Small Group Full-Day Istanbul: Old City, Bosphorus Cruise & Lunch
Description
Discover Istanbul's rich Culture and history with our experienced guides. Skip the Museum Ticket Queues with your guide. Visit Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Hippodrome, Brief Handicraft Presentation next to Grand Bazaar (Optional, guest may opt to explore the bazaar on their own), Spice Bazaar and take a Cruise on The Bosphorus, the strait that separates Europe and Asia. Lunch included. Why You Should Choose This Tour ✔ Door-to-door service with hotel pick-up and drop-off (Centrally located hotels on the European side; pick-up begins up to 1 hour before tour start) ✔ All entrance tickets included — no separate payments on the day ✔ Lunch included — no need to plan or budget extra ✔ Small-group experience for a more personal and relaxed tour Enjoy Istanbul without worrying about tickets, transport, or unexpected costs.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Pick up from the hotel and join the group. We begin our tour with a visit to Hagia Sophia Museum, which is considered one of the Eight Wonders of the World, occupies a unique place in the history of architectures one of the rare works of this size and age that still survives.
Our next visit will be The Blue Mosque, which takes its name from the world famous exquisite blue Iznik tiles decorating its interior. Also it is the only imperial mosque in the world that was originally built with six minarets. Note: Blue Mosque is reserved for Prayer on Fridays. On Fridays, we visit the mosque from the exterior.
We continue to the Hippodrome Square, the sporting and social center of old Byzantium, held 100,000 spectators and featured objects from all corners of the empire such as the Egyptian Obelisk, and the Serpent Column.
Brief Handicrafts Presentation & Lecture (Optional Attendance) next to the Grand Bazaar. Guest may opt to skip the presentation and explore Grand Bazaar on their own. Meeting back and drive to Lunch. Note: Grand Bazaar is closed on Sundays.
3 Course Lunch (Beverages under your own expenses) *Vegetarian menu is also available
After the lunch, we will visit the Egyptian Spice Bazaar, second largest covered bazaar in Istanbul after Grand Bazaar. It is well-known for its herbalists; the Egyptian Bazaar offers traditional natural medicines, spices, flower seeds, roots and shells of rare plants along with dried nuts and fruits, deli products and various Turkish Delights.
After the Spice Bazaar we will drive along the shore of Golden Horn which is an inlet of the Bosphorus and it is the natural harbor of Old Istanbul.
Then we will embark our boat for an unforgettable Cruise on the Bosphorus, the strait runs through the unique Istanbul that stands up on two different continents between Asia and Europe. During the cruise, we will have a chance to view the peerless sights ornamenting the Asian and European shores such as 19th century wooden mansions, Rumeli Fortress built only in 3 months by Mehmet the Conquerer, Anatolian Fortress, fanciful Dolmabahce and Beylerbeyi palaces, and hunting lodges.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
Note: Pickup from the hotels starts 1 hour before departure. Please check your messages to see the pick up time from your hotel. We will inform you about the pick up time from your hotel after your booking. Pick up and drop off is included from centrally located hotels on the European Side. Pick up and drop off is also available from Cruise Ship Port. For guest staying in Airbnb and Apartments, please choose a hotel from the list located close to your address. Dress Code: Please note that during visits to Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque, mini-skirts, shorts, and low-cut dresses are not permitted. Women must cover their heads, and both men and women should wear clothing that covers the knees. If your attire does not meet these guidelines, one-time use items are available for purchase at the mosques.
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- *** When visiting religious buildings such as Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque, it is required to cover your shoulders and knees. A light scarf is sufficient. Scarfs can be purchased from the mosques if needed.
- *** On Fridays, the Blue Mosque is closed to touristic visits until the end of the Friday prayer. For this reason, on Fridays, Blue Mosque will be visited from the courtyard only.
- Not recommended for travellers with walking difficulties