Day trip

Istanbul: Old Town Highlights Tour & Bosphorus Cruise

4.6 / 5

8 reviews

Activity provider: Adore Tour & Travel
Day trip

Istanbul: Old Town Highlights Tour & Bosphorus Cruise

Activity provider: Adore Tour & Travel

From US$ 77.59 per person

See the Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Grand Bazaar, and more. Enjoy a cruise on the Bosphorus and a four-course lunch on this full-day group tour.

About this activity

Free cancellation
Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund
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Covid-19 precautions
Special health and safety measures are in place. Check your activity voucher once you book for full details.
Duration 8 hours
Check availability to see starting times.
Skip the ticket line
Live tour guide
English
Audio guide included
English
Pickup included
Pickup at central Istanbul hotels is provided.

Experience

Highlights
  • See Hagia Sophia, Sultanahmet Blue Mosque, and the Hippodrome
  • Explore the Grand Bazaar, the commercial heart of the old city
  • Enjoy your Lunch
  • Cruise the Bosphorus and take in the iconic waterway's sights and sounds
Full description
Begin your tour of the Sultanahmet district, the heart of old Istanbul, at Hagia Sophia. Built by the 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 the exquisite 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. Brief Handicrafts Presentation & Lecture (Optional Attendance) next to the Grand Bazaar. Free time to explore Grand Bazaar on your own. 1 hour visit, Meeting back and drive to Lunch. 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, Note: Grand Bazaar is closed on Sundays. On Sundays we visit Nuruosmaniye Street around Grand Bazaar since Grand Bazaar is closed. Enjoy your lunch. Cruise the Bosphorus and from the deck of your cruise boat, take in the sights and sounds of this legendary waterway, lined with historic villages, grandiose waterfront mansions, imposing fortresses, like Anadolu Hisari, and the Baroque palaces of the late Ottoman sultans. After your cruise, travel along the breathtaking Golden Horn to the Spice Bazaar, a thrilling riot of colors, sounds and the smells of exotic spices.
Includes
  • Free hotel pickup and drop-off (city center hotels on the European side only)
  • Entrance fees as per description
  • Guide
  • Air-conditioned vehicle
  • VAT
  • 4-course lunch – Sample Menu: soup and seasonal appetizers and salad, main course of meatballs or chicken, and dessert; vegetarian option available
  • Optional gratuities/ tips
  • Drinks
Not suitable for
  • Wheelchair users

Select participants and date

Participants

Date

Important information

Not allowed

  • Unaccompanied minors

Know before you go

  • Children 18 years and under must be accompanied by an adult
  • During religious holidays, the Spice Market and Grand Bazaar are closed
  • On Sundays, when the Grand Bazaar is closed, you will visit Nuruosmaniye around the Grand Bazaar
  • The Spice Bazaar may be visited prior to taking the Bosphorus Cruise, depending on the number of tour participants
  • On Friday morning, The Blue Mosque & Hagia Sophia are visioned only from outside because of Friday Prayer
  • There is a maximum of 20-25 persons per tour group
Customer reviews

Overall rating

4.6 /5

based on 8 reviews

Review summary

  • Guide
    4/5
  • Transportation
    4/5
  • Service
    4.8/5
  • Organization
    4.5/5

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Star rating:

we suggeat the tour. in one day you can see everything.we do not suggest the cruise.long...1h and 45 min and 5 stops around bosporus wirh no reason

December 20, 2019

Lots waiting around for the coach and for other passengers to be picked up. Guide enthusiastic but had a very staccato style and some strange pronunciations. Also lots of repetitions of information.

November 5, 2019

Great tour, excellent guides

Ahmed was a very engaging guide. He even took the extra mile of ensuring that I won’t get stuck in heavy traffic on my way back to the hotel.

April 13, 2019

Product ID: 98595