- Must-see site in Istanbul
Immerse yourself in Istanbul’s most important monument on this well-planned tour led by an expert guide. Discover Ottoman history in the Palace and learn about the life of the Sultan’s family in the Harem.
Quick Details
Guided Tour In Istanbul: Basilica Cistern, Topkapi Palace, and Hagia Sophia
Explore Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia, and the Basilica Cistern in Istanbul in one of our small group or private guided tours. Skip the longest lines with priority admission at the ticket office, and start learning about the fascinating lives of the Ottomans sooner.
Meet your guide in the Sultanahmet neighborhood and then stroll towards the Basilica Cistern. Wander together to the “Subterranean Palace,” where you’ll learn about Byzantine architecture and the area’s intriguing history as you gaze upon underground pillars. Walk on the wooden walkways over the water with an eye out for the famous upside-down Medusa heads.
Next, visit the Hagia Sophia with pre-reserved tickets and witness the most significant site of the Greek Orthodox religion in Istanbul. As you explore the interior, learn how it was converted into a mosque after the Ottoman conquest of Constantinople. Admire the stunning monument and its mixed elements mosque and a church coexisting side by side. Admire the basilica’s stunning dome, minarets, countless mosaics, paintings, and Roman columns. Discover how the impressive İznik tiles were added over time in the Mosque, how the stunning Virgin Mary mosaic was created, and why the Ottomans chose to bury their sultans in the courtyard.
Continue to Topkapi Palace to gaze upon the splendor of the Ottoman Empire. Your guide will explain that the complex of buildings, pavilions, and courtyards was less like a palace and more like a self-contained city whose inhabitants rarely left. Exit the palace briefly to see the outer terraced gardens and admire the view over the Golden Horn.
At the end of our guided tour, choose to visit the Harem, at your own leisure with your included tickets.
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- Discover the major highlights of historical Istanbul in an efficient and informative manner.
- Visit the world-famous Hagia Sophia, Basilica Cistern, and Topkapi Palace with pre-reserved tickets.
- Choose to visit the Harem with your included tickets.
- Learn about the Ottomans and the Byzantine Empire.
- Be inspired by a professional local guide.
- Enjoy priority museum admission and head in faster.
- Choose a small group or private tour for a more personalized experience.
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- Pre-reserved admission tickets for Topkapi Palace, Basilica Cistern and Hagia Sophia
- Professional and local guide with a license
- 4 hours guided tour
- Small-group or private tours for a more intimate experience
- Tickets also include Harem section of the Palace
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- Transport to the meeting spot
- Guided tour of the Harem at Topkapi Palace ( you can choose to visit the Harem at your own leisure).
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- This tour runs every day (except Tuesdays) at 09:00 am and 13:30
- Expect long lines at the Hagia Sophia during local holidays
- Sites may be closed without notice for high-level state visits
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- You will have to pass through airport-style security
- Expect long lines to enter the Hagia Sophia, especially during local holidays.
- Hagia Sophia and Topkapi Palace may be closed unannounced due to high-level state visits.
- Basilica Cistern has 50 steps going down and then up. There is no lift.
- Harem visit is not included in the guided tour but you can choose to visit at your leisure with your included tickets.
- Topkapi Palace is a vast complex with multiple sections open for visit. During our tour, we’ll visit the most magnificent masterpieces. However, if you wish to explore all sections at your leisure, we recommend allocating the afternoon to explore the rest of the Palace grounds.
- Clients must arrive at the meeting point 15 minutes before the start of the tour. This is due to the timed entry of the tickets.
- Tickets are timed and expire within 5 to 10 minutes.
- Please be advised that it is not possible to join the tour after it has commenced.
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We meet at Ersoy Bufe. This is a small food kiosk just by the side of the Hippodrome in Sultanahmet Square. It is across the German Fountain. Your guide will be in front of the Ersoy Bufe with a sign that says, “Walks in Europe.” Here is the Google link https://goo.gl/maps/XmviCpepuGJtz52L6