Guide to Istanbul Attractions

Istanbul Attractions

Hagia Sophia is one of the most known religious sites in Istanbul. It has a long history full of transformations due to the political and religious changes that happened over time. It is important to emphasize that it was built as early as in 360 and at that time was dedicated and used as an Eastern Orthodox cathedral. It was even used as a Roman Catholic cathedral during some fifty years in the first half of the 13th century. It was transformed into a mosque in 1453 and it was used as such until 1931. Since 1935 it is used as a museum.

As you can imagine, all these transformations and influences from different countries left its trace and today one can enjoy in seeing the magnificent blend. This is more important when you take into consideration that two great empires, Byzantine and Ottoman both left their characteristic architectural elements.

Topkapi Palace

The palace is in fact an entire complex consisting of many buildings and four main courtyards. The fact that is used to be home to about 4 000 people, speaks about the area it occupies. It was the main residence for Ottoman sultans and it is located on the UNESCO World Heritage Site list since 19...

Its construction started in the mid 15th century and during 400 years that was occupied by the sultans it was renovated several times and some constructions were added. As it is visible, it is built near the shoreline overlooking sea and besides the residential buildings it contained mosques, a hospital and other useful constructions.

The Palace was transformed into a museum and the most important and best preserved as available for visitors in the beginning of the 20th century.

Sultan Ahmed Mosque (Blue Mosque)

Majority of visitors who come to visit this architectural masterpiece know the mosque as the Blue Mosque and then they find out that its official name is the Sultan Ahmed Mosque. You may wonder if it is really blue. Well, its interior is decorated with blue tiles.

It is still used as a mo...

It is still used as a mosque but with the growth of tourist number it has become the most visited attraction in Istanbul. The mosque was built in the early 17th century by Sultan Ahmed I and designed by Mehmet Aga.

Its architectural design is magnificent and visitors as well as locals are fascinated with its beauty. There are six minarets while the majority of mosques have one to four minarets. Even though one can notice from just standing outside that the mosque has domes of several heights but as one enters can notice the amazing interior decoration made in over 20 000 blue tiles.

Grand Bazaar

Welcome to the world´s largest covered marked covering 61 street with over 3000 shops. Maybe it seems impossible but it attracts about half of million visitors daily.

Perhaps you want just to take a look and you´re not interested in buying but the splendor, the scent, the colo...

Welcome to the world´s largest covered marked covering 61 street with over 3000 shops. Maybe it seems impossible but it attracts about half of million visitors daily.

Perhaps you want just to take a look and you´re not interested in buying but the splendor, the scent, the colors start offering themselves tempting your eyes and your valet: jewelry, carpets, antiques, embroideries, textile and of course spices, among other things.

This marked isn´t something that started to exist recently in the style of modern malls but it has a history since the mid 15th century. Naturally the things changed over time. In the beginning there were no shops as they exist today but there were stalls where merchants offered their goods and each stall occupied a determined space.

When you take into consideration the innumerable sorts of merchandise offered, it is no wonder that the Grand Bazaar was the world´s most visited single monument in the world in 2011.

Dolmabahçe Palace

This glamorous palace has a special place in the history of Turkey. Not only it was the residence of the last Ottoman Sulans but it is the place where the founder of the modern Turkey passed away. An interesting fact is that all clocks in the palace were stopped at the time when Mustafa Kemal Ata...

The palace was built by Sultan Abdulmecid in the second half of the 19th century. Its construction lasted for about 20 years and it can be divided into three main parts. State Apartments, Ceremonial Hall, and the Imperial Harem.

Since 1984, the palace has been opened to public as a ˝museum palace˝. It spreads on an area of 11.2 acres or 45,000 square meters containing 285 rooms, 46 halls, 68 toilets and 6 large baths where nobilities enjoyed in Turkish steam baths.

