ISTANBUL BEST : Iconic Landmarks FullDay Private Guided City Tour

based on 458 reviews

Duration:6 hours to 8 hours (approx.)
Location: Istanbul, Turkey

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This is a private guided tour which will enhance your point of view of Ottomans vs Byzantines.

It's not only a tour from the past but also a shopping opportunities including traditional Carpet- leather- jewelry and grand baazar.

•Hippodrome where used to organize chariot races with its Egyptian Obelisk, Serpent and Constantine Obelisk and German Fountain.

•Visit the famous Sultanahmet Mosque, as Blue Mosque due to its magnificent interior decoration of royal Iznik tiles

• Face the highlight of the earth, St. Sophia built in 537 A. D.

• See Topkapi Palace where the great empire was ruled

•See Underground Cistern where Dan Brown's book ''INFERNO '' ended up. and Second Oldest Movie of James Bond " from Russia with love"

•Finalize the day at the famous Grand Bazaar with 4000 shops.

• Make the Best of your limited time in
Istanbul by saving memories and shopping

• Visit the qualified stores (carpet, leather, jewelry,Tiles)

• Transportation depends on option selected

WHAT'S INCLUDED

✓ Unique time to discover Turkish Handicrafts Traditional Shopping Opportunities at BILGINS
✓ Fast Track Ticket Avaliable
✓ Private Tour
✓ We will skip the line to buy the tickets for Topkapi palace and Basilica Cistern
✓ Guide will meet you at central Istanbul Hotels, Airbnb Locations or ISTANBUL CRUISE PORT GALATAPORT
✓ Professional Private Guide

✗ Lunch
✗ Full Day Vehicle or Transfer (Depends on option selected)
✗ Museum/Attraction Tickets
✗ Gratuities (suggested)
✗ Entry/Admission - Topkapi Palace - 1500 TL per Person
✗ Entry/Admission - Basilica Cistern - 800 TL per Person
✗ Entry/Admission - Hagia Sophia - 25 Euro Per Person

WHAT TO EXPECT

1.
The Hagia Sophia, also known as Ayasofya in Turkish, is a famous historic building located in oldtown Istanbul. It was originally built as the biggest cathedral in the world by Byzantine Empire in the 6th century and later converted into a mosque during the Ottoman Empire. The building is renowned for its massive dome and beautiful mosaics that reflect its rich history and architectural significance. In 1935, it was converted into a museum and in 2020, it was reconverted into a mosque. The Hagia Sophia has an important place in the art world with its architecture, grandness, size and functionality.The Hagia Sophia is a UNESCO World Heritage site and a popular tourist destination, attracting visitors from all around the world.
2.
The Sultan Ahmed Mosque, also known as the Blue Mosque, is a historic mosque in Istanbul, Turkey. It was built between 1609 and 1616 during the rule of Sultan Ahmed I. The mosque is known for its stunning architecture, with its six minarets and beautiful blue tiles adorning the interior, which give it the nickname "Blue Mosque." It is a popular tourist attraction and a significant symbol of Istanbul's skyline.
3.
The Hippodrome of Constantinople, also known as the Sultanahmet Square, is an ancient chariot racing track and the sporting and social center of Constantinople, the capital of the Byzantine Empire. Located in present-day Istanbul. the site is now a public square known for its historical significance and the remnants of its ancient structures. The Hippodrome was a major venue for chariot races and other public events during the Byzantine era. It was adorned with monuments and sculptures, some of which still stand today, including the Obelisk of Theodosius, the Serpent Column, and the Column of Constantine. These monuments are important relics from the Roman and Byzantine periods and provide a glimpse into the city's rich history. Today, the Hippodrome area is a popular tourist destination and a public space where visitors can explore the ancient ruins, learn about the historical and cultural heritage of Constantinople and enjoy the vibrant atmosphere of modern Istanbul.
4.
The Topkapi Palace is a grand and historically significant palace located in Istanbul. It served as the primary residence and administrative headquarters of the Ottoman sultans for nearly 400 years. The palace complex is known for its stunning architecture, beautiful courtyards, and extensive collections of art, manuscripts, and other treasures. The Topkapi Palace consists of several interconnected courtyards and buildings, including the Imperial Harem, where the sultan's family resided. The palace also houses the Treasury, which contains an impressive collection of priceless jewels, including the famous Spoonmaker's Diamond and Topkapi Dagger. Today, the Topkapi Palace is a popular museum and a major tourist attraction, offering visitors a glimpse into the opulent lifestyle of the Ottoman sultans and the rich history of the empire. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage site, drawing visitors from around the world to explore its magnificent grounds and learn about its fascinating past.
5.
Basilica Cistern Museum is one of the most important cultural assets where we can trace the traces of glorious Istanbul history. This grand underground cistern, built by Eastern Roman Emperor Justinian I (527-565), is nicknamed “Yerebatan Sarayı” (Sunken Palace) among the public due to its numerous marble columns rising from the water. It is also known as “Bazilika Sarnıcı” (Basilica Cistern) by some, as it was built on the site of the former Stoa Basilica, which was a basilica. the Basilica Cistern visited by former U.S. President Bill Clinton. Impresive Roman empire structure as featured in Dan Brown's novel, "Inferno" and James Bond "From Russia with Love" The Basilica Cistern is a UNESCO World Heritage site and a popular tourist destination, attracting visitors from all around the world.
6.
Unique time to Discover Turkish Handcrafts ( Turkish Carpets, Leathers, ceramics) shopping opportunities
7.
The Grand Bazaar, also known as the Kapalıçarşı, is one of the world's oldest and largest covered markets, located in the heart of Istanbul. Dating back to the 15th century, the Grand Bazaar is a sprawling complex of over 60 streets and alleys, housing more than 4,000 shops and stalls. The bazaar is a vibrant and bustling place, offering a wide array of goods, including jewelry, carpets, textiles, ceramics, spices, leather goods, and traditional Turkish crafts. It's a paradise for shoppers looking for unique souvenirs and gifts. The architecture of the Grand Bazaar is a sight to behold, with its labyrinthine layout, vaulted ceilings, and colorful displays. Visitors can immerse themselves in the rich history and culture of Istanbul as they wander through the maze of shops and interact with local merchants.
8.
Biggest Leather and Carpet Producer in Turkey. Traditional shopping opportunities.
9.
Home to some of Istanbul’s most recognizable attractions, the Sultanahmet District is an ideal place to explore the city’s complex history. With the rose-colored Hagia Sophia (Aya Sofya) sitting across from the six minarets of the Blue Mosque and down the street from the energetic Grand Bazaar, this neighborhood packs in a wealth of culture.

