Learn about the historical development of the city under the Roman Empire and Ottoman Empire on a private tour. Compare the different cultures and religions of these empires while exploring iconic Istanbul sights like Topkapi Palace and the Hagia Sophia Mosque. Travel stress-free with private roundtrip transportation. Enjoy unhurried visits to the Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, the Blue Mosque, the Basilica Cistern, and the Hippodrome of Constantinople. Visit the famous Sultanahmet Mosque, also known as Blue Mosque, due to its unique interior decoration of blue royal Iznik tiles. At the Hippodrome, see where the Romans used to organize chariot races and gladiators' fights. Admire its remaining Egyptian Obelisk, Serpentine Column, Constantine Column, and German Fountain. Finish your day by learning about Turkish handicrafts at the famous Grand Bazaar and its 4,000 shops (replaced with the Arasta Baazar or the Spice Bazaar on Sundays). With your private guide leading the way, there's no chance of getting lost in the bazaar. This tour is a good start for first-time visitors to Istanbul. You'll gain a good idea of the past, present, and future of Istanbul while visiting some of the city's must-see sights and monuments. You can pause the tour at any point to ask questions or adjust the itinerary.

Discover Istanbul's most iconic sights on a tour. Listen to your guide recount tales of the city's colorful past as you pass by landmarks such as the Topkapi Palace, Blue Mosque, and Hippodrome. Round off the experience with a visit to the Grand Bazaar, one of the oldest covered markets in the world. Start your tour at the Hippodrome of Constantinople, which was the sports and social center of the old city. Discover major artworks including the Obelisk from Egypt, the Serpentine Column from Delphi, and the fountain of Willhelm II. Then, continue to the Blue Mosque, whose 6 minarets adorn Istanbul’s skyline. Next up is the Topkapi Palace, which was home to Ottoman emperors between the 15th and 19th centuries. Marvel at the jewel-stuffed treasury, the Ottoman Empire's imperial collections, and priceless displays of Oriental porcelain. If the Topkapi Palace is closed on your trip date, you'll visit the Nakkas Cistern instead. Continue to the Hagia Sophia Mosque, a monument of equal significance to the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires. Behold the dome and stunning mosaics of this architectural gem as your guide recounts its turbulent history. Then, enter the Grand Bazaar with over 3,000 shops selling everything from carpets to jewelry to ceramics and leather goods. Take a stroll around the Bazaar and soak in the aroma of different spices, dried fruits, nuts, sweets, and lokum (Turkish Delights).

Your private guide and driver will meet you at your hotel or cruise ship, and you’ll head out for a full-day VIP tour of Istanbul. Visit the Hippodrome, the center of sporting and political activities of ancient Constantinople. See the Obelisk from Egypt, the Serpentine Column from Delphi, and the German Fountain of Willhelm II. Continue to the Blue Mosque, dating from the 17th century. This is one of the largest mosques in Istanbul and one of the principal features of the city skyline. It’s best known for its blue Iznik tiles and 6 minarets. Afterwards, you’ll visit Topkapi Palace, the former imperial residence that was the seat of the Great Ottoman Empire. Explore the spectacular museum and its vast collections of Chinese and Japanese porcelain and the treasury of the royal family. Continue to the Hagia Sophia, the magnificent Byzantine Church considered one of the finest and largest architectural works in the world. The last stop on the tour is the Grand Bazaar. In addition to its historical importance, this is a shopping venue that will tempt even the non-shoppers among you with its rich collection of precious handmade carpets, jewelry, leather, and souvenirs. At the end of the tour, you’ll be transferred back to your hotel or cruise ship.

This is a fully guided tour inside the Hagia Sophia (Ayasofya), Basilica Cistern, Blue Mosque, Roman Hippodrome, Orient Exprés Train Station and Spice Bazaar. Along the way, stop to hear the stories of the Roman Hippodrome (including the Egyptian Obelisk and Serpent Column German Fountain) This tour starts from our meeting point which is located in the heart of Istanbul. Your guide will meet you and you will start with the Hagia sofia which hosted two religions over 1500 years. The tour will follow by Blue mosque which is the most popular mosque in Istanbul. It willl follow by under ground Basicila Cistern with heads of Medusa turned upside down in the water. After this, the tour will follow with the walk in Gulhane park which was the back yard of the Topkapı palace. We will have a tea/coffee break here to enjoy the tranquility of the peaceful park while watching the nests of the heron birds and birds tweeting. We will follow to look at the final station of the famous Orient Express and will conclude the tour with tasting the Turkish delights, nuts and spices at the Spice Bazaar.

