Hagia Sophia and Topkapi Palace Half Day Tour
27 Ratings
- Live Guide
- Instant Confirmation
- Group Tour
- E-Ticket
- 3 hr
Istanbul’s Hagia Sophia and Topkapi Palace are two of the city’s unmissable cultural and historic sites. Focusing on these two places will allow you to concentrate on their beauty and unique histories at leisure, without rushing on to other sites. Save time by skipping the ticket line in Topkapı Palace with priority access, definitely a bonus whether it’s your first time in Istanbul or you’re a repeat visitor.
Itinerary Details
Operated by: Local Tour Guide Istanbul
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: Hagia Sophia
The Church of Divine Wisdom, a fifteen hundred years old splendid monument, is a must see in Istanbul, built to be the world’s largest place of worship by Emperor Justinian in 532 AD. First a Greek Orthodox Patriarchal Basilica, later an imperial mosque, in 1935 it was opened to the public as a museum. After being neutral for about 86 years it was converted into a mosque again in July 2020. Hagia Sophia is the only mosque anywhere in the world right now where you could see Islamic elements along with the Christians images. The lofty interior, stunning surviving mosaics and the massive dome, which seems to float unsupported and gives the church its amazing sense of space. An unforgettable experience awaiting you.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Topkapi Palace
Topkapı Palace was the seat of Ottoman Empire more than 380 years where 24 of 36 Sultans lived and ruled their land. The palace was transformed into a museum in 1924 and now one of Turkey’s richest museums with its permanent and temporary exhibition halls. Buildings and courtyards, including a treasury, apartments, bathhouses, harems, and an armoury, holy relics section, not to mention imperial halls, kitchens and royal chambers that make a visit into Topkapi’s inner walls one of the world’s great wonders. Treasures within include 13th-century Japanese porcelain, weaponry used by the Ottoman army, 86 carat 4th biggest diamond of its kind and world famous Topkapi Dagger any many more..
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Pass By: Sogukcesme Sokak
This is a small street with beautiful historic houses which are leaning against the wall of Topkapi Palace. Sogukcesme means, the cold fountain in English and street is named after the fountain situated at its end.
Pass By: Sultanahmet Square
This beautiful square and a great place to make a stop, relax and take photos of Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque.
Pass By: Sultanahmet District
"Sultan Ahmet Center", the heart of the "Old City" from where the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires were ruled.
Pass By: Blue Mosque
Sultan Ahmed Mosque, known as the Blue Mosque by many tourists has five main domes, six minarets, and eight secondary domes with traditional Ottoman architecture and is considered to be the last great mosque of the classical period.
Pass By: Historic Areas of Istanbul
The historical city of Istanbul, the only city in the world located on two continents, was the capital of three great empires; Roman, Byzantine and the Ottoman Empire.
Pass By: Caferaga Medresesi
The Caferağa Medresseh is a former medrese and now recognised as an important centre of Turkish classical arts where traditional Turkish handicrafts such as calligraphy, ceramics, jewelry and so forth are taught, made and sold.
Pass By: Gulhane Park
Rose Park
Stop At: Hagia Sophia
The Church of Divine Wisdom, a fifteen hundred years old splendid monument, is a must see in Istanbul, built to be the world’s largest place of worship by Emperor Justinian in 532 AD. First a Greek Orthodox Patriarchal Basilica, later an imperial mosque, in 1935 it was opened to the public as a museum. After being neutral for about 86 years it was converted into a mosque again in July 2020. Hagia Sophia is the only mosque anywhere in the world right now where you could see Islamic elements along with the Christians images. The lofty interior, stunning surviving mosaics and the massive dome, which seems to float unsupported and gives the church its amazing sense of space. An unforgettable experience awaiting you.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Topkapi Palace
Topkapı Palace was the seat of Ottoman Empire more than 380 years where 24 of 36 Sultans lived and ruled their land. The palace was transformed into a museum in 1924 and now one of Turkey’s richest museums with its permanent and temporary exhibition halls. Buildings and courtyards, including a treasury, apartments, bathhouses, harems, and an armoury, holy relics section, not to mention imperial halls, kitchens and royal chambers that make a visit into Topkapi’s inner walls one of the world’s great wonders. Treasures within include 13th-century Japanese porcelain, weaponry used by the Ottoman army, 86 carat 4th biggest diamond of its kind and world famous Topkapi Dagger any many more..
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Pass By: Sogukcesme Sokak
This is a small street with beautiful historic houses which are leaning against the wall of Topkapi Palace. Sogukcesme means, the cold fountain in English and street is named after the fountain situated at its end.
Pass By: Sultanahmet Square
This beautiful square and a great place to make a stop, relax and take photos of Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque.
Pass By: Sultanahmet District
"Sultan Ahmet Center", the heart of the "Old City" from where the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires were ruled.
Pass By: Blue Mosque
Sultan Ahmed Mosque, known as the Blue Mosque by many tourists has five main domes, six minarets, and eight secondary domes with traditional Ottoman architecture and is considered to be the last great mosque of the classical period.
Pass By: Historic Areas of Istanbul
The historical city of Istanbul, the only city in the world located on two continents, was the capital of three great empires; Roman, Byzantine and the Ottoman Empire.
Pass By: Caferaga Medresesi
The Caferağa Medresseh is a former medrese and now recognised as an important centre of Turkish classical arts where traditional Turkish handicrafts such as calligraphy, ceramics, jewelry and so forth are taught, made and sold.
Pass By: Gulhane Park
Rose Park
