Having limited time in Istanbul and you want to make the most of it, we have planned a perfect day on which you can explore the most important sights such as the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, Grand Bazaar, Ancient Hippodrome, Suleymaniye Mosque in the old town and finish your day with a relaxing Bosphorus sunset cruise on a luxurious yacht.
Istanbul Old City Tour with Art Historian Tour Guide
Experience Istanbul's timeless sights on a full-day tour of the city's stunning historic places. Listen for the ancient echoes of pounding hooves and charioteers at Hippodrome Square and spot the distinctive tiles of the Blue Mosque. See the Byzantine mosaics and minarets of Hagia Sophia, then follow in the footsteps of powerful sultans, courtiers, and generals at Topkapi Palace. Continue your tour in the vibrant Grand Bazaar, browsing bright displays of handicrafts, carpets and souvenirs.
Higlights of Istanbul Old City Tour
- Small-group tour of Sultanahmet, Istanbul's old city
- Admire the breathtaking architecture and decor of the Hagia Sophia, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Visit the Blue Mosque and Topkapi Palace, both gorgeous monuments from the Ottoman Empire
- Hear about the role of the Hippodrome in the days of the Byzantine Empire
- Browse the shops in the vibrant and historic Grand Bazaar
- Learn about the long history of Istanbul, the Byzantine Empire and the Ottoman Empire
- Small-group tour with a maximum of 8 participants provides a more customized experience
- Relax over lunch at a traditional restaurant
The most beautiful view in the world at dusk, Bosphorus Sunset Cruise
Sail down the Bosphorus passing Dolmabahce Palace, impressive Bosphorus Bridges, and beautifully designed seaside villas along both sides of the Bosphorus, before rounding the spectacular tip of the old city and ultimately cruising only a few feet away from the magnificent Maiden's Tower. Put a classy end to the day with a sunset cruise on a luxury yacht.
Highlight of Bosphorus Sunset Cruise
- Swap crowded bus tours for a luxurious Bosphorus sunset cruise on a 25 meters yacht
- Get incredible sunset photo opportunities you wouldn't see otherwise
- Learn as you travel-hear commentary from an on-board guide
- Enjoy luxury perks-drinks and canapes are included
Sights You Will Visit in Old City Tour
- Topkapi Palace
- Hagia Sophia
- Blue Mosque
- Little Hagia Sophia Mosque
- Grand Bazaar
Sights You Will See from the Yacht
- Dolmabahce Palace
- Ciragan Palace
- Beylerbeyi Palace
- Camlica Mosque
- Ortakoy Mosque
- Maiden's Tower
- Bosphorus Bridges
- Rumeli Fortresses
- Anadolu Fortresses
- Other palaces, pavillons and luxury villas on The Bosphorus
PROGRAMME
08:15 - 09:00
Pick up from your hotel and transfer to the starting point
09:00 - 16:00
Visits to the main historical sights in the old city (with lunch break).
What's Included
- Professional guide
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Guaranteed to skip the long lines
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- Lunch in a terrace restaurant with a great view of the city
- Light snacks, cookies, delicious Turkish baklava, fresh seasonal fruits platter, homemade lemonade in summer months and fresh fruit juice in winter months, tea and coffee
- 2.5-Hour Bosphorus cruise on a 25 meters luxury yacht
What's not Included
- Entrance fees to Hagia Sophia and Topkapi Palace are not included (own expense)
Museum entrance tickets (Hagia Sophia: 25 Euro, Topkapi Palace and Harem Section: 50 Euro- Drinks
- Gratuities
Itinerary for Istanbul City Tour
Istanbul Old City Tourist Map
Places to visit on this Istanbul Tour
- Sultanahmet District (Old City)
- Ancient Hippodrome
- Obelisk of Theodosius
- Serpent Column
- Walled Obelisk
- German Fountain
- Blue Mosque
- Hagia Sophia
- Sogukcesme Street
- Topkapi Palace
- Grand Bazaar
The sights and places you will see on Bosphorus Sunset Cruise |
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BLUE MOSQUE
The Blue Mosque is one of the most prominent landmarks of Istanbul. It is very impressive with its beautiful semidomes, nice courtyards and six slender minarets.
