3-Day Private Istanbul Tour with Bosphorus Cruise and Bazaars

• Meet your tour guide and begin your visit with a stroll through the Sultanahmet area. Home to two of the largest mosques in Istanbul - Hagia Sophia and the Sultanahmet Mosque - this district holds hundreds of years of history shaped by many civilizations.
• See Hagia Sophia, also known to locals as Aya Sofia. Now a museum, it was once a church before being converted into a mosque during the Ottoman Empire's reign. Head upstairs to admire the mosaics and the incredible details covering the ceiling and pillars. Inside, a pillar to the left of the door is considered sacred, so be sure to touch it as many locals do.
• Continue to the Sultanahmet Mosque. Along the way, pass interesting monuments and statues, including the Hippodrome and an obelisk gifted by Egypt. Inside the grounds of the Blue Mosque, spend time in the courtyard and admire the thousands of tiny blue tiles in the interior, which make it clear why it is more commonly known as the Blue Mosque.
• Make your way to one of the rooftop bars on the nearby side streets for spectacular sunset views. From here, enjoy sweeping views of the Blue Mosque's minarets and the sun sinking into the Aegean Sea.

Note: Hagia Sophia is closed on Mondays.

• Spend your second day in the old city with a visit to the vibrant Grand Bazaar. With more than 4,000 tiny, independently owned shops, it is easy to get lost in the maze of the bazaar. Built in 1455, this covered market is filled with life and character, offering visitors hundreds of ceramics, clothes, jewellery, and beauty shops.
• For a great lunch spot around the bazaar, head to one of the falafel shops on the main road. With low prices and delicious food, these places serve traditional Turkish and Middle Eastern dishes. Wash your meal down with the local beer Efes, or enjoy one of the freshly brewed pots of tea known to locals as Cay.
• After lunch, wander to the Golden Horn River and catch a boat for the nighttime Bosphorus tour. The boat heads up the Bosphorus River and offers superb sunset views. Be sure to look to both sides of the water - the European side offers more historical views, while the Asian side has more green space and natural scenery.

Note: The Grand Bazaar is often closed on Sundays.

• Spend your last day in the old city visiting Topkapı Palace. Once home to many great sultans of the Ottoman Empire, the palace stands at the confluence of the Bosphorus and Golden Horn Rivers. With plenty of rooms and gardens to explore, visit the palace kitchens, bedrooms, living rooms, and hammam to learn about the history and culture of the early and mid-Ottoman Empire. One of the most incredible displays in the museum is the collection of jewellery and swords once owned by the sultans.
• In the afternoon, head to the Spice Bazaar beside the Golden Horn River. Filled with vibrant colours and aromatic smells, the bazaar sells loose-leaf tea, spices, and desserts. Be sure to taste some incredible Turkish sweets, including baklava, a sweet pastry dessert, and lokum, a sweet, chewy, and fruity treat.
• The bazaar is closed on Sundays.
• After the Spice Bazaar, spend an hour visiting the Basilica Cistern. This ancient Roman aqueduct lies underground, where you can walk along a wooden walkway built over the remnants of the rainwater. At the end of the walkway, two Medusa heads support two of the original columns of the aqueduct.
• Return to your stay at the end of the tour.

Note: Topkapı Palace is closed on Tuesdays.