ADDITIONAL INFO

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Posted By : icrigby
Barack was the best guide! He made our day so pleasant and with no rushing. He allowed us to to take in all the natural history and get as many pictures as we liked. He was excellent. His knowledge of all the areas made our tour interesting. Would definitely recommend this young man if you want the best guide. Even his advice for lunch was a hit. Well done to Barack!
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-07-05 17:40:20

Posted By : Daniel_D
This tour has been the highlight of our vacation! Our guide Umutcan was extremely knowledgeable and personable. His love for the city and the country of Turkey was evident as he shared some of the rich history of Istanbul. He catered the trip to our whim and took us to an amazing rooftop restaurant when we pivoted from the tour and asked to have a long lunch of traditional Turkish food. We highly recommend this tour and if you're lucky you'll have Umutcan as your guide!

Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-07-05 02:33:32

Posted By : Jonathan_W
I'm so glad we choose this tour. From the time we left the ship our guide Ozzy was there to quickly usher us on best guided tour of our entire trip. His knowledge of not only the historical information but of how to navigate in the best way to avoid long lines made this an exceptional value to my family. My favorite stops were the Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosques, Topkapi Palace, and Basillica Cistern! All were breathtaking! We visited in June which was very hot. My tip to travelers would be to carry a personal supply of water to stay hydrated while outside.
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Posted On : 2024-07-04 09:09:27

Posted By : Claudia_C
Our tour guide was the best we’ve ever had. His knowledge, his English were excellent. We have already recommended him to friends. We visited Istanbul 55 years ago. This visit was more enjoyable than the first, in large part due to our great guide.
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Posted On : 2024-07-03 06:10:59

Posted By : Michael_C
We cannot recommend this tour company, highly enough! Our guide Muti and our driver met us at the hotel. We had already had a tour of several of the main sites of Istanbul, and Muti was more than happy to improvise with us to go to what else we wanted to see in this thriving city. He gave a masterful tour of the top palace. And drove us through a variety of beautiful and interesting historical neighborhoods, while giving us thoughtful and often funny insights into the history, culture and politics of these various great monuments. If you want to avoid cookie-cutter tours that send you where they want you to go, use this company!
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-07-01 23:59:10

Posted By : ROSE
One of the best tours that we experienced on our trip to Turkey and Greece! All of the details were handled wonderfully and communication was very good! Our tour guide, Umutcan (John), was so very knowledgeable about the city and the history of not only the city, but the entire country! Our driver was excellent and we had a wonderful day seeing the Iconic landmarks of Istanbul. I recommend this tour highly!
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Posted On : 2024-07-01 15:15:58

Posted By : Ivor_T
We met up with our excellent guide, Seckin. We had to be back onboard our ship at 15:30, which is a tight deadline, given the level of traffic in Istanbul. A further issue is that my partner is partially blind. Seckin did everything to make the tour easy for us.
Our tour was on a Friday, so the Blue Mosque doesn’t open for tourists until 14:30. Seckin managed our agenda perfectly. We even managed to have an excellent lunch at a restaurant he recommended. His knowledge was encyclopaedic. And we did get to see inside the Blue Mosque. Our driver did a great job, and we bid farewell at the terminal entrance..
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Posted On : 2024-06-30 08:22:26

Posted By : jonnie_m
What a great tour with a great guide. We saw and learned so much. Highly recommend Yasin. He knew so many things and his timing to see things was impeccable.
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Posted On : 2024-06-29 15:44:40

Posted By : 991suzannel
What a great way to see all the major attractions in one day. Our guide, Batuhan, was amazing! His historical knowledge and pleasant manner made the whole experience even better. Highly recommend :)
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Posted On : 2024-06-29 13:50:03

Posted By : Darlene_T
We had a great day! We only had less than a day in Istanbul as a flight transit stop and this tour was perfect for getting a taste of the city. Our guide was great and tailored everything to what we were interested in. Also very convenient as he had a driver pick us up right at our hotel. Highly recommend!!
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Posted On : 2024-06-29 07:41:29