Private Tour: Hidden Istanbul

Meet your guide at your hotel or port and embark in a climate-controlled minivan on an 8-hour tour of Istanbul’s most evocative neighborhoods. Take in the views of the many historical buildings that dot the route, including Kadir Has University, the Church of Aya Nikola, the majestic Greek Red School, the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate, the cast iron Sveti Stefan Bulgarian Church, the city walls of old Constantinople, and the dungeons of Anemas.

Pop into the Mihrimah Sultan Mosque, built by the famous Ottoman architect Mimar Sinan for his beloved. Explore the splendid Chora Museum, formerly a church and currently one of the most impressive museums in Istanbul. Inside, find stunning well-preserved Byzantine frescoes and gold-accented mosaics.

Dig into Istanbul’s many layers, exploring the remains of a Byzantine palace and admiring the gate of Kasturya Synagogue, the crooked Egrikapi gate, the tomb-containing Cabir Mosque and the Church of St. Mary of Blachernae, the only church where Christians do their prayers on Fridays instead of Sundays. Wander through a bazaar in Balat, where a tangle of streets contain small shops and a variety of products. At the conclusion of your tour, your vehicle will return you to your hotel or port.