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Istanbul Panoramic Experiences: Discover Historic Sites and Bosphorus Cruise
5.0
234 Ratings
Fatih
Experience the best of Istanbul with a professional tour guide. Visit historic sites like Hagia Sophia and Topkapı Palace, and take a scenic Bosphorus cruise. Private tour option available.
Duration:
9 hours
Cancellation:
1 day
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Highlights
- Hippodrome - The Hippodrome of Constantinople, situated in Sultanahmet/Istanbul, was a public venue primarily for chariot races. The term hippodrome is derived from the Greek words hippos (horse) and dromos (way). The Hippodrome of Constantinople also hosted gladiatorial contests, official ceremonies, celebrations, protests, and the punishment of convicts. It was operational during the Roman (203-330 CE), Byzantine (330-1453 CE), and Ottoman (1453-1922) periods.
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Blue Mosque - Known as the Sultan Ahmet Camii (or Sultan Ahmed Mosque), this stunning structure is one of the most magnificent Ottoman mosques in Turkey.
Please note that there is no priority entrance for guides at the mosques. We skip the lines at the museums Don’t trust anyone who claims otherwise! -
Hagia Sophia Mosque - The Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque / Ayasofya-i Kebir Cami-i Şerifi, with its groundbreaking architecture, rich history, religious importance, and unique features, has stood the test of time for centuries. It was the largest Eastern Roman Church in Istanbul. Built three times on the same site, it is the world’s oldest and fastest-completed cathedral. With its awe-inspiring domes that seem to float, monolithic marble columns, and unmatched mosaics, it is one of the marvels of architectural history. The mosque’s stunning beauty, with its magnificent interplay of space, light, and color, inspires worship in believers! Hagia Sophia is located on the first hill of Istanbul, at the tip of the historic peninsula, surrounded by the Sea of Marmara, the Bosphorus, and the Golden Horn on three sides.
Please note that there are two lines: one for buying tickets with cards, and if you bring cash, we can skip the ticket line to enter. -
Topkapi Palace - It served as the primary residence and administrative center of the Ottoman sultans:
Topkapı Palace and Harem (Topkapı Sarayı) likely have more colorful stories than most of the world’s museums combined. Lustful sultans, ambitious courtiers, beautiful concubines, and scheming eunuchs lived and worked here between the 15th and 19th centuries when it was the court of the Ottoman Empire. A visit to the palace’s lavish pavilions, jewel-filled Treasury, and sprawling Harem offers a fascinating glimpse into their lives.
Please note that seeing the entire palace takes a full day, so we focus on the main highlights according to your preferences.
We skip the lines here as this is a museum and guides have priority. -
Basilica Cistern - This underground structure was commissioned by Emperor Justinian and built in 532. The largest surviving Byzantine cistern in Istanbul, it was constructed using 336 columns, many of which were repurposed from ruined temples and feature finely carved capitals. Its symmetry and sheer grandeur are breathtaking, and its cavernous depths provide a great retreat on hot summer days.
We skip the lines here as this is a museum and guides have priority. - Grand Bazaar - Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar (Kapalıçarşı in Turkish) is one of the world’s premier shopping destinations and, covering 30,700 square meters, the largest covered market globally.
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Bosphorus Strait - We will take a 90-minute Bosphorus cruise on a public boat.
The Bosphorus is worth visiting not only for business but also for leisure and its visual appeal. Along the Strait on both continents, there are exceptionally attractive views of Ottoman architecture, including manor houses and palaces. Many tourist attractions also offer this magnificent scenery. - Dolmabahce Palace - ONLY ON TUESDAYS WE VISIT Dolmabahce Palace, built in the 19th century, is one of the most glamorous palaces in the world. It was the administrative center of the late Ottoman Empire, with the last Ottoman sultans residing there.
- Ortakoy Mosque - Located just before the Bosphorus Bridge, the Ortaköy Camii (Ortaköy Mosque) in Turkey has one of the most picturesque settings of all Istanbul mosques. Indeed, photos of Ortaköy Mosque with the bridge in the background are often used to showcase Istanbul’s unique blend of traditional and modern.
