Istanbul Highlights: Blue Mosque and Topkapı Palace Tour

Experience the main attractions of Istanbul, as well as the small but equally wonderful details of the city on this small-group tour. Your guide takes you on an in-depth tour of both Blue Mosque and Topkapı Palace. You’ll hear interesting stories that other tours fail to mention.

Duration: 4 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Blue Mosque - Sultan Ahmed Mosque, known as the Blue Mosque by many tourists because of its bluish interior decoration (blue tiles surrounding the walls of interior design), is the most important mosque of Istanbul standing next to the Byzantine Hippodrome in the old city center..
  • Topkapi Palace - Topkapı Palace was the seat of Ottoman Empire more than 380 years where 24 of 36 Sultans lived and ruled their land. The palace was transformed into a museum in 1924 and now one of Turkey’s richest museums with its permanent and temporary exhibition halls. Buildings and courtyards, including a treasury, apartments, bathhouses, harems, and an armoury, holy relics section, not to mention imperial halls, kitchens and royal chambers that make a visit into Topkapi’s inner walls one of the world’s great wonders.

Treasures within include 13th-century Japanese porcelain, weaponry used by the Ottoman army, 86 carat 4th biggest diamond of its kind and world famous Topkapi Dagger any many more..

  • Sultanahmet District - “Sultan Ahmet Center”, the heart of the “Old City” from where the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires were ruled.
  • Sogukcesme Sokak - This is a small street with beautiful historic houses which are leaning against the wall of Topkapi Palace.
  • Hagia Sophia Mosque - Hagia Sophia 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.
What's Included
  • Professional guide
  • Minimum age of passengers is 13
  • Small group
What's Not Included
  • Topkapi Palace entry ticket (1,700 TL or 47 EUR per person)
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
  • Gratitudes
Additional Information
  • Minimum age of passengers is: 13
  • Modest clothing should be preferred when visiting the Blue Mosque. Shorts for men or women should be below the knee. Women cover their heads and exposed shoulders with a scarf or shawl, skirt should be below the knee. For those who do not have suitable clothes, stands are available at the entrance. Overalls and headscarves are provided for free of charge.
  • Entrance to Topkapı Palace (1,700 TL or 47 EUR per person) is not included in the tour price. Once you pay your entrance fee to your tour guide, you will have the privilege of skipping the ticket queue. Your guide will use e-tickets and you can just walk in to the palace directly without waiting. You can pay the tour guide preferably cash in TRY (or in equivalent to USD or EURO).
Location
Foodie-ist Cafe and Brasserie
Muhterem Efendi Sokak
In front (outside) of FOODIE-IST CAFE AND BRASSERIE. It is approximately 2 minutes walking distance from (T1) Sultanahmet tram stop. Your guide will wear a tour guide badge and will be easy to spot.
Cancellation Policy

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

Customer Ratings
4.7
(74 Ratings)
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Atka
Jul 2, 2024
Fantastic tour 😀 - We had a really interesting tour, Tolga was super informative and friendly. We learnt so much and we highly recommend it.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Nadimsawabini01
Jun 29, 2024
Wonderful and Attentive - The tour was wonderful. Nadriye was very patient with my elderly mother and my young daughter who were slower than the rest of us. She was very attentive and considerate. The palace and mosque are a great glimpse into istanbuls wonderful history and a must see for any tourists in the city.
Review provided by Viator
Rebecca
Jun 16, 2024
To recommend. - We had a very friendly and competent tour guide!!! An entertaining three-hour history briefing
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Nicola_m
May 5, 2024
Totally recommended - Really competent guide, interesting and beautiful sites to visit. Totally recommend in order to speed up the ticket process as well
Review provided by Viator
Charlotte_t
Apr 6, 2024
Lovely Experience - Our guide was very knowledgeable, and willing to share. We were both injured (knee strains) and unable to walk quickly but our guide was extremely accommodating in that she walked slowly and allowed us frequent rest breaks. We appreciated her kindness and loved the history and current events that were shared with us throughout our time together. Thanks for the wonderful tour!
Review provided by Viator
Rovp69
Feb 21, 2024
Beautiful visit - Erol was a super guide that he goes through all the secrets of this beautiful visit . This was an exciting visit and unbealucable experience
Review provided by Tripadvisor
780fauziaa
Feb 15, 2024
Guide Erol at Topkapi palace - The guide Erol showed us around Topkapi Palace. He was extremely patient and passionately explained everything to us. He was well informed about all the historical details and his stories took us back to the past. He gave us tips for our further stay in Istanbul. Worth it, but with Erol!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Kellie_t
May 3, 2024
Read the fine print - Erol was very charismatic and informative. l think you should put in the title when there is extra costs involved for a tour.
Review provided by Viator
Wasan1963
Dec 8, 2023
Visit to interesting places - Done through tematique tours , our guide Erol was very informative, we met him at the allocated place ( hotel ) & walked to aya Sophia & then to Topkapi . Explanation was good & we enjoyed the day .
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Salima
May 8, 2024
Guided tour reservation - What scams, what are the 70 euros paid when booking for? Be careful you also have to pay 80th to the guide to access the palace, I do not recommend this visit at all, do it alone if possible, you will only pay 1500try with a audio guide, never again TripAdvisor
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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