7-Hour Istanbul Landmarks Tour with Topkapı Palace and Grand Bazaar

The journey

Trip highlights

• 01 Marvel at the interiors of the Blue Mosque
• 02 Understand the lifestyle of the Turks at Topkapı Palace
• 03 Visit Hagia Sophia, now a museum
• 04 Take pictures of the Egyptian Obelisks at the Hippodrome
• 05 Admire the architecture of the Underground Basilica Cistern

Explore the most visited and famous sites of Istanbul's historic peninsula, including the Blue Mosque, whose interior is covered in blue stained glass windows and tiles, and the beautiful Hippodrome. Learn about the lifestyle of the Turks at Topkapı Palace, admire the architecture of Hagia Sophia, and experience the atmospheric Underground Basilica Cistern. End your tour with a stroll through the Grand Bazaar.

Admire the beautiful architecture of the Underground Basilica Cistern, accompanied by dim lights, water, and music.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 7 Hours

Tour type Private

Activity level Moderate

Accommodation Not included

Transport Included

Wheelchair access Yes

City Istanbul

Languages English, Spanish

Day by day

The itinerary

1

Day 01

Istanbul's Historic Peninsula Highlights

• Meet your guide at your hotel lobby, cruise ship port, or another suitable place.
• Visit the Blue Mosque, a beautiful mosque with predominantly blue stained glass windows and tiles.
• Stop by the popular Hippodrome to take pictures of the Egyptian Obelisks.
• Explore Topkapı Palace, where you can gain a good understanding of how the Turks ruled and lived.
• Have lunch at a traditional local restaurant, which can be nearby according to your preference and your guide's advice.
• Go to Hagia Sophia, a church turned mosque and now a museum, an excellent example of how different religions can respect and tolerate each other.
• Admire the beautiful architecture of the Underground Basilica Cistern, accompanied by dim lights, water, and music.
• Stroll around the Grand Bazaar, with more than four thousand shops.
• Return to the place where you met your guide - hotel, airport, or cruise ship port.

The route

Where you'll travel

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

• Guide services
• Lunch
• Entrance fees to the museum
• Personal expenses
• Public transportation fees

What's Not Included

• Topkapı Museum fee

What to bring

• Walking shoes are preferable.

Know before you go

• You will also have the chance to observe present-day life in the area and take more pictures.
• Topkapı Palace is closed on Tuesdays, and Hagia Sophia is closed on Mondays. We can replace those with something else if your tour is on those days.
• Friday tours might last longer due to heavy traffic.
• Meeting location: If you are arriving on a cruise ship, we will find out which terminal it will dock at and wait for you at the passenger exit with your name written on a board. If you want to meet at the airport, we will wait for you at the arrivals exit with a board showing your name. We will also check your flight number to confirm which terminal and airport you will be landing at. If you are staying in a private house or far from the city centre, we will arrange the most central meeting place according to your location. There are four different centres where we can meet. If you stay around the Sultanahmet or Taksim area, we can pick you up from your hotel, but if you are staying outside those locations, we will meet at one of the town centres depending on your location.

Logistics

Meeting & route

Meeting point

Binbirdirek, Sultanahmet Meydanı, Sultan Ahmet Parkı, Fatih/İstanbul, Türkiye

Tour start

İstanbul, Turkey

Tour ends at the same location as the start point.