Istanbul Old City: Basilica Cistern - Blue Mosque - Grand Bazaar

4.8 (127 reviews) Istanbul, Turkey
  1. Home
  2. Activities
  3. Istanbul
Duration3h
Free cancellationFull refund up to 24 hours before
Instant confirmationYour booking is confirmed right away
TicketMobile or paper ticket accepted
LanguagesEnglish
Group sizeUp to 8 travelers

Overview

Visit the historic ‘old town’ of bustling Istanbul on this tour. Photo opportunities await at Sultanahmet’s notable religious sites including the Underground Basilica Cistern and Blue Mosque. Wander through aromatic spice markets after exploring the Byzantine heritage of the Hippodrome. Witness the Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman Empire influences in this part of Turkey's great metropolis.

⦿ Tour the historic reference points of the old town with an English speaking tour guide
⦿ Benefit from a smaller tour group that can be customised to your interests
⦿ Sample Turkish delights in the Grand Bazaar and visit a local carpet workshop
⦿ Enjoy the best scenery of Istanbul from Blue Mosque

Options

Tour Without Entry Tickets

Pay on the Tour : Basilica Cistern Entry Fee (45 EUR pp) is not included in this option.

All Inclusive Option

(Entry Tickets Included): All the entry fees and mosque donations are included in this option. Save time with priority access to Basilica Cistern.

What's included

  • Basilica Cistern entry ticket (*if all-inclusive option selected)
  • Professional Guide
  • Small Group
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
  • Gratuities
  • Basilica Cistern

What to expect

  1. Basilica Cistern
    30m · Admission ticket included
    Largest of several hundred ancient Byzantine cisterns built by Byzantine Emperor Justinian I (527-565). Huge underground Roman water source held up with 336 marble columns covering 9,800 sq. meters.
  2. Blue Mosque
    30m
    A popular tourist site, sits next to the Hagia Sophia, and continues to function as a mosque today. The Blue Mosque, as it is popularly known, was constructed between 1609 and 1616 during the rule of Ahmed I. Hand-painted blue tiles adorn the mosque’s interior walls.

    The Sultan Ahmed Mosque has five main domes, six minarets, and eight secondary domes with traditional Ottoman architecture and is considered to be the last great mosque of the classical period.
  3. Hippodrome
    20m
    The Hippodrome of Constantinople was a circus that was the sporting and social center of Constantinople. Today it is a square with a few fragments of the original structure surviving. Monuments decorating the Hippodrome include the 3500-year-old Egyptian Obelisk, Serpentine Column...
  4. Sultanahmet Square
    10m
    This beautiful square and a great place to make a stop, relax and take photos of Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque.
  5. Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque
    Pass by
    The Church of Divine Wisdom, a fifteen hundred years old splendid monument, is a must see in Istanbul, built to be the world’s largest place of worship by Emperor Justinian in 532 AD.
  6. Grand Bazaar
    15m
    Grand Covered Bazaar
  7. Historic Areas of Istanbul
    Pass by
    The historical city of Istanbul, the only city in the world located on two continents, was the capital of three great empires; Roman, Byzantine and the Ottoman Empire.

Meeting and pickup

Meeting point

Meet your guide outside 'FOODIE-IST CAFE AND BRASSERIE,' just a 2-minute walk from the (T1) Sultanahmet tram stop. Your guide, easily identifiable by their tour guide badge, will be waiting for you at the cafe entrance.

End point

Additional information

  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Modest clothing is recommended when visiting the Sultanahmet Blue Mosque. Shorts and skirts should be below the knee. Women are kindly asked to cover their heads and any exposed shoulders with a scarf or shawl. If you do not have suitable clothing, complimentary coverings are available at the entrance, including overalls and headscarves.
  • The Blue Mosque has one tourist entrance for all visitors. There is no skip-the-line option, so waiting time may occur depending on the crowd. We kindly ask for your understanding and patience.
  • IF ALL INCLUSIVE OPTION IS NOT SELECTED: Entrance to Basilica Cistern (€45 per person) is not included in the tour price.
  • The Grand Bazaar is closed on Sundays. On Sundays, we visit the Spice Market (Egyptian Market) instead, allowing you to enjoy another of Istanbul’s historic and vibrant markets.
  • Total walking distance approx. 3–4 km with frequent stops; includes stairs at Basilica Cistern and uneven surfaces in Sultanahmet

Cancellation policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Reviews

4.8 (127)
From
€62.00 per person
Check availability & book
  • 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.
Operated by Local Tour Guide Istanbul · Booked through Viator
More activities in Istanbul
From
€62.00 per person
Check availability