Turkey · Architecture

5-Day Istanbul Architecture and Heritage Tour with Bosphorus Cruise

5 Days Round trip from Yeşilköy Easy pace

The journey

Trip highlights

01 Discover Istanbul's architectural heritage at the Hippodrome, Blue Mosque, and Hagia Sophia
02 Cruise the Bosphorus, the waterway that separates Europe and Asia
03 Breathe in the aromas of the Spice Bazaar's herbs and spices
04 Explore the Princes' Islands on the Sea of Marmara with a stop at Büyükada
05 See palaces, fortresses, and panoramic viewpoints along the Bosphorus

Embark on this 5-day tour to discover Istanbul's historical and cultural heritage, with opportunities to visit landmarks such as the Hippodrome, the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, the Spice Bazaar, and the Bosphorus. You can also choose optional experiences including the Magic Ice Museum and TurkuaZoo, a Bosphorus boat excursion between Europe and Asia, and a Princes' Islands trip on the Sea of Marmara with a stop at Büyükada. With airport transfers, accommodation, and guided sightseeing included, this tour offers a flexible way to explore the city's architectural and cultural highlights.

Embark on this 5-day tour to discover Istanbul's historical and cultural heritage, with opportunities to visit landmarks such as the Hippodrome, the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, the Spice Bazaar, and the Bosphorus.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 5 Days

Tour type Private

Activity level Easy

Accommodation Included · Standard

Transport Included

Wheelchair access Not applicable

Cities Istanbul, Büyükada

Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

Arrival in Istanbul and Optional Museum Visit

Get picked up at Istanbul Atatürk Airport and transfer to your hotel.
Spend the rest of the day exploring Istanbul on your own.
You may also choose an optional visit to the Magic Ice Museum and TurkuaZoo, one of the biggest aquariums in Europe. Covering 8,000 square meters, it features 29 live exhibits, more than 10,000 sea creatures, 80-meter underwater tunnels, and a 270-degree panoramic room with a Turkish tour guide.

Day 02

Leisure Day or Old City Sightseeing and Turkish Night

Enjoy a free leisure day or join an optional tour.
Meet your tour guide for a sightseeing tour and visit the Hippodrome, which was the scene of chariot races in ancient times.
See the Obelisk of Theodosius, the Serpent Column, and the Column of Constantine.
Explore the Sultan Ahmed Mosque, also known as the Blue Mosque because of its magnificent interior decoration of blue Iznik tiles.
Stop at Hagia Sophia, the ancient basilica built by Constantine the Great in the 4th century and reconstructed by Justinian in the 6th century. It is considered one of the architectural marvels of all time.
In the evening, you may join an optional Turkish Night programme.
See the show called 1001 Nights of Istanbul.
Enjoy a welcome dinner alongside live music and a dance show by belly dancers and Anatolian folklore groups.

Day 03

Leisure Day or Bosphorus Cruise and Bazaar Tour

Enjoy a free leisure day or go on an optional tour with your guide.
Visit the Spice Bazaar, where the air is filled with the aromas of cinnamon, caraway, saffron, mint, thyme, and every other conceivable herb and spice.
Explore the Bosphorus on a traditional boat excursion and see the waterway that separates Europe and Asia.
Spot Dolmabahçe Palace, the parks, and the imperial pavilions of Yıldız Palace.
Explore Çırağan Palace, Ortaköy, and Rumeli Fortress.
Visit Beylerbeyi Palace, Bosphorus Bridge, and Çamlıca Hill.
Go on a shopping tour to see local handicrafts.

Day 04

Leisure Day or Princes' Islands Excursion

Enjoy a free leisure day or join an optional tour.
Go on a full-day Princes' Islands tour.
Take boat rides and cruises on the Sea of Marmara with a stop at Büyükada.
Continue with horse carriage rides around the island and lunch at a seaside restaurant.
Enjoy the afternoon on the islands before returning to the hotel.

Day 05

Departure from Istanbul

Enjoy your day after breakfast.
Depart for Istanbul Atatürk Airport.

Where this trip takes you

Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque, Blue Mosque, Istanbul, Dolmabahçe Palace, Büyükada

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map — Round trip from Yeşilköy 2 cities · 5 Days

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

Airport arrival transfer from Istanbul Atatürk Airport to the hotel
Airport departure transfer from the hotel to Istanbul Atatürk Airport
Professional English- or Arabic-speaking Turkish tour guide for the duration of the tour
Transportation in a fully air-conditioned, non-smoking vehicle
Tips for restaurants, hotels, boats, and churches, except for the driver and guide
Meals as stated in the itinerary
Entrance fees to the sights and museums
Comprehensive sightseeing as per the itinerary
4 nights/5 days accommodation on a bed and breakfast basis
Travel insurance
Istanbul City Tour
Lunch during the tours: 1x (without drinks)
Local taxes
Gratuities in restaurants and hotels for waiters and staff

What's Not Included

International flights
Domestic flights/tickets
Visa fee costs for a passport or visa for Turkey, if required
Travel insurance or medical expenses
Drinks during meals
Beverages at lunch and dinner not mentioned in the programme
All services not specifically mentioned
All personal expenses such as beverages, laundry, and phone calls at the hotel
Gratuities (tips) for the guide, driver, restaurant staff, and hotel staff
Portage at the airport
Optional excursions
Camera use fees, where applicable at specific tourist sites, for video or still cameras
Optional tours: Bosphorus tours and Islands boat cruise tour tickets: 2x
Optional: Phaeton horse car round tour on the island: 1x
Optional: Turkish tea relax and black tea time at Çamlıca Hill
Suggested optional activities
Items of a personal nature
Tips gestures
Meals not stated in the itinerary

Know before you go

Minimum group attendance: 8 pax.
The shore of the Bosphorus is lined with old wooden villas, marble palaces, fortresses, and small fishing villages.
Rumeli Fortress was built by Mehmet the Conqueror in 1452 prior to the conquest of Istanbul. It was completed in only four months to control and protect the infamous Bosphorus passage. It is one of the most beautiful works of military architecture anywhere in the world.
Beylerbeyi Palace was the summer residence of Ottoman sultans. It remains in its original renovated glory, featuring original antique furniture and magnificent gardens with the Harem on the Asian side of Istanbul.
At Bosphorus Bridge, enjoy a unique chance to step from one continent, Asia, to another, Europe.
Çamlıca Hill is the highest point in Istanbul. At the top, you can rest and admire the magnificent panorama of Istanbul and the Bosphorus from beautiful gardens landscaped in traditional Turkish Ottoman style.
At Ortaköy, a great variety of artists gather every Sunday to display their work along the street. Ortaköy is a symbol of tolerance, with a church, a mosque, and a synagogue existing side by side for centuries.
On the shopping tour, experience the traditional silk-weaving skills of Turkish women at the carpet-weaving courses provided by the Ministry of National Education. You will have an opportunity to see jewellery, a handicrafts centre, and a modern leatherwear show. Enjoy shopping while gaining knowledge from a local escort about the ancient craftsmen and how to haggle in the streets of Istanbul.

Logistics