HAGIA SOPHIA
Hagia sophia from the Golden Age of Byzantine, this once Christian church is one of the most extraordinary buildings in the history of architecture. It played a very important role in the Byzantine Empire and later as a mosque in the Ottoman Empire.
TOPKAPI PALACE
Topkapi Palace was more than just the private residence of the Sultan and his court, It was the seat of the supreme executive and judiciary council, the Divan and the training school. Dormitories, gardens, libraries, schools, even mosques were at the service of the court. Attached to the palace were diverse imperial societies of artists and craftsmen which produced some of the finest work in the whole empire.
LITTLE HAGIA SOPHIA MOSQUE
Little Hagia Sophia (Kucuk Ayasofya Camii), formerly the Church of the Saints Sergius and Bacchus, is a former Eastern Orthodox church dedicated to Saints Sergius and Bacchus in Constantinople, later converted into a mosque during the Ottoman Empire. Today the environment is a worth seeing natural culture center of the lost Ottoman Arts.
HIPPODROME AND OBELISKS
The square in front of the Blue Mosque covers the site of the ancient "Hippodrome", one of the most famous areas in Byzantine.
GRAND BAZAAR
The oldest and the largest covered market place (Grand Bazaar) in the world is situated in the center of the city.
BOSPHORUS SUNSET CRUISE
Bosphorus Sunset Cruise With Live Tour Guide on Luxury Yacht
Bosphorus Sunset Cruise on Luxurious Yacht
Witness the enchantment of Istanbul with a 2.5-Hour evening cruise along the beautiful Bosphorus! Aboard the glass-encased luxury yacht, enjoy the city’s main attractions at dusk with informative commetary of your guide, savor a delicious tradational Turkish drink (demirhindi) and canapés as you cruise the strait and delight in the magic of Istanbul’s urban shoreline as night falls.
Your Most Personalised Bosphorus Cruise Experience in Istanbul
A sunset on the water is an amazing way to end your cruise experience and an equally amazing way to start your evening! Whether it's to impress that special someone with a picture-perfect moment or just appreciate a great time with great mates - a sunset cruise is something everyone will remember.
Few places in the world are as mesmerizing as Istanbul in the setting sun. Aboard an elegant yacht, drinking tradational Turkish drink and nibble on canapés and fruits from tastefully arranged platters, you glide by palaces and minarets, while sailing the Bosphorus on this relaxing cruise.
When dusk sets in, soothing breezes arrive from the Sea of Marmara, and the sky over the city puts on a colorful dress—tinted with shades of orange and rose. The muezzin calls from a towering minaret. Majestic palaces and villas stand still along the strait’s banks, as if nothing has changed over a millennium. You breathe in the legacy of ancient Byzantium, Constantinople, and the mighty Ottoman Empire with each breath of fresh, salty air.
Kick back and ride gentle waves in the comfort of a yacht. Watch the city and its iconic landmarks pass by—a perfect way to unwind after a busy day of sightseeing.
Good to Know
- Confirmation will be received at the time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- The dress code is smart casual
- Please advise any specific dietary requirements at the time of booking
- Topkapi Palace is closed on Tuesdays instead you will visit Dolmabahce Palace.
