Istanbul city tours | Istanbul day tours

I S T A N B U L D A I L Y T O U R

This is just a sample itinerary. If wished customized itineraries can be prepared to suit your time and interests. At 8:30 we start the day from your hotel and visit the places in the order as numbered, unless wished otherwise.

1. Roman Hippodrome, the political and recreational heart of the Roman and Byzantine Constantinople.

2. Blue Mosque the most beautiful mosques in the city, adorned with six minarets and graceful interior tiles. You are advised to visit the Blue Mosque first then the Hippodrome because the mosque gets very crowded with the cruise ships groups, and remember also time restrictions due to prayers hours. Be warned: dress code !

These two places will take about three quarters of your time. For the mosque entry please remember that you have to abide with the dress code rules. Next on the list we have the two most important museums of Istanbul, namely Hagia Sophia and Topkapi Palace .

3. Hagia Sophia, the greatest achievement of the East Roman architects. With Hagia Sophia they changed the dimensions and the style of the Roman Architecture. The monument remained unrivalled for almost 1000 years. You are advised to start with the upper gallery first. Be informed: closed on Mondays !

If you wish we sit for refreshments at a lovely Ottoman styled cafe before the next visit.

4. Underground Cistern , another master piece of the East Romans. Be informed: open 7 days a week

At about 1: 30 we sit for lunch at one of the authentic restaurants in the area.

5. Topkapi Palace, residential and administrative palace of the Ottoman Dynasty for almost 400 years. After the mid 19th C the dynasty moved to Dolmabahce Palace, one of the newly built waterfront palaces which housed the imperial family and its administrative offices. Be informed: closed on Tuesdays !

After Topkapi Palace we will have completed the museums part of our tour.

6. Grand Bazaar, next is the leisurely city walking and shopping. We may visit the ever popular Grand Bazaar (closed on Sundays). City walking may be extended to cover the Spice Market or another interesting highlight in the city. After absorbing so much you may need the peace and tranquility of an authentic water-pipe cafe (nargile place) where you will find some living traces of the Ottoman social life.

Following options are available for those who have extra days in Istanbul

Bosphorus, this should be one of the musts of Istanbul visits. Sailing along the Bosphorus, viewing 19th C palaces and Ottoman-Victorian villages is well worth.

Dolmabahce Palace one of the most elegant palaces of Europe. Be warned: closed on Mondays and Thursdays !

Also you need to make reservations in advance.

Chora Museum . Be warned: closed on Wednesdays !

Suleymaniye mosque, larger and more impressive than the Blue Mosque. Be warned: Closed to visitors due to restoration works.

Princess Islands, resort islands off the coast of Istanbul in the sea of Marmara. These islands are only one hour boat trip away from the city. They are characterized by Victorian-era houses and are free of motor vehicles. So walking, cycling, or taking a horse-driven carriage tours are among the popular activities.

Turkish & Islamic Arts Museum, a treasure-house of 1000 years of fine art. Located facing the Blue Mosque on the Hippodrome side.

Seven Towers, a group of medieval towers integrated with the Theodosian walls, used as prison in imperial times.

Beyoglu, all time popular district of Istanbul. It still reflects the romance of 19th-century Istanbul.

Rumeli Fortress, a massive fortification commanding waters of the Bosphorus, built in 1452 before the conquest.

Be warned: closed on Wednesdays ! opening hrs. 09:30-16:30

Camlica Hill, where you can have an excellent panoramic view of the whole city.

Pierre Loti Hill, a popular site where Pierre Loti often visited, a very good view of the city