Tours Guided tours Family-friendly activities Landmarks & monuments Culture & history Art Deals & Discounts Entry tickets Archaeology Sightseeing Private tours Rainy-day activities Religious & spiritual activities Museums & exhibitions UNESCO sites Architecture Educational activities Churches & cathedrals

Explore Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Basilica Cistern, on a 3-hour tour. Small groups, optional fast-track entry, and insights into Ottoman and Byzantine history.

Highlights

• Discover Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Basilica Cistern with an expert guide.
• Uncover stories behind iconic Ottoman and Byzantine monuments in Istanbul.
• Explore in a small-group setting for a more personal and engaging experience.

Description

Explore Istanbul’s historic center on a 3-hour guided tour of its most iconic landmarks. Travel in a small group with an expert guide and enjoy a smooth, personal experience. Optional skip-the-line tickets are available for Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, and Basilica Cistern, allowing you to make the most of your time. Your journey begins at the breathtaking Blue Mosque, famous for its İznik blue tiles and elegant domes. Built by Sultan Ahmet I, this masterpiece of Ottoman architecture offers a serene atmosphere, with your guide sharing stories of its history and significance. Next, stroll through the Hippodrome, once the heart of Byzantine civic life. Discover monuments such as the Serpent Column, the Obelisk of Theodosius, and the charming German Fountain, a symbol of Ottoman–German friendship gifted by Kaiser Wilhelm II. With optional fast-track tickets, step inside the magnificent Hagia Sophia. Once a Byzantine cathedral and later an imperial mosque, today it stands as a symbol of Istanbul’s layered history. Admire its vast dome, golden mosaics like the Deesis and Imperial Gate, and striking Islamic calligraphy that together reflect centuries of art, faith, and power. Continue underground to the mysterious Basilica Cistern, built by Emperor Justinian to supply the Great Palace with water. Wander through its forest of marble columns, discover the famous Medusa heads, and experience one of Istanbul’s most atmospheric sites. Before the tour concludes, your guide will share local tips and recommendations to help you continue exploring Istanbul’s fascinating Old City at your own pace.

Includes

English-speaking guide Blue Mosque tour Basilica Cistern skip-the-line entry ticket (if option selected) Hagia Sophia skip-the-line ticket (if option selected) Hagia Sophia audio guide Old City highlights tour

Important Information

• Non-English speaking visitors can choose to receive their tickets separetely along with an audio guide in the language they prefer, rather than joining the group for a guided tour in English. The included tickets allow you to skip the ticket line of both Hagia Sophia and Basilica Cistern, but it is not possible to skip the security line. The security line at Hagia Sophia can take up to 60 minutes in high season. The security check at Basilica Cistern can take up to 30 minutes This Hagia Sophia ticket gives you access to the Visiting Area and Upper Gallery, not the prayer area Men and women must cover their knees. If you wear shorts, you can buy a body cover for 100 TRY

Easy cancellation

Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund