Istanbul Byzantine-Ottoman Tour:Hagia Sophia,TopkapiPalace,BlueMosque GrandBazar

Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product

Stop At: Hagia Sophia Museum / Church (Ayasofya), Ayasofya Square, Sultanahmet, Istanbul 34122 Turkey

Enjoy a Full Day tour of the Sultanahmet area which is the UNESCO recognized heart of old Istanbul. Our local guide takes us to Hagia Sophia. Built in 537 AD as world's first large dome building it was the religious focal point of the Orthodox Church before its conversion in a Muslim Mosque. We have a look at its many unique decoration from Byzantine and Turkish periods.

Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Blue Mosque, Sultanahmet Mah At Meydani Cad No 7, Istanbul 34122 Turkey

Then we enjoy a short walk to Blue Mosque. Built in 17th century it owes its fame to the exquisite blue Iznik Tiles on its walls. Hippodrome is next to here where we see an Egyptian Obelisk and Serpent Column where once horse chariots races of the Eastern Roman Empire took. Next, you will see the German Fountain which was a gift of Kaiser Wilhelm 2. Listen the stories of his liaison with the orient

Duration: 40 minutes

Stop At: Sultanahmet Square, Istanbul Turkey

Hippodrome is next to here where we see an Egyptian Obelisk and Serpent Column where once horse chariots races of the Eastern Roman Empire took. Next, you will see the German Fountain which was a gift of Kaiser Wilhelm 2. Listen the stories of his liaison with the orient

Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Kapali Carsi, Eminounu Eminounu, Istanbul 34126 Turkey

We then go to Grand Bazaar. Following introduction by our guide at a recommended store we will have some free time to browse its 1 200 spice and gold shops.

Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Hagia Irene Museum, Sultanahmet Meydani Topkapi Sarayi 1. Avlusu Sultanahmet, Fatih, Istanbul 34122 Turkey

Next place to see is Hagia Irene Church (from outside). Our final place of interest is Church of Sergius and Bacchus today known as “Petit Hagia Sophia Mosque”. To see these things with a great guide...well, you will never be quite the same again. After the tour transfer back to the hotel

Duration: 10 minutes

Stop At: Topkapi Palace, Cankurtaran Mahallesi Gulhane Park, Near Sultanahmet Square, Istanbul 34122 Turkey

After lunch at a local restaurant we visit the amazing Topkapi Palace which from 15th to the 19th Century was the principle residence of the Turkish Ottoman Empire. Our guide gives a tour at the gardens halls where we view staggering collection of imperial and religious treasury golden thrones and emerald crowns.

Duration: 3 hours