Small Group Tour: Best of Istanbul (Lunch and Tickets Included)

Start Point: German Fountain View On Map 4.8

Overview

Tourists and history enthusiasts will enjoy this tour as it tells the fascinating story of Istanbul from a whole different angle. This tour will take you through centuries, diving deep into history. Each section of the tour has several significant locations which covers diverse timeframes, including the Ottoman empire and middle ages.

Witness for yourself an array of settlements, cultures, and empires which have left their traces in Istanbul. Take in everything by admiring the beauty of the buildings, the priceless history behind each monument, and the undeniable fact that this place was the heart of both Christian and Islamic civilizations at one point.

As the tour goes on, you will be told stories about Ottoman rulers, the Byzantine chariots and mounds of monuments, all of which have been able to withstand the test of time. By the end of the tour you will feel like you have been in a time travel machine where you have explored all the different time periods that shaped Istanbul within a blink of an eye.
 

Tour Info
Sight To See
  • Blue Mosque
  • German Fountain
  • Grand Bazaar
  • Hagia Sophia
  • Hippodrome Square
  • Topkapi Palace Museum

Itinerary

The tour is scheduled to commence at 9:00 am at the Hippodrome Square, where you will meet your private guide next to the German Fountain (Alman Cesmesi). The guide will be distinctly identified by the presence of our company logo for your convenience. The tour will begin with a comprehensive exploration of the city's key attractions.

Highlights of Topkapi Palace Museum (Topkapi Sarayi): More than just an imperial residence of Ottoman sultans, it was the seat of the Supreme Executive Council for almost 400 years. Topkapi Palace is a great monument of Oriental architecture that reflects the power of the Ottoman Empire.

Byzantine Hippodrome/Sultanahmet Square: The site of chariot races in Roman times. Its Egyptian Column dates back to the Byzantine Empire. Today, the German Fountain is the centerpiece of the square.

Hagia Sophia: Also known as Ayasofya or Santa Sofia, was constructed in the 6th century under the patronage of Emperor Justinian. It holds significant historical and religious prominence in both Christian and Islamic traditions. Following the Ottoman conquest, several modifications were made to adapt the structure into a mosque, including the removal of bells, the altar, and sacrificial vessels. Additionally, numerous mosaics were concealed during this transformation. It is important to note that skip-the-line service is not available for active mosques, thus, visitors should expect a queue for the entrance.

Blue Mosque: Constructed in the early 1600s for Sultan Ahmet I of the Ottoman Empire, stands as a remarkable architectural masterpiece. Despite its massive scale, the delicate proportions of this structure showcase exemplary craftsmanship and artistry.It is important to note that skip-the-line service is not available for active mosques, thus, visitors should expect a queue for the entrance.

Grand Bazaar: Also known as Kapali Carsi, is the largest and oldest covered market in the world, boasting over 4,000 shops. Visitors can explore a wide variety of colorful products, including ceramics, leather goods, rugs, carpets, handicrafts, clothing, silver, and gold.

The Istanbul small group tour concludes at the Grand Bazaar / Kapali Carsi. 

This is the end of our service. We sincerely hope to welcome you as our guest again!

***Please don't hesitate to email us for information about Bosphorus or Fener-Balat tour options with our private tour guides for the upcoming days. Alternatively, feel free to get in touch if you are interested in another Istanbul tour with different itineraries.
 

  • Topkapi Palace is closed on Tuesdays.
  • Grand Bazaar is closed on Sundays so will be replaced with Spice Market if your Istanbul tour is on that day.
  • Children aged 7 and under are free of charge. Please make sure that you have passport copies of children as we have to verify their ages at museums for free tickets.
  • If one of the mosques are not visited, Basilica Cistern will be visited as a replacement.
  • On Fridays, Hagia Sophia entrance will be restricted between 12:00pm - 14:30pm and Blue Mosque will be restricted until 14:30pm.

Inclusions & Exclusions

Inclusion
  • Small Group Tour
  • Licensed Tour Guide
  • Museum Tickets & Attraction Fees
  • Lunch
Exclusion
  • Gratitudes (suggested)
  • Transportation by Private Van
  • Drinks

Cancellation Policy

24 Hour - Free cancellation

You are eligible for a full refund if you cancel your booking at least 24 hours before the scheduled start time of the experience.

However, if you cancel within 24 hours of the start time, no refund will be issued, and we will not be able to accept any modification requests during this period.

Please note that all cancellation deadlines are based on local time.