- Rumeli Fortress - Rumeli Castle (Rumeli Hisarı) is an Ottoman fortress dating back to 1452. It was built by Ottoman Sultan Mehmed II (Mehmed the Conqueror) in preparation for the conquest of Constantinople. The castle is situated on the Bosphorus Strait’s shore at its narrowest point, approximately 660 meters across. It is directly opposite Anadolu Castle (Anadolu Hisarı), another Ottoman fortress built in 1394 by Bayezid I. Both castles were constructed by Ottoman sultans to prevent military and economic aid from reaching the Byzantine Empire from the north, via the Black Sea. The Bosphorus Strait connects the Black Sea with the Marmara Sea.
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Kucuksu Pavilion - This charming part of the Istanbul Strait on the Asian shore is mentioned by Byzantine historians and became one of the imperial parks known as Kandil Bahçesi (Lantern Garden) during Ottoman times. Sultan Murad IV (1623-1640) was particularly fond of Küçüksu and named it Gümüş Selvi (Silver Cypress). From the 17th century onwards, it was also referred to as Bağçe-i Göksu.
During the reign of Mahmud I (1730-1754), Divittar Mehmed Paşa built a two-story timber palace on the waterfront here, which continued to be used by Selim III (1789-1807) and Mahmud II (1808-1839). - Beylerbeyi Palace - Often described as a smaller version of Dolmabahce Palace but without the crowds, the Beylerbeyi Sarayı (Beylerbeyi Palace) was commissioned by Sultan Abdülaziz as an imperial summer residence. With 24 rooms, 6 halls, and a hamam, it was quite the summer home and was also used to entertain visiting dignitaries.
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Galata Tower - Also known as the Galata Kulesi Museum, this iconic symbol is located in the Galata quarter of Istanbul, Turkey.
Considered one of the oldest towers in the world and a symbol of Istanbul, Galata Tower (Galata Kulesi) was added to the UNESCO World Heritage Temporary List in 2013. Galata Tower, one of the most significant structures in Istanbul’s skyline, was used as a long-term fire watchtower and was named Galata Fire Tower. - Anadolu Hisari Fort - Constructed under the orders of Ottoman Emperor Yildirim Bayezid in the Beykoz district to aid in the conquest of Istanbul, the Anatolian Fortress is a key part of Istanbul’s charming silhouette.
What's Included
- Professional Guidance in English
- Public transportation tickets if required
What's Not Included
- Pick up and drop off from the hotels are not included.
- Topkapı Palace Museum entrance ticket is extra which exactly 55 USD pp
- Lunch
- On Tuesdays Dolmabahce Palace entrance ticket is extra which is exactly 40 USD pp cash please
- Basilica Cistern ticket is excluded (30 USD pp) Cash please
- Bosphorus tour ticket is excluded (10 USD pp)cash please
- Gratuities
- Please note that there isn’t any priority entrance with the guides at the mosques.
- *if you pick up the early timings we don’t wait at the mosque lines a lot. (recommended)
- The entrance fee for Hagia Sophia is 30 USD pp) cash please
- **You can skip any of the place; but if you book the group tour you have to wait us until we visit .
Additional Information
Local Istanbul experience with a professional licensed tour guide! With this experience, you’ll see the city from a new perspective and leave transformed. We begin our day in the Sultanahmet area, visiting the Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque. Next, we’ll explore the Topkapı Palace, where you’ll hear fascinating stories about the Roman and Ottoman Empires. After some free time for lunch, we’ll embark on a 90-minute Bosphorus tour on a public boat to admire the stunning views of Istanbul from the sea. And that’s just the beginning; the main attractions await you on this tour :-)
What we will see on this tour:
- Hagia Sophia
- Blue Mosque
- Hippodrome
- Basilica Cistern
- Grand Bazaar (Closed on Sundays)
- Topkapi Palace
- Bosphorus cruise (90 minutes on a public boat)
A private tour option is also available. Check for details. If you’re arriving at Galataport (Cruise terminal), it’s easy to reach the meeting point by tram in just 20 minutes.
- Please note that this is an all day walking tour. Bring your walking shoes with you.