Explore Istanbul on this coach tour of the Old City. See sights like the Eyup Sultan Mosque and the Hippodrome. Learn about Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque on a guided tour. Sit down to a tasty lunch and sail on the Bosporus. Soak up the views from Pierre Loti Hill and ride a cable car.  Enjoy the convenience of being picked up from centrally-located hotels in Istanbul. Sit back and relax in an airconditioned coach with plenty of space on your way to the departure point. Meet your local guide and head to the Old City to visit the Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque. Learn about this 6th century building that was constructed by the emperor Justinian as a Greek Orthodox Church. Hear about how the the Hagia Sophia has transformed over time and how it was the largest church in the world for a 1,000 years. Continue to the Blue Mosque to admire its 20,000 blue Iznık ceramic tiles and its 6 towering minarets. Find out how it was built for Sultan Ahmet I and how it was the last great mosque of the Classical period. Make your way to the the sporting and social center of ancient Constantinople at the Hippodrome. View the German Fountain of Wilhelm II, the Bronze Serpentine Column, the Obelisk of Theodosius, and the Column of Constantine. Discover the Tombs of Sultans, the final resting place of 5 Sultans and 142 members of the Ottoman dynasty. Visit the fountain of Sultan Ahmet III which is in front of the Imperial Gate of the Topkapı Palace. See the Perayton, an older Byzantine fountain with a Turkish rococo structure. Take as stroll through the Grand Covered Bazaar, the oldest and biggest covered market in the world. Get lost in 65 streets with more than 4000 shops. Have some free time to haggle before sitting down to a delicious lunch. Take in the city sights from the sea on a Bosphorus cruise. Capture pictures of of the Golden Horn, the Topkapı palace, the Dolma Bahçe palace, the Hagia Sophia Mosque, the Maiden’s tower, Galata tower, the Blue mosque, Ortakoy mosque. Gaze out at the bridges connecting Europe and Asia. Board the coach and pass by historical wooden houses, churches, synagogues, mosques, and the remains of the Roman Wall. Visit the Eyup Sultan Mosque and see the Abu Eyup Alansari Tomb (Abu Ayyub al-Ansari was the standard bearer and companion of Muhammad). Ascend the Pierre Loti Hill by bus and snap some photos of sweeping views of the Golden Horn. Marvel at city views as you descend the hill on a cable car ride. Return to your accommodation by coach at the end of your tour.

See the main historical sights of Istanbul and take a 2.5-hour luxury cruise along the beautiful shoreline as the sun sets. Visit the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, the Little Hagia Sophia Mosque and the Grand Bazaar. Learn about their histories on a guided tour. See the site of the Ancient Roman hippodrome. Transfer to the glass-encased luxury yacht in the evening and enjoy a welcome drink of traditional Turkish demirhindi. Enjoy the sights of the city at dusk with informative commentary. Feel the soothing breeze coming over the Sea of Marmara at dusk on this highlights tour and cruise in Istanbul.

Begin your tour of the Sultanahmet district, the heart of old Istanbul, at Hagia Sophia. Built by Constantine the Great in the 4th century and reconstructed by Emperor Justinian in the early 6th century A.D. and designed by Anthemius of Tralles and Isodore of Miletus, the church is one of the marvels of world architecture. Converted into a mosque in 1453, it is now a museum. Its massive dome still dominates the skyline of old Istanbul. It is also famed for its mosaics, including glittering portraits of emperors and empresses and a poignant Virgin and Child. Next, you will visit the Blue Mosque which takes its name from exquisite blue Iznik tiles adorning its interior. Built by Sultan Ahmet I in the early 17th century and designed by a pupil of Sinan, the greatest of Ottoman architects, it is the only imperial mosque with six minarets. Its courtyard is especially grand. The Hippodrome, the stadium of ancient Byzantium, held 100,000 spectators and featured objects from all corners of the empire. Of these, an Egyptian obelisk and a bronze sculpture of three entwined serpents from Delphi survive. Finally, Brief Handicrafts Presentation & Lecture (Optional Attendance) next to the Grand Bazaar. Free time to explore Grand Bazaar on your own. The Grand Bazaar was the commercial heart of the old city and its 4,000 shops are full of treasures including carpets and kilims, silks, jewelry, ceramics, icons and leather goods. Wandering through the Grand Bazaar, indulge in some shopping, Ottoman style. Note: Grand Bazaar is closed on Sundays. On Sundays we visit Nuruosmaniye Street around Grand Bazaar since Grand Bazaar is closed.

