Best of Istanbul: Basilica Cistern – Blue Mosque – Grand Bazaar
Why we love it?
The "Best of Istanbul" tour offers a concise yet immersive experience of the city's rich history and culture over the course of three hours. Participants will explore the atmospheric Basilica Cistern, renowned for its ancient architecture and stunning columns, before visiting the iconic Blue Mosque, a masterpiece of Ottoman design. The tour also includes a stroll through the historic Hippodrome, once the heart of Byzantine public life. Ideal for travelers seeking a small group setting, this tour is led by a professional guide who provides insights into the historical significance of each site, making it a distinctive option for those wanting to experience Istanbul's highlights in a short time frame.
Inclusions
- Professional guide
- Small Group
- Basilica Cistern entrance ticket (*if all-inclusive option selected)
Exclusions
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Gratuities
- Basilica Cistern
Itinerary
Basilica Cistern
This spacious Roman built cistern shows off impressive Roman engineering was commissioned by Emperor Justinian, largest surviving Byzantine cistern in Istanbul and has been backdrop for many movies over time.
Sultanahmet Mosque ( Blue Mosque )
Sultan Ahmed Mosque, known as the Blue Mosque by many tourists because of its bluish interior decoration( blue tiles surrounding the walls of interior design), is the most important mosque of Istanbul standing next to the Byzantine Hippodrome in the old city center..
Hippodrome
The Hippodrome of Constantinople was a circus that was the sporting and social center of Constantinople. Today it is a square with a few fragments of the original structure surviving. Monuments decorating the Hippodrome include the 3500-year-old Egyptian Obelisk, Serpentine Column...
Hagia Sophia Mosque (Pass by)
Began its life as a church in 532 AD, converted into a mosque after the Turkish conquest of Constantinople in 1453 and now a museum since 1935. By general consensus, it is the most important Byzantine structure and one of the world’s great monuments built under the direction of the Byzantine emperor Justinian I. Part of the UNESCO World Heritage site in Istanbul and famous for its lofty interior, stunning surviving mosaics and the massive dome...
Sultanahmet Square
This beautiful square and a great place to make a stop, relax and take photos of Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque. "Sultan Ahmet Center", the heart of the "Old City" from where the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires were ruled
Kapalı Carşı ( Grand Bazaar )
Istanbul's Grand Bazaar is high on most tourists' itineraries, and for a good reason. This enormous site is the largest covered market in the world with 61 covered streets and over 4,000 shops on a total area of 30,700 m², attracting between 250,000 and 400,000 visitors daily...
*️⃣↘️
* Seen from outside / Pass by
Please Note
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Not stroller accessible
- Not suitable for pets
- Infant seats unavailable
- Modest clothing should be preferred when visiting the Sultanahmet Blue Mosque. Shorts for men or women should be below the knee. Women cover their heads and exposed shoulders with a scarf or shawl, skirt should be below the knee.
- It may be challenging to do the tour with a stroller, not recommended
- Grand Bazaar is closed on Sundays
- IF “All Inclusive Option” not selected: Basilica Cistern (1.500TL per person) is not included in the tour price. Once you pay your entrance fee to your tour guide, you will have the privilege of skipping the ticket queue. You can pay the tour guide preferably cash in TRY (or in equivalent to USD or EURO).
- ⚠️ Please arrive at least 5 minutes before the activity starts as finding a taxi and traffic congestion are always a problem. The tour starts on time as it is a shared tour with other participants.
Know Before You Go
- Public transportation nearby
- Infants must sit on laps
Cancellation Policy
Fully refundable until 1 day before start
Non-refundable after 1 day before start
