Experience the best of Istanbul’s Old City and Bosphorus with a cruise, visiting iconic landmarks like Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque. Enjoy a delicious Turkish lunch and capture stunning views from Pierre Loti Hill.
Blue Mosque - The Sultan Ahmet Mosque, commonly known as the Blue Mosque due to its 20,000 blue Iznık ceramic tiles, was built for Sultan Ahmet I by the architect Mehmet. It features six towering minarets and is the last great mosque of the Classical period.
Hippodrome - The Hippodrome served as the sporting and social hub of ancient Constantinople for 1,000 years. It houses monuments such as the German Fountain of Wilhelm II, the Fountain of Sultan Ahmet III, the Bronze Serpentine Column, the Obelisk of Theodosius, and the Column of Constantine.
Hagia Sophia Mosque - The Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque, originally built in the 6th century by Emperor Justinian as a Greek Orthodox Church called the Church of Divine Wisdom, was converted into a mosque in 1453 by Sultan Mehmet II The Conqueror. It became a museum in 1935 under Ataturk and was reconverted into a mosque in 2020 by Recep Tayyip Erdogan. It was the largest church in the world for 1,000 years.
Basilica Cistern - Skip the long ticket lines and explore the Basilica Cistern beneath Istanbul’s streets. Discover the ancient beauty of this underground marvel, admire its impressive architecture, and encounter the legendary Medusa heads from Greek mythology.
Kapali Carsi - Visit the Grand Covered Bazaar, the oldest and largest covered market in the world, featuring 65 streets and over 4,000 shops offering a variety of goods. The group will have some free time, and we will also visit a touristic shop.
Golden Horn - Take a bus tour of the Golden Horn, a natural horn-shaped bay that divides the European side of Istanbul into two. See historical wooden houses, churches, synagogues, mosques, and the remains of the Roman Wall.
Eyup Sultan Mosque - Constructed in 1458 after the conquest of Constantinople by Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror, the Eyup Sultan Mosque is the first Imperial Mosque of the Ottoman Empire in Istanbul. It is visited from outside on Fridays due to prayer schedules.
Hz Abu Eyup Al-Ansari Mausoleum: The tomb of the standard-bearer of the Islamic prophet Muhammad (sav), discovered by the Ottoman saint Akşemseddin, adviser to Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror.
Pierre Loti Tepesi - Ascend to Pierre Loti Hill by bus and capture photos of the stunning view of the Golden Horn. Named after the famous French novelist who lived in Istanbul and wrote his novel “Aziyade.”
Istanbul Cable Car - Descend from Pierre Loti Hill by cable car.
Bosphorus Strait - Enjoy a Bosphorus Cruise and take in historical sights from the sea, including the Golden Horn, Topkapı Palace, Dolmabahçe Palace, the Hagia Sophia Mosque, Maiden’s Tower, Galata Tower, Blue Mosque, Ortakoy Mosque, and the two continents of Europe and Asia connected by two bridges.
- Cable car ticket
- Bosphorus Cruise Ticket
- English-speaking tour guide
- Basilica Cistern Guided Visit
- Hotel pickup and drop-off (If option selected)
- The Blue Mosque Guided Visit
- Hippodrome Guided visit
- Grand Covered Bazaar visit & Free time
- Basilica Cistern entry ticket (800TL cash, per person)
- Entry to Hagia Sophia
- Gratuities
- Lunch
Discover the highlights of Istanbul, Old City, Bosporus cruise and cable car ride down Pierre Loti Hill. Visit Basilica Cistern, the Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, and the Grand Bazar.
WE HAVE MEETING POINT FOR CRUISE PASSENGERS
FRONT OF THE PORT BOSPHORUS HOTEL.
OPPOSITE THE MAIN EXIT FOR CRUISE PASSENGERS
• Marvel at views of Istanbul’s skyline during a cruise on the Bosphorus Strait
• Step back in time as you learn about the 6th-century Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque
• Look for a bargain as you pass by hundreds of stalls in the Grand Covered Bazaar
• Explore Basilica Cistern with Guide & Priority admission & Skip the line ticket
• Capture pictures of the Golden Horn from Pierre Loti Hill and take a cable car
- Since Januar 2024, the Hagia Sophia Mosque main Saloon is closed for the visit of tourists. Following the tour, you can visit mosque for an additional fee of 25 Euros.
- You will be granted the privilege to bypass the ticket line after paying your entrance fee to your guide in Turkish Lira and cash
- Please dress appropriately when entering sacred sites. Participants are advised to wear long pants, a long-sleeved shirt. Please bring a scarf to cover head.
- The Grand Bazaar is closed on religious holidays and Sundays.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
