Turkey · City Tours

2-Day Private Guided Istanbul Tour with Bosphorus Cruise

2 Days Round trip from İstanbul Moderate pace

The journey

Trip highlights

01 Explore the Hippodrome of Constantinople and its historic monuments, including the Egyptian Obelisk and Serpentine Column
02 See the Blue Mosque, the imperial mosque of Sultan Ahmet I, with its six minarets and cascading domes
03 Visit Hagia Sophia, one of the most significant monuments of the Byzantine and Ottoman empires
04 Browse the Grand Bazaar's 3,000-plus shops for carpets, jewelry, ceramics, and leather goods
05 Sail the Bosphorus past landmarks such as Dolmabahçe Palace, Rumeli Fortress, and Anatolian Fortress
06 Take in a 360-degree panorama from Galata Tower over the Bosphorus, Golden Horn, and Sea of Marmara

Take a private guided tour of Istanbul's historical sights and landmarks over two days, with time to experience the city's most spectacular attractions at your leisure. Explore iconic monuments such as the Hippodrome, Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, and Topkapı Palace, then continue to the Spice Market, a Bosphorus cruise, Dolmabahçe Palace, Taksim Square, İstiklal Street, and Galata Tower. This tour combines the grandeur of the Byzantine and Ottoman empires with the lively atmosphere of modern Istanbul.

This tour combines the grandeur of the Byzantine and Ottoman empires with the lively atmosphere of modern Istanbul.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 2 Days

Tour type Private

Activity level Moderate

Accommodation Not included

Transport Not included

Wheelchair access No

City Istanbul

Languages English, Italian, Spanish

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

Historic Sultanahmet and the Grand Bazaar

Hippodrome Square: Start at the Hippodrome of Constantinople, the social and sports centre of the old city. Explore significant monuments such as the Obelisk from Egypt, the Serpentine Column from Delphi, and the Fountain of Wilhelm II, also known as the German Fountain.
Blue Mosque: Stroll to the Blue Mosque, a majestic structure with six minarets adorning the skyline of Istanbul. One of the most popular attractions in this ancient city is the imperial mosque of Sultan Ahmet I (Sultan Ahmet Camii). Foreign visitors call it the Blue Mosque because of the tiles inside. The mosque, with its six minarets and massive cascade of domes, is a worthy sibling to Ayasofya.
Hagia Sophia: Proceed to the Hagia Sophia Mosque, one of the most significant monuments of the Byzantine and Ottoman empires. This architectural jewel displays its dome and stunning mosaics as your guide shares its turbulent history. In 537, Justinian the Great constructed the Church of the Holy Wisdom. It has stood here for over 1,520 years, through 120 generations of men and women, and is known as Aya Sofya in Turkish.
Topkapı Palace: A visit to Topkapı Palace, home to Ottoman emperors between the 15th and 19th centuries, is next on the itinerary. Admire the rich jewels and imperial collections of the Ottoman Empire, along with priceless displays of Oriental porcelain. Topkapı Sarayı was the seraglio, the heart of the vast Ottoman Empire, ruled by the sultans for nearly 400 years.
Grand Bazaar: Visit the Grand Bazaar, home to over 3,000 shops offering everything from carpets to jewelry, ceramics, and leather goods.

Day 02

Spice Market, Bosphorus Cruise, and Modern Istanbul

Spice Market: All the delicious foods and souvenirs that travellers find most alluring are available in one place beneath the elaborate vaulted ceilings. These include tea, various Turkish Delight flavours, dried fruit, cheese, jam, nuts, seeds, and spices. Silver, ceramics, jewelry, and other handmade items are also available.
Bosphorus Cruise: While sailing the Bosphorus, you will take in the numerous magnificent sites that surround the Bosphorus Strait, including Dolmabahçe Palace, Bebek, Rumeli Fortress, the Bosphorus Bridges, Anatolian Fortress, and more.
Dolmabahçe Palace: Dolmabahçe Palace is precisely what a sultan's palace should be. With its luxurious decoration, chandeliers, rugs, crystals, and ceramic fireplaces, it is the epitome of elegance and beauty. Right on the Bosphorus, this palace features beautiful furnishings, paintings, and porcelains made especially for Dolmabahçe.
Taksim Square: Defining modern Turkey and witnessing critical historical events, Taksim Square is an important place. The Çiçek and European Passages combine traditional and modern construction methods and architectural styles from the Ottoman Empire. Several good restaurants, cafes, shops, bars, and nightclubs can be found in this district.
İstiklal Street: İstiklal Street is brimming with life. It is a two-kilometre walk downhill, lined with several shops, restaurants, and bars.
Galata Tower: Built in 1348 by the Genovese, Galata Tower was used as a watchtower to aid in the city's defence and is today one of the main symbols of Istanbul. From its viewpoint at the top, you will be rewarded with a 360-degree panorama, with views of the Bosphorus, the Golden Horn, the Sea of Marmara, the historical peninsula, and the neighbourhood of Beyoğlu.