Turkey · Heritage Walks

Istanbul Old City: Basilica Cistern - Blue Mosque - Grand Bazaar

3 Hours Round trip from Istanbul Easy pace

The journey

Trip highlights
  • 01 Explore Istanbul’s historic Old City with a professional guide
  • 02 Visit the Basilica Cistern and see its famous Medusa heads
  • 03 Admire the Blue Mosque’s domes, minarets, and blue-tiled interior
  • 04 See the Hippodrome and learn about its Byzantine past
  • 05 Pass by the iconic Hagia Sophia Mosque
  • 06 Stop at Sultanahmet Square for photos of major landmarks
  • 07 End the tour at the world-famous Grand Bazaar
  • 08 Small-group tour with an English-speaking licensed guide

Discover the heart of Istanbul’s Old City on a guided walk through some of its most iconic historic landmarks. Explore the atmospheric Basilica Cistern, admire the elegant architecture of the Blue Mosque, and trace the city’s Byzantine past at the Hippodrome and Sultanahmet Square.

Along the way, pass by Hagia Sophia and finish in the legendary Grand Bazaar, where centuries of trade and culture come together under one vast roof. This small-group experience is a great way to take in the city’s rich layers of history, religion, and daily life in just a few hours.

Discover the heart of Istanbul’s Old City on a guided walk through some of its most iconic historic landmarks.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 3 Hours
Tour type Shared
Activity level Easy
Accommodation Not included
Transport Not included
Wheelchair access No
City Istanbul
Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

1
Day 01

Basilica Cistern

The largest of several hundred ancient cisterns that lie beneath the city of Istanbul (formerly Constantinople) was built in the 6th century during the reign of Byzantine Emperor Justinian I. Used to supply water to its inhabitants in the ancient past which was carried from 20 km away via aqueducts. Two medusa heads, lying upside down and sideway under two columns are the focal points.

Sultanahmet Mosque ( Blue Mosque )

A popular tourist site, sits next to the Hagia Sophia, and continues to function as a mosque today. The Blue Mosque, as it is popularly known, was constructed between 1609 and 1616 during the rule of Ahmed I. Hand-painted blue tiles adorn the mosque’s interior walls. The Sultan Ahmed Mosque has five main domes, six minarets, and eight secondary domes with traditional Ottoman architecture and is considered to be the last great mosque of the classical period.

Hippodrome

Hippodrome of Byzantine for chariot races

Hagia Sophia Mosque (Pass by)

The Church of Divine Wisdom, a fifteen hundred years old splendid monument, is a must see in Istanbul, built to be the world’s largest place of worship by Emperor Justinian in 532 AD. First a Greek Orthodox Patriarchal Basilica, later an imperial mosque and now a museum. The lofty interior, stunning surviving mosaics and the massive dome, which seems to float unsupported and gives the church its amazing sense of space. An unforgettable experience awaiting you.

Sultanahmet Square

This beautiful square and a great place to make a stop, relax and take photos of Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque.

Grand Bazaar

Istanbul's Grand Bazaar is high on most tourists' itineraries, and for a good reason. This enormous site is the largest covered market in the world with 61 covered streets and over 4,000 shops on a total area of 30,700 m², attracting between 250,000 and 400,000 visitors daily...

*️⃣↘️

* Seen from outside / Pass by

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map
Round trip from Istanbul 1 city · 3 Hours

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

  • Small Group
  • Professional Guide
  • Basilica Cistern entry ticket (*if all-inclusive option selected)

What's Not Included

  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
  • Gratuities
  • Basilica Cistern

Know before you go

  • PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION NEARBY
  • INFANTS MUST SIT ON LAPS
  • Not wheelchair accessible
  • Not stroller accessible
  • Not suitable for pets
  • Infant seats unavailable
  • Modest clothing should be preferred when visiting the Sultanahmet Blue Mosque. Shorts for men or women should be below the knee. Women cover their heads and exposed shoulders with a scarf or shawl, skirt should be below the knee.
  • It may be challenging to do the tour with a stroller, not recommended.
  • Grand Bazaar is closed on Sunday
  • It is a walking tour, so there is a moderate amount of walking involved
  • IF ALL INCLUSIVE OPTION IS NOT SELECTED: Entrance to Basilica Cistern (900TL per person) is not included in the tour price. Once you pay your entrance fee to your tour guide, you will have the privilege of skipping the ticket queue. You can pay the tour guide preferably cash in TRY (or in equivalent to USD or EURO).
  • ⚠️ Please arrive at least 5 minutes before the scheduled start time, as finding a taxi and navigating traffic can sometimes be challenging. The tour will begin promptly, as it is a shared experience with other participants

Logistics

Meeting & route

Meeting point
Istanbul, TR
Tour start
Istanbul, TR
Tour ends at the same location as the start point.
End of the journey

Your 3 hours finish where they began, in Istanbul.

Watch the tourHQ film Watch the film

Create your own adventure

Can't find the perfect tour? Tailor your dream trip.

  • Tell us your destination, dates and group size.
  • Our travel experts and local guides design a tailored itinerary, just for you.
  • Enjoy your trip with peace of mind, knowing everything is taken care of.
Plan my holiday

Say goodbye to travel stress.