Byzantine & Ottoman Relics Full Day Walking Tour

The capital of four great cultures, Istanbul is one of the most must-see cities in the world. Today this sprawling city offers everything from exquisite Ottoman palaces and spectacular churches and mosques, to the ultimate bargain-seekers paradise the Grand Bazaar.

Highlights:

• Hagia Sophia
• Topkapı Palace
• Hippodrome
• Blue Mosque
• Grand Bazaar
• The German Fountain
• Hagia Irene Church

Includes:

• Local guide
• Pick-up and drop off (Centrally located hotels only)
• Lunch

Not included:

• Entrance fee

At 07.30 am, we will pick you up from your hotel (city center hotels), then you will meet with your group and guide at meeting point and we will visit German Fountain, Hippodrome, Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque, Grand Covered Bazaar, Topkapı Palace, Hagia Irene Church. This tour is finished with transfer to the hotel.

Hippodrome, where charriot races were organised during the Byzantine Period. The stadium held 100,000 spectators and featured objects from all corners of the empire. We will see during the Hippodrome Trip; The German Fountain of Wilhelm II, Egyptian Obelisk, Serpentıne Column and The Column of Constantıne.

Blue Mosque, the only imperial mosque with six minarets and dating back to 17th century. The mosque owes its name to the exquisite tiles adorning its interior.

Hagia Sophia, built by Eastern Roman Empire Justinian in the 6th century AD Hagia Sophia is one of the architectural marvels of all time and today facilitates as an active mosque.

Grand Bazaar, the commercial heart of the old city with its 4,000 shops. It's considered as one of the largest covered markets of the world and has full of treasures including carpets and kilims, silks, jewellery, ceramics, icons, and leather goods.

The German Fountain, is a gazebo styled fountain in the northern end of old hippodrome İstanbul., Turkey and across from the Mausoleum of Sultan Ahmed I. It was constructