2 Day Best of Istanbul Private Tour by walking
Tours Detail
- Day 1 : Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Hipporome, Topkapi Palace, and the Grand Bazaar
Explore the highlights of Istanbul on this full-day walking
tour that covers the major attractions, such as the Hagia Sophia Museum, the
iconic Blue Mosque, the bustling maze of the Grand Bazaar, and the obelisk of
the Hippodrome of Constantinople.
The 8-hour excursion starts with a pickup from your Istanbul
hotel and a walk through the lively streets of Turkey’s largest city to visit
the dramatic former basilica of the Hagia Sophia, a great architectural beauty
and an important monument during the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires. For many
centuries, this was the largest church in the world, and it still boasts the 4th
largest dome after St. Paul's in London, St. Peter's in Rome, and the Duomo in
Florence. Dedicated to the Hagia Sophia or 'divine wisdom', it is one of the
greatest surviving examples of Byzantine architecture.
Move on to the Blue Mosque, more officially known as the
"Sultanahmet" Mosque. The mosque’s striking blue tiles give it its
more common name and make it one of Istanbul’s most iconic attractions. Located
close to Topkapi Palace, Sultanahmet Mosque was considered the Supreme Imperial
Mosque in Istanbul.
Continue to Topkapi Palace, a relic of the glory days of the
great Ottoman Empire. The former palace boasted a population of about 4,000
people at its peak and was home to 25 sultans over a period of 400 years.
Located on a promontory overlooking the Golden Horn, it sits in tranquil
gardens that provide shade from the blazing heat of the summer. Pop in to the
museum to see the gorgeous Iznik tiles and the ornate stateroom of the harem,
among other attractions.
You will also visit the Hippodrome, the former circus built
in 203 AD by the Roman Emperor Septimus Severus. Three monuments from the
original building remain, including the Egyptian Obelisk, the Serpentine
Column, and the Constantine Column. You will also pause to look at the German
Fountain of Wilhelm II, made from 8 marble columns.
Your day won’t be complete, however, without a visit to the
Grand Bazaar, one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world. With
hundreds of small handcraft shops selling everything from handmade carpets to
Turkish coffee, the atmosphere is electric, and it's a great place to try out
your bargaining skills.
- Day 2: Spice Bazaar, Bosphorus cruise, Dolmabahce Palace, Istiklal Street, and Taksim
The spice bazaar is located in Fatih. It's known as the
Egyptian Market because during the Ottoman period, Egyptian exports were sold
there. The Bosphorus is a narrow, navigable strait between Europe and Asia that
connects the Black Sea to the Marmara Sea. Rumeli and Anadolu Fortresses are
located at the narrowest point of Bosphorus. There are also magnificent Ottoman
palaces and mosques along the Bosphorus. Keep an eye out for them.
Built in the 19th century, Dolmabahce Palace was the
administrative center of the Ottoman Empire and housed some of the last Ottoman
Sultans. The palace site was created by filling in the small bay on the
Bosphorus. This gave rise to its name — in Turkish, Dolma means 'filled' or
'stuffed,' and bahce means 'garden'.
Inclusions
- Licensed professional tour guide
- Hotel pick-up and drop off
- Transportation (non-smoking), air-conditioned van or coach
- Parking fees
- Private tour
Exclusions
- Gratuities for guide and driver
- Drinks (unless specifically mentioned)
- Personal expenses
- All entrance fees
- Lunch