Basilica Cistern

Besides the usual name this basilica has two other names by which is often called. Sunken Palace and the Sunken Cistern. As you may conclude from the title this unusual tourist attraction once had one really important mission – it was used to provide water to the residents of Istanbul. Emperor Justinian ordered its construction in the 6th century. It is also remarkable for its size with capacity of 80,000 cubic meters but also for 336 large marble pillars that hold the entire construction. Of course, this isn´t the only cistern built in the Istanbul undergrounds but it is certainly most famous and most visited.

You might also ask yourself why it is called Basilica? Well, it is located right beneath the Stoa Basilica.

In the past, people used to lower their buckets to grab the water and bring it to their houses.

Due to the tourism development, a great lighting has been installed and numerous visitors come down to visit this underground monument.

Rumelian Castle

The European side of the famous straight Bosporus in the Sariyer district of Istanbul is the location of a large and beautiful fortress built back in the second half of the 15th century. Sultan Muhamed II ordered the construction of the fortress before he conquered the city. It was built on the s...

Rumelian Castle has three main towers named after the three Pashas who were in charge of the supervision of the construction and one small tower. There are 13 watchtowers constructed in different shapes.

Even though it once served as a military construction now it has completely different purpose. It is used as a museum and an open theatre.

Suleymaniye Mosque

Maybe you´ll be surprised but this is actually the largest mosque in the city. It was built by Sultan Suleyman (also known as Suleyman the Magnificent) in the second half of the 16th century. Some hundred years after the completion of the mosque it suffered a serious damage by a great fire. It was completely restored in the 19th century. Sadly, the mosque, because of another fire had to be restored again after the II World War.

as it is already mentioned this is the largest mosque in the city. It is 59 m long and 58 meters wide. This is not only a mosque, it is an entire complex consisting of the prayer hall, courtyard, caravanserai, a bath house, Qur'an school, a hospital and a kitchen. Behind the mosque, in the garden, one can see two mausoleums which include the tombs of Sultan Suleyman I and his family along with several other Sultans and nobilities.

Museum of Innocence Turkey

Top Istanbul Tours

$110 Per Day

Classical İstanbul Tour

Sultanahmet area is also known as historical peninsula this area is so big and needs long time to walk completely but we can make an arrengment up to your wishes make it longer or shorter you have limeted day and you like to use it so effectively so I will try my best to teach and show as much as places possible in limeted time

but at least we will see :hagia sophia-sultanahmet mosque-historical hippodrome topkapı palace and basilica cistern this can be enlarge dpends on your time but these are the most important places of istanbul contact with me we will...Read more

Sultanahmet area is also known as historical peninsula this area is so big and needs long time to walk completely but we can make an arrengment up to your wishes make it longer or shorter you have limeted day and you like to use it so effectively so I will try my best to teach and show as much as places possible in limeted time

but at least we will see :hagia sophia-sultanahmet mosque-historical hippodrome topkapı palace and basilica cistern this can be enlarge dpends on your time but these are the most important places of istanbul contact with me we will talk about tour program

$250 Per Day

Highlights of Istanbul Tour

Tour Price : 250 Usd

Classical Old City Tour – Highlights of Istanbul

The tour usually starts at 9 a.m and finishes at 4-5 p.m.

This tour includes the very basic highlights of the city, as Hippodrome , The Blue Mosque, The Hagia Sophia Church, a Lunch Break and afterwards the imperial Topkapi Palace and finally the Grand Bazaar

Sightseeing Tours Inclusions:

- Private English Speaking Guide

Sightseeing Tours Exclusions:

- Entrance fees

Tour Price : 250 Usd

Classical Old City Tour – Highlights of Istanbul

The tour usually starts at 9 a.m and finishes at 4-5 p.m.