- Rules for the mosques: men can wear shorts but it should be under knees. If not at Bluemosque they provide covers for the legs for free but at Hagia Sophia they charge 4 USD for covers. For women: they should cover hairs, legs and shoulders. Free covers available at Bluemosque but at Hagia sophia they charge 4 USD.
- If you are arriving to Galataport (Cruise terminal)? it is easy to reach to meeting point by tram in 20 minutes. For tram you can use your master or visa credit cards.
Location
German Fountain
At Meydanı Caddesi
I will be holding a yellow umbrella in front of the German Fountain which is at the Hippodrome area. It is green dommed fountain on the corner of the Blue Mosque. It is near to the gate B of the Blue Mosque. Please don't get help from the people who doesn't have a guide license on their neck.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
5.0
(234 Ratings)
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Prabodh_r
Aug 27, 2024
Highly recommended - Thoroughly enjoyed the tour. Lutfullah is an expert guide who helped me make the most of my short time in Instanbul. He truly enjoys taking us visitors thru the amazing history of this great city
Review provided by Viator
Kaan_o
Aug 27, 2024
What a historic day! - It was everything we had hoped for! In the span of a day (& 21,000 steps, but who’s counting), we saw the majority of the historic sites on Constantinople (& earned a hearty Turkish dinner). Our guide Lutfi was a blast! He was funny, engaging, knowledgeable and informative. I would highly recommend this tour to every one (and don’t forget to ask for Lutfi ;)
Review provided by Viator
Shaakira_m
Aug 26, 2024
Istanbul’s highlights in a day - All the sites visited were amazing experiences. Ludwick was efficient with time and went the extra mile.
Review provided by Viator
Celiac7149
Aug 24, 2024
A wonderful experience in Istanbul - What a fantastic tour today with Lütfullah. We had a very pleasant day in Istanbul. Lütfullah really exceeded our expectations. We saw all the places we wanted to see and there was still time to have a delicious lunch. We highly recommend having Lütfullah as a tour guide in Istambul.
Thank you so much for helping us have an awesome time in Istanbul.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Diane_n
Aug 19, 2024
Perfect day - This was the perfect way to see many important sites in one day. Our guide Lutfullah was excellent. He handled everything from navigating to ticket purchases to skipping queues where possible. Lutfullah was friendly and gave us lots of details about the sites. Excellent tour.
Review provided by Viator
Amornrat_r
Aug 12, 2024
Absolutely recommend this tour - Ludwig has done an excellent job. Well planed and great at problem solving we had a great time and made the most of the day full of activities and visits that we were promised. We were lucky to have brilliant companies. I would really like to rate 10 out of 5 !!!! 😍😍😍
Review provided by Viator
James_and_gordon
Aug 8, 2024
Istanbul top sites in a day! - We had a wonderful day with Lutfullah managing to see all the essential sites in Istanbul. We were able to do this because Lutfullah was able to facilitate priority entry …so we were able to avoid the long queues. He knew so much that the places we visited really came alive for us. A very long day with lots of walking …but a really fabulous and memorable trip for us. Thanks so much!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Antonio_m
Aug 8, 2024
Don’t hesitate to book this tour! - Informative and flexible tour offering options and the main sights of the city! Lutfullah is an exemplary guide, tailoring the content to your interests and never makes you feel like a number. For example, we were asked as a group about lunch options and he found something that fit everyone. Also, he gives the option if one does not want to enter one of the sites depending on their budget (ie, Topkapı Palace is upwards of ~$50USD for entry 😵💫). Having this a la carte optionality is a win-win for attendees. Don’t hesitate to book this tour!
Review provided by Viator
E9072magonzaloa
Aug 8, 2024
Amazing - Lutfullah was amazing! Highly recommended. The tour was very informative and he was very very knowledgeable. He deserved the 5 stars
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Toksobayomi
Aug 12, 2024
Highly Recommended - Ludwig, our guide was very knowledgeable and experienced. He went out of his way to help procure the attraction tickets and was very flexible with the itinerary. We thoroughly enjoyed our time with him.
Review provided by Viator