Unwind on a serene Bosphorus Strait cruise and immerse yourself in Istanbul's iconic landmarks. Visit the renowned Blue Mosque, marvel at the timeless beauty of Hagia Sophia, and explore the vibrant Spice Bazaar. It's the ideal introduction to the city's rich cultural heritage.
Tour Details
Get ready for a full-day adventure in Istanbul! We'll pick you up at your preferred meeting point and kick off the tour at the vibrant Spice Bazaar, located at the Galata Bridge, a sensory delight where you can shop for unique and traditional products.
Leaving Eminönü behind, we'll head to the pier where we'll embark on a breathtaking Bosphorus cruise. Once on the boat, we'll cruise along the strait and enjoy the views on both coasts: on the east, Asia, and on the west, Europe. You'll marvel at the wooden houses, palaces, fortresses, and stunning bridges that adorn the shores that separate the Black Sea from the Sea of Marmara.
After the 1.5-hour cruise, we'll treat ourselves to a delicious meal at a traditional restaurant, savoring a full menu of authentic Turkish dishes, which will vary depending on the availability and season. Our menu features, as a starter, a cold appetizer, börek (empanada), soup, or pasta. As a second dish, you can choose between kebab, meat, chicken, or vegetables.
Then, we'll continue our journey to the historic Hippodrome Square, one of the most famous monuments of the Byzantine Constantinople, which later served as a resting place for the Ottomans.
Our next stop is the magnificent Blue Mosque, renowned for its Ottoman architecture and exquisite tile decorations. For approximately 1 hour, we'll see its grand dome, six minarets, and the impressive decoration with Iznik tiles.
Crossing Sultanahmet Square, we'll enter the iconic Hagia Sophia, a monumental structure that served as a church and mosque and now stands as a museum. Prepare to be amazed as you explore its awe-inspiring interior, filled with centuries of history and architectural grandeur.
After a memorable 7-hour tour, we'll conclude our adventure in either the bustling center of Sultanahmet or the vibrant Taksim Quarter, leaving you with lasting memories of Istanbul's rich heritage.
Tour Without Lunch
You can book the tour option without lunch if you prefer to bring something to eat or find a restaurant on your own.
Meeting Points
This tour includes pickup at the indicated times from the following points in Istanbul:
- The Marmara Hotel Taksim, specifically at the hotel entrance (Gümüşsuyu, Tak-ı Zafer St. No. 3, 34437 Beyoğlu/Istanbul). Pickup at 8:10 am
- Atatürk Cultural Center (Atatürk Kültür Merkezi), Gümüşsuyu Neighborhood, Mete St. No. 2, Beyoğlu/Istanbul. Pickup at 9 am
- Tamara Restaurant Sultanahmet, specifically at the restaurant entrance (Küçük Ayasofya St. No. 14, 34122 Fatih/Istanbul). Pickup at 8:45 am
- Marmaray Sirkeci Station, specifically at the entrance to Sirkeci Gar (Hocapaşa Neighborhood, Ankara Street, Halil Lütfü 4th Business Center, Floor 1, No. 113, Hoca Paşa, 34110 Fatih/Istanbul, Turkey). Pickup at 9 am
Itinerary Changes
Due to organizational reasons, the order of the visits in the itinerary may vary. For example, on Friday mornings, the Blue Mosque will be closed, so the tour on that day will be modified and will enter it later.
It's currently not possible to climb the dome of Hagia Sophia. The visit also only includes the section of galleries on the second floor. However, on your ticket to Santa Sofía, you'll find a QR code, which, if you scan it, will give you access to an English audio guide, which will tell you all about the history of the temple. To listen to these recordings, you must bring your own earphones.
