General information
| Destination | Category |
|---|
| Istanbul, Turkey | Attractions/Entertainment |
Program details
Glide through the ages with this half-day guided tour of four fantastic Istanbul landmarks. You will visit the Hippodrome, the fabled Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia and the Grand Bazaar. A fascinating itinerary that will take your breath away in just four hoursHighlights- Gain an insight to life before the Ottoman Empire
- Visit some of Istanbul’s most famous landmarks
- Grab yourself a bargain at the Grand Bazaar, one of the largest markets in the world
Journey straight into the heart of old Byzantium, to the Hippodrome. Now called Sultanahmet Square, this was where fierce competitive chariot races took place during the periods of the Roman and Byzantine empires. Three famous attractions adorn the Hippodrome: The Obelisk of Theodosius, the Walled Obelisk and the Serpent Column, which is believed to be 2,500 years old.
From the Hippodrome it’s a short journey to the Blue Mosque, the name by which the Sultan Ahmed Mosque is affectionately known. A sight to behold from the outside, the blue-tiled interior is mesmerising. Look up and admire the elaborate domes. The mosque is considered a masterpiece of Ottoman architecture.
Across the square from the mosque is Hagia Sophia, the former basilica of the Holy Wisdom. It is the ultimate example of Byzantine architecture and dominated the Constantinople skyline for more than 1,000 years. The Blue Mosque is consciously modelled on it. This vast and imposing church was turned into a mosque after the Ottoman conquest and has been a museum since the 1930s. Among the wealth of treasure, you will see awe-inspiring golden mosaics.
End the tour at the vibrant and exotic Grand Bazaar, the largest covered market in the world. Meander its 61 streets and peruse the more than 3,000 outlets selling every imaginable.
Others
When the Grand Bazaar and Hagia Sophia are closed, Sunday and Monday respectively, we will instead visit the Basilica Cistern, a vast underground chamber supported by 336 marble columns that featured in the Bond movie, From Russia With Love. As mosques are closed on Fridays, there will only be external visits on that day.
Redeem informationVoucher type: Printed
Printed Voucher. Print and bring the voucher to enjoy the activity.
LocationStarting point: Hotel pickup
End point: Grand bazaar
ScheduleOpening dates08:00 - 13:00
Duration: 5 Hours
Guiding optionsGuiding type: Guide
Group type: Private