Highlights of Istanbul - Full-Day Private Tour

This is a fully flexible tour, so please remember to voice your wishes to your guide so they can make your dream come true! There are so many more attractions to see than are listed in the itinerary! If you select the shore excursion from the port, you will be greeted at the exit gate of the customs area of Istanbul pier by your guide, for departure by deluxe air-conditioned minivan for an unforgettable Istanbul Visit.If you select the city centre departure option, you will be greeted in the lobby of your hotel (departure from Sultanahmet, Eminonu, Karakoy, and Taksim districts).Take this unique opportunity to customize your day in Istanbul with this fully flexible product. You decide what you wish to see with the help of your dedicated expert guide.Places to visit:Topkapi PalaceYour private tour will start with a visit to Topkapi Palace-which was the centre of the Ottoman government and the court, the Turks ruled most of Europe and the Middle East from here. Covering the prime property on the peninsula, the court-defined grounds of the Palace express in the architectural sense the Ottoman ideal of the perfect life balanced between its formative components.Hagia Sophia You will continue to visit the world-famous Hagia Sophia which is one of the most extraordinary constructions in the history of architecture. The awesome building inspired countless generations with its colossal definition of what the ideal interior space in a domed basilica should be and with its innovations in weight support and construction techniques. We're so excited to be guiding you through the incredible Haghia Sophia! We'll look from the outside only, where you'll get a fascinating explanation of this magnificent monument. Then, at the end of the tour, we'll give you tickets to enter the monument on your own. So, you can explore it at your own pace after the tour! Roman Hippodrome and Blue MosqueThe next visits will be to the Roman Hippodrome & Blue Mosque- the masterpiece of 17th century Ottoman Architecture, famous for its unique handmade original Iznik Tiles impressing the guests with their rich dominant blue colours and oriental patterns. They have become collectors’ items today, auctioned at celebrated houses like the Sotheby’s.Grand Covered BazaarNo bazaar, however, is more dazzling than the Grand Covered Bazaar, built in 1461 and in service ever since. Along with magnificent mosque complexes, the mother of all bazaars was a monument to the ‘Rise of Istanbul’- the great master plan of the Turks for the rejuvenation and reanimation of the old imperial capital. It contains 3,500 shops employing more than 20,000 people all under one roof. Everything imaginable is for sale, gold and silver jewellery, rugs, carpets, antiques, tiles, leather, and souvenirs, but just seeing and experiencing this mother of all bazaars is worth the trip.At the end of the tour, you will be transferred back to Istanbul Cruise Pier to board your ship or driven back to your hotel lobby. You can also decide to remain in the city centre at your leisure.DurationFrom Hotel: 8 hoursFrom Port: 6 hoursImportant information - There may be restrictions • Hagia Sophia Mosque - Open daily • Topkapi and Hagia Irene Museum - Closed on Tuesdays • Grand Bazaar - Closed on Sundays, the first day of religious holidays and Republic Day • Spice Bazaar - Closed on religious holidays, Republic Day. • National Palaces (Dolmabahce Palace - Beylerbeyi Palace) - Closed on Mondays • Blue Mosque & Hippodrome - Open everyday • Çamlıca Hill - Open everyday