Small Group Full-Day Istanbul Tour: Old City, Asian Side & Lunch

In Istanbul

From
£96 pp
7h 0 mins · 4.9 (16)
Small Group Full-Day Istanbul Tour: Old City, Asian Side & Lunch
Istanbul is a unique city in the world having legs on both Europe and Asia at the same time. Visit both sides of the city in a single day, first see the Ottoman and Byzantine Monuments in the old town and then head to the Asian part of the city after having the lunch. Why You Should Choose This Tour ✔ Door-to-door service with hotel pick-up and drop-off (Centrally located hotels on the European side; pick-up begins up to 1 hour before tour start) ✔ All entrance tickets included — no separate payments on the day ✔ Lunch included — no need to plan or budget extra ✔ Small-group experience for a more personal and relaxed tour Enjoy Istanbul without worrying about tickets, transport, or unexpected costs.
Free cancellation Pickup included

What's included

  • Museum Tickets
  • LUNCH
  • All Fees and Taxes
  • AIR_CONDITIONED_VEHICLE
  • Professional Licensed Guiding
  • Pick up & Drop Off from centrally located hotels on the European Side

What's not included

  • Drinks
  • Gratuities (optional)
  • Please review the additional notes on your ticket for the appropriate dress code for mosque visits

Itinerary

  1. Pick up from the hotel and join the group. We begin our tour with a visit to Hagia Sophia Museum, which is considered one of the Eight Wonders of the World, occupies a unique place in the history of architectures one of the rare works of this size and age that still survives. (45 min) Admission included
  2. Our next visit will be The Blue Mosque, which takes its name from the world famous exquisite blue Iznik tiles decorating its interior. Also it is the only imperial mosque in the world that was originally built with six minarets. Note: Blue Mosque is reserved for Prayer on Fridays. On Fridays, we visit the mosque from the exterior. (30 min)
  3. We continue to the Hippodrome Square, the sporting and social center of old Byzantium, held 100,000 spectators and featured objects from all corners of the empire such as the Egyptian Obelisk, and the Serpent Column. (15 min)
  4. Brief Handicrafts Presentation & Lecture (Optional Attendance) next to the Grand Bazaar. Guest may opt to skip the presentation and explore Grand Bazaar on their own. Meeting back and drive to Lunch. Note: Grand Bazaar is closed on Sundays. (1h 0min)
  5. 3 Course Lunch (Beverages under your own expenses) *Vegetarian menu is also available (1h 15min)
  6. After the lunch, we will drive across the Bosphorus Bridge, which was firstly built to link the Asian and European Continents. Than we proceed to Camlica Hill, the highest point of Istanbul, for a breathtaking panoramic view of the Bosphorus, Prince’ Islands and Istanbul. (30 min)
  7. Our next stop is the Grand Camlica Mosque, opened in 2019 it is the largest mosque in Turkey. (30 min)
  8. Our last visit will be the Beylerbeyi Palace, the summer palace of Ottoman Sultans. The interior and exterior decoration of this palace is a rare specimen of a blend of Eastern, Turkish and Western motifs. The original furniture, carpets and the other fixtures have been preserved very well. Drive back to the hotel at the end of the tour. (1h 15min)

Practical information

Operated by
Popular Travel
Max group size
18 travellers
Travellers per booking
1–15
Languages
en
Confirmation
INSTANT

Cancellation policy

Free cancellation available.

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

Important notes

  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • *** When visiting religious buildings such as Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque and Camlıca Mosque, it is required to cover your shoulders and knees. A light scarf is sufficient. Scarfs can be purchased from the mosques if needed.
  • *** On Fridays, the Blue Mosque is closed to touristic visits until the end of the Friday prayer. For this reason, on Fridays, Blue Mosque will be visited from the courtyard only.
  • Not recommended for travellers with walking difficulties

Frequently asked questions

This tour lasts approximately 7 hours. Allow a little extra time at either end if you need to transfer between the ship and the excursion meeting point.

The excursion price typically covers transport, a qualified guide, and the activities listed in the description above. Meals, gratuities, personal shopping, and any entrance fees not mentioned in the description are usually paid separately on the day.

Age and fitness guidance for this excursion is not specified in the data we hold. The tour description above is the best guide — if you have any specific concerns, contact your cruise line's excursion desk before departing the ship.