Hagia Sophia Bosphorus cruise Blue Mosque, Balat Pierre Loti Hill
Description
Experience the best of Istanbul on a guided bus & cruise tour. Visit iconic landmarks, like Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, the vibrant Grand Bazaar, Balat and Old city. Enjoy a scenic Bosphorus cruise between the continents of Asia and Europe and cap off your adventure with a breathtaking cable car ride down Pierre Loti Hill.
Tour Options
Itinerary
The magnificent Blue Mosque, renowned for its 20,000 hand-painted blue Iznik tiles and six elegant minarets. Learn how this architectural masterpiece was commissioned by Sultan Ahmet I and stands as the last great mosque of the Classical Ottoman period.
The heart of ancient Constantinople at the Hippodrome, once the city’s vibrant social and sporting center. Admire historical monuments including the German Fountain of Wilhelm II, the Bronze Serpentine Column, the Obelisk of Theodosius and the Column of Constantine
Hagia Sophia, a 6th-century marvel built by Emperor Justinian as a Greek Orthodox church. Discover the building’s rich history as it transitioned from church to mosque and later into a museum—standing as the world’s largest church for nearly a millennium
Before reaching the Grand Bazaar, enjoy a brief stop at a local shop—an ideal opportunity to pick up authentic souvenirs and handcrafted goods. Then, gather in front of the Grand Bazaar’s main gate to hear fascinating insights about its rich history. Afterward, explore the Grand Bazaar at your own pace. Lose yourself in the vibrant atmosphere of the world’s oldest and largest covered market, with 65 bustling streets and over 4,000 shops offering everything from carpets and jewelry to spices, ceramics and more.
Free Time for Lunch
In the afternoon, board a comfortable coach for a scenic drive along the Golden Horn (We ll pass by without stopping) With your guide narrating the history, spot traditional wooden houses, historic churches, synagogues, mosques and remnants of the ancient Roman Wall.
We ascent to the Pierre Loti Hill by bus. You can take a photo in this beautiful place with a perfect view of the Golden Horn. This hill got its name from the famous French novelist who lived in Istanbul for a while and wrote his novel "Aziyade"
We descent from Pierre Loti Hill by cable car.
Visit the revered Eyüp Sultan Mosque and the tomb of Abu Ayyub al-Ansari, a close companion of Prophet Muhammad. Learn how this sacred site became the ceremonial location for the coronation of Ottoman sultans, where they were girded with the Sword of Osman at the start of their reigns.
Continue your tour through the center of Balat, the Istanbul’s most colorful neighborhood. Once home to diverse communities including Ottoman Orthodox Greeks, Jews and Armenians, these districts reflect a rich cultural mosaic. Discover their most iconic landmarks, where centuries of history, religion and architecture come together in a unique atmosphere.
Break for rest some minutes & Taste Turkish delight, apple tea etc
Bosphorus Cruise Enjoy the historical sightseeing from the sea by seeing the Golden horn, Topkapı palace, Dolma Bahçe palace, The Hagia Sophia Mosque, Maiden’s tower, Galata tower, Blue mosque, Ortakoy mosque, and the two continents Europe and Asia with the two Bridges connecting them
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
Hotel pick-up and drop-off from centrally located Istanbul hotels. Before the tour start time, each hotel has a fixed pick-up time.
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Please dress appropriately when entering sacred sites. Participants are advised to wear long pants, a long-sleeved shirt. Please bring a scarf to cover head.
- Even though you'll skip the ticket lines, the security checks at the Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque are mandatory and cannot be bypassed.
- Hagia Sophia skip-the-line entrance ticket costs €25 and must be paid in cash.
- Morning part of this tour is walking tour
- The Grand Bazaar is closed on religious holidays and Sundays.
- This is a shared transfer with Minibus or Midibus and pick up could be early or late. For each hotel there is a fixed pick-up time. before the tour starts time