Istanbul Classics and Highlights: Full Day with Lunch

Highlights

Inclusions

Itinerary

1. Hagia Sophia is the former Greek Orthodox patriarchal cathedral, an imperial mosque during Ottoman Period, a museum since 1935 until 2020, and recently has been turned back into a mosque. Built in 537 AD at the beginning of the Middle Ages, it was famous in particular for its massive dome. It was the world's largest building and an engineering marvel of its time. It is considered the epitome of Byzantine architecture and is said to have "changed the history of architecture”.

   1 h

2. The gift of Kaiser Wilhelm II to the Sultan. You will listen the stories of this liaison with the orient.

   15 min

3. Hippodrome of Constantinople, the center of Byzantine civic life, from political and theological controversies to chariot races and riots. The word hippodrome comes from the Greek hippos, horse, and dromos, path or way. For this reason, it is sometimes also called Atmeydanı ("Horse Square") in Turkish.

   30 min

4. Blue Mosque is a historical mosque located in historical peninsula of Istanbul. It was constructed between 1609 and 1616 during the rule of Ahmed I. The complex contains Ahmed's tomb, a madrasah and a hospice. Hand-painted blue tiles adorn the mosque’s interior walls, and at night the mosque is bathed in blue as lights frame the mosque’s five main domes, six minarets and eight secondary domes. It sits next to the Hagia Sophia, another popular masterpiece of the city.

   30 min

5. You will have lunch in Deraliye Ottoman Cuisine Restaurant

   1 hAdmission included

6. As one the world’s largest covered markets, the Grand Bazaar is home to thousands of shops and stalls spread over nearly 60 blocks. Find the best places to shop in this mystical maze as your local guide introduces to you its best traders and helps you to bag a few bargains!

   1 h

7. Hagia Irene located in the outer courtyard of Topkapı Palace is the oldest church of the Eastern Roman Empire.

   30 minAdmission included

8. The Topkapı Palace or the Seraglio, is a large museum in Istanbul, Turkey. In the 15th century, it served as the main residence and administrative headquarters of the Ottoman sultans. Construction began in 1459, ordered by Mehmed the Conqueror, six years after the conquest of Constantinople. Topkapı was originally called the "New Palace" to distinguish it from the Old Palace in Beyazıt Square. It was given the name Topkapı, meaning Cannon Gate, in the 19th century. The complex was expanded over the centuries, with major renovations after the 1509 earthquake and the 1665 fire. The palace complex consists of four main courtyards and many smaller buildings. Female members of the Sultan's family lived in the harem, and leading state officials, including the Grand vizier, held meetings in the Imperial Council building. After the 17th century, Topkapı gradually lost its importance.

   2 hAdmission included

9. The street between Hagia Sophia and Topkapı Palace, full of historical houses

   15 min

Cancellation

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts, for a full refund.

Reviews

Ratings come from 44 reviews collected by our booking partner. They are travellers' own words, in the order they were written — never reordered to flatter the experience.

Know before you go

How it compares in Istanbul

• Its from-price is 159% above the median of the 530 city tours we list in Istanbul.
• Its length is typical for the group.
• By number of reviews it ranks 98 of 530.
• The operator lists free cancellation on it.

About Istanbul

Istanbul straddles Europe and Asia across the Bosphorus, with Byzantine and Ottoman monuments, busy bazaars and ferries crossing between continents.

The historic peninsula holds the greatest landmarks. Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque and the Hippodrome face each other in Sultanahmet, the Basilica Cistern lies beneath the streets, and Topkapı Palace spreads across the hill above the Golden Horn. A short walk away, the Grand Bazaar and the Spice Bazaar have traded for centuries, and Süleymaniye Mosque, built by the great Ottoman architect Sinan, crowns one of the city's seven hills.

Top-ranked sights in Istanbul: Dolmabahce Palace (Dolmabahce Sarayi), Bosphorus, Bosphorus Bridge (Bogazici Koprusu).

See all 3649 experiences in Istanbul