Istanbul Highlights: Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Topkapı Palace, Harem, Hagia Irene and Lunch
by Oguzhan Ceylan
Choose from 2 available options
How do you want to book?
✓Confirmation before Wed, 9 Sept - card's only charged if it's a yes. If it's a no, still time to book on Viator.
Book on Viator Confirmed right away, but you pay full price.$350Overview
This small-group walking tour of Istanbul lasts about 8 to 9 hours and includes all entrance tickets. The day starts at the German Fountain in Hippodrome Square, built during the late Ottoman period as a gift from Kaiser Wilhelm II. From there, the group visits the Blue Mosque, known for having six minarets and dating back to 1616. The tour continues to Hagia Sophia, where admission is included. Next, participants see the Obelisk of Theodosius, the Serpent Column, and the Hippodrome, all with historical commentary from the guide. Afterward, the tour visits the Nakkas Cistern, featuring an exhibition on ancient Constantinople and a demonstration of Turkish handicrafts. The nearby Grand Bazaar, with its 4,000 shops across 62 streets, is the next stop. Lunch is served at Tamara Restaurant near the Blue Mosque, offering soup, mixed kebab or a vegetarian option, and local dessert or fruit. The afternoon is dedicated to Topkapı Palace, including the Harem Museum, covering the palace's four courtyards, Audience Hall, Treasury, gardens, and kiosks. The group also visits Hagia Irene Church, a 6th-century building, and the Turkish and Islamic Arts Museum located at Hippodrome Square. Additional stops include the Column of Constantine, the 18th-century Nuruosmaniye Mosque built in baroque style, the Jewelry Market inside the Grand Bazaar, Sogukcesme Sokak street with Ottoman mansions, and Divanyolu Street, known as the Ottoman Empire’s ceremonial road. The tour is led by an English-speaking professional guide and includes bottled water, tea, coffee, and all fees and taxes.
Highlights
What's included
What's not included
Itinerary
German Fountain
Located in Hippodrome Square, this fountain was built in the late Ottoman period as a gift from German Emperor Wilhelm II.
15 min
Blue Mosque
A mosque dating from 1616, known for its six minarets and intricate architectural details; entrance is free.
45 min
Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque
Admission fee of €25 for Hagia Sophia is included in the tour price; visitors see this historic church-turned-mosque.
30 min
Obelisk of Theodosius
A 3,500-year-old monument located between Ibrahim Pasha Palace and the Blue Mosque, with historical background provided by the guide.
15 min
Serpent Column
A column brought to Constantinople in the 4th century, over 2,400 years old, explained in detail by the guide.
15 min
Hippodrome
This site was constructed for Roman entertainment, including chariot races, with a 15-minute visit.
15 min
Nakkas Oriental Rugs & Textiles
Visit Naklibent Cistern to see an exhibition on ancient Constantinople and Hippodrome ruins, plus a demonstration of Turkish handicrafts.
20 min
Grand Bazaar
A large market featuring 4,000 shops across 62 streets; the tour allows an hour to explore.
60 min
Lunch break
Lunch is served at Tamara Restaurant near the Blue Mosque, including soup of the day, mixed kebab or vegetarian option, and local dessert or fruit.
60 min
TopkapI Palace
The largest palace in Istanbul where 25 Ottoman sultans lived; the tour covers its four courtyards, Audience Hall, Treasury, gardens, and kiosks.
120 min
Hagia Irene Museum
A 6th-century church known for its historical significance, included in the visit.
20 min
Turkish and Islamic Arts Museum (Turk ve Islam Eserleri Muzesi)
Located in the same square as Hippodrome, this museum is part of the tour route.
Column of Constantine
A forum square built by Emperor Constantine in the 4th century, visited for about 10 minutes.
10 min
Nuruosmaniye Camii
An 18th-century mosque built in baroque style, included in the walking route.
10 min
Jewelry Market
A section of the Grand Bazaar specializing in antique and jewelry items.
15 min
Sogukcesme Sokak
A street adjacent to Topkapı Palace walls featuring Ottoman-period mansions.
5 min
Divanyolu Street
Known as the ceremonial street of the Ottoman Empire.
10 min
Harem Museum of Topkapı Palace
The tour includes a 20-minute visit to the Harem section of Topkapı Palace.
20 min
Meeting point
German Fauntain is just by Blue Mosque and 2 mınutes walk from Sultan Ahmet Tram Station
End point
German Fauntain is just by Blue Mosque and 2 mınutes walk from Sultan Ahmet Tram Station
Languages
Cancellation policy
- Cancel at least 24 hours before start for a full refund.
