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Istanbul Shore Excursion: Private Istanbul Express Sightseeing Tour
4 h
Private
About this activity
Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: Hagia Sophia Museum / Church (Ayasofya), Ayasofya Square, Sultanahmet, Istanbul 34122 Turkey
Meet your expert guide at the cruise port and board your air-conditioned minivan to begin your 4-hour private shore excursion of Istanbul's highlights.
Head for Sultanahmet, Istanbul Old Town, and make your first stop at the Hagia Sophia, the breathtaking, UNESCO-listed church-turned-mosque-turned-museum. Completed in 537 AD by the Roman Emperor Justinian, this towering masterpiece was once one of the world’s largest Christian basilicas, and is coated in shimmering Byzantine mosaics. Admire its dome — an extraordinary architectural feat for the 6th century — and view the mosaics and Ottoman artifacts as your guide charts their history.
Continue to the Blue Mosque, another of Istanbul’s signature sights. Designed to outshine the nearby Hagia Sophia, this classical 17th-century mosque is a whirl of domes and minarets. Head inside with your guide to see the 20,000 blue İznik tiles that cover its ceiling and give it its name.
Next, be swept up in the colors and chaos of Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar. This huge, covered marketplace was established in 1456 and rings with stalls selling a myriad of goods, from jewelry to carpets. As you stroll, learn how the lanes are divided into different merchandise areas in traditional Ottoman style, and see the bedestans (domed market halls) that formed the original structure. Get buying tips from your guide and explore some of the 13 hans – open courtyards — that were caravan stops for medieval merchants.
After time to absorb the sights and sounds, return to the port, where your tour finishes.
Please note: the order of activities as described above may be subject to change on the day of your tour.
Worry-free Shore Excursion:
We will ensure your timely return to Istanbul cruise port for this activity. In the rare event your ship has departed, we will arrange for transportation to the next port-of-call. If your ship is delayed and you are unable to attend this activity, your money will be refunded. See our terms and conditions for full details.
Duration: 4 hours
Read more
Show less
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: Hagia Sophia Museum / Church (Ayasofya), Ayasofya Square, Sultanahmet, Istanbul 34122 Turkey
Meet your expert guide at the cruise port and board your air-conditioned minivan to begin your 4-hour private shore excursion of Istanbul's highlights.
Head for Sultanahmet, Istanbul Old Town, and make your first stop at the Hagia Sophia, the breathtaking, UNESCO-listed church-turned-mosque-turned-museum. Completed in 537 AD by the Roman Emperor Justinian, this towering masterpiece was once one of the world’s largest Christian basilicas, and is coated in shimmering Byzantine mosaics. Admire its dome — an extraordinary architectural feat for the 6th century — and view the mosaics and Ottoman artifacts as your guide charts their history.
Continue to the Blue Mosque, another of Istanbul’s signature sights. Designed to outshine the nearby Hagia Sophia, this classical 17th-century mosque is a whirl of domes and minarets. Head inside with your guide to see the 20,000 blue İznik tiles that cover its ceiling and give it its name.
Next, be swept up in the colors and chaos of Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar. This huge, covered marketplace was established in 1456 and rings with stalls selling a myriad of goods, from jewelry to carpets. As you stroll, learn how the lanes are divided into different merchandise areas in traditional Ottoman style, and see the bedestans (domed market halls) that formed the original structure. Get buying tips from your guide and explore some of the 13 hans – open courtyards — that were caravan stops for medieval merchants.
After time to absorb the sights and sounds, return to the port, where your tour finishes.
Please note: the order of activities as described above may be subject to change on the day of your tour.
Worry-free Shore Excursion:
We will ensure your timely return to Istanbul cruise port for this activity. In the rare event your ship has departed, we will arrange for transportation to the next port-of-call. If your ship is delayed and you are unable to attend this activity, your money will be refunded. See our terms and conditions for full details.
Duration: 4 hours
Included
- Port pickup and drop-off
- Transport by private, air-conditioned minivan
- Professional guide
- Covered by Viator’s worry-free policy
- Entry/Admission - Hagia Sophia Museum / Church (Ayasofya)
Not included
- Gratuities
- Food and drinks, unless specified
Additional
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking, unless booked within 2 days of travel. In this case confirmation will be received within 48 hours, subject to availability
- It is highly recommended that you wear comfortable clothes and shoes
- Wheelchair accessible
- Stroller accessible
- Near public transportation
- Infant seats available
- Surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Most travelers can participate
- This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate
Features
Tourism
100%
Cultural
70%
Aquatic
35%
Reviews
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our guide was wonderful. but all the tour companies should have known it was a Muslim Holy Day and that the grand Bizarre and Spice fair would be closed. access to the Blue Mosque was available only after 2:30PM
So much information to digest. I think Sofia hagia was my favourite
LOVED Istanbul! Lovely, fascinating city! Wonderful food too. Wish we had more time there. Sadly our guide had his own agenda which didn't include seeing the sights we wanted, as much as him talking at length about minor things that would have been interesting if we had had more time in the city. It felt like he was holding us back from seeing as much as we could in our allotted time.
An excellent tour with a great guide. Our guide was waiting on the pier when the ship docked. We had a private guide and a competent drive. Our guide was able to avoid most lines and get us right in to all of the sights. She took us everywhere we wanted to go and helped us negotiate all of our purchases in the grand Bazaar. We were delivered back to our ship in a timely fashion.
We where picked up from the port and the guide took us to the Old City and explained the history of Instanbul. He was very pleasant and helpful. It is the only way to see the city and well worth the cost. Great value.
Unfortunately, we arrived in Istanbul on a festival day at the end of Ramadan which meant many stores including the Grand Bazaar and the spice market were closed. It also meant that the city was extremely busy and crowded. However, our guide was able to get us into the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia without too much trouble and he was very knowledgeable about both spots. We were given opportunities to explore on our own and to take photos after he gave us insight as to what to look for. An amazing tour.