Discover Istanbul's historic treasures on this comprehensive guided tour!
Your day will begin in the heart of the Sultanahmet district, the nerve center of Istanbul's Old Town. First you'll visit Hagia Sophia, an architectural masterpiece that has spanned centuries and empires. Then on to the Blue Mosque, famous for its magnificent Iznik tiles and six majestic minarets.
Then explore the Hippodrome, once the center of the city's sporting and political activities, where you can admire monuments such as the Serpentine Column, the Obelisk of Theodosius and the German Fountain of Wilhelm II. Your morning will conclude with a visit to the Grand Bazaar, one of the world's largest covered markets, home to nearly 4,000 stores offering antiques, jewelry, gold, carpets, leather goods and souvenirs.
After lunch in a traditional Turkish restaurant, you'll visit the Topkapi Palace, residence of the Ottoman sultans, where the imperial treasury, sacred Islamic relics, Chinese porcelain, weapons and calligraphy are on display. The day concludes with a visit to the tombs of the sultans, located within the walls of Hagia Sophia, adorned with superb 16th-century ceramic panels.