Group tour of Old Town in Istanbul with a visit to Topkapi Palace in Turkey

During this Istanbul tour, explore the Old City's highlights, including Topkapi Palace with a guide, the Blue Mosque, and Hagia Sophia. Enjoy Turkish cuisine and a boat trip on the Bosphorus and Golden Horn Bay, seeing landmarks like Maiden Tower and Rumeli Fortress.

Highlights:

• Topkapi Palace and St. Irene's Church
• Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia Cathedral
• Hippodrome Square and Ibrahim Pasha Palace (exterior view)
• Hamam of Hürrem Sultan (exterior view)
• Boat ride on the Golden Horn Bay and Bosphorus Strait
• Rumeli Hissar Fortress (exterior view)
• Maiden Tower (exterior view) and Beylerbeyi Park (exterior view)

Included:

• Professional guide
• Hotel pickup and return transfer
• Air-conditioned car
• Boat ride
• Entrance fee to Topkapi Palace
• Lunch

Not included:

• Drinks
• Personal expenses
• Tip
• Topkapi Palace Harem Entrance Fee

Please note: Topkapi Palace is closed on Tuesdays. Infants must sit on your lap. If the event is canceled due to bad weather, you will be offered another date or a full refund. You will be informed of the transfer time after booking. Pick up and drop off by car is not available in the Sultanahmet Square area. If your hotel is near the main attractions, the guide will pick you up on foot from your hotel.

Tour Program:

Old Town:

• Topkapi Palace is the largest and one of the most popular museums in Istanbul. It was built between 1465-1478 by Sultan Mehmed II on top of a hill on the Historic Peninsula. The palace was the political center of the Ottoman Empire from the 15th to the 19th century.
• The Church of St. Irene is one of the earliest surviving churches in Constantinople and dedicated to the "Holy World". It is located in one of the inner courtyards of Topkapi Palace. According to legend there is a sarcophagus in which the remains of Constantine are kept. After the conquest of Constantinople, the church was not converted into a mosque, and only thanks to this the appearance of the church has not undergone significant changes. Since 1980 an annual international music festival has been held here. With our group tour of Istanbul you can learn more about St. Irene's Church.
• The Blue Mosque (Sultanahmet Mosque) was built between 1609 and 1617. It is known as the Blue Mosque, but the official name of the mosque is Sultanahmet Mosque. The interior of the mosque with 260 windows is decorated with 21 thousand blue ceramic tiles. Today it is a functioning mosque.
• Hagia Sophia Cathedral was built as a church in 532-537 and was used as a church for 916 years. After the conquest of Constantinople, it was used as a mosque for 481 years. After being used as a museum it is used as a mosque for 86 years.
• Hippodrome Square was founded in 330-334 during the Byzantine Empire. It is located between Aya Sofia and the Blue Mosque. Together they form the main square of the city of Sultanahmet. At the Hippodrome you can see ancient monuments of architecture columns and obelisks from the Byzantine period. Among the most famous monuments are the Egyptian Obelisk, the Serpent Column, the Obelisk of Constantine and the German Fountain.
• Ibrahim Pasha Palace is the former residence of the first vizier of the Ottoman Empire. Today it is home to Istanbul's cultural treasury, the Museum of Turkish and Islamic Art, which was founded in 1914.The museum has unique collections of ceramics, glassware, wood, stone and metal. One can also see various sculptures and calligraphy masterpieces. The collection of rare carpets from different parts of the world is a special pride of the museum. But the most attention of tourists is attracted by the expositions devoted to the life of the Ottoman sultans. In 1984 it received a prize from the Council of Europe, and in 1985 it was awarded by UNESCO.
• Hammam Hürrem Sultan - historical baths, which Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent built for his favorite wife Roksolana in the 16th century, after an unsuccessful attempt on her life. A distinctive feature was the fact that bathing procedures can be taken by both men and women. Today everyone can visit them.

Boat trip - Golden Horn Cove and Bosphorus Strait:

• The Golden Horn was an old trading center and a popular residential area on the coast during the Byzantine period. It was largely settled by Jewish immigrants from Spain during the Ottoman period. The mix of Armenians, Greeks, Gypsies and Turks living along its shores reflected the colorful mosaic of the city.
• The Rumeli hissari (Outer View) fortress was built by Ottoman Sultan Mehmed II as he prepared to besiege Constantinople and reclaim it from the Byzantines.

Over 3,000 people labored to build the Rumeli Fortress in a staggeringly short period of 4 months. Rumeli Fortress, located along the Bosphorus, stands opposite Anadolu Hisari, a fort built by Mehmed's great-grandfather on the site of a former Roman fortification. Mehmet finally succeeded in capturing Constantinople in 1453 and is known as Mehmet the Conqueror. Today, the historic Rumeli Fortress and Museum is open to the public and offers beautiful views from its towers.

• Maiden Tower (Exterior view). The name comes from a legend: a Byzantine emperor heard a prophecy that his favorite daughter would be killed by a snake at the age of 18. So he decided to place her in this tower built on a cliff on the Bosphorus, isolated from the land so that no snake could kill her.
• Beylerbeyi Park ( External view ). Beylerbeyi is one of the oldest Bosphorus villages, located on the Anatolian coast of the Bosphorus, between Kuzguncuk and Cengelka. It starts at the foot of the Martyrs' Bridge on July 15 on the Anatolian side and stretches along the wide coast to the hills.

Istanbul Tour with Topkapi Palace and Bosphorus Cruise

This Istanbul tour is an ideal way to get to know the city for the first time, because it brings together its most important landmarks in one well-paced experience. Many tours in Istanbul feel fragmented, but here the route is clear, logical, and unrushed. With a Russian-speaking guide, you explore the historic heart of Istanbul, walk across Hippodrome Square, see the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia, and then step into the world of the Ottoman sultans at Topkapi Palace. Once the political center of the empire, this palace still carries the weight of history in every courtyard. The second part of the tour shifts perspective completely, a cruise along the Golden Horn and the Bosphorus reveals Istanbul from the water, showing how the city truly connects two continents.

Practical Tips Before the Tour

Before starting the tour, it helps to keep a few practical details in mind.

• Wear comfortable shoes, the route includes walking
• Clothing should cover shoulders and knees
• Bring water and a hat during warm months
• No special physical preparation is required
• Morning hours are best, the city is less crowded

Following these tips makes the entire experience more relaxed and enjoyable.

More Facts About This Tour

Istanbul is a famous filming location and has appeared in movies such as Skyfall and From Russia with Love. The Beyoglu district is widely featured in Turkish TV series, while the Galata Tower has become an iconic photography spot. Topkapi Palace preserves priceless Ottoman relics, while Dolmabahce Palace and Beylerbeyi Palace reflect later imperial history. Along the Golden Horn, you can still find parks with plane trees and traditional tea gardens. The city also hosts major cultural events like the Istanbul Jazz Festival, reinforcing its role as a cultural capital.

Complementary Experiences Nearby

This tour pairs well with experiences that reveal different sides of the city. An Asian Side tour introduces lesser-known neighborhoods and everyday life beyond the Bosphorus. A full-day Istanbul tour across two continents naturally builds on this experience, connecting European and Asian districts into one continuous story of the citys past and present.

Who This Tour Is Perfect For

This tour is ideal for first-time visitors to Istanbul, couples, and families with teenagers. It appeals to travelers interested in historical landmarks and architecture. Solo travelers appreciate the structured introduction to the city, while groups of friends enjoy seeing Istanbul in a clear, well-organized way without unnecessary rush.