Top Sites of Istanbul
- 5–7 hours
- Free cancellation up to 24h before
- 2 languages
- Instant confirmation
Highlights
Istanbul has such a diverse and rich history. It has been the capital of three great empires; the Roman, Byzantine (Eastern Roman) and the Ottoman. Although it is not the official capital anymore, it is still the cultural capital of the country. There is so much to see or to do in this city. Visitors would normally need more than one day to explore Istanbul. However, for those visitors who are coming to Istanbul for the first time and have rather limited time, we would recommend this tour for the first day of sightseeing in Istanbul. The program will include visits to mosques, a cistern, a palace, a hippodrome, a bazaar and a panoramic terrace.
Inclusions
What's included
- Private Tour Guides
What's not
- Lunch
- Gratuities
- Entrance tickets for Topkapı Palace and Basilica Cistern 590 liras for per person90
Itinerary
The word hippodrome comes from the Greek hippos (horse) and dromos (way). The Hippodrome of Constantinople was also home to gladiatorial games, official ceremonies, celebrations, protests, torture to the convicts and so on. Hippodrome functioned all in Roman (203-330 CE), Byzantine (330-1453 CE), and Ottoman (1453-1922) periods
a true wonder of the Byzantine world. Completed under Emperor Justinian in AD 537, this massive building (known best for its resplendent dome) was a Christian church for nearly 1,000 years, until Mehmet the Conqueror claimed it for Islam. Kemal Atatürk, the revolutionary leader and founder of the Republic, proclaimed it as a museum in 1934—but it has reverted back to a working mosque in 2020.
The complex of grand pavilions and courtyards was built by Mehmet II in the middle of the 15th century (just after his conquest of Constantinople) and served as the residence of Ottoman sultans—along with their wives and concubines—for the next 400 years. Today, it is one of the world's richest museums, and during our visit, we’ll behold a staggering collection of arms, porcelain, and priceless treasures that include the jewel-studded dagger made famous by the Hollywood heist film.
It was built during the reign of Emperor Constantine in the 4th Century but greatly enlarged by Justinian in 537 AD, and used as water storage for the Great Palace during Byzantine times
Home to more than 4,000 shops today, this remarkable complex dates back more than 550 years.
Cancellation
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts, for a full refund.
Reviews
5.0
- 52
- 40
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Ratings come from 2 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
- Pickup
- Pickup is included for everyone.
- Ticket type
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- Operated by
- New Istanbul Tours
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
How it compares in Istanbul
- Its from-price is close to the median of the 3649 experiences we list in Istanbul.
- Its length is typical for the group.
- By number of reviews it ranks 1720 of 3649.
- 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).
Special offers in Istanbul
Was/now prices come from the operator, never from us.
