Full-Day Istanbul Tour: Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace & Bazaar
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Duration
daily
Max Group Size
45
Departure Type
Guaranteed
Guiding Method
Fully guided
Physical level
relax
Operated In
English
Age Requirement
12 - 99 Ages
About this tour
Explore the heart of Istanbul on the Old Istanbul Historical Day Tour, visiting iconic landmarks such as Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, and the Blue Mosque. Experience the city’s rich history, stunning architecture, and vibrant culture all in one day.
Route
- 1IstanbulEuropeTurkey
What makes this tour special
Itinerary
Pick up from your hotel at 09:00 AM for a full-day tour exploring the historic heart of Istanbul. Your first stop is Hagia Sophia (St. Sophia), an ancient basilica built by Constantine the Great in the 4th century and reconstructed by Justinian in the 6th century. This architectural masterpiece is one of the most iconic landmarks of Istanbul. Next, visit Topkapi Palace, the grand residence of Ottoman sultans from the 15th to 19th centuries. Explore its exquisite collections, including crystal, silver, Chinese porcelain, sultans’ robes, Imperial Treasury jewels, miniatures, and the Holy Mantle, which enshrines relics of Prophet Mohammed. Across from Hagia Sophia, admire the Sultanahmet (Blue) Mosque, famous for its magnificent interior decorated with blue Iznik tiles, built in the 16th century by the renowned architect Mimar Sinan. Then, explore the Ancient Hippodrome, once the site of chariot races, featuring the Obelisk of Theodosius, the Serpentine Column, and the Column of Constantine. Continue to the Underground Cistern (Basilica Cistern), built after the Nika revolt in 532 AD. Rediscovered in 1545, it was once used to water the gardens of Topkapi Palace. Today, its mystical ambiance is enhanced by clever lighting that makes the water shimmer with colorful reflections. Finally, wander through the Grand Covered Bazaar, a labyrinth of over 4,000 shops. Discover goldsmiths’ streets, carpets, hand-painted ceramics, copperware, brassware, onyx items, and meerschaum pipes.
Please note that inside mosques, visitors should cover shoulders and knees. Hagia Sophia is open every day, Topkapi Palace is closed on Tuesdays, and the Grand Bazaar is closed on Sundays.
At the end of this full-day historical tour, you will be transferred back to your hotel. We hope your Old Istanbul Historical Day Tour was a memorable experience, and we look forward to seeing you on another TravelShop Booking tour. Have a safe trip back home, and thank you for choosing TravelShop Booking.
Trip includes
Included
Professional English-speaking tour guides
Guiding Method
Fully guided
EnglishReturn transfer to your hotel
Transportation in a fully air-conditioned, non-smoking coach
Guided Special Historical Site of Istanbul Tour
All entrance fees mentioned in the itinerary
Excluded
Lunch
Insurance: All types
Personal expenses: Lunches, extras at hotel or additional meals
Tipping: Tips for guides and drivers
City Tax
Availability
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Reviews
This was the highlight of our holiday. We visited all the major landmarks, skipped long lines, and enjoyed interesting historical explanations throughout the da...
The organization was excellent from beginning to end. Visiting Istanbul's most famous attractions with an experienced guide made the day unforgettable.
A full day packed with history, culture, and beautiful architecture. The lunch was good, and the Grand Bazaar was the perfect ending.
Every stop was impressive, especially the Blue Mosque and Topkapi Palace. The guide answered all our questions and made the tour enjoyable.
Our guide shared fascinating stories throughout the day. Everything was well organized, and we learned so much about Istanbul's history.
Make this journey exclusively yours
By design, this is a group tour. You can however request a private, customized version of this tour for yourself or your private group of people. Private departures are usually more expensive, but come with these benefits:
Personal
Itinerary can be tweaked and customized.
Protected
Travel withing your own bubble.
Professional
Access our Travel Specialists insider knowledge.
Privacy
Enjoy a tour focused solely on you or your travel group.
Why book with TravelShop Booking
Cancellation Policy
On our global marketplace TravelShop Booking Supplier is recognized globally as an online tourism marketplace connecting travelers, suppliers, and tour operators worldwide. All users acknowledge that TravelShop Booking is a platform not liable for canceled tours, poor services, or unforeseen circumstances occurring before, during, or after the tour.
Need help or have a question about this tour?
if you have any question about this tour or need help with planning a trip, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us. We're ready to help.
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