PRIVATE ISTANBUL TOURS
Having been the capital city of Byzantine and Ottoman Empires, Istanbul offers so many things to visit. Below is our most famous tour itinerary in Istanbul that covers most of the highlights, below SAMPLE of that have been popular with our guests – we welcome any other modified to fit your wishes or allow our local experts to create a tour especially for you.
ONE DAY PRIVATE ISTANBUL TOUR
Our guide will meet you at your hotel in the morning and start touring with Hagia Sophia (S
t. Sophia) Museum, bearing the symbols of Christianity and Islam together. The church has been constructed in 537 AD. by Roman Emperor Justinian and has been converted in to a mosque in 15th century. You will visit the site about 1 hour and see the courtyard, entrance hall, main gallery and upper gallery.
The next visit will be The Basilica Cistern (Sunken Palace) built in the 6th century with the structures taken from the collapsed Roman buildings in the area. There are 336 columns in the cistern and we will be in the cistern about 30 minutes.
The final visit of the morning will be The Blue Mosque (Sultanahmet Mosque) decorated with some of the best examples in Turkish Tile Art History. Built on the 17th century, Blue Mosque is a symbol of Istanbul standing in the heart of the city. Lunch will be in the famous Puding Shop
Restaurant, overlooking the Hippodrome (At Meydani).
The tour will continue with a walking through The Hippodrome which was once used for chariot races, celebrations, riots, executions and other important events through Byzantine and Ottoman Empires. The walk through The Hippodrome will be about 45 minutes. You will also visit The Turkish and Islamic Arts Museum located in Hippodrome which houses notable examples of Islamic calligraphy, tiles, and rugs as well as ethnographic displays on various cultures in Turkey, especially the nomad groups.
The final visit of the day will be Topkapi Palace; Ottoman Sultan’s Residance, built on the slopes of Sarayburnu looking Bosporus and The Sea of Marmara. Topkapi Palace is a combination of different architectural styles. Topkapi Palace is the most visited museum in Turkey and you will be able to see the Ottoman Empire treasury, Dynasty clothing, Harem life and Sacred Relics. The tour in the museum will be around 2 hours.
The tour will end around 5:00pm and our guide will take you back to your hotel.
The rate for this tour will be as:
1 person 400 Euro
2 people 220 Euro per person
3 people 200 Euro per person
4 people 180 Euro per person
5 people 150 Euro per person
6 people 130 Euro per person
7 and + Please ask
The rate includes
a professionally-licensed English-speaking guide,
all entrance fees The Harem,
lunch,
pick-up/drop-off from your hotel in Sultanahmet and Taksim area and all taxes.
Please send us an email (info@turkeyboutiquetour.com) for more information or to make booking.
As featured in Romantic