Hours (Approx.)
Officially licensed tour guide
English, German, Portuguese, Italian, French, Spanish and more
- Pick-Up / Drop-Off with VIP transfer
- Certified Local Tour Guide
- Private Istanbul Tour
- Personal expenses
- Museum/Attraction Tickets
- Gratuities (optional)
- Lunch, Drinks
Note: According to your request, all activities (food and beverage and museum entrance tickets) can be included in the tour package.
What to Expect
Meet your tour guide in your hotel, airport or port and start the tour with the highlights of Istanbul.
The best way to discover Byzantine and Ottoman Traces. These are Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Hippodrome and Obelisks, Grand Bazaar, Topkapi Palace, Little Hagia Sophia Mosque.
Visit Hagia Sophia :
Hagia Sophia, Turkish Ayasofya, also called Church of the Holy Wisdom or Church of the Divine Wisdom, cathedral built at Constantinople (now Istanbul, Turkey) in the 6th century CE (532–537) under the direction of the Byzantine emperor Justinian I. By general consensus, it is the most important Byzantine structure and one of the world’s great monuments.
Visit Basilica Cistern:
The most important underground cistern of the city, Basilica Cistern. This cistern is popular with Crying Column and 2 Medusa Head Sculpture. The tales of these sculptures will fascinate you again.
Visit the Blue Mosque :
The Mosque is known as the Blue Mosque because of blue tiles surrounding the walls of interior design. Mosque was built between 1609 and 1616 years, during the rule of Ahmed I. Just like many other mosques, it also comprises a tomb of the founder, a madrasa and a hospice. Besides still used as a mosque, the Sultan Ahmed Mosque has also become a popular attraction in Istanbul.
Visit Hippodrome German fountain and Obelisks :
The Hippodrome (At Meydani) was an of course a horse-racing track, what's in the name. But during the Byzantine Empire, the hippodrome was not only used for chariot races. Court ceremonies, coronations, and parades also took place at the hippodrome, making it the sporting and social center of Byzantine life for over 1000 years. The reason why some refer to it as the Hippodrome of Constantinople.
Grand Bazaar (Covered Bazaar) :
As the Ottoman Empire grew larger, the Grand Bazaar also kept up with the development of the capital. The Bazaar that initially was comprised of two Bedestens now occupies an area of about 47 thousand square meters. Today there are around 400 shops in the Grand Bazaar. You will have a shopping opportunity carpets, rugs, ceramics, and hookah, etc.
Lunch Break :
With the guidance of our guide, there are many options where you can taste the magnificent Turkish cuisine.
Visit Topkapi Palace :
The Topkapi Palace is located in Turkey Istanbul, which was the official and primary residence in the city of the Ottoman Sultans for 400 years of their 600-year reign, from 1456 to 1856. Today containing the holiest relics of the Muslim world such as the prophet Muhammed's cloak and sword. Topkapi Palace is among those monuments belonging to the "Historic Areas of Istanbul" which became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985. It is the best example of ensembles of palaces of the Ottoman period.
Visit Little Hagia Sophia Mosque and Sogukcesme Street:
Little Hagia Sophia (Küçuk Ayasofya Camii), formerly the Church of the Saints Sergius and Bacchus, is a former Eastern Orthodox church dedicated to Saints Sergius and Bacchus in Constantinople, later converted into a mosque during the Ottoman Empire. Today the environment is a worth seeing natural culture center of the lost Ottoman Arts.
Highlights
- Hagia Sophia
- Blue Mosque
- Hippodrome (Sultanahmet Square)
- Grand Bazaar (Covered Bazaar)
- Topkapi Palace
- Basilica Cistern
- Little Hagia Sophia Mosque
- German fountain
- 3 Obelisks from the Byzantine period
- Sogukcesme Street
Sightseeing Places & Activities
Hagia Sophia: Hagia Sophia, 8th Wonders of the World. Hagia Sophia, the largest church built by the Eastern Roman Empire in Istanbul, was built three times in the same place. Hagia Sophia is the capital's largest church, where rulers were crowned throughout the Eastern Roman Empire. After the Ottoman Empire conquered Istanbul in 1453, it was converted into a mosque.
Topkapi Palace: Topkapı Palace, the glorious witness of the history of Istanbul… Topkapı Palace, which hosted the Ottoman sultans who ruled the world for a period, is now a museum that keeps the glorious memories of that period alive. Topkapı Palace, built by Fatih Sultan Mehmet after the conquest of Istanbul, which opened a new era in world history, rises proudly, in a position overlooking the Golden Horn and the Bosphorus since 1478.
Basilica Cistern: The Basilica Cistern was built in 532 by the order of Emperor I. Justinian and was used to meet the water needs of the Great Palace during the Byzantine period. The two Medusa Heads are one of the most beautiful symbols of the Roman period sculpture art, which can be called magnificent.
Sultanahmet Mosque (Blue Mosque): It is known as the Blue Mosque by tourists because of the blue Iznik tiles adorning its interior. In addition to containing some Byzantine influences from its neighbor, Hagia Sophia, traditional Islamic architecture also prevails and is seen as the last great mosque of the classical period.
Obelisks: 3 Obelisks from the Byzantine period. The most famous of the three steeped monuments, the Obelisk was brought from Egypt in 390. The Serpent Column: The Serpent Column that adorns the square is a talisman brought from the Delphi Temple in Apollo to protect the city from pest infestation, and the Knitted Obelisk: The Woven Obelisk, the last monument in the square. It is extremely impressive with its height of 32 meters.
- Dress Code: Comfortable athletic clothing.
- Confirmation for this tour will be received at time of booking
- 5-8 yrs %30 discount / 0-4 yrs Free
- Topkapi Palace is closed on Tuesdays
- Hagia Sophia museum is closed on Monday
- January 1 – New Year
- May 13/14/15 – Ramadan Celebrations
- July 20/21/22/23 – Eid Celebrations
- October 29 – Republic Day
Annual Closing Dates of all museums and bazaars in Istanbul as follows;
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience. Learn more about cancellations.
Q: What are the top Tourist Activities in Istanbul?
A: The most popular activity for tourists in Istanbul is the Bosphorus Boat Tours. Another popular activity is the Istanbul historical tour with the Local Guides.
