Historical Istanbul Sightseeing Tour (Walking)

Duration: 8 hours (approx.)
Highlights: Hagia (St) Sophia Museum, Blue Mosque, Roman Hippodrome & Obelisk, Turkish Islamic Art Museum, Topkapi Palace, Grand Bazaar.
Operates: Maximum of 12 guests – Guaranteed daily departure from all Istanbul city hotels & cruise port.
Price: 54.99 Euro p/p (Small group guided tour – including lunch).

Hagia (St.) Sophia Museum: One of the greatest marvels of architecture, constructed as a basilica in the 6th century by Emperor Justinian. Built in 537 by Byzantine Emperor Justinianus, St.Sophia has been the largest cathedral in the world for nearly a thousand years; it is considered the masterpiece of Byzantine architecture; after having been the Patriarchal basilica of Constantinople, it was converted into a mosque in 1453 by Sultan Mehmet II the Conqueror and in to a museum by Ataturk in 1935. (Closed on Monday)

Blue Mosque: Facing St. Sophia, famous with its blue Iznik tiles and unique with 6 minarets, built in the name of Sultan Ahmet. The last great imperial mosque of the classical period; it is name comes from 20.000 marvelous blue-toned Iznik tiles decorating the interior walls.

Ancient Roman Hippodrome: Center of sportive (chariot races, athletics) events and political activities of the old city. Obelisk of Theodosius, Serpentine Column, German Fountain of Wilhelm II are the monuments decorating Hippodrome.

Turkish Islamic Arts Museum: Originally built 1524 as the palace of Ibrahim Pasha – Grand Vizier and brother-in-law of Sultan Suleyman the Magnificent, it is now a museum presenting notable examples of Islamic calligraphy, tiles, rugs as well as ethnographic displays of various cultıres in Turkey, particularly nomad groups. and music. (Closed on Monday)

Topkapi Palace: This extraordinary and secret palace was the residence of the Imperial Ottoman Sultans and the center of the Ottoman might for nearly 400 years. The building are a typical example of Ottoman architecture and the rooms exhibit rich collections of porcelains, robes, weapons, shields, armors, Ottoman miniatures, Islamic calligraphic manuscripts as well as Ottoman treasures and jewelry. (Harem sections is not included in the program and is due to extra entry) (Closed on Tuesday)

Grand Bazaar: The largest covered market in the world with more than 60 streets and 4.000 shops, where you may find in a authentic oriental atmosphere all kind of gifts, leather clothing, rugs and kilims, antiques, jewelery, hand-woven fabrics etc… (Closed on Sunday – additional time will be spent at the other locations)

Why Tour Istanbul With Us?
* Special designed day trips/excursions with best price guarantee.
* Professional & reliable travel services.
* Informative, responsible & specialist tour guides.
* 24/7 Local support.
* Accredited by Association of Turkish Travel Agencies for Istanbul & Turkey. License No. A-7639 Alazmu

Best Price Guarantee:
* If you book one of our Turkey day tours or attractions, and then you find the same product for the same date on an other website, at a lower price ..we’ll refund you the difference!!

Please take note of the following:
* We aim to respond to all travel requests within 12 hours.
* Children: {0 – 2} free, {3 – 7} 30 % discount.
* A moderate amount of walking is involved
* Those who stay in hotels out of the city center can be transferred to their hotels with an extra fee upon request.
* In the event of any museum closures, an alternative similar museum will be visited.
* Art demonstration of handmade Turkish carpets upon request.
* Harem section of the Topkapi Palace is not included in the program. You may visit it if you wish during the free time your guide will give you. Entrance fee of 20TL to be paid on the spot. Price was correct at time of publishing.
* The Grand Covered Bazaar is closed during the Ramadan Bayrami (from 19-21 August 2012) and the KurbanBayrami (from 25-28 October 2012), and will be replaced by other authentic shops.

Included services for this Istanbul city tour:
* Pick up & drop off from Istanbul hotels (on European side of Istanbul only) & Istanbul cruise port.
* Transportation with A/C non-smoking deluxe vehicle throughout the trip.
* Professional tour guide licensed by the Ministry of Tourism.
* All entrance fees to the archaeological sites and museums, parking and road tolls.
* Lunch at local restaurant (set menu – vegetarian meals available – drinks extra)
* Local taxes.