1.
Your private guide will meet you at Istanbul port Terminal Building with a sign written “Your Name“ on it at pre-arranged time ( mostly 30 minutes after your cruise doct into port )
15 minutes
2. Galata Koprusu
Pass by Galata bridge over Golden Horn.
3. Hippodrome
After Greeting, walk to our A/C van and start to visit Istanbul the only city in the world located on two continents is Istanbul, which has been the capital of three great empires – Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman – for more than 2000 years.
Our first stop is Hippodrome Square where used to take place for chariot races and the Byzantine riots during Roman & Byzantine period.
20 minutes
4. Blue Mosque
Our second stap is Blue Mosque where is a few meters to Ancient Hipodromme. Blue Mosque has its fame from its beautiful blue Iznik tiles
30 minutes
5. TopkapI Palace
Continue walking around 300 meters to Topkapi Palace, was not only the residence of the Ottoman sultans, but also the administrative and educational center of the state. It was constructed between 1460 and 1478 by Sultan Mehmed II, the conqueror of Constantinople. We will visit the Topkapi Palace including weapons section.
2 hours
6. Hagia Sophia Mosque
Only a short walk away, reaches Hagia Sophia built in 532 AD by ORoman Emperor Justinian I.
Update for St. Sophia interior visit :
Live guiding is not allowed in St. Sophia after the 15th January 2024. Guests have to have their smart phones and headphones during their visit. If guests do not have a headphone, they can buy at the entrance at the cost of 3,5-USD
The system is similar to audio guide system. Guests who does not have smart phones will follow the signs and the given informations on the signs .
45 minutes
7. Grand Bazaar
After a short lunch break in famous local restaurants like Pudding Shop, we will walk to visit Grand Bazaar where is one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world, with more than 58 covered streets and over 1,200 shops which attract between 250,000 and 400,000 visitors daily. Opened in 1461, it is well known for its jewelry, pottery, spice, and carpet shops.
1 hour 30 minutes
8.
After Grand Bazaar we will walk back to our van and drive to Porth through Galata port where you will see local people taking feries , having street foods and fishing . Arrival back to port and the end of our services
30 minutes