Sightseeing Tours Inclusions:

- Private English Speaking Guide

Sightseeing Tours Exclusions:

- Entrance fees

- Lunch

- Transportation

PLEASE NOTE:
HAGIA SOPHIA MUSEUM IS CLOSED ON MONDAYS. (can be replaced with the Basilica Cistern)
TOPKAPI PALACE MUSEUM IS CLOSED ON TUESDAYS.(can be replaced with the Basilica Cistern)

$595 Per Day

6 DAYS HOP ON HOP OFF BUS TOUR ISTANBUL TO KUSADASI

6 DAYS HOP ON HOP OFF BUS TOUR ITINERARY:

Day 1 - Istanbul - Arrival Day
(Breakfast included)
Meet at the airport Transfer to your hotel. You will be given your room key and the rest of the day is yours to explore Istanbul. Overnight Istanbul.
In Istanbul there are two different airports available. One of them is Istanbul Atatuk Airport (20 km far away) and the other one is Sabiha Gökcen airport (55 km far away). Atatuk airport transfer is included in your prices. If you have Sabiha Gokcen airport please contact us.

6 DAYS HOP ON HOP OFF BUS TOUR ITINERARY:

Day 2 - Istanbul City Tour
(Breakfast included)
Pick up at 08:30am from your hotel for the a day tour of old Istanbul city.
Visit to ST. SOPHIA This ancient basilica, built by Constantine the Great in the 4th century and reconstructed by Justinian in the 6th century, is one of the architectural marvels of all time.

TOPKAPI PALACE The great palace of the Ottoman sultans from the 15th to the 19th centuries housing an exquisite collection of cyrstal, silver, and Chinese porcelain, robes worn by the sultans and their families, the famous jewels of the Imperial Treasury, miniatures, the Holy Mantle; enshrining relics of the Prophet Mohammed. SULTANAHMET IMPERIAL MOSQUE Across from St. Sophia built in the 16th century by the architect Mehmet, is known as the BLUE MOSQUE because of its magnificent interior decoration of blue Iznik tiles. HIPPODROME Ancient Hippodrome, the scene of chariot races, with the three monuments; the Obelisk of Theodosius, the bronze Serpentine Column and the Column of Constantine. Lunch break at 13:00pm after the lunch Murtis Tour will then take you to the GRAND COVERED BAZAAR In this labyrinth of streets and passages are more then 4,000 shops with each trade having its own area: the goldsmiths' street, the carpet sellers, Turkish arts and crafts, such as handpainted ceramic plates, hand-honed copperware, brassware and trays, water ewers, onyx-ware and meerschaum pipes. After the tour, transfer back to your hotel. Overnight in Istanbul.

Please Note: In Istanbul Hagia Sophia closes on Monday, Topkapi palace closes on Tuesday and Gran Bazar on Sunday. If your tour is one of these days we would offer you to visit UNDERGROUND CISTERN. instead of Hagia Sophia and Topkapi palace museum and instead of Gran Bazar you willl visit Spice Bazar.

Day 3 - Gallipoli Tour
(Breakfast included)
07:30am we depart for Gallipoli to visit the battle fields. 2 hours later we will give you 20 minutes for relax in a restaurant area. We arrive Gallipoli around 12:00am and we have lunch break., relax a little bit then depart for the battle fields. Visit Gabatepe Museum. Start visiting the fields with Aryburnu Cemetery and Anzac Cove because these are the places where the war had started. Then The Beach Cemetery, Shrapnel Valley and Plugges Plateau. After the tour Drive to your hotel for checking. Overnight in Canakkale.
If you did not buy excursions passes, we will give you 3 hours free time in Eceabat City center, where you can find restaurants, shops and coffee areas available. If you do not wish to wait 3 hours, there is a ferry available to Canakkale to go by yourself to check in the hotel.

Day 4 - Troy Tour - Pergamon - Kusadasi
(Breakfast included)
08:30 drive 30 minute for Troy Tour. Visit the famous archeological and mythological site of Troy, home of the Trojan Horse and Helen of Troy. After Troy tour, 3 hour drive to Pergamon. Lunch break around 13:00pm and after the lunch depart for tour of the magnificent acropolis of Pergamon. Its impressive temples and library made it a renowned cultural and political centre at that times. Bergamon is a famous city for its jewellery, stones and silver. So on the way, we will visit a jewellery center for 30 minutes. Arrival to Kusadasi around 18:00pm. Overnight in Kusadasi.
If you do not have an excursion pass to Troy, we will give you one hour free time in a restaurant. If you do not have a pass to Bergamon, we will give you 2 hours free time in Bergamon city center, where you can find restaurants, shops and coffee areas available.

