Istanbul Package Tour

Historical Peninsula
Our guide will meet you in the lobby of your hotel, the tour starts with visiting the Topkapi Palace, residence of the Ottoman Sultans as well as other members of the palace such as members of the royal school of Enderun, in which its students delicately picked from newly conquered non-muslim territories.

After visiting this palace that served Ottoman royal family for over 400 years and hosting the holy relics of the prophets of the Abrahamic religions, you will be amazed to witness a millennia and a half standing Hagia Sophia Museum, that was once the center of the Orthodox Christendom until the conquest of the city in 1453 and then prided Grand Mosque of the Ottoman Empire until its conversion to the current day status of museum in the first years of the republican period. Lunch in the old city in a traditional Turkish restaurant and enjoy the fine Anatolian cuisine. Visit the Roman underground building of Basilica Cistern, a water storage facility that was built concurrently with Hagia Sophia during the rule of the Emperor Justinian. Our guide will take you to the famous Blue Mosque, fascinating example of the classical period of Ottoman architecture, adorned with over twenty one thousands of Nicaean tiles on the walls, dominantly in blue color, which the name of the mosque derives from. Continue the day listening to legendary stories of the Hippodrome area, in which the Emperor watched the horse cart racing games with the noblemen since the foundation of the city, admiring even more monuments of antiquity from the ancient Greece and Egypt such as Serpent Column and Theodosius Column, once architectural elements of the pagan temples and pharaonic monuments of the archaic world.

Finalize the tour having free time in the famous Spice Market, taste many different flavors of the best Turkish delight. Transfer back to the hotel.

Bosphorus
Our guide will meet you in your hotel. This tour starts visiting Dolmabahce Palace, the imperial residence of the last six Ottoman Sultans, built in mid-19th century by Sultan Abdulmecid, the first European style palace in the Ottoman Empire, having the largest collection of Bohemian crystal chandeliers in the world. After visiting this luxurious palace, you can enjoy mind-blowing scenes in Bosporus strait (private) boat trip. Admire the sea side villas of the Ottoman noblemen and now private residence for the top rich families in the country. Feed the seagulls with “Simit”, a type of locally baked bagel, favorite street food in Turkey. Finalize the boat trip in Sariyer, proceed to fish restaurant to enjoy delicious local fresh fish from Istanbul. Meet with the bus and visit Rumeli Hisarı, a castle built by Mehmet II before the conquest of Constantinople, to block the entrance of the possible auxiliary forces from the Black Sea, to isolate the Byzantine Capital. Free time in Ortakoy, favorite district which has one of the best views of the Bosphorus together with the 15th July’s Martyrs Bridge as well as Ortaköy Mosque, this coastal neighborhood became a popular touristic attraction after taking place in numerous Turkish soap operas. Transfer back to the hotel.

A Blend of the Old and the New The day starts with a visit to Church of the Holy Saviour in Chora, a later medieval period Byzantian church with marvelous mosaics from the life of Jesus Christ and Virgin Mary as depicted in the Bible. After visiting this Byzantian gem, our guide will take you to Taksim Square, considered by many as the heart of modern Istanbul to admire the Republican Monument, statues representing the founding fathers of the Republic of Turkey. Walking tour in the İstiklal Street, the most famous pastime district of the locals, this street is full of later period structures of the 19th century architecture, influenced by the western design, once a neighborhood where the Embassies of the European powers were located when Constantinople was the capital of the Ottoman Empire, still having their head consulate buildings placed. Climb up to Galata Tower, 14th century Genoese built structure to enjoy the breathtaking scene of the historical peninsula from the other side of the Golden Horn. After a short walk, take the world’s second oldest yet still operating underground, called “Tunel”, connecting Pera district to Karaköy, a seaside area where the most famous western bankers’ headquarters were located in the later Ottoman period. Our minivan will take you to the old city, optional coffee break in Corlulu Ali Pasa Madrasah, once an Ottoman traditional school now serving as one of the most favorite Turkish Coffee houses of the historical peninsula. Visit famous Grand Bazaar, the oldest covered shopping mall of the world, consisting of more than 4,000 shops active today, it is the most visited touristic attraction of the old city today for both locals and international visitors. After spending free time at your leisure in Grand Bazaar, finish the time travel and transport back to the hotel.

I Want to Learn More > Book My Tour Now >