Turkey · City Tours

1-Day Old Istanbul Tour with Topkapı Palace and Grand Bazaar

1 Day Round trip from İstanbul Easy pace

The journey

Trip highlights

01 Visit Topkapı Palace and see the imperial collections of the Ottoman Empire
02 Admire Hagia Sophia's architecture, inscriptions, and mosaics reflecting Islam and Christianity
03 Explore the Hippodrome of Constantinople, once a public arena for chariot races
04 See the splendid blue tiles of Sultanahmet Mosque, also known as the Blue Mosque
05 Spot the famous Medusa head inside the mystical Basilica Cistern
06 Browse the hidden gems of the Grand Bazaar, one of the world's oldest covered markets

See the highlights of Old Istanbul in a day as you explore the city's most iconic historic landmarks. Visit the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Topkapı Palace, and the Hippodrome of Constantinople, then descend into the mystical Basilica Cistern to spot the famous Medusa head. End your experience at the Grand Bazaar, one of the world's largest and oldest covered markets, where you can browse and bargain among its hidden gems.

Visit the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Topkapı Palace, and the Hippodrome of Constantinople, then descend into the mystical Basilica Cistern to spot the famous Medusa head.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 1 Day

Tour type Private

Activity level Easy

Accommodation Not included

Transport Not included

Wheelchair access Yes

City Istanbul

Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

Old Istanbul's Iconic Landmarks

During your tour, you will visit the following places:

Topkapı Palace: A museum housing the imperial collections of the Ottoman Empire, along with several manuscripts and books. The palace was not only a residence for the sultans, but it also witnessed many interesting events.
Hagia Sophia: A splendid structure where you will enjoy a masterpiece of architecture and see different shades of Islam and Christianity through its inscriptions and mosaics.
Hippodrome: A place of entertainment for the residents of Constantinople and a public arena for chariot races, just like in many other Roman cities.
Sultanahmet Mosque: The most popular mosque in Turkey, also known as the Blue Mosque. Here, you can admire Ottoman architecture and the splendid blue tiles on its walls.
Basilica Cistern: Also called the Sunken Palace by the locals because of its mystical architecture. The site is famous for its Medusa head and beautiful Ionic and Doric columns.
Grand Bazaar: One of the world's largest and oldest covered markets. If you are visiting for the first time, you may need company to explore the hidden gems of the market.

Where this trip takes you

Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque, Topkapı Palace, Basilica Cistern, Hippodrome of Constantinople

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map — Round trip from İstanbul 1 city · 1 Day

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

Guiding services

What's Not Included

Personal expenses
Souvenirs
Public transportation tickets
Food, drinks, and snacks
Additional tickets for the museums

What to bring

I suggest women bring head scarves.

Know before you go

Because of the regulations declared by the government, some of the museums might be closed depending on the date of the tour. Please contact for further details.

Logistics