Additional info
Istanbul Highlights: Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Topkapı Palace, Harem, Hagia Irene and Lunch
by Oguzhan Ceylan
Choose from 2 available options
How do you want to book?
✓Confirmation before Wed, 9 Sept - card's only charged if it's a yes. If it's a no, still time to book on Viator.
Book on Viator Confirmed right away, but you pay full price.$350Overview
This small-group walking tour of Istanbul lasts about 8 to 9 hours and includes all entrance tickets. The day starts at the German Fountain in Hippodrome Square, built during the late Ottoman period as a gift from Kaiser Wilhelm II. From there, the group visits the Blue Mosque, known for having six minarets and dating back to 1616. The tour continues to Hagia Sophia, where admission is included. Next, participants see the Obelisk of Theodosius, the Serpent Column, and the Hippodrome, all with historical commentary from the guide. Afterward, the tour visits the Nakkas Cistern, featuring an exhibition on ancient Constantinople and a demonstration of Turkish handicrafts. The nearby Grand Bazaar, with its 4,000 shops across 62 streets, is the next stop. Lunch is served at Tamara Restaurant near the Blue Mosque, offering soup, mixed kebab or a vegetarian option, and local dessert or fruit. The afternoon is dedicated to Topkapı Palace, including the Harem Museum, covering the palace's four courtyards, Audience Hall, Treasury, gardens, and kiosks. The group also visits Hagia Irene Church, a 6th-century building, and the Turkish and Islamic Arts Museum located at Hippodrome Square. Additional stops include the Column of Constantine, the 18th-century Nuruosmaniye Mosque built in baroque style, the Jewelry Market inside the Grand Bazaar, Sogukcesme Sokak street with Ottoman mansions, and Divanyolu Street, known as the Ottoman Empire’s ceremonial road. The tour is led by an English-speaking professional guide and includes bottled water, tea, coffee, and all fees and taxes.
Highlights
What's included
What's not included
Itinerary
German Fountain
Located in Hippodrome Square, this fountain was built in the late Ottoman period as a gift from German Emperor Wilhelm II.
15 min
Blue Mosque
A mosque dating from 1616, known for its six minarets and intricate architectural details; entrance is free.
45 min
Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque
Admission fee of €25 for Hagia Sophia is included in the tour price; visitors see this historic church-turned-mosque.
30 min
Obelisk of Theodosius
A 3,500-year-old monument located between Ibrahim Pasha Palace and the Blue Mosque, with historical background provided by the guide.
15 min
Serpent Column
A column brought to Constantinople in the 4th century, over 2,400 years old, explained in detail by the guide.
15 min
Hippodrome
This site was constructed for Roman entertainment, including chariot races, with a 15-minute visit.
15 min
Nakkas Oriental Rugs & Textiles
Visit Naklibent Cistern to see an exhibition on ancient Constantinople and Hippodrome ruins, plus a demonstration of Turkish handicrafts.
20 min
Grand Bazaar
A large market featuring 4,000 shops across 62 streets; the tour allows an hour to explore.
60 min
Lunch break
Lunch is served at Tamara Restaurant near the Blue Mosque, including soup of the day, mixed kebab or vegetarian option, and local dessert or fruit.
60 min
TopkapI Palace
The largest palace in Istanbul where 25 Ottoman sultans lived; the tour covers its four courtyards, Audience Hall, Treasury, gardens, and kiosks.
120 min
Hagia Irene Museum
A 6th-century church known for its historical significance, included in the visit.
20 min
Turkish and Islamic Arts Museum (Turk ve Islam Eserleri Muzesi)
Located in the same square as Hippodrome, this museum is part of the tour route.
Column of Constantine
A forum square built by Emperor Constantine in the 4th century, visited for about 10 minutes.
10 min
Nuruosmaniye Camii
An 18th-century mosque built in baroque style, included in the walking route.
10 min
Jewelry Market
A section of the Grand Bazaar specializing in antique and jewelry items.
15 min
Sogukcesme Sokak
A street adjacent to Topkapı Palace walls featuring Ottoman-period mansions.
5 min
Divanyolu Street
Known as the ceremonial street of the Ottoman Empire.
10 min
Harem Museum of Topkapı Palace
The tour includes a 20-minute visit to the Harem section of Topkapı Palace.
20 min
Meeting point
German Fauntain is just by Blue Mosque and 2 mınutes walk from Sultan Ahmet Tram Station
End point
German Fauntain is just by Blue Mosque and 2 mınutes walk from Sultan Ahmet Tram Station
Languages
Cancellation policy
- Cancel at least 24 hours before start for a full refund.