Day trip

Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia & More: Istanbul City Tour

Activity provider: Neon Tours
Day trip

Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia & More: Istanbul City Tour

Activity provider: Neon Tours

From US$ 75 per person

Admire Istanbul's main attractions on this full-day guided tour. From history to shopping, this sightseeing tour offers an authentic Istanbul experience.

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
Pickup included
Pick up is available from centrally located European side Istanbul hotels
Private group available

Experience

Highlights
  • Visit the Blue Mosque, a stunning example of Ottoman architecture
  • Feast your eyes on the Hagia Sophia, one of Turkey’s most important museums
  • Marvel at the grandeur of Topkapi Palace
  • Shop at the massive Grand Bazaar
  • Discover the amazing underground Basilica Cistern
Full description
This full-day sightseeing tour of Istanbul provides a perfect introduction to the city that straddles Europe and Asia. When Istanbul was known as Constantinople, it was the capital of the Roman Empire and the wealthiest metropolis in Europe. On this city tour you’ll visit Istanbul’s 4 most important historic sites with a local guide. The Blue Mosque is an iconic monument in both the Turkish and Islamic worlds. The stunning structure was built in the classical Ottoman style, and features 6 towering minarets and 260 windows that provide illumination for its vast inner chamber that is lined with more than 20,000 Iznik tiles. In the 6th century, the Hagia Sophia was built by the Emperor Justinian. After the Ottoman conquest, it was converted to a mosque and later converted into a museum, featuring many beautiful Byzantine mosaics. One of the largest and oldest palaces in the world, Topkapi is the crown jewel of the Ottoman Empire. With its treasury and exotic buildings overlooking the Golden Horn, walking Topkapi's grounds offers gorgeous views of the city and the nearby Bosphorus. You’ll have time to shop at the Grand Bazaar – its 58 streets are lined with more than 4,000 shops. It is one of the world's largest covered markets, and is particularly known for its jewelry, leather, pottery, spices, and carpets.
Includes
  • Air-conditioned minivan transport throughout
  • Entrance fees
  • Gratuities

Select participants and date

Participants

Date

Important information

Know before you go

  •  The local tour provider reserves the right to change the tour itinerary due to unexpected circumstances such as museum closures, holidays, strikes, weather conditions, and other events.
  •  Topkapi Palace is closed on Tuesdays. Hagia Sophia is closed on Mondays. The Grand Bazaar is closed on Sundays. Additional time will be spent at the other locations on these days.
  •  The Blue Mosque is being renovated until end of 2020 so some parts of the ceiling might be temporarily covered.
Customer reviews

Overall rating

4.3 /5

based on 168 reviews

Review summary

  • Guide
    4.9/5
  • Transportation
    4.7/5
  • Value for money
    4.3/5
  • Safety
    4.4/5

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We booked this one-day tour to have a first and quick view of the most important places of historical and artistic interest in Istanbul, to then deepen the visits more calmly. I have to say that it worked and the guide was good, kind and very helpful. Too bad that the Blue Mosque was closed for renovation and that in its place we were shown another uninteresting mosque. Perhaps a more significant alternative destination could have been chosen. The thing we didn't really like was the second part of the visit, after lunch. We went from an obligatory "visit" of ceramics, carpets and other shops where we had to attend demonstrations of the various productions, rather embarrassing for us, since there were only four of us and nobody had any intention of buying. this was the only drawback of the visit, because these moments were embarrassing both for us and for the shopkeepers who were disappointed.

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February 1, 2023

John, Jordan and I (Monina) enjoyed the entire day with Hakan! He is so knowledgeable and taught us so much about the rich history of Turkey ! We were so impressed that the time went by so quickly! Thank you Hakan! We will definitely recommend his tour to our friends

October 11, 2019

Excellent option for travelers with little time.

The tour is very interesting. The guide fully demonstrated his knowledge of the places visited. Better communication is required between the Tour operator and the traveler about the time they are picked up at the hotels in the central area to avoid misunderstandings. They never communicated with me until the moment the guide was looking for me at the hotel.

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July 27, 2015

Product ID: 1083