Byzantine & Ottoman Relics Tour

Byzantine & Ottoman Relics Tour

Byzantine & Ottoman Relics Tour

TOUR CODE: IST-3

Visit the top historical attractions of Istanbul with our one day walking tour. Explore UNESCO-listed Hagia Sophia Museum, the Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, Istanbul Hippodrome. Find out the Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar and hear the story about extravagant sultans and their harems from your expert guide!

We will pick you up from your hotel after your breakfast for the walking tour in old city. This tour covers the most famous historic monuments and sights in Old City area. These are 1500 year old Hagia Sophia Museum, gigantic Blue Mosque with its famous blue tiles, Hippodrome area where the Byzantium era chariot races used to be once held, Topkapi Palace and world’s oldest indoor market, Grand Bazaar. After the tour, we will take you back to your hotel.

Tour Code Duration Location Price
IST-3Full DayIstanbul70 €uro
ROOM TYPE
PRICES
ItineraryHighLigtsWhat Service
Byzantine & Ottoman Relics Full Day Walking Tour

Tour of “Sultan Ahmet Center”, the heart of the “Old City” from where the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires were ruled.

Hagia Sophia (Aya Sofya) is a UNESCO-listed museum that contains Ottoman and Byzantine works. From golden age of Byzantine, this once Christian church is one of the most extraordinary buildings in the history of architecture. Listen the history and examine the architecture displays with your professional guide.

Then, make a visit to the Blue Mosque with six minarets, was built at the bequest of Sultan Ahmet I and one of the best preserved and most significant examples of Ottoman architecture.

Continue to Istanbul Hippodrome where chariot races were held and also the centre of Byzantium’s life for 1000 years and of Ottoman life for another 400 years and has been the scene of countless political dramas.

Stop by Caferaga Medresesi, of foundation for serving Turkish Culture, also organises various workshop about handicrafts and music.

Lunch; Then give a little break for lunch in a local restaurant with typical Turkish cuisine.

After lunch stop is Topkapi Palace, the largest and oldest palace in the world to survive to our day and also was the primary residence of the Ottoman sultans for approximately 400 years. Topkapi Palace was more than just the private residence of the Sultan and his court. It was centre of the supreme executive and judiciary council, the Divan and the training school. The best artist and craftsman’s produced some of the finest work in the whole empire.

The next stop is the Grand Bazaar, one of the most famous bazaar around the world. Discover the bazaar with your guide and make some shopping. It is full with jewellery, leather and spices shops.

  • Hagia Sophia (Church of the Holy Wisdom)
  • Topkapi Imperial Palace
  • Blue Mosque (Mosque of Sultanahmet)
  • Marvellous Ottoman and Byzantine architecture
  • Grand Bazaar (Covered Market)

Inclusions

  • Local guide
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
  • Entrance fees
  • Lunch

Exclusions

  • Gratuities (optional)
  • Food and drinks, unless specified
  • Also see during the tour: Obelisk of Theodosius-Serpentine Column, German Fountain of Wilhelm II
  • Confirmation will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability
  • Not recommended for children aged 4 and under
  • Topkapi Palace is closed on Tuesdays; should you travel on this day, you’ll visit the Basilica Cistern instead.
  • The Grand Bazaar is closed on Sundays ; should you travel on these days, you’ll spend additional time at Arasta Bazaar.

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