Private Tour of Istanbul with Transfer

What your day looks like

Istanbul is a city that has historical and modern sightseeing places. The city has a rich history of 2,500 years. Begin your full-day tour at the 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. We continue to 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 and is probably the most photographed site in Istanbul. Behold the imperial complex of Ottoman sultans at Topkapi Palace (Topkapi Sarayi), the royal residence in Istanbul throughout the first 400 years of the Ottoman Empire. The palace contains myriad buildings and courtyards, including a treasury, harems, an armory, imperial halls, and royal chambers—all with intricate Iznik tilework and opulent architecture. After a short break for lunch, our next venue is 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 attracting people from all over the world. Built in 532 as the world’s largest place of worship, the Hagia Sophia (Ayasofya) shifts its identity with the times but never loses its grandeur. Converted from a church to a mosque during the Ottoman era and becoming a museum in 1935, the pink-hued Old City building is one of Istanbul’s don’t-miss attractions. We end your tour at 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. Immerse yourself in the sights, sounds, and aromas of this bustling bazaar, and shop till you drop!