Istanbul Old City: Basilica Cistern - Blue Mosque - Grand Bazaar
Description
Visit the historic ‘old town’ of bustling Istanbul on this tour. Photo opportunities await at Sultanahmet’s notable religious sites including the Underground Basilica Cistern and Blue Mosque. Wander through aromatic spice markets after exploring the Byzantine heritage of the Hippodrome. Witness the Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman Empire influences in this part of Turkey's great metropolis. ⦿ Tour the historic reference points of the old town with an English speaking tour guide ⦿ Benefit from a smaller tour group that can be customised to your interests ⦿ Sample Turkish delights in the Grand Bazaar and visit a local carpet workshop ⦿ Enjoy the best scenery of Istanbul from Blue Mosque
Tour Options
Itinerary
Largest of several hundred ancient Byzantine cisterns built by Byzantine Emperor Justinian I (527-565). Huge underground Roman water source held up with 336 marble columns covering 9,800 sq. meters.
A popular tourist site, sits next to the Hagia Sophia, and continues to function as a mosque today. The Blue Mosque, as it is popularly known, was constructed between 1609 and 1616 during the rule of Ahmed I. Hand-painted blue tiles adorn the mosque’s interior walls. The Sultan Ahmed Mosque has five main domes, six minarets, and eight secondary domes with traditional Ottoman architecture and is considered to be the last great mosque of the classical period.
The Hippodrome of Constantinople was a circus that was the sporting and social center of Constantinople. Today it is a square with a few fragments of the original structure surviving. Monuments decorating the Hippodrome include the 3500-year-old Egyptian Obelisk, Serpentine Column...
This beautiful square and a great place to make a stop, relax and take photos of Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque.
The Church of Divine Wisdom, a fifteen hundred years old splendid monument, is a must see in Istanbul, built to be the world’s largest place of worship by Emperor Justinian in 532 AD.
Grand Covered Bazaar
The historical city of Istanbul, the only city in the world located on two continents, was the capital of three great empires; Roman, Byzantine and the Ottoman Empire.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Modest clothing should be preferred when visiting the Sultanahmet Blue Mosque. Shorts for men or women should be below the knee. Women cover their heads and exposed shoulders with a scarf or shawl, skirt should be below the knee.
- It may be challenging to do the tour with a stroller, not recommended.
- Grand Bazaar is closed on Sunday
- It is a walking tour, so there is a moderate amount of walking involved
- IF ALL INCLUSIVE OPTION IS NOT SELECTED: Entrance to Basilica Cistern (900TL per person) is not included in the tour price. Once you pay your entrance fee to your tour guide, you will have the privilege of skipping the ticket queue. You can pay the tour guide preferably cash in TRY (or in equivalent to USD or EURO).
Reviews(123)
Excellent guide and knowledgeable about tour sites. Very informative and beautiful! Provides open conversation during the tours
Very easy to follow excellent English and very good mwoth the history of Istanbul Erol was an excellent guide would thoroughly recommend booking him for your tour!!!
Our guide was amazing and spoke English and Turkish. He was very knowledgeable and the entire process and tour was seamless. The Basilica Cistern was gorgeous. Teşekkür ederim!
The tour by our guide Erol was a great added value when visiting the Cistern and Blue Mosque. Thanks to his explanation and by pointing out specifics, we feel that we understand Istanbul's history better. He answered all our questions and gave tips for our onward journey. Thanks Erol, we had a very interesting afternoon thanks to you!!!
Erol was a great tour guide. Very informative and interesting. He really knows the history and culture, we learned a lot and had fun. Would definitely be this trip with Erol. Thank you.
Valuable use of time in Istanbul. Erol was knowledgeable about the city, attractions and overall area and global history. Erol was a great tour guide. We really enjoyed the Basilica Cistern and Blue Mosque with Tombs.
Beautiful experience, not only do you get to see some of the main beauties in Istanbul you get Ana amazing look into the streets/shops around the city, and you are left in the most perfect part of town to continue exploring, our tour guide was a delight and very knowledgeable!
It's beautiful. The visit is quite quick 20-30 min. Hardly any information. Unfortunately the price of 40 euros seems to me quite unjustified and it should be added if you want the audio guide. For some monuments in Istanbul, the tourist is mistaken for a cash cow
Wonderful experience, fantastic guide! She was so knowledgeable and also fun. 10/10 highly recommend!
Our guide Erol was so knowledgeable and friendly we learnt so much about the history of Istanbul’s major sites . Cistern Basilica was particularly amazing !
