Tour 01 - Best of Istanbul in 1 Day
- Hagia Sophia Museum
- Topkapi Palace and its Harem
- The Hippodrome Monuments
- The Blue Mosque
- The Grand Bazaar
This “must do” Istanbul tour covers the Top 5 tourist attractions of the city which are within walking distance to each. Including the remaining Hippodrome monuments of Constantine’s Column, Serpent Column and Egyptian Obelisk. Our tour will continue with a visit to the Hagia Sophia (Aya Sofya) Museum, an architectural monument that has been standing since 532 AD! The Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmet Mosque) which is another highlight of Istanbul tours built between 1609-1617, the Topkapi Palace; the imperial lodge of Ottoman Sultans and administrative center of the Empire for approximately 400 years, including a visit to the Harem where you will be amazed with the mystery of the courtyards and the beauty of the Iznik tiles. We finalize our tour with an orientation tour of the Grand Bazaar of Istanbul.
Hippodrome of Constantinople
Also known as the The Hippodrome of Constantinople was the historical venue for the ancient chariot races and sportive activities as well as political events of the Byzantium history, decorated with the Serpent Column, the Obelisk of Theodosius (Egyptian Obelisk), The Constantine Column (or the Walled Obelisk). Today the area of the Hippodrome square is known as the Sultan Ahmet Square (Sultan Ahmet Meydani in Turkish).
The Blue Mosque
Popularly known as the Blue Mosque for its blue Iznik tilework (21.043 tiles!) decorating its interior walls, 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 was commissioned by Sultan Ahmet I (14th Sultan of the dynasty) and constructed between 1609-1619.
Hagia Sophia Museum
Hagia Sophia is also known as Aya Sofya as used in Turkish, mean "Holy (hagia) Wisdom (sophia)". It was constructed on the order of Byzantine Emperor Justinian (r. 527-565 AD) between 532 and 537. Today carries the 4th biggest church dome in the world, Hagia Sophia is one of the Top 3 visited museums in Turkey.
Topkapi Palace & Harem
Topkapi (means Cannon Gate) Palace completed in 1478 at the tip of the historical peninsula of Istanbul. The palace served as the royal residence of the Ottoman royalty and the administrative center of the Ottoman Empire.
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 aw attracts between 250.000 and 400.000 visitors daily. No visit to Istanbul can be complete without visiting the Grand Bazaar!
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
- 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:
Hagia Sophia - 40TL per person
Topkapi Palace Museum - 40 TL per person
Harem (Topkapi Palace) - 25 TL 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.