Private Tour of Istanbul Old Town District

Shore Excursion from Istanbul you will receive a private guided sightseeing tour with air-conditioned private transport. Your guide will meet you at the arrival gate of Istanbul port with a sign your name is written on, then be driven to the sites. This excursion takes you to the most famous monuments of Istanbul during this full-day guided tour. Explore Istanbul's rich history and magnificent architecture as you visit the Hippodrome, the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, and the Grand Bazaar. Highlights:

• See the magnificent ancient Hippodrome
• Visit the world-famous Blue Mosque, a stunning example of Ottoman architecture.
• Experience the Hagia Sophia, one of Turkey’s most important museums.
• Marvel at the grandeur of Topkapi Palace.
• Try out your bargaining skills at the Grand Bazaar.

The city of Istanbul has a history that spans almost 2,500 years, and this is nowhere more evident than in the Old City area of Sultanahmet. The tour opens with the magnificent Hippodrome, once the site of chariot races during the Roman and Byzantine eras. See the ancient monuments which stand here to this day, such as the Obelisk of Theodosius, the Serpentine Column, and the Column of Constantine. Then possibly the most photographed site in Istanbul, the Blue Mosque. Famous for its beautiful courtyard and impressive minarets, the mosque gets its nickname from the splendid blue tiles that cover its interior walls. Then visit Topkapi Palace, home to the Sultans of the Ottoman Empire. Today Topkapi Palace is a spectacular museum that houses the Muslim world’s holiest relics, including the cloak and sword of the Prophet Mohammed. After this, we take a break for a much-needed lunch and then continue to the Hagia Sophia, one of the world's architectural gems. An ancient basilica dating back to the 4th century, the Hagia Sophia stood as the Cathedral of Constantinople for over a thousand years before being converted into a mosque in 1453; today it serves as a museum. Finally, we go to Istanbul's famous Grand Bazaar, the largest and the oldest covered marketplace in the world, where you may find all kinds of gifts, leather, clothing, rugs, antiques, and jewelry in an authentic Oriental atmosphere. Experience the sights, sounds, and aromas, and get caught up in it as you haggle for bargains! Buzzing with the energy and laden with your wares we transport you safely back to the port.