Blue Mosque, St Sophia, Topkapi Palace, Hippodrome Square and Grand Bazaar
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On average, this booked 3 months in advance.
Why people love this tour
Great guides, great history of Istanbul and the Topkapi Palace is incredible.
7 hours (approx.)
Shared Tour
Moderate
Overview
Immerse yourself in Turkish history and culture on this 7-hour tour of Istanbul.
The Hippodrome Square - once the sporting and social center of what was then Constantinople, capital of the Byzantine Empire, this circus once hosted chariot races and bore witness to riots during the Roman and Byzantine period. Your guide will give you information about the life and history of the square including the three great monuments; the Egyptian Obelisk (brought to Istanbul in the 4th Century), the Serpentines Column, and the Column of Constantine.
The Hagia Sophia (Church of the Holy Wisdom) - this building started its life as a Christian patriarchal basilica (or church) built by Roman Emperor Justinian I in 532 AD, before becoming an imperial mosque in the 15th Century.
The Blue Mosque - this historic place of worship, also known as the Sultanahmet Mosque, is famous for its beautiful blue Iznik tiles. Its cascading domes and slender minarets dominate the Istanbul skyline. This magnificent site is the largest in Istanbul and consists of two square buildings which are side by side. The first square is an open courtyard surrounded by a colonnade and the second is the mosque itself, which is capped in domes.
Topkapi Palace - constructed between 1460 and 1478 by Sultan Mehmed II, the Conqueror of Constantinople, the palace was not only the residence of the Ottoman sultans but also the administrative and educational center of the state. It now houses large collections of porcelain, Ottoman treasures, Islamic calligraphic manuscripts, and more, this truly is a remarkable place to visit.
Finally, we will continue to the Grand Bazaar. This is one of the largest covered markets in the world with 60 streets and over 5000 stalls and shops. Famous for the wide selection of souvenirs and of course the haggling on prices! The Bazaar has been an important trading center for Istanbul since 1461, in 1894 it went through a major restoration after the earthquake.
Some tourist attractions are closed on certain days of the week.
If your tour is on these days we will visit the following alternative destinations:
Sundays: The Grand Bazaar is closed so we will visit the Spice Market instead.
Tuesdays: The Topkapi Palace is closed and its place on the itinerary will be occupied by other sites including the Basilica Cistern and the underground system.
At the end of the tour, you will be taken back to Istanbul Port in plenty of time for your ships departure.
What's Included
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Cruise Port Pick-up
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Air-Conditioned Transportation
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Professional English Speaking Guide
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Entrance Fees
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Food and Beverages
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Personal Expenses
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Tips/Gratuities
Itinerary
Meet and Greet at the Cruise Port
Tour Start
Drive 15 Minutes
Hagia Sophia
Visit
Blue Mosque
Drive
Hippodrome Square
Walking
Walking Tour to Topkapi Palace
Inside Visit
Topkapi Palace
Drive
To Grand Bazaar
Free Time
Grand Bazaar for Shopping
Drive back to Cruise Port
Tour End
Considerations
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Men and women cannot enter into the Mosque with shorts or sleeveless shirts. Men can wear long trousers and a sleeved shirt. Women may wear slacks or a dress or blouse and skirt (at least below the knees), preferably with elbow-length or longer sleeves (no bare shoulders or upper arms). Women should cover their head with a scarf. No need to cover the face, the covering is meant to hide your hair only. If your dress is not matching these requirements, attendants at the Mosque will provide you with robes and/or scarfs to wear during your visit (this is free of charge)
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The Grand Bazaar is closed on Sundays. It will be replaced with a visit to the Spice Market
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The Topkapi Palace is closed on a Tuesdays. It will be replaced with other sites including the Basilica Cistern and underground system
Special Instructions
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Wear comfortable footwear, as there is a lot of walking involved in this tour, mainly on uneven and cobblestone surfaces. There are also steps and inclines.
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Shoes are not permitted inside the Mosque as the Mosque is carpeted. You will be asked to remove your shoes and put them in a provided plastic bag.
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There are plenty of restrooms throughout the different sites.
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During peak season, this region may experience very high temperatures. Please make sure to dress accordingly and hydrate often.
Meeting and Pickup
Pickup and Dropoff at the Cruise Port Included.
Book Now
Please select a date and time for this tour to continue.
Price Info
Blue Mosque, St Sophia, Topkapi Palace, Hippodrome Square and Grand Bazaar
Per Person
USD $ 163.00
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