Once the sun sets and the stars come out, Istanbul transforms into a dazzling metropolis with a completely different atmosphere. In this evening tour, you’ll be visiting the following spots: Basilica Cistern: Meet up at the meeting point before heading to our first stop, the Basilica Cistern. Dive into the depths of the largest cistern in Istanbul and learn about the history of this ancient cavern. Wander through the hauntingly beautiful chambers, all while enjoying the night's cool breeze – a refreshing change from the daytime heat. Hafiz Mustafa: Next, visit the famous sweet shop, Hafiz Mustafa. This beloved establishment is one of Istanbul’s mainstays for popular local treats such as baklava, Turkish delight, puddings, cakes, and more. Sample a few of these delectable desserts before heading to the next stop. Hagia Sophia: This breathtaking architectural wonder is up next. Witness a completely different atmosphere and view the Hagia Sophia in a whole new light! Learn about this mosque-museum’s captivating history as you take in the majestic domes, intricate mosaics, and ornate decorations. Hippodrome: The last stop of the day is the Hippodrome. This famous area was once a place where the Byzantine emperors would hold chariot races. Get up close to the obelisk and marvel at its historical significance before calling it an evening well spent.

Admire some of Istanbul’s most wondrous monuments with an expert local guide on this private, half-day walking tour. Relive the days of thrilling chariot races at the ancient Hippodrome of Constantinople. Today the Hippodrome is an open-air museum where you can see remnants of the original structure as well as the Obelisk of Theodosius, the Serpentine Column, and the Fountain of Wilhelm II. Next, visit one of the most majestic adornments of Istanbul's skyline ̶ the Blue Mosque. Officially known as the Sultanahmet Mosque, it is the mosque’s striking blue tiles that give it its more common name and make it one of Istanbul’s most iconic attractions. The mosque also features a beautiful courtyard and six towering minarets. Then explore the ancient basilica of Hagia Sophia, one of the finest and largest architectural marvels in the world. The largest church in the world for over a thousand years, Hagia Sophia is now a museum featuring beautiful Byzantine mosaics, paintings, and sculptures.

The first stop is the Topkapi Palace. This opulent structure once served as the administrative headquarters of the Ottoman sultans during the 15th and 16th centuries. Today, its beauty is still a sight to behold, with many flocking to the palace to take photos. Up next are the Hippodrome and the Obelisk of Theodosius. The Obelisk was originally commissioned by the Egyptian Pharaoh Tuthmosis II in the 15th century BC. It was erected in the Hippodrome (a place originally built to race horses during the Roman period) by Theodosius in 388. Stop for lunch at a local eatery before heading to the next stop, the Basilica Cistern. Explore the vast network of ancient Roman reservoirs and marvel at the stunning architecture of the cistern, with its towering columns and intricate carvings. Then you’ll head to the Blue Mosque, where you can admire the intricate details of the mosque's blue tiles and elegant domes while learning about its rich history and significance to the Muslim faith. After filling your camera roll with photos of the Blue Mosque, head to the classic and ever-popular Hagia Sophia. This great architectural masterpiece boasts a long and storied history, serving as a church, mosque, and now museum. Take in the beauty of the structure with its towering minarets before heading to the last stop of the day. The Grand Bazaar is one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world. A trip to Turkey would not be complete without a visit to this iconic landmark. Stroll through the numerous stalls and go shopping for some souvenirs to commemorate the day’s adventure.