What You Will Do
This tour is mainly for first-time visitors of Istanbul, offering a comprehensive exploration of the city's gems.
It serves as a great introduction to Istanbul, providing a deeper visit to significant historical attractions than the usual tourist routes.
You'll experience a personalized tour where questions are welcome, and have the opportunity to discover hidden gems, gaining a better understanding of the city in this carefully tailored one-day experience.
As a licensed tour guide with seven years of experience, a language teacher, and a PhD candidate student of art philosophy, I'm here to accompany you on your Istanbul journey for a few hours.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Itinerary
Meeting Point
Our meeting point is GERMAN FOUNTAIN (Alman Çeşmesi in Turkish language) located in the heart of the main tourist area of Istanbul.
It is just one minute away from Sultan Ahmet Tramway station.
1
German Fountain
15 minutes
Our meeting point...
2
Hippodrome
25 minutes
The Hippodrome, the stadium of ancient Byzantium, held 100,000 spectators and featured objects from all corners of the empire. Of these, an Egyptian obelisk and a bronze sculpture of three entwined serpents from Delphi have survived.
The Hippodrome of Constantinople was a circus that was the sporting and social center of Constantinople, capital of the Byzantine Empire. Today it is a square named Sultanahmet Meydanı, internationaly referred to as the Sultan Ahmet Square and located in the heart of the historical peninsula of Istanbul.
3
Blue Mosque
45 minutes
The Blue Mosque in Istanbul, also known by its official name, the Sultan Ahmed Mosque (Turkish: Sultan Ahmet Camii), is an Ottoman-era historical imperial mosque located in Istanbul, Turkey. It was constructed between 1609 and 1617 during the rule of Ahmed I and remains a functioning mosque today.
4
Hagia Sophia Mosque
25 minutes
Only OUTER visit.
Due to the new regulations by the Ministerry of Tourism, tour guides are not allowed to give explanations inside of Hagia Sophia since 15th of January 2024. And additionally there is no skip the line for tour guides anymore. That's why our visit to Hagia Sophia will be only outer explanation.
The Hagia Sophia Mosque is a true masterpiece of Byzantine architecture and a significant symbol of history and culture. It is known for its Grand Central Dome, intricate mosaics, and delicate stonework. Hagia Sophia's history spans 1500 years. Once a Church, then a Museum, and now a Mosque, the monument has witnessed the rise and fall of several dynasties.
5
Caferaga Medresesi
30 minutes
A 300 hundreds years old muslim school. This is the place where we will have a tea break and talk about the prolific architect of Ottoman Era. The place serves as a centre for some Turkish handcraft arts where youı can see some good example of this arts.
6
Grand Bazaar
30 minutes
Grand Bazaar! A market with more than 500 years of history, 64 streets, 22 gates, and more than 4,000 shops. Not only a shopping mall but also a manufacturing center. A place where you can lose yourself in history and mystery. That is the most significant and oldest market in the world. (Closed on Sundays)
7
Basilica Cistern
25 minutes
Skip the line. Entrance fee is 18 Eruos and is not included in the tour price.
A water storage dates back to the 6th century which has a spectacular sample of Roman architecture.
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