Istanbul Old City Private Tour - Sultanahmet Tour

7 Hours

Mobile Ticket

Hotel Pickup Offered

English,Portuguese,Spanish

Language Offered

Overview

Discover the great sights of Istanbulâ€™s historical Sultanahmet quarter on this private 7-hour tour. With your ownÂ professional guide beside you, listen to intriguing tales of Istanbulâ€™s Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman past as you visit the must-see attractions of the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia and Topkapi Palace. Be dazzled by the still-luminous treasures of these three great empires, and intersperse the major sights with lunch (own expense) at a local restaurant, and explorations of the Hippodrome, Basilica Cistern and dizzying Grand Bazaar.

Enjoy undivided attention and personalized commentary from a private guide
Private 7-hour sightseeing tour of Istanbul's Sultanahmet quarter, with an expert guide
Explore Sultanahmet's historical highlights and learn about Istanbul's incredible past
Visit the UNESCO-listed Hagia Sophia, a Byzantine and Ottoman triumph dating to the 6th century
Explore the famous Blue Mosque, with its rich carpets, windows and thousands of blue Iznik tiles
Tour the courts, treasuries and chambers of the Topkapi Palace, once the seat of the Ottoman sultans
Stroll around the Hippodrome, Basilica Cistern and Grand Bazaar

Inclusions & Exclusions

Departure & Return

What To Expect

Meet your guide at your hotel on Istanbulâ€™s European side, and settle inside your private, air-conditioned vehicle with your guide and a professional driver.Travel deep into historical Sultanahmet and hear about Istanbulâ€™s history as a hub of the Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman Empires as you head to the Blue Mosque, your first stop.Admire the mosqueâ€™s immense dome and six minarets â€” iconic features of Istanbulâ€™s skyline â€” and step inside to soak up the majestic interior, a vision of rich carpets, beautiful windows and over 20,000 blue Iznik tiles.Move to the spectacular Hagia Sophia museum, a one-time mosque converted from a 6th-century Christian basilica built by the Emperor Justinian. Awe at this incredible structure and admire the interiorâ€™s glimmering mosaics and ornamentation.Next, stroll to the Hippodrome, once the sporting and social center of Constantinople. View the relics of this long-ago arena, including the Serpent and Stone Columns, and the Egyptian Obelisk, a 3,500-year-old column transported here in 390 AD.Descend into the Basilica Cistern, an atmospheric underground Byzantine water facility. Marvel at the subterranean giant columns, see its heads of Medusa pillar bases, and learn how it stored water brought into the city by the Valens Aqueduct. After lunch (own expense) at a local restaurant, visit the Topkapi Palace, the seat of the Ottoman sultans from the 15th to the 19th centuries. WithÂ your guide, explore the chambers and courtyards, seeing such treasures such as the Topkapi dagger and the 86-carat Kasikci Elmasi diamond.Lastly, dip into theÂ Grand Bazaar, one of the worldâ€™s oldest covered markets. Scout through some of the 64 streets and hear how this hive of activity was the cityâ€™s stock exchange, slave market and bank during Ottoman times.Get haggling tips from your guide as you shop before concluding your tour with a hotel drop-off.

Istanbul Old City Private Tour - Sultanahmet Tour

Inclusions & Exclusions

Departure & Return

What To Expect

Additional Info

Cancellation Policy

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