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Istanbul's Cats: A Self-Guided Walking Tour

Hagia Sophia (Ayasofya)

As descrições são apresentadas em inglês.

  • 1,5–2 horas
  • Cancelamento gratuito até 24 h antes
  • Guia em inglês
  • Confirmação imediata

Destaques

Istanbul has earned its reputation as the world's cat kingdom, and this tour makes the most of it. On this self-guided walking tour, you'll explore the Ottoman and Byzantine landmarks of old town Istanbul through the lens of its most celebrated residents. You'll also discover how cats have shaped – and been shaped by – a thousand years of Islamic tradition, imperial politics, and neighborhood life. The tour starts inside the Egyptian Spice Bazaar, built in 1664 to fund the New Mosque next door. You'll exit into the surrounding streets, circle the New Mosque's courtyard, and pass the Hünkar Kasrı – the Sultan's private elevated pavilion – before strolling down Soğukçeşme Street, a cobblestone lane running between Hagia Sophia and Topkapi Palace walls. Along the way, you'll pass the Sublime Porte, once the administrative heart of an empire spanning three continents, and learn how Istanbul evolved from Byzantine Byzantium to Ottoman capital to modern Turkish republic.

Inclui

O que está incluído

  • Directions to the starting point so that when you're in the right place, the tour will start
  • Lifetime access to this tour in English before your booking date and after it
  • Offline access to audio, maps, and geodata
  • App for Android and iOS
  • Flexibility to explore at your own pace with a self-guided GPS tour

O que não está

  • Smartphone and headphones
  • Personal expenses for admission fees not included during the tour
  • Food and drink
  • Transportation

Itinerário

  1. You'll wander through the Egyptian Spice Bazaar, Istanbul's aromatic 17th-century market, as your guide points out mounds of saffron, sumac, and Turkish delight lining its L-shaped hall. Entry is free and open to the public.

    Passa por

  2. You'll step into the courtyard of the New Mosque (Yeni Cami) to hear the dramatic story of its construction — begun in 1597, abandoned for over 50 years, and finally completed in 1665. Entry to the mosque courtyard is free, though modest dress is required.

    Passa por

  3. You'll stroll down Soğuk Çeşme Sokak, a cobblestone lane of colorful reconstructed Ottoman houses tucked between Hagia Sophia and the Topkapi Palace walls. This scenic street is free to walk and one of Istanbul's most photographed corners.

    Passa por

  4. You'll pass through the Imperial Gate into Topkapi Palace's free First Courtyard, hearing about the sultans who ruled from here for nearly 400 years. Please note that entry to the palace's inner courtyards, Harem, and Treasury requires a separate paid ticket and is not included in this tour.

    Passa por

  5. You'll walk through Gülhane Park, once the sultans' private rose garden and now Istanbul's oldest public park. Entry is free.

    Passa por

  6. You'll pass by the entrance to the Basilica Cistern as your guide describes this 6th-century underground reservoir, its 336 columns, and the mysterious Medusa head bases inside. This tour does not enter the cistern, and a separate ticket is required to visit.

    Passa por

  7. You'll stand in front of Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque, hearing how this former Byzantine cathedral became a mosque, then a museum, then a mosque again. Entry to the ground floor is free, but a separate ticket is required to access the upper galleries and Byzantine mosaics.

    Passa por

  8. You'll wander through the Arasta Bazaar, a quieter 17th-century market built to fund the Blue Mosque, browsing carpets, İznik ceramics, and textiles along its single covered street. Entry is free.

    Passa por

  9. You'll walk through Sultanahmet Square, the site of the ancient Hippodrome of Constantinople, passing its three surviving monuments: the Walled Obelisk, the Serpent Column, and the Obelisk of Theodosius. This public square is free to explore.

    Passa por

  10. You'll pass by the Blue Mosque's courtyard and şadırvan fountain as your guide describes its cascading domes, six minarets, and 20,000 hand-painted İznik tiles inside. Entry to the mosque is free, though modest dress and security screening are required to enter the prayer hall.

    Passa por

Cancelamento

Cancelamento gratuito até 24 horas antes do início, com reembolso total.

Antes de ir

Ponto de encontro
This tour starts at Egyptian Spice Bazaar. Before arrival, please install the mobile app and use the code provided on your confirmation ticket. Detailed starting point instructions are available after downloading.
Recolha
Todos se encontram no ponto de partida; não há recolha.
Tipo de bilhete
Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Operado por
VoiceMap Audio Tours
  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • The total tour time includes walking the route and passing by the attractions

How it compares in Istambul

  • Its from-price is 90% below the median of the 3649 experiences we list in Istambul.
  • It is shorter than most of them.
  • The operator lists free cancellation on it.

About Istambul

Istambul estende-se pela Europa e pela Ásia dos dois lados do Bósforo, com monumentos bizantinos e otomanos, bazares animados e ferries entre continentes.

A península histórica reúne os maiores monumentos. Santa Sofia, a Mesquita Azul e o Hipódromo defrontam-se em Sultanahmet, a Cisterna Basílica fica debaixo das ruas e o Palácio de Topkapı espalha-se pela colina sobre o Corno de Ouro. A poucos passos, o Grande Bazar e o Bazar das Especiarias comerciam há séculos, e a Mesquita de Solimão, obra do grande arquiteto otomano Sinan, coroa uma das sete colinas da cidade.

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

See all 3649 experiences in Istambul

Ofertas especiais em Istambul

Os preços riscados vêm do operador, nunca de nós.

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