Best Istanbul Tours

Duration		Starts @ 08:30 Finishes @ 17:00
What to see		* Hagia Sophia museum * Blue mosque * Hipodromme * Grand Coverd Bazaar * City Walls * Golden Horn * Pierre Loti Hill * Cruise on the Bosphorus

Grand Istanbul Tour (Full Day Excursion)

Explore & Discover Istanbul in a Day. 

“The best of history and nature that Istanbul has to offer”

A little history of the sights

SANTA SOPHIA
One of the greatest marvels of architecture, constructed as a basilica in the 6th century by Emperor Justinian. It has been nominated as the 8th wonder of the world by historians. Blue Mosque, facing Hagia Sophia, famous with its blue Iznik tiles and unique with 6 minarets, built between 1609 and 1616 in the name of Sultan Ahmet 1 by Sedefkar Mehmet Aga, who was one of Sinan’ s apprentices.

BLUE MOSQUE
Dating from the 17th century, an architectural masterpiece famed for its exquisite blue tiles and six elegant minarets.

HIPPODROME
The center of sportive (chariot races, athletics) events and political activities of the old city where held. Egyptian Obelisk, Serpentine Column Constantine Column and German Fountain of Wilhelm II are the monuments decorating Hippodrome.

GRAND COVERED BAZAAR
Most attractive shopping center and biggest "souk" in the world with nearly 4000 shops selling antiques, jewelry, gold, carpets, leatherwear and souvenirs.

A leisurely cruise along the fabulous Bosphorus, starting near the Black Sea and taking us past Ottoman palaces, wooden 19th century waterfront mansions, modern pleasure palaces and fortresses. The perfect opportunity for taking photographs along both shores of this fabled waterway.

GOLDEN HORN (from the bus)
The arm of the Bosphorus and a natural harbour of the historical peninsula separating the old and the new parts of İstanbul where the first colonies settled during the Byzantine. The residential area for Byzantine Jews, Italian traders and other non-muslim minorities. Drive along the traces of history at Balat viewing Metal Church of St. Stephen the Bulgarian, 21 kms. long City Walls, the strongest fortification of the middle age.

CABLE CAR & PIERRE LOTI HILL
It was named after the famous French writer, you will enjoy magnificent scenery of Golden Horn and the city after you take a cable car drive for the hill.

BOSPHORUS ON BOAT
A traditional excursion by boat along the waterway seperating Europe and Asia. The shore is lined with old wooden villas, palaces of marble, fortresses, and small fishing villages. During the excursion you will pass the magnificent Dolmabahce Palace, and further along, the parks and imperial pavillions of Yildiz Palace. On the coastal edge of this park, is Ciragan Palace, 300 meters of is marble facade faces the shore. At Ortakoy a great variety of artists gather every Sunday to display their work along the street. Ortakoy is a symbol of tolerance with a church, a mosque and a synagogue existing side by side for centuries.

RUMELI FORTRESS (from the sea/no interior visit)
Historical armament built by the Conqueror to control and protect Bosphorus. A unique example of military architecture.