- Grand Bazaar is closed on Sundays, instead, you will visit the open-air bazaar
- Stroller accessible
- Near public transportation
- Blue Mosque is closed Friday mornings and our guide will show & introduce from outside
- Most travelers can participate
- We as BOSPHORUS TOUR ISTANBUL, want to ensure the minds of travelers that, all the necessary safety measures and precautions will be maintained at all times; hand sanitizer will be available, masks will be given out, seats will be blocked out on coaches, reduced groups sizes and social distancing measures will be taking against COVID-19 infections. We will follow up on the new regulations/restrictions permanently and update our procedures accordingly. This tour/activity will have a maximum of 8 travelers Operated by BOSPHORUS TOUR ISTANBUL
Where you have the lunch: Seafront Lounge, a very good restaurant on a top terrace with amazing views of Istanbul and the Bosphorus
What you have for the lunch: The lunch menu has 3 options. First option is fish ( sea bass ,sea bream) coming with onion and watercress. The second choice is grilled chicken with chips and rice. The last choice is meatball ( beef) accompanied with chips and rice. All these options will come with salad and 3 plate of cold appetiser(meze).
View from Seafront Lounge Restaurant Terrace
Frequently Asked Questions
Istanbul City Tour Frequently Asked Questions
A: We keep our tour group size as limited as possible, not more than people per group. All the tour groups are maintained following all the safety measures.
A: All the sights indicated in the tour itinerary are visited in the tour.
A: Yes, Istanbul Tour includes entrance fees of attractions specified upon booking. If during or after the tour you would like to visit something extra you will just pay for it then.
A: Yes! For most of the tours we guarantee pre-purchased tickets in order to skip the line.
A: Send us an email or a request form from our site, an operator will answer as soon as possible providing all the detailed information about the tour (lenght, price, what is included, etc...). Then you will answer your decision about the tour and the operator will email you how to conclude the booking.
A: It is important that we will be able to contact you by telephone in case of last minute communications. Please allow us to be able to contact you.
A: We will gladly take into consideration your preferences but we can not guarantee a particular guide availability. We assure that all our guides are fully licensed, very competent, professional and fluent in your language.
A: This is our common policy:
- 3 days prior - 25% penalty charge
- 2 days prior - 50% penalty charge
- 24 hours prior - full amount penalty charge
- Some tours have a stricter cancellation policy. Ask us please during the booking procees.
A: Yes, we accept payments by Visa and Master cards.
Frequently Asked Questions
ABOUT ISTANBUL BOSPHORUS SUNSET CRUISE ON A LUXURUY YACHT
Pellentesque accumsan magna in augue sagittis, non fringilla eros molestie. Sed feugiat mi nec ex vehicula, nec vestibulum orci semper. Class aptent taciti sociosqu ad litora torquent per conubia nostra, per inceptos himenaeos. Donec tristique commodo fringilla.
- Specilaized Bilingual Guide
- Private Transport
- Entrance Fees
- Box Lunch,Water,Dinner and Snacks
Pellentesque accumsan magna in augue sagittis, non fringilla eros molestie. Sed feugiat mi nec ex vehicula, nec vestibulum orci semper. Class aptent taciti sociosqu ad litora torquent per conubia nostra, per inceptos himenaeos. Donec tristique commodo fringilla.
- Specilaized Bilingual Guide
- Private Transport
- Entrance Fees
- Box Lunch,Water,Dinner and Snacks
Pellentesque accumsan magna in augue sagittis, non fringilla eros molestie. Sed feugiat mi nec ex vehicula, nec vestibulum orci semper. Class aptent taciti sociosqu ad litora torquent per conubia nostra, per inceptos himenaeos. Donec tristique commodo fringilla.
- Specilaized Bilingual Guide
- Private Transport
- Entrance Fees
- Box Lunch,Water,Dinner and Snacks
Pellentesque accumsan magna in augue sagittis, non fringilla eros molestie. Sed feugiat mi nec ex vehicula, nec vestibulum orci semper. Class aptent taciti sociosqu ad litora torquent per conubia nostra, per inceptos himenaeos. Donec tristique commodo fringilla.
- Specilaized Bilingual Guide
- Private Transport
- Entrance Fees
- Box Lunch,Water,Dinner and Snacks
