Istanbul Ancient Monasteries Full-Day Tour with Lunch

We will see as many churches as we can see from outside. Our day starts with the visit of St. Saviour of Chora from outside. Built originally as a part of a monastery complex in the 4th century, transformed to a mosque at the beginning of 16th century, became a museum in 1945, and recently retransformed to a mosque again. We will continue with Tekfur Palace, a late 13th-century Byzantine palace. Next stop is the Church of St. Mary of Blachernae, an Eastern Orthodox church. We will see the Church of Saint Mary of the Mongols from 7th century. And the oldest surviving and most prestigious Greek Orthodox school in Istanbul, Phanar Greek Orthodox College. Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople is also on our itinerary. We will finish our tour with Monastery of the Pantocrator, the most typical example of architecture of the Byzantine middle period in Constantinople. And finally we will see the remains of the Church of St. Polyeuctus, from the 6th century.

1. 1

   Chora Museum

   30 min

   Greek orthodox church, originally built in the early 4th century as part of a monastery complex outside the city walls of Constantinople (Visit from outside)

2. 2

   Tekfur Sarayi

   30 min

   13th-century Byzantine palace in the north-western part of the old city of Constantinople (Visit from outside)

3. 3

   Stop 3

   30 min

   An Eastern Orthodox church

4. 4

   Church of St. Mary of the Mongols

   30 min

   The only remaining Byzantine church of Constantinople that has never been converted to a mosque, always remained open to the Greek Orthodox Church

5. 5

   Stop 5

   30 min

   The oldest surviving and most prestigious Greek Orthodox school in Istanbul

6. 6

   Fethiye Muzesi (Pammakaristos Church)

   30 min

   The Pammakaristos Church was constructed in the early part of the 12th century

7. 7

   The Walls of Istanbul

   45 min

   You will see the walls and gates of Constantinople

8. 8

   Stop 8

   45 min

   This mosque is made of two former Eastern Orthodox churches and a chapel

9. 9

   Fener Rum Patrikhanesi

   30 min

   You wil see Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople

10. 10

    Church of St Polyeuktos

    30 min

    Ancient Byzantine church in Constantinople, built by the noblewoman Anicia Juliana and dedicated to Saint Polyeuctus

• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
• Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
• Not recommended for pregnant travelers
• Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
• Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.