Day 5 - Kusadasi - Ephesus Tour - Turkish Village Sirince
(Breakfast included)
08:30 Departure from hotel fully guided tour of Ephesus, one of the best preserved ancient sites in the world en-route, visiting the Temple of Artemis, Curetes street, famous Roman baths, Celsus Library, Grand theatre and House of the Virgin Mary. Lunch break around 13:00pm. After the lunch, we will visit a place which continues to perform one of the oldest arts of Turkey; a carpet weaving centre. After Lunch we will do a Turkish Village Tour. Sirince's construction style today belongs to Anatolian Greeks. The houses on the slope are all original with their white paints. Sirince Village also has a fantastic reputation for making some of the best wines in Turkey - especially fruit wines. We will visit the vineyards and it is time to learn how to make fruit wine with Turkish wine makers. In the evening you will be tested about your knowledge of making fruit wine. On the way we will visit one of the famous leather production centers of the region, where you will have the opportunity to get a good factory rate. On this guided tour, you will avoid the constant nagging and sometimes bullying that is well known in the markets of Turkey. Enabling you to enjoy the shopping experience whilst gaining the knowledge of the ancient craftsmen Overnight in Kusadasi.
If you do not have Ephesus Tour, you do not have to wake up early. You can enjoy at the hotel or you can book one of our daily optional tours, wich are more than 20 different options available.

Day 6 - Kusadasi - End of the Tour
(Breakfast included)
After breakfast your tour finishes in Kusadasi. If you wish to came back to Istanbul, you can do it by bus or by airplane. By bus it takes over 10 hours and by plane from Izmir Airport just one hour. Also, if you wish to go to Greek island, we can arrange a ferry ticket and big cruise ships. Another alternative will be a yatch cruise from Bodrum, Marmaris or Fethiye. If you want to get more information about these trips, please contact our team.

6 DAYS HOP ON HOP OFF BUS TOUR INCLUDES:
Arrival airport transfer from Istanbul Ataturk Airport
2 nights hotel in Istanbul
1 night hotel in Canakkale
2 nights in Kusadasi
5 breakfasts
Guided Istanbul City Tour
Guided Gallipoli tour
Guided Troy tour
Guided Acropolis of Pergamon tour
Guided Ephesus tour
Guided Sirince Turkish Village Tour
Transportation in a fully air-conditioned, non-smoking coach
Professional English-speaking tour guides
All entrance fees mentioned in the itinerary

6 DAYS HOP ON HOP OFF BUS TOUR
SUMMER PRICES IN EURO:

Per Person
Shared Double
Triple Room
Single Room
With Tour Guide & Transportation
€ 235.00
€ 235.00
€ 235.00
With Tour Guide, Transportation & Sightseeing Tours
€ 319.00
€ 319.00
€ 319.00
3 Star Hotel
€ 439.00
€ 429.00
€ 525.00
4 Star Hotel
€ 505.00
€ 489.00
€ 645.00
5 Star Hotel
€ 625.00
€ 589.00
€ 829.00

6 DAYS HOP ON HOP OFF BUS TOUR
WINTER PRICES IN EURO:

Per Person
Shared Double
Triple Room
Single Room
With Tour Guide & Transportation
€ 215.00
€ 215.00
€ 215.00
With Tour Guide, Transportation & Sightseeing Tours
€ 305.00
€ 305.00
€ 305.00
3 Star Hotel
€ 409.00
€ 399.00
€ 475.00
4 Star Hotel
€ 455.00
€ 445.00
€ 565.00
5 Star Hotel
€ 540.00
€ 525.00
€ 710.00

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