Istanbul Highlights: Small-Group Tour with a Local Expert
Your Authentic Istanbul Adventure: Guided by a Local Expert!
Ready to truly experience Istanbul? This immersive tour, led by a licensed professional, offers a unique window into the city's heart. You'll leave with a profound connection, unlike any other visit.
Our day begins in Sultanahmet, where we'll be captivated by the architectural wonders of Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque. Next, discover the opulent Topkapi Palace and its rich narratives of empires past.
After a delightful lunch break, we'll embark on an unforgettable 90-minute Bosphorus cruise (public boat), showcasing Istanbul's stunning beauty from the shimmering waters. These major sights are just the start of your adventure!
Your exclusive itinerary features:
Hagia Sophia Blue Mosque Hippodrome Basilica Cistern Grand Bazaar Topkapi Palace Bosphorus cruise (90 mins, public boat) Private tour option is available If you're at Galataport (Cruise Terminal), reaching our meeting point is a breeze with a 20-minute tram ride.
Options
Small Group Tour W/O Tickets
Please note that:: Grand Bazaar is closed on Sundays.
Topakapı Palace Museum is closed on Tuesdays and we visit Dolmabahce Palace
Museum tickets aren't included
What's included in Istanbul Highlights: Small-Group Tour with a Local Expert
(Subject to Option Inclusions)Itinerary
Blue Mosque
The Sultan Ahmet Camii, the Blue Mosque, is a breathtaking, majestic Ottoman mosque. Its cascading domes and six slender minarets pierce Istanbul's skyline. Completed in 1616 under Sultan Ahmet I, it rivaled Hagia Sophia's splendor. Inside, serene beauty awaits. Over 20,000 blue Iznik ceramic tiles adorn walls. These intricate floral tiles create its ethereal glow as sunlight filters through 200+ stained-glass windows. The soaring central dome, on four massive fluted pillars, evokes immense spiritual calm. Every detail, from mihrab's mother-of-pearl to minbar's carved marble, highlights exquisite craftsmanship. It's an immersive experience, a testament to Istanbul's rich heritage. Important Visitor Information: Note: No priority entrance for guides at mosques. We only skip lines at museums. Be cautious of contrary claims.
Hippodrome
The Hippodrome of Constantinople, nestled in Istanbul's vibrant Sultanahmet district, was ancient Byzantium and Constantinople's bustling public arena, primarily famed for its exhilarating chariot races. Its name, fittingly, combines the Greek words hippos (horse) and dromos (way). Far more than just a race track, this vast space was the epicenter of city life. It hosted grand gladiatorial games, elaborate official ceremonies, joyous celebrations, and even fervent public protests. Darker chapters saw it used for the torture of convicts, reflecting its complex role in the city's history. The Hippodrome seamlessly functioned through three monumental eras: the Roman (203-330 CE), Byzantine (330-1453 CE), and Ottoman (1453-1922) periods, bearing witness to centuries of imperial power, public spectacle, and profound societal change. Today, though much reduced, its spirit lives on in Sultanahmet Square, surrounded by iconic landmarks, still inviting visitors to imagine its storied past.
The Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque, Istanbul
The Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque / Ayasofya-i Kebir Cami-i Şerifi, a marvel of innovative architecture and rich history, was Istanbul's largest Eastern Roman Church. Constructed three times in the same location, it stands as the world's oldest and fastest-completed cathedral. Its breathtaking domes, seemingly suspended in air, grand monolithic marble columns, and unparalleled mosaics solidify its place as a true wonder of architectural history. The mosque's sheer dazzling beauty, a magnificent interplay of space, light, and color, profoundly inspires awe in every visitor. Strategically located on Istanbul's first hill, precisely at the historic peninsula's tip, it is gracefully embraced by the Sea of Marmara, the Bosphorus, and the Golden Horn on three sides. Important Visitor Information: Tickets are required for entry to Hagia Sophia's designated tourist section. Our guides will assist with your entry process.
Inclusions
- Professional Guidance in English
- Pick up and drop off from the hotels are not included.
- Lunch
- Gratuities
- Museum tickets will be an additional cost.
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- "This is an all-day walking tour, so comfortable shoes are a must to fully enjoy your experience."
- **You can skip any of the places from the list; but if you book the group tour you have to wait us until we visit .***
- "Choosing an early tour time is a great way to minimize your wait in line at the mosques, allowing for a more enjoyable experience. We highly recommend this option."
- *** Please note that there isn't any priority entrance with the guides at the mosques.***
- "Getting to Your Meeting Point (from Galataport Cruise Terminal): The easiest way to reach our meeting point is by tram (T1 line), a journey that takes approximately 30 minutes. Walk to Tophane Tram Stop: Upon exiting Galataport, turn left and walk for about 10 minutes until you see the Tophane tram stop. Take the Tram: Board the T1 tram in the "Bağcılar" direction. Exit at Sultanahmet: Get off at the Sultanahmet tram stop. Walk to German Fountain: From the Sultanahmet stop, the German Fountain (Alman Çeşmesi) is just a 1-minute walk away. Our guide will be waiting there. Tram Fare Payment: You can conveniently pay for your tram fare using your contactless Visa or Mastercard credit card (American Express is not accepted). There's no need to purchase a separate travel card."
- "Museum Tickets: If you book the without tickets option, please do not buy tickets online. We will purchase them together at the guide kiosks. Warning: Tourist Passes, Mega Passes, E-Passes, and similar programs are not valid for this tour and should not be purchased."
- During the winter times, we may not able to do the Bosphorus boat the trip because of the bad weather conditions.
- "This is a full-day tour with a comprehensive itinerary. To ensure we cover all planned locations, our visit to Topkapı Palace Museum will focus on its main, most significant collections. If you desire a more in-depth exploration of Topkapı Palace, we recommend booking a dedicated tour specifically for the palace."
- "Please note that museum entrance fees are subject to change. I'll keep you updated closer to your tour date if there are any adjustments."
Meet
Pickup and Dropoff
You will make your own way to the meeting points
Meeting Points
- I'll be at the German Fountain (Hippodrome area), holding a yellow umbrella. It's the green-domed fountain by the Blue Mosque's Gate B. For your safety, only accept help from guides with a visible license around their neck.
End Points
- Depends on the day of the tour sometimes we may finish at Grand Bazaar.
- After we finish the tour , Eminönü is the place where i can say to you Goodbye:-)
