Private Guided Highlights of Istanbul 1.5 Day Tour

Day 1: Full Day Istanbul Tour

1. Istanbul
   25m
   Your tour guide will meet you at your hotel or Istanbul cruise port at the given time during your reservation.
2. Hippodrome
   30m
   Our tour starts with Hippodrome Square where used to take place for chariot races and the Byzantine riots during Roman & Byzantine period.
3. Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque
   1h · Admission ticket not included
   Only a short walk away from Hippodrome Square, we will reach to Hagia Sophia which was built in 532 AD by Roman Emperor Justinian I.
   
   Update for St. Sophia interior visit :
   Live guiding is not allowed in St. Sophia after the 15th January 2024. Guests have to have their smart phones and headphones during their visit.
   
   The system is similar to audio guide system. Guests who does not have smart phones will follow the signs and the given informations on the signs .
4. Blue Mosque
   1h
   Blue Mosque which is the one of the biggest mosques of Istanbul from 17th century architecture is one of the principal adornments on the skyline of Istanbul. Also famous for its blue tiles and 6 minarest.
5. TopkapI Palace
   2h · Admission ticket not included
   We will continue walking to Topkapi Palace, was not only the residence of the Ottoman sultans, but also the administrative and educational center of the state. It was constructed between 1460 and 1478 by Sultan Mehmed II, the conqueror of Constantinople. We will visit the Topkapi Palace including weapons section.
6. Grand Bazaar
   2h
   Our Last stop is The Grand Bazaar is one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world, with 61 covered streets and over 4,000 shops . Free time for souvenir hunting before back to our hotel / cruise port

Day 2: Half Day Istanbul Tour

1. Istanbul
   11h
   Your guide will meet with you at your hotel or Istanbul cruise port.
2. Basilica Cistern
   1h 30m · Admission ticket not included
   Our second day will start with Underground Cistern which was the largest covered water reservoir in Istanbul, built by Justinian I.
3. Misir Carsisi
   1h 30m
   After the visit to the cistern,you will have free time in Spice Bazaar (Egyptian Bazaar): The air here is filled with the enticing aromas of cinnamon, caraway, saffron, mint, thyme and every other conceivable herb and spice.
4. Suleymaniye Mosque
   1h
   Süleymaniye Mosque the mosque of Süleyman 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.
5. Istanbul
   Pass by
   Back to your hotel or cruise port.
   End of our services.

Pickup details

Pick up from Listed hotels and Istanbul Cruise Terminal for cruise guests. Suggested pick up time will be given on your confirmation message.

- You will have flexibilty to spend how much time you want in each site and make small changes on the itinerary.
- You do not have to wait for other group members.
- You will have a chance to make stops to have pictues during the tour.
- Our Private tour rates are more reasonable than cruise shore tours.
- Your guide will have pre-paid tickets to skip the lines
- You will have several alternatives to taste famous Turkish Delicious foods, if you want to have lunch during your trip

• Specialized infant seats are available
• Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
• During religious holidays the Spice market and Grand Bazaar will be closed. Arasta bazaar will be visited instead
• In the event of any museum closures, an alternative similar museum will be visited
• Not recommended for participants with walking difficulties
• Bare shoulders are not permitted in holy places of worship such as churches, monasteries, mosques and synagogues.
• Shoes are not permitted in mosques
• In the event of any museum closures, an alternative similar museum will be visited. On Tuesdays : Topkapi Palace replaced by Underground Cistern, On Sundays: Grand Bazaar will be replaced by Spice Market. Grand Bazaar will be replaced by Arasta Bazaar when closed. On Fridays: Blue Mosque is open from 15.00 to 16.30
• Not recommended for travelers with walking disabilities