Your guide will greet you at the port and lead you to your air-conditioned transportation, where your tour will begin.
The Hippodrome Square - once the sports and social heart of Constantinople, the Byzantine Empire's capital, this circus staged chariot races and witnessed riots during the Roman and Byzantine periods. Your guide will provide information about the history of this square, as well as the three major monuments: the Egyptian Obelisk (brought to Istanbul in the 4th century), the Serpentine's Column, and Constantine's Column.
The Hagia Sophia (Church of the Holy Wisdom) - now a museum, this building started its life as a Christian patriarchal basilica (or church) built by Roman Emperor Justinian I in 532 AD, before becoming an imperial mosque in the 15th Century.
The Blue Mosque - also known as the Sultanahmet Mosque, is the historic house of prayer is famed for its magnificent blue Iznik tiles. Its slender minarets and cascading domes dominate the Istanbul skyline. This stunning site, Istanbul's grandest, is made up of two square buildings that stand side by side. The first square is an open courtyard with a colonnade, and the second is the mosque itself, which is topped with domes.
Topkapi Palace was built between 1460 and 1478 by Sultan Mehmed II, the Conqueror of Constantinople, and served as the Ottoman sultans' residence as well as the state's administrative and educational center. It now houses large collections of porcelain, Ottoman treasures, Islamic calligraphic manuscripts, and more, this truly is a remarkable place to visit. This absolutely fascinating location to visit now houses vast collections of porcelain, Ottoman treasures, Islamic calligraphic manuscripts, and more.
We will finally make our way to the Grand Bazaar. With 60 alleys and over 5000 stalls and shops, this is one of the world's largest covered marketplaces. Famous for its large range of souvenirs and, of course, the price bargaining! The Bazaar has been an important trading center for Istanbul since 1461, and after the earthquake in 1894, it underwent a substantial repair.
Please keep in mind that certain tourist attractions are closed on specific days of the week. If your tour falls on one of these days, we will go to one of the following alternate locations:
The Grand Bazaar is closed on Sundays, so we will go to the Spice Market instead.
Mondays: Because the Hagia Sophia is closed on Mondays, we can substitute a visit to the ancient Basilica Cistern, often known as the 'Sunken Palace.'
Tuesdays: The Topkapi Palace is closed, and other sights, such as the Basilica Cistern, will take their place on the schedule.
You will be returned to Istanbul Port in plenty of time for your ship's departure at the end of the excursion.
