Iznik Nicaea Heritage Tour from Istanbul Councils Lake Basilica

Istanbul, Turkey
Duration8h - 9h
Free cancellationFull refund up to 24 hours before
Instant confirmationYour booking is confirmed right away
TicketMobile or paper ticket accepted
LanguagesEnglish
Group sizeUp to 15 travelers
Pickup offeredSee the meeting and pickup details below

Overview

Discover Iznik, ancient Nicaea, one of the most important cities in the history of Christianity. On this full-day tour from Istanbul, explore the city where the First Ecumenical Council was held in AD 325 and the Second Council in AD 787, two events that helped shape early Christian doctrine.

Visit the Hagia Sophia of Nicaea and the remarkable Lake Basilica archaeological site, discovered beneath Lake Iznik in 2014. Ongoing research continues to explore its connection to the early Christian history of Nicaea.

See the archaeological site and viewing platforms, and discover the city’s Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman heritage with a professional licensed guide. Travel comfortably from Istanbul as part of a small-group experience and enjoy an in-depth journey through one of Christianity’s most historically significant destinations.

What's included

  • English-speaking professional licensed tour guide
  • Entrance fees to the sites included in the itinerary
  • Lunch
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off from centrally located Istanbul hotels
  • Air-conditioned vehicle
  • Personal expenses
  • Gratuities

What to expect

  1. Iznik Ayasofya (Orhan Cami)
    45m · Admission ticket included
    Visit the historic Hagia Sophia of Nicaea, one of the city’s most important Christian monuments and traditionally associated with the Second Council of Nicaea in AD 787. Discover its transformation through Byzantine and Ottoman periods while learning about Nicaea’s role in early Christianity.
  2. Antik Roma Tiyatrosu
    30m · Admission ticket included
    Explore the remains of Nicaea’s impressive Roman theatre and discover another layer of the city’s long history. Your guide will explain how the ancient settlement developed from the Roman period through Byzantine times.
  3. İznik Nilufer Hatun İmareti Muzesi
    45m · Admission ticket included
    Visit this remarkable Ottoman building commissioned in the 14th century and today serving as a museum. Its collections and architecture offer an insight into Iznik’s transition from Byzantine Nicaea to an important Ottoman cultural centre.
  4. 30m · Admission ticket included
    Discover the extraordinary Early Christian basilica uncovered beneath the waters of Lake Iznik in 2014. Visit the archaeological site, museum and viewing platform while learning about ongoing research into the basilica and its place in the early Christian history of Nicaea.
  5. Iznik
    30m
    See sections of Nicaea’s monumental defensive walls and the historic Istanbul Gate. These impressive fortifications reveal the strategic importance of the city through Roman and Byzantine history.
  6. Cini Firinlari
    20m · Admission ticket included
    Historic tile firing kilns illustrating traditional Iznik ceramic production and Ottoman decorative arts.
  7. Iznik
    45m
    Discover the artistic heritage that made Iznik ceramics famous throughout the Ottoman world. Learn about traditional production techniques, designs and the historic kilns that once supplied tiles for some of the empire’s greatest monuments.

Meeting and pickup

Pickup details

We will meet you at your hotel lobby.

Additional 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
  • Specialized infant seats are available
  • Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
  • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
  • Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness

Cancellation policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
From
$775.00 per person
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  • Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts
  • Instant confirmation
  • You'll choose your date and travelers and pay on viator.com. Prices vary by date, group size and option.
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