PRIVATE Fully Guided Tour with TRAM, the fastest transportation

Meeting with your local tour guide in front of Istanbul Galata Port Terminal Building with CURIO TRAVEL sign at prearranged time (Meeting time will be given in your confirmation message). We are going to walk 200 meters to Tophane Tram Station. We are going to take the tram to Sultanahmet area which is about 20 mins.

Pass by Galata bridge over Golden Horn.

The only city in the world located on two continents is Istanbul, which has been the capital of three great empires – Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman – for more than 2000 years.

Our first stop is Hippodrome Square where used to take place for chariot races and the Byzantine riots during Roman & Byzantine period.

Our second stap is Blue Mosque where is a few meters to Ancient Hipodromme. Blue Mosque has its fame from its beautiful blue Iznik tiles

Continue walking around 300 meters to Topkapi Palace, was not only the residence of the Ottoman sultans, but also the administrative and educational center of the state. It was constructed between 1460 and 1478 by Sultan Mehmed II, the conqueror of Constantinople. We will visit the Topkapi Palace including weapons section.

Only a short walk away, reaches Hagia Sophia built in 532 AD by Roman Emperor Justinian I.

Update for St. Sophia interior visit :
Live guiding is not allowed in St. Sophia after the 15th January 2024. Guests have to have their smart phones and headphones during their visit. If guests do not have a headphone, they can buy at the entrance at the cost of 3,5-USD
The system is similar to audio guide system. Guests who does not have smart phones will follow the signs and the given informations on the signs.

After a short lunch break in famous local restaurants like Pudding Shop, we will walk to visit Grand Bazaar where is one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world, with more than 58 covered streets and over 1,200 shops which attract between 250,000 and 400,000 visitors daily. Opened in 1461, it is well known for its jewellery, pottery, spice, and carpet shops.

Grand Bazaar is closed on Sudays and it will be replaced by Spice Market.

After Grand Bazaar we are going to walk to Sultanahmet Tram Station to catch the next tram to Tophane Tram Station. After get off the train, around 200 meters walk back to port. The end of services.