Tour 06 - Wonders of Ottoman Istanbul
- The Blue Mosque
- Turkish and Islamic Arts Museum
- Topkapi Palace
- Suleymaniye Mosque
- The Grand Bazaar
This Istanbul tour starts with a visit to the Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmet Mosque) which is one of the landmarks and main tourist attractions of Istanbul. Next we walk to the Turkish and Islamic Arts Museum housed in the 16th century palace of Ibrahim Pasha, the first grand vizier of Sultan Suleiman the Magnificient. We then continue to the Topkapi Palace, the imperial lodge of Ottoman Sultans and the administrative center of the Empire for approximately 400 years. After lunch we take the tram to go to the breathtaking Suleymaniye Mosque (The mosque of Sultan Suleiman the Magnificient) giving visitors the opportunity to discover the Turkish and Islamic craftsmenship in addition to marvellous Ottoman engineering. Our final stop is the Grand Bazaar.
The Blue Mosque
Popularly known as the Blue Mosque for its blue Iznik tilework (21.043 tiles!) decorating its interior walls is unique with 6 minarets, is unique in the Islamic world with its six graceful minarets and is one of the most famous religious buildings in the world. The Blue mosque is the most visited mosque in Istanbul.
Turkish and Islamic Arts Museum
Located in the Sultanahmet Square, the museum was built as a palace of Ibrahim Pasha, the first grand vizier of Sultan Suleiman the Magnificient. Museum exhibits over 40.000 items in chronological order and is particularly famous for its collection of rugs which range from 13th century Seljuk fragments to the palatial Persian silks.
Topkapi Palace
Built on the order of Sultan Mehmet the Conqueror, shortly after the conquest of Constantinople and this majestic palace served as the principle residence of the Ottoman Sultans for approximately 400 years. Today serving as a museum, this palace host priceless pieces of art and imperial treasury items as well as sacred items of Islam. A must see!
The Grand Bazaar
The city’s most famous shopping centre is the world’s one of the largest bazaars of its kind with a labyrinth of more than 60 covered streets and 4.000 shops. The Grand Bazaar attracts between 250.000 and 400.000 visitors daily. No visit to Istanbul can be complete without visiting the Grand Bazaar!
Suleymaniye Mosque
Possibly the most important mosque of Istanbul, which is both a tribute to its architect Sinan and it founder Sultan Suleiman the Magnificient. Built between 1550-1557, served as imperial mosque and a mosque complex (Kulliye in Turkish) of four madrasah (Islamic theological school), a guest house (which provided lodging and food for travellers and their animals), a hospital, a hamam (Turkish Bath), and a soup kitchen. The complex provided a welfare system which fed over 1.000 of the city’s poor including Muslims, Christians and Jews every day.
From guests' hotel, port or airport.
To guests' hotel, port or airport.
- Sun protection (or umbrella depending on the season/weather)
- Hat and sunglasses
- Camera
- Cash/credit cards
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Sea Pass card and photo identification (for cruise ship passengers)
- Pick up and drop off from/to hotels
- Services of licensed, English speaking, "expert" Istanbul tour guide
Lunch
Admission fees for the mentioned museums
Tips of gratitude
Please Note the Admission Fees:
Turkish and Islamic Arts Museums - 15TL per person
Topkapi Palace Museum - 40TL per person
If you cancel at least 7 day(s) in advance of the scheduled departure, there is no cancellation fee.
If you cancel between 3 and 6 day(s) in advance of the scheduled departure, there is a 50 percent cancellation fee.
If you cancel within 2 day(s) of the scheduled departure, there is a 100 percent cancellation fee.