This small group tour includes a visit of the historic Blue Mosque known for the blue tiles in its interior design, Built between 1609 and 1616, it is still an active mosque.You will also visit the underground cistern, which was built in 532 and is the largest surviving Byzantine cistern in the city. It was originally known as the Cistern Basilica because it was built underground. The Hippodrome and Obelisk is also a daily part of the tour. The Hippodrome was originally a venue for sporting events and is now the Sultanahmet City Square. Some of the original structure still remains. The top section of Pharaoh Thutmose III’s pink granite obelisk, which the Roman emperor Theodosius had brought over from Egypt still stands.

On most days of the week the tour also includes visits to Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace and the Grand Bazaar. Hagia Sophia, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was originally a basilica dating from 537 and mosque from the mid 1400s to the early 1930s before being converted to a museum. Its marble pillars and mosaics are a stunning example of Byzantine architecture. Topkapi Palace, another UNESCO World Heritage Site, was a royal residence of the Ottomans before becoming a museum containing Muslim relics and collections of Ottoman artifacts. Most days the tour will also include the Grand Bazaar, which is a covered market with 500 shops offering many types of goods from ceramics to carpets and jewelry to leather.


This tour is provided on a reserved basis prior to departure. Passengers must contact the local sightseeing company upon arrival to reconfirm their tour.


Duration:
Approximately 8 hours


Meeting point:
Hotel lobby if pre-arranged


Ending point:
Hotel or central location


Departures:
9:00am daily except Tuesdays from Sultanahmet


Not Included:
Transportation to/from hotels on the Asian side or outside central Istanbul, Entrance fee for Hagia Sophia (25EUR to be paid locally), gratuities


Additional Information:
You must remove your shoes before entering the mosque.

Not all locations are open seven days a week. Hagia Sophia will be replaced with Chora Museum on Mondays. Topkapi Palace will be replaced with Istanbul Archaeology Museum on Tuesdays. On Sundays when the Grand Bazaar is closed you will have additional time at the other locations.