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Discover the highlights of Istanbul on a guided private tour. Visit Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Basilica Cistern, and Topkapi Palace, then explore the Grand Bazaar.

Highlights

• Visit Istanbul's most important sites in a single day
• Benefit from your guide's priority at skip the line admissions payable on spot
• Enjoy expert local guides with insider's knowledge
• Learn Ottoman and Byzantine history in well narrated stories and facts
• Relax at the Grand Bazaar walking and shopping in medieval streets

Description

Enjoy the privileges of a private tour led by expert local guides in Istanbul. Benefit from priority admission tickets available to purchase from your guide and visit the most important monuments in the old town of Sultanahmet on a well-planned itinerary so you don’t miss anything. Start with the world-famous Blue Mosque to enjoy mosque architecture and learn the basics of Islam in a very relevant setting. Marvel at its tiles in every shade of blue. Walk through the Hippodrome, the social and political center of the city, and learn about the significance of the famous obelisks and the German Fountain. Walk into the Basilica Cistern and wander around the “Subterranean Palace”. See the underground pillars and learn about Byzantine architecture. Walk on the wooden walkways over the water until the famous upside-down Medusa heads. Follow your guide to the inspiring Hagia Sophia to see its impressive dimensions and beauty. Witness the most significant site of the Greek Orthodox religion in Istanbul and learn how it was converted into a mosque after the Ottoman conquest of Constantinople. Break your day at a local hotspot for lunch and head to Topkapi Palace to learn about the Ottoman Empire. Marvel at its opulence, and mystery and learn about this period in Istanbul's history. Explore the complex of low buildings, pavilions, and courtyards. See the outer-terraced gardens and admire the view over the Golden Horn. End your day at the bustling Grand Bazaar, the oldest and most exciting covered market in the world. Follow your guide through a maze of colorful alleys filled with handcrafted treasures—Iznik tiles, silk kaftans, golden jewelry, backgammon sets, leather jackets, magic carpets, and more. Soak in the atmosphere, sip Turkish tea, and experience the timeless rhythm of local life.

Includes

Private tour & professional guide Option to customize the itinerary to suit your personal interests

Important Information

• Grand Bazaar is replaced with Spice Market on Sundays.
• There will be security lines at the sites which may be long in the high season and during holidays.
• Women are required to wear a headscarf when entering the mosque.
• Both men and women should wear clothing that covers their shoulders and knees. Shorts, sleeveless tops, and other revealing attire are not permitted inside.
• Please note that wearing or displaying any specific religious symbols or attire is not permitted.
• You are not allowed to bring signs, symbols, banners, flags, documents, drawings, or any materials representing political, ideological, or religious beliefs inside the Hagia Sophia.
• Tips/gratuities (for your guide) are always appreciated.

Easy cancellation

Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund