Topkapi Palace Museum - Constructed in 1450 by Sultan Mehmet the Second. We’ll explore its three gates and courtyards. From the final courtyard, the city offers a stunning view featuring the first Bosphorus bridge and the Galata tower. The palace houses the Ottoman Empire’s treasures and the Sultans’ pavilions. Other sections include the library, mosque, and the Harem, which was restricted to the sultan, his mother, wives, favorites, concubines, and eunuchs. The renowned Topkapi Dagger and the 84-carat diamond are in the treasure room, while the swords of prophets and sultans are displayed in the weapons room. The kitchen is famous for its Chinese porcelains. Our visit will last approximately 2 hours.

Blue Mosque - Built by Sultan Ahmet during the Ottoman era, it is the first mosque with six minarets and a 17th-century gem of Istanbul. It attracts thousands of visitors daily. The call to prayer, or Ezan, occurs five times a day, and the courtyard features fountains for ablution before prayer. Photography without flash is allowed inside. The mosque’s walls are adorned with beautiful tiles, giving it the name Blue Mosque. A dress code is enforced: women must cover their shoulders and heads with a pashmina or scarf and wear long skirts or pants, while men must wear pants, with shorts above the knee prohibited. Our visit will last around 40 minutes.

Sultanahmet Square - Also known as the Hippodrome of Constantinople, this tour starts at the historic site where chariot races and gladiator fights once took place. Emperors participated in events here, and the racecourse could hold 100,000 spectators. Today, only a few remnants remain, including the Obelisk of Theodosius, the Column of Constantine, the Serpentine Column, and the German Fountain. This tour will take about half an hour.

Hagia Sophia Mosque - The third Hagia Sophia, standing since 532 AD, is a true city gem. It was the most significant Byzantine building for nearly 1,000 years, preserving many Christian frescoes and mosaics. Its architecture and size are awe-inspiring. After the conquest of Constantinople, it became a mosque and later a museum in 1932 by Senate decision. In 2020, it reverted to a mosque and is open to tourists outside prayer times. Saint Sophia symbolizes Istanbul. Our guided visit, including time for photos and videos, will last about an hour.

Grand Bazaar - One of the largest and oldest covered markets globally, the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul features 61 covered streets and over 4,000 shops, making it a shopping paradise. Built during the Ottoman era, it became the largest and most famous market in the empire. It’s the perfect place to buy Turkish souvenirs and offers favorable currency exchange rates. You’ll have about 2 hours of free time to explore.