Highlights of Istanbul
Description
Experience the beauty of Istanbul’s Old City with a fully-guided small group walking tour. On this 5 -hour tour, spend the day wandering through the Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, the Hippodrome, the Grand Bazaar. Hotel transfer in a climate-controlled coach is available and lunch is included.
Tour Options
Itinerary
A truly awe inspiring, 1,400 years old Byzantine cathedral which houses mosaics, relics and iron work. Hagia Sophia was, for nearly a thousand years, the largest enclosed space in the world, and is still seen as one of the world's most important architectural monuments. It is one of Turkey's most popular attractions, drawn by the sheer spectacle of its size, architecture, mosaics and art. It was built during the reign of Byzantine Emperor Justinian in the 6th century AD.
Built during the reign of Sultan Ahmet I during 1609-1616. It is the only mosque in Turkey with six minarets. Due to its magnificent hand-dyed blue, green and white Iznik tiles it has been named the "Blue Mosque" by Europeans. The central dome is 43 m in height and is 33.4 m in diameter; it also boasts 260 windows.
Hippodrom square is the backdrop of chariot races and the center of Byzantine civic life. Of the ornaments which once decorated it, only three remain: The Obelisk of Theodosius, the bronze Serpentine Column, and the Column of Constantine. The Obelisk is in the Egyptian style and was erected in 1547 BC and stood 60m tall. The German Fountain is also within the hippodrome area, constructed in Germany to mark German Emperor Wilhelm II's second visit to Istanbul; it was imported and officially opened on January 1 1901. The fountain's three domes are decorated with gold mosaics.
The Basilica Cistern, or Cisterna Basilica Turkish: Yerebatan Sarnıcı or Yerebatan Saray, is the largest of several hundred ancient cisterns that lie beneath the city of Istanbul, Turkey. The cistern, located 150 metres (490 ft) southwest of the Hagia Sophia on the historical peninsula of Sarayburnu, was built in the 6th century during the reign of Byzantine Emperor Justinian I.Today it is kept with little water, for public access inside the museum.
One of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world, with more than 58 covered streets and over 1,200 shops. Opened in 1461, it is well known for its jewelry, pottery, spice, and carpet shops. Many of the stalls in the bazaar are grouped by the type of goods, with special areas for leather coats, gold jewelry and the like. The bazaar contains two bedestens (domed masonry structures built for storage and safe keeping), the first of which was constructed between 1455 and 1461 by the order of Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror.The grand bazaar consists of 12 major buildings and has 22 doors.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
if your Hotel is Located Out Of our Free Pick Up Area We can Send To You an extra Taxi With an extra Fee. or ,you can join to our Tours Starting Point By Your Own Way.( Please Try To be on time )
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- Wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
- Passport name, number, expiry and country is required at time of booking for all participants
- To visit mosques a scarf is requested for ladys
Reviews(34)
Emre was a wonderful tour guide. He was able to give the long and complex history of this country in a way that made it very understandable. He speaks in perfect English and was very patient with our mobility challenges.
Thanks to your very kind review. Hope to see you again in istanbul with our istanbul tour services.
Muy buen tour, Kenan B. He was an excellent guide, helped us buy tickets for HagiaSofia. We went to eat in a small budget street place and explained each place very well. As well as the spice bazaar tour.
Thanks to your very kind review.
Superb 3-4 hour tour of the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia Basilica, Basilica cistern and the Grand Bazaar. Beautiful discovery with our guide Emre Önal, who explained everything well and taught us lots of interesting historical information. I strongly advise
Je vous remercie pour votre avis tres gentil.
A well conducted tour through the old city of Istanbul with an experienced tour guide fluent in English showing the small group all highlights of this wonderful city.
Thank you very much to your revıew about our istanbul tour services.
This was a fantastic experience. Emre - our tour expert- showed us everything about this beautiful city and country. Emre took us ok the Bosphorus tour, the streets of Istanbul, the food, the Mosques and Monuments, as well as a guided shopping experience. Highly recommend and will come back to Emre if we make another Turkey trip.
Dear Guests, Thanks a Lot to your very detailled and kind review. Hope To see you again in Turkey / istanbul emre
The trip was very well planned and timed. The tour guide Emre knew English very well. He was very clear and gave ALOT of eye opening information.He also helped me with finding a pretty hotel with a view after my office trip stay was over. - MOST IMPORTANTLY- He had a medical emergency last night but still came on time for the tour and was very patient with my questions . He also clicked a lot of pics for me. By far this is my best tour guide experience. BIG THANK YOU EMRE! 😊
Dear Friend, Thanks To Your Very Detailled and Kind Review. emre
Funny, facts about Istanbul and Turkey yesterday and today, incredible motorist, knows the city and people know him,
Thanks. Emre
This is a must for any visitor to Istanbul - Erme the tour guide was absolutely amazing (if I could give higher than 5 stars I would) - this was a perfect tour, well timed, Emre was professional, knowledgeable and personable that made the whole experience perfect. Picked up from Hotel, professionally done, experienced the best and most friend Turkish people ever - everyone was so friendly and it made this a cultural experience and not just a history lesson. Had great food at lunchtime. The Blue Mosque and Hagia.Sophia were amazing, my favorite was the Basicila Cisterns (especially if you are a Dan Brown fan or history nerd) - Grand bazaar was an experience that you have to do in Istanbul. Massively recommend this trip and if you are lucky enough to get Emre then you blessed!!!! Brilliant company and brilliant tour guide,
Thanks to your very kind review. Emre
Guide was exceptional! So much history and knowledge and able to meet all my needs. Asked about the things I was interested in and wanted to do/see. Made sure those happened! Took me to a lovely lunch that was fresh and authentic. Helped me understand how to make purchases. So kind and helpful. Can’t say enough wonderful things about this experience!
Dear Lori, Thanks to your kind review.Hope to see you again in istanbul in very near future. All the Best Emre
We used this company for a private tour for four of us and can definitely recommend their tours. We told them our preferences and they tailor-made our program. They are absolutely professional and efficient in all they do.
Dear Friends, Thanks to your kind review for our tour services a istanbul. Hope To see you again in istanbul with our tour services. Emre