1 or 2-Day Private Istanbul Observing Tour

Day 1 — Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Hippodrome, Topkapi Palace, and the Grand Bazaar

This private full-day walking tour of Istanbul covers all the major landmarks, including the Hagia Sophia Museum, the Blue Mosque, the Grand Bazaar's bustling maze, and the Hippodrome of Constantinople's obelisk.

The eight-hour excursion begins with a pick-up from your hotel in Istanbul and a stroll through the lively streets of Turkey's largest city to the dramatic Hagia Sophia, a magnificent former basilica that served as an important monument during the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires.

This church was the largest in the world for many centuries. It still has the fourth-largest dome in the world, behind St. Paul's in London, St. Peter's in Rome, and the Duomo in Florence. It is one of the best surviving examples of Byzantine architecture and is dedicated to the Hagia Sophia, also known as the "divine wisdom."

Move on to the Sultanahmet Mosque, also known as the Blue Mosque. One of Istanbul's most well-known attractions is the mosque, which gets its more common name from its striking blue tiles. Sultanahmet Mosque was considered Istanbul's Supreme Imperial Mosque because it was close to Topkapi Palace.

Continue on to Topkapi Palace, a reminder of the Ottoman Empire's glory days. The previous castle bragged a populace around 4,000 individuals at its pinnacle and was home to 25 rulers over a time of 400 years. It is on a promontory with a view of the Golden Horn and is surrounded by tranquil gardens that shade it from the summer sun. Visit the museum to see, among other things, the beautiful Iznik tiles and the harem's ornate stateroom.

You will also go to the Hippodrome, a former circus that the Roman Emperor Septimus Severus built in 203 AD. The Egyptian Obelisk, the Serpentine Column, and the Constantine Column are the three remaining structures from the original structure. You'll also stop to admire the eight marble columns that make up the German Fountain of Wilhelm II.

However, your day won't be complete unless you visit the Grand Bazaar, one of the world's largest and oldest covered markets. The atmosphere is electric, and there are hundreds of small shops selling everything from Turkish coffee to handmade carpets. This is a great place to practice your bargaining skills.

Day 2: Spice Bazaar, Bosphorus Cruise, Dolmabahce Palace, Istiklal Street, Taksim

Fatih is home to the spice bazaar. Because Egyptian exports were sold there during the Ottoman era, it is known as the Egyptian Market. Between Europe and Asia, the Bosphorus is a narrow, navigable strait that links the Black Sea to the Marmara Sea. At the Bosphorus's narrowest point are the Rumeli and Anadolu Fortresses. Along the Bosphorus, there are also magnificent Ottoman mosques and palaces. Keep your eyes peeled for them!

Underlying the nineteenth 100 years, Dolmabahce Royal residence was the managerial focal point of the Ottoman Realm and housed a portion of the last Ottoman Rulers. The small bay on the Bosphorus was filled in to form the site of the palace. This is what gave it its name: Dolma, which means "filled" or "stuffed," and bahce, which means "garden," in Turkish.

Istiklal Street is alive to the brim. There are a lot of shops, restaurants, and bars there. To reach the Tunel Galata Tower area, walk down two kilometers from there.

Not allowed

• Pets
• Tripods
• Know before you go

Please note the following closing times:

• Grand Bazaar — on Sundays
• Hagia Sophia — on Mondays
• Topkapi Palace — on Tuesdays
• Dolmabace Palace — on Mondays and Thursdays
• If the museum is closed on the day you choose, the local travel agent will change the itinerary to the next day that is available. If not, they will substitute a visit to the Galata tower or underground cistern for the tour.
• You'll travel by bus, tram, train, ferry, taxi, and with your local guide.
• A ticket for one way transportation costs 3 TL, or about 1 EUR.
• No matter which option is chosen, this tour always includes pick-up and drop-off at a hotel or harbor.
• The renovation of the Blue Mosque will last until the end of 2020, so some of the ceiling may be temporarily covered.