Istanbul Old City and Bosphorus Cruise: Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Grand Bazaar with Lunch
4.2
88 Ratings
Fatih
Experience the best of Istanbul's Old City and Bosphorus with a cruise, visiting iconic landmarks like Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque. Enjoy a delicious Turkish lunch and capture stunning views from Pierre Loti Hill.
Duration: 8 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Hagia Sophia Mosque - The Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque, (Hagia Sophia Museum) It was built in the 6th century by the emperor Justinian as a Greek Orthodox Church also called the church of Divine Wisdom. It was converted into a mosque in 1453 by Sultan Mehmet II The Conqueror and in to a museum by Ataturk in 1935 and it was converted into a mosque in 2020 by by Recep Tayyip Erdogan. It was largest church in the world for 1000 years. We also visit Tom of the Sultans, Admire the final resting place of 5 Sultans and 142 members of the Ottoman dynasty. The security line, in the Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque takes approximately 30 minutes in Off & Mid Seasons and in high season 90 minutes.
  • Blue Mosque - Blue Mosque, The Sultan Ahmet Mosque known as Blue Mosque because of its blue 20,000 Iznık Ceramic Tiles. It was built for Sultan Ahmet I by the architect Mehmet, has 6 towering minarets and last great mosque of the Classical period.
  • Hippodrome - Hippodrome, It was the sporting and social center of ancient Constantinople for 1000 years, with its monuments, German Fountain of Wilhelm II, Fountain of Sultan Ahmet III, Bronze Serpentine Column, Obelisk of Theodosius and Column Constantine.
  • Grand Bazaar - Grand Covered Bazaar, Visit the oldest and biggest covered market in the world and discover 65 streets and more than 4000 shops containing all kinds of everything. Group will have some free time. We also visit the Touristic shop
  • Bosphorus Strait - Bosphorus Cruise Enjoy the historical sightseeing from the sea by seeing the Golden horn, Topkapı palace, Dolma Bahçe palace, The Hagia Sophia Mosque, Maiden’s tower, Galata tower, Blue mosque, Ortakoy mosque, and the two continents Europe and Asia with the two Bridges connecting them
  • Halic - The Golden Horn tour by Bus. It is a natural horn-shaped bay that divides the European side of Istanbul into two. On this tour, you will see historical wooden houses, churches, synagogues, mosques and the remains of the Roman Wall
  • Eyup Sultan Mosque - Eyup Sultan Mosque: It was constructed in 1458, after the conquest of Constantinople by Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror and it is first İmperial Mosque of Otttoman Empire in Istanbul. The Eyup Sultan Mosque is visited on Fridays from outside due to Friday prayer schedules

Hz Abu Eyup Al ensari Mausoleum: He is the standard-bearer of the Islamic prophet Muhammad(sav) His tomb was discovered by the Ottoman saint Akşemseddin, adviser to Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror

  • Pierre Loti Tepesi - We ascent to the Pierre Loti Hill by bus. You can take a photo in this beautiful place with a perfect view of the Golden Horn. This hill got its name from the famous French novelist who lived in Istanbul for a while and wrote his novel “Aziyade”
  • Istanbul Cable Car - We descent from Pierre Loti Hill by cable car.
What's Included
  • Cable car ride included
  • Scenic Bosphorus cruise
  • Convenient hotel pickup and drop-off
  • Lunch provided
  • Expert guide throughout the tour
  • Visit the iconic Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque
What's Not Included
  • Basilica Cistern entry ticket (800TL cash, per person)
  • Entry to Hagia Sophia
  • Gratuities
  • Lunch
Additional Information

Discover the highlights of Istanbul, Old City, a Bosporus cruise, and a cable car ride down Pierre Loti Hill. Visit the Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, and the Grand Bazar. Morning part of this tour is walking tour

WE HAVE MEETING POINT FOR CRUISE PASSENGERS
FRONT OF THE PORT BOSPHORUS HOTEL. OPPOSITE THE MAIN EXIT FOR CRUISE PASSENGERS

• Marvel at views of Istanbul’s skyline during a cruise on the Bosphorus Strait
• Step back in time as you learn about the 6th-century Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque
• Look for a bargain as you pass by hundreds of stalls in the Grand Covered Bazaar
• Delight your palate with local flavors with an included delectable Turkish lunch
• Capture pictures of the Golden Horn from Pierre Loti Hill and take a cable car

  • Since Januar 2024, the Hagia Sophia Mosque main Saloon is closed for the visit of tourists. Following the tour, you can visit mosque for an additional fee of 25 Euros.
  • You will be granted the privilege to bypass the ticket line after paying your entrance fee to your guide in Turkish Lira and cash
  • Please dress appropriately when entering sacred sites. Participants are advised to wear long pants, a long-sleeved shirt. Please bring a scarf to cover head.
  • The Grand Bazaar is closed on religious holidays and Sundays.
Location
Buhara 93 Restaurant
Nakilbent Sokak
Front of Buhara 93 Restaurant
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.2
(88 Ratings)
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Svetlanaln5707lw
Mar 28, 2024
Wonderful experience! - I had great experience with Aljazeera Tours in March 2024! They have excellent communication. Driver picked me up from the hotel in time. We had great city tour in Insanbul. The boat tour on Bosphorus was great! The sights were magnificent! The tour guide was very knowledgeable and accommodating. I would definitely recommend my friends this company!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
A3532oejordang
Jan 24, 2024
Excellent - Our tour guide Baki was amazing! Very knowledge on the history of the country and all the landmarks, very entertaining, couldn't ask for a better tour!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Kanchanav
Dec 4, 2023
Great overview of fabulous Istanbul - We covered the iconic Istanbul sites in one day -did not feel rushed Pick up ws on time-guide knowledgeable
Review provided by Tripadvisor
220atiyab
Dec 4, 2023
Good Experience with family - It was a good experience. Especially the bosphorus cruise. It was well timed. The guide waited for us. Overall good experience.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
H4581mmmurielb
Nov 26, 2023
First time trip to Istanbul, Turkiye - We thoroughly enjoyed our time in Istanbul with Al Jazeera Tour. We would recommend your service to anyone we know who will travel to Turkiye. Thank you for an amazing time.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Chateaucici
Nov 14, 2023
We will be back! - Our tour guide was very knowledgeable. The history of the places We had a full day and it was great. We enjoyed the day and the shopping too
Review provided by Tripadvisor
322wilmaf
Dec 4, 2023
Istanbul2023 - I liked the tour and I enjoyed Istanbul. The only small flaw is an unempathetic guide. I enjoyed the mosques, sailing on the Bosphorus and the breathtaking landscapes.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Steven_d
Dec 3, 2023
A big day in Istanbul. - The Hagia Sophia is incredible along with the Blue Mosque and the Bosphorus Cruise made for a great day.
Review provided by Viator
Soniagarcial
Nov 26, 2023
Highlights of Istanbul - Every thing went good and very interesting. Good choice when you spending few days in Istanbul. Only the restaurant wasn’t good enough.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Riclebiojadson_d
Feb 15, 2024
Time management - I feel like the guide would spend too much time in things that were non important and sometimes stopping at places that were not mentioned on the package deal of the tour, and would get upset when we needed more time to important things such as eating and using the restroom. Tour was supposed to be 8 hours but wasn’t even 6 because everyone got bored before it could end. My suggestion is to hear the people you’re guiding. If they are hungry, stop and give them time to eat. Give a brief explanation about every place and brief historical context, but don’t spend too much time getting deeper in each thing you explain. All the hurry and we still finished the tour much earlier than what we were supposed to, but everyone was starving and bored
Review provided by Viator
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up to 15 guests
1 Adult
June 2024
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