Istanbul Old City: Basilica Cistern - Blue Mosque - Grand Bazaar

Visit the historic ‘old town’ of bustling Istanbul on this tour. Photo opportunities await at Sultanahmet’s notable religious sites including the Underground Basilica Cistern and Blue Mosque. Wander through aromatic spice markets after exploring the Byzantine heritage of the Hippodrome. Witness the Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman Empire influences in this part of Turkey's great metropolis. ⦿ Tour the historic reference points of the old town with an English speaking tour guide ⦿ Benefit from a smaller tour group that can be customised to your interests ⦿ Sample Turkish delights in the Grand Bazaar and visit a local carpet workshop ⦿ Enjoy the best scenery of Istanbul from Blue Mosque

1. 1

   Basilica Cistern

   30 min

   Largest of several hundred ancient Byzantine cisterns built by Byzantine Emperor Justinian I (527-565). Huge underground Roman water source held up with 336 marble columns covering 9,800 sq. meters.

2. 2

   Blue Mosque

   30 min

   A popular tourist site, sits next to the Hagia Sophia, and continues to function as a mosque today. The Blue Mosque, as it is popularly known, was constructed between 1609 and 1616 during the rule of Ahmed I. Hand-painted blue tiles adorn the mosque’s interior walls. The Sultan Ahmed Mosque has five main domes, six minarets, and eight secondary domes with traditional Ottoman architecture and is considered to be the last great mosque of the classical period.

3. 3

   Hippodrome

   20 min

   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...

4. 4

   Sultanahmet Square

   10 min

   This beautiful square and a great place to make a stop, relax and take photos of Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque.

5. 5

   Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque

   Pass by

   The Church of Divine Wisdom, a fifteen hundred years old splendid monument, is a must see in Istanbul, built to be the world’s largest place of worship by Emperor Justinian in 532 AD.

6. 6

   Grand Bazaar

   15 min

   Grand Covered Bazaar

7. 7

   Historic Areas of Istanbul

   Pass by

   The historical city of Istanbul, the only city in the world located on two continents, was the capital of three great empires; Roman, Byzantine and the Ottoman Empire.

• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels
• Modest clothing is recommended when visiting the Sultanahmet Blue Mosque. Shorts and skirts should be below the knee. Women are kindly asked to cover their heads and any exposed shoulders with a scarf or shawl. If you do not have suitable clothing, complimentary coverings are available at the entrance, including overalls and headscarves.
• The Blue Mosque has one tourist entrance for all visitors. There is no skip-the-line option, so waiting time may occur depending on the crowd. We kindly ask for your understanding and patience.
• IF ALL INCLUSIVE OPTION IS NOT SELECTED: Entrance to Basilica Cistern (€45 per person) is not included in the tour price.

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