Istanbul Private City Tours(Old City, Byzantian and Ottoman Relics Private Tour, Full Day)

The Blue Mosque
Hippodrome
The Basilica of Hagia Sophia
Topkapi Palace
Suleymaniye Mosque
Grand Bazaar

ST. SOPHIA This ancient basilica, built by Constantine the Great in the 4th century and reconstructed by Justinian in the 6th century, is one of the architectural marvels of all time.
SULTANAHMET IMPERIAL MOSQUE Across from St. Sophia built in the 16th century by the architect Mehmet, is known as the BLUE MOSQUE because of its magnificent interior decoration of blue Iznik tiles.
HIPPODROME Ancient Hippodrome, the scene of chariot races, with the three monuments; the Obelisk of Theodosius, the bronze Serpentine Column and the Column of Constantine.
GRAND COVER BAZAAR In this labyrinth of streets and passages are more then 4,000 shops with each trade having its own area: the goldsmiths' street, the carpet sellers, Turkish arts and crafts, such as handpainted ceramic plates, hand-honed copperware, brassware and trays, water ewers, onyx-ware and meerschaum pipes.
TOPKAPI PALACE The great palace of the Ottoman sultans from the 15th to the 19th centuries housing an exquisite collection of cyrstal, silver, and Chinese porcelain, robes worn by the sultans and their families, the famous jewels of the Imperial Treasury, miniatures, the Holy Mantle; enshrining relics of the Prophet Mohammed.
SULEYMANIYE MOSQUE The mosque of Suleyman the Magnificent was built between 1550 and 1557 by the famous architect Sinan whose wish was to surpass the builders of St. Sophia which is conspicuous from its great size, emphasized by the four minarets rising one from each corner of the courtyard.

CLOSED
St. Sophia - Turkish & Islamic Arts Museum on Monday / Replaced
with Underground Cistern. Topkapi Palace on Tuesday / Replaced
with Underground Cistern

Duration 7-8 hours with licensed tour guide.

Pick up locations: Istanbul town center Hotels , Port and Airport

This guided private City tour of the old historical quarter starts after breakfast, when you are picked up from the hotel or if you are traveling by cruise ship, in front of passenger Terminal of Istanbul port, your licensed tour guide. Begin with a visit to Topkapi Palace, the main residence of the Ottoman Sultans, with its jewel encrusted treasury and elegant four courts. After a lunch break, visit the main sights around Sultanahmet Square, including the famous Agia Sophia Museum, once the largest Greek Orthodox church in the world for 1000 years, and decorated with stunning 6th century golden mosaics. Then visit the Blue Mosque, designed with 6 delicate minarets and a striking blue Iznik tiled interior. Nearby, take a stroll through the site of the ancient Hippodrome, once the sporting ground of chariots and political riots, and see the Egyptian Obelisk, Serpentine Column and Fountain of Wilhelm II. Finally, visit the Grand Bazaar, where you can shop or haggle with local merchants over unusual antiques, colorful spices, beautiful jewelry and richly textured fabrics. At the end of the tour drop off at your hotel or at the cruise ship at the port of Istanbul.

Sunday Note: Grand Covered Bazaar is closed on Sundays. If your tour is on Sunday you will be taken to a handycraft shopping center which will have leather, tiles, carpet, jevelery.

Monday Notes: St. Sophia Church is closed on Mondays. If your tour is on Monday you will be taken to the CISTERN BASILICA

Tuesday Notes: Topkapi Palace is closed onTuesdays.
If your tour is on Tuesday you will be taken to the Cistern Basilica or Archaeological Museum

Please note that the Blue Mosque is not wheelchair accessible

Note- If additional time is available during your tour, many guides will ask if you are interested in seeing how Turkish carpets are made. These free demonstrations are very interesting and quite informative, but they are also a selling opportunity. Decide on your interest and tell your tour guide clearly whether it interests you or not. You should never feel obligated to make a purchase on any tour.

Please note that In Full Day private tour of Old City Byzantian and Ottoman Relics , lunch, and entrance fees, are included in the price.

Standard Lunch: During your private tour will be provided lunch in a Turkish restaurant.

If you are traveling by airplane, you will meet our licensed tour guide at the arrival hall of Istanbul international airport, at the end of the tour will be driven back to airport.