Istanbul: Blue Mosque & Hagia Sophia Small-Group Tour

based on 97 reviews

Duration:3 hours (approx.)
Location: Istanbul, Turkey

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Upto 24 hours in Advance.

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Join a small-group walking tour of the two most famous monuments in Istanbul: the Blue Mosque and the Hagia Sophia.
Benefit from pre-reserved tickets for the Hagia Sophia
Enjoy a scenic stroll around Sultanahmet and witness the local life with a professional guide.
Experience the splendor and charm of Islamic architecture in the Blue Mosque.
Discover the history and culture of the Ottoman and Byzantine Empires.
Get tips from your guide at the end of the tour to continue exploring Istanbul independently.

WHAT'S INCLUDED

WHAT TO EXPECT

1.
Check out Istanbul's greatest monuments on this small walking tour. Meet your dedicated guide at a hot spot for traditional Turkish delicacies, where there are restroom facilities and you can purchase water or snacks. Enjoy a scenic stroll around Sultanahmet and witness the local life with a professional guide.
2.
The Blue Mosque is the most visited monument in Istanbul. Your tour will start in the Sultanahmet neighborhood which takes its name from the mosque. Marvel at this imperial Ottoman Mosque, commissioned by Sultan Ahmet the first and the last one built in this grand size. Witness the evocative power and splendor of its past as you enjoy a comprehensive guided tour of the Blue Mosque and its complementary buildings with a professional guide. Afterwards, enjoy the courtyard for breathtaking views of modern Istanbulites and take a gentle stroll around the neighborhood.
3.
Visit the Hagia Sophia with pre-reserved tickets and witness the most significant site of the Greek Orthodox religion in Istanbul. Learn how it was converted into a mosque after the Ottoman conquest of Constantinople. In the Hagia Sophia, see elements of a mosque and a church standing next to each other. Admire the basilica’s stunning dome and minarets, and countless mosaics, paintings, and marble columns. Learn how the impressive İznik tiles were added over time in the Mosque, how the stunning Virgin Mary mosaic was made, and why the Ottomans chose to bury their sultans in the courtyard.
4.
Walk the famous hippodrome of Constantinople. Learn about the obelisks that adorn the square. Take a break between two major monuments for the best views and learn about the significance of the hippodrome during the Byzantine times of the city.
5.
Explore the Arasta Bazaar nestled right under the shadow of the Blue Mosque to understand 17th Century architecture of public buildings. It is a well-known but modest open-air market in the heart of Sultanhamet. Enjoy a last-minute tea break and hunt for gifts to take home.

ADDITIONAL INFO

• Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
• Service animals allowed
• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels
• Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia are functioning mosques and they can be closed to visitors for any reason, even without pre-notice (for a high-level state visit, for example)
• Nobody can skip the line at either of the mosques although our guides make it easier and more efficient because they do it every day.
• Istanbul has notoriously bad traffic. Give more time to get to the meeting spot than you may have planned
• Tickets are timed and expire within 5 to 10 minutes.
• Please be advised that it is not possible to join the tour after it has commenced.
• Please note that women should be required to wear a headscarf when entering the mosque.
• Please note that both men and women should wear clothing that covers their shoulders and knees. Shorts, sleeveless tops, and other revealing attire are not permitted inside.

CANCELLATION POLICY

Posted By : rmeredithv
This was a wonderful tour. Tour guide was very knowledgeable and answered all our questions. However, when booking guests should be reminded of the dress code inside the mosques so that they can come prepared.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-07-03 09:02:10

Posted By : Ellen_T
Meeting point very central and easy to find. Guide very friendly and knowledgeable, relating many interesting facts, much of which would have been missed without a tour. A good pace, never feeling rushed, a really enjoyable experience.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-07-03 03:31:38

Posted By : Colin_K
Amazing tour A***** Easy meeting point in Sultanahmet square , Mert our guide was brilliant gave lots of facts and history, told jokes and kept the whole group engaged throughout the tour, I would recommend the 9am tour as temperature cooler and square less busy. Blue mosque and Hagia Sophia absolutely Stunning both a must see on a trip to Istanbul.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-07-02 02:01:40

Posted By : Kate_S
The Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque are must-sees for visitors to Istanbul. Murat, our guide, told their stories in an interesting way, pacing the information flow. He also allocated time for photo-taking after running through the 'should knows'. All in, a memorable visit.

When our tour ended, Murat provided suggestions about where we could find local food. We went with his recommendation and enjoyed our lunch.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-07-01 10:52:42

Posted By : Rory_M
Our guide Fatima was perfect. She was on time. Easy to talk to and answered all our group of 9 s questions. She is the best guide we have ever had in many years of traveling. Mary’s house and the ruins were exceptional.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-06-30 03:18:04

Posted By : Mary_D
Our guide was informative and she was very knowledgeable about the history of the 2 mosques. The tour was well paced and we did not feel rushed. We especially appreciated the small speaker headphones as we did miss any of her commentary.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-06-29 04:42:27

Posted By : Robby_K
Our guide spoke great english, was good with our two 10 year olds, and provided ample time to view and enjoy the spaces. If you’re looking for a medium length tour of the Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque this is a good option. We were able to skip the lines, but it was low season, she was also good at answering questions that related to general Turkish history. I’d highly recommend for the price and length.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-06-29 02:16:08

Posted By : CFitzjohn
Burket gave an informative three hour tour of the Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque, the perfect length in the summer heat. She was very knowledgeable and took us through key areas, and allowed us time alone to take in the sites.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-06-28 13:12:14

Posted By : Maria_L
Murat , our tour guide was incredible. He was very knowledgeable and he really enjoyed telling the history around the Blue Mosque and the Hagia Sophia . Also we walked around the Hipodromo and he explained the history of the different monuments around it, Great experience. I really recommend to take this tour while you visit Istanbul.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-06-26 16:06:07

Posted By : long_l
Our tour guide Kaan shared a lot of insides of Hagia Sofia, which is great! My son and myself had a great time!
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-06-25 23:57:00