- Must See In Istanbul
- 3 Hours Duration 3 Hours
Immerse in Istanbul’s best sight on this exceptionally well-led tour with an expert guide. Discover Ottoman history in the Palace and the life of the Sultan’s family in the Harem.
Tour Highlights:
- Experience the splendor and charm of Islamic architecture
- Discover the art of Islam in its calligraphy and tiles
- Admire beautiful Byzantine architecture inside Hagia Sophia
- Witness the basilica’s stunning dome and minarets
Experience the splendor and charm of Islamic and Greek Orthodox architecture
Check out Istanbul’s greatest Islamic monument on this small-group walking tour ( max 12 people). After you have met your friendly and informative guide and exchanged a pleasant meet and greet, you will get the day’s activities started with a visit to the Blue Mosque. The Blue Mosque is the most visited monument in Istanbul. Your tour will start in the Sultanahmet neighborhood which takes its name from the mosque.
Marvel at this imperial Ottoman Mosque, commissioned by Sultan Ahmet the first and the last one built in this grand size. Witness the evocative power and splendor of its past as you enjoy a comprehensive guided tour of the Blue Mosque and its complementary buildings with a professional guide. Afterward, enjoy the courtyard for breathtaking views of modern Istanbulites and take a gentle stroll around the neighborhood.
Visit the Hagia Sophia with your expert guide and witness the most significant site of the Greek Orthodox religion in Istanbul and learn how it was converted into a mosque after the Ottoman conquest of Constantinople.
In the interiors, you will see the elements of a mosque and a church standing next to each other. Admire the basilica’s stunning dome and minarets, and countless mosaics, paintings, and columns. Learn how the impressive İznik tiles were added over time in the mosque, how the stunning Virgin Mary mosaic was made, and why the Ottomans chose to bury their sultans in the courtyard.
Itinerary
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(Closed Friday mornings until end of noon prayer. Expect long lines at high season)
The world-famous Blue Mosque is one of Istanbul’s premier sights. Sultan Ahmet’s imperial mosque is still a working mosque with fascinating tile work — 21,043 tiles, to be precise — in every shade of blue. The Blue Mosque is an essential part of our tour that lets us cover mosque architecture and the basics of Islam in a very relevant setting.
Walk through the Hippodrome, the social and political center of the city, and learn about the significance of the famous obelisks.
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Hagia Sophia alone justifies a visit to Istanbul. The church of the Divine Wisdom is eternally impressive and important, with its extraordinary dimensions and daunting beauty.
Its dome was a daring engineering feat in the sixth century, and engineers still marvel at the building’s many innovations. It remains the most popular site in the city. All of our guides love Hagia Sophia personally, so you can expect to have in-depth explanations of the monument as part of your tour.
Your tour guide will explain the significance of the monument with regards to Islam and Christianity and go through its history of being converted from a church into a mosque.
Tour Details
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- Expert local guides
- 3 hours tour at a relaxed pace
- Small groups ( max 12 people ) or private tour
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- Lunch
- Transport to the meeting spot
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Summer departures: 09:30 / 13:30
Winter departures: 09:00 / 13:00There are no tours on Fridays.
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We meet at the House of Medusa Restaurant in Sultanahmet