Top Sites of Istanbul

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(2 reviews)

5h - 7h

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

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Mobile or paper ticket accepted

About this experience

Istanbul has such a diverse and rich history. It has been the capital of three great empires; the Roman, Byzantine (Eastern Roman) and the Ottoman. Although it is not the official capital anymore, it is still the cultural capital of the country.

There is so much to see or to do in this city. Visitors would normally need more than one day to explore Istanbul.
However, for those visitors who are coming to Istanbul for the first time and have rather limited time, we would recommend this tour for the first day of sightseeing in Istanbul.
The program will include visits to mosques, a cistern, a palace, a hippodrome, a bazaar and a panoramic terrace.

Available options

Top Sites of Istanbul

Pickup included

What's included

Private Tour Guides

Detailed itinerary

Stop 1

The word hippodrome comes from the Greek hippos (horse) and dromos (way). The Hippodrome of Constantinople was also home to gladiatorial games, official ceremonies, celebrations, protests, torture to the convicts and so on. Hippodrome functioned all in Roman (203-330 CE), Byzantine (330-1453 CE), and Ottoman (1453-1922) periods

Stop 2

a true wonder of the Byzantine world. Completed under Emperor Justinian in AD 537, this massive building (known best for its resplendent dome) was a Christian church for nearly 1,000 years, until Mehmet the Conqueror claimed it for Islam. Kemal Atatürk, the revolutionary leader and founder of the Republic, proclaimed it as a museum in 1934—but it has reverted back to a working mosque in 2020.

Stop 3

The complex of grand pavilions and courtyards was built by Mehmet II in the middle of the 15th century (just after his conquest of Constantinople) and served as the residence of Ottoman sultans—along with their wives and concubines—for the next 400 years. Today, it is one of the world's richest museums, and during our visit, we’ll behold a staggering collection of arms, porcelain, and priceless treasures that include the jewel-studded dagger made famous by the Hollywood heist film.

Stop 4

It was built during the reign of Emperor Constantine in the 4th Century but greatly enlarged by Justinian in 537 AD, and used as water storage for the Great Palace during Byzantine times

Home to more than 4,000 shops today, this remarkable complex dates back more than 550 years.