1- Day Private Guided Istanbul Tour (Old City Tour)

Sultanahmet District - Sultanahmet District

German Fountain - German Fountain / Alman Çeşmesi

Hippodrome - Hippodrome Square / Atmeydanı Hippodrome; the site of chariot races during the Roman Empire, featuring the Egyptian Column from the Byzantine era and the German Fountain, a key landmark from the Ottoman period.

Hagia Sophia Mosque - Hagia Sophia Museum / Ayasofya / Santa Sofia Built in the 6th century by Emperor Justinian, this structure has been pivotal in both the Christian and Islamic worlds. Following the Ottoman conquest, the bells, altar, iconoclastic, and sacrificial vessels were removed, and many mosaics were plastered over to transform the church into a mosque, then a museum, and now a mosque once again. This is a must-see on any Istanbul tour in the Old City / Constantinople. Please note that as it is no longer a museum, tour guides do not have skip-the-line privileges. To avoid long waits, we recommend starting at 8:30am or 9:00am.

Blue Mosque - Constructed between 1609-1616 for Sultan Ahmet I of the Ottoman Empire, this grand mosque features six minarets. It is called the “Blue Mosque” for two reasons: the more common explanation is the interior’s Blue İznik tiles, while another story suggests that ancient sailors saw the blue sea reflected in the mosque as they sailed by.

Basilica Cistern - The Basilica Cistern is the largest of several hundred ancient cisterns beneath the city, designed to filter water for nearby buildings. This underground chamber measures approximately 138 meters (453 ft) by 64.6 meters (212 ft) and can hold 80,000 cubic meters (2,800,000 cu ft) of water. The ceiling is supported by 336 marble columns.

Topkapi Palace - The expansive Topkapi Palace Museum / Topkapı Sarayı served not only as the Imperial Residence of Ottoman Sultans but also as the seat of the Supreme Executive and Judiciary Council for nearly 400 years. This grand example of Oriental architecture symbolizes the power of the Ottoman Empire.

Grand Bazaar - The final stop is the world-renowned Grand Bazaar, the largest covered market in the world. This vibrant bazaar, with over 4000 shops selling traditional textiles, tiles, handmade products, jewelry, and more, attracts both locals and tourists from around the globe.

2- Days Private Guided Istanbul Tour – (Bosphorus Region Tour)

Bosphorus Strait - Bosphorus Cruise by Public Ferry or Private Cruise (if option is chosen) Take a public ferry for a Bosphorus Cruise to see both Istanbul’s European and Asian sides, including Galata Tower, Dolmabahce Palace, Beylerbeyi Palace, the Rumeli Fortress, old Ottoman villas, Bosphorus bridges, and mosques. Your best Istanbul tour memories will likely include the Bosphorus.

Dolmabahce Palace - Built in the mid-1800s to replace an earlier wooden structure, this palace includes sixteen separate buildings, stables, a flour mill, and a clock tower.

Taksim Square - Taksim Square / Taksim Meydanı is a significant site in modern Turkey, having witnessed many historical events. It is close to Istiklal Street (Istiklal Caddesi), Galata Tower, and the embassies of European countries. Cicek Passage offers excellent food joints, cafes, shops, bars, and nightclubs around Taksim.

Istiklal Caddesi - Istiklal Street showcases the modern and vibrant side of Turkey, featuring churches, modern art galleries, embassies, pubs, cafes, and various shops.

Galata Tower - Originally named Cite de Pera, this structure combines traditional and modern architectural styles from the Ottoman Empire. Today, it houses small shops and cafes. We will view the tower from the outside, as tour guides do not have skip-the-line privileges here, making the wait time long. Your guide will provide an explanation about the tower.

Misir Carsisi (Spice Market) - The Spice Market / Mısır Çarşısı, also known as the Egyptian Bazaar, is a colorful indoor market with numerous shops offering a variety of spices, purses, flavored teas, Turkish delight, nuts, ceramics, and small souvenirs. The Spice Bazaar is located in Eminonu Square, the junction of the Bosphorus and the Golden Horn.

3- Days Private Guided Istanbul Tour (Golden Horn Tour)

Historic Areas of Istanbul - Historic Areas of Istanbul

Suleymaniye Mosque - Designed by the renowned architect Sinan for one of the greatest Ottoman rulers, this majestic mosque shares many similarities with the Hagia Sophia, as both were designed by the same architect, though it is less ornate.

Balat - Fener-Balat Neighborhood backstreet walk Continue exploring Istanbul’s rich religious history with a visit to the Church of St. George, the seat of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople since the 1600s and the spiritual leader of the Eastern Orthodox Church. In the Balat District, lines of drying laundry stretch across steep, winding streets, and century-old Ottoman houses in reds, blues, and greens lean against each other. The area also features art galleries and design shops along the water.

Fener Rum Patrikhanesi - Orthodox Patriarch

Bulgarian Orthodox Church - St. Stephen Church; Located on the shore of the Golden Horn, this church is also known as the Iron Church because it is made entirely of prefabricated cast iron from the 19th century.

Pierre Loti Tepesi - Pierre Loti Hill and Cable Car are popular attractions offering stunning views. Take the cable car to the top and enjoy the beautiful scenery while sipping Turkish coffee or tea.

Rahmi M. Koc Museum - The Rahmi M. Koç Museum is Turkey’s first major museum dedicated to the history of Transport, Industry, and Communications. Located in historic buildings on the shore of the Golden Horn, the collection includes thousands of items, from gramophone needles to full-size ships and aircraft.

Halic - The Golden Horn region is one of the oldest settlements in the city of Constantinople.

• Professional local guide
• Private tour
• Guide meets you at central hotels

• Transportation (from/back to hotel, between sites (unless option selected)
• Museum/Ferry/Cable Car Tickets
• Lunch