Overview

Visit six top Istanbul attractions in one day on a full-day sightseeing tour of the city. This action-packed day includes a comprehensive tour of the historical Sultanahmet neighborhood, where many of the city’s finest architectural legacies and landmarks are found. Visit the Blue Mosque and museums of Hagia Sophia and Topkapi Palace, as well as Istanbul Hippodrome and the dazzling Grand Bazaar. A delicious 3-course lunch is also included halfway through the day.These are the attractions you will visit in this tour: Hippodrome: The former center for entertainment, sports and political activities in the city during the Roman and Bzyantine Empires. You will be able to see the Obelisk from Egypt, the Serpentine Column from Delphi and the fountain of Willhelm II. St.Sophia: The Church of Holy Wisdom, undoubtedly one of the greatest architectural creations in the World used as a mosque during the Ottoman era and serving as a museum today. Blue Mosque: One of the biggest mosques of Istanbul and built in 17th century architecture, it is one of the principal adornments on the skyline of Istanbul. Also famous for its blue tiles and 6 minarets. Grand Bazaar: The oldest and the largest covered market place in the world with nearly 4.000 shops full of rich collections of carpets, jewelry, leather and souvenirs. Topkapi Palace: The great palace of the Ottoman sultans from the 15th to the 19th centuries, housing an exquisite collection of cyrstal, silver, and Chinese porcelain, robes worn by the sultans and their families, the famous jewels of the Imperial Treasury, miniatures, the Holy Mantle and enshrining relics of the Prophet Mohammed. Please note that the Treasury and the Harem sections in Topkapi Palace are not included in the program and are due to extra entry. Sultan's Tombs: There are five tombs of Ottoman Sultans within the graveyard of St. Sophia. The ceramic panels are the most beautiful examples of 16th century art, with purple, green, blue, and red flower motives. Princely robes and a small piece from the Kaaba covers are displayed on the sarcophaguses.

Departure & Return

- When: ;

- Meeting point: Meet the guide at the lobby of your centrally located hotel within the areas of the Europen Side neighborhood plus Taksim, Şişli, Aksaray, Beyazıt, Sirkeci, or Beyoğlu.;

- Where: ;

What to remember

Know in advance:

• the Grand Bazaar is closed on Sundays
• entry to both the Treasury and Harem at Topkapi Palace are not included in the program
• other than the pick-up and return trip, this is a walking tour with a licensed guide in the old city district of Istanbul, this is not a sightseeing tour from a bus
• Transfer service is offered to the Europen Side neighborhood plus the areas of Taksim, Şişli, Aksaray, Beyazıt, Sirkeci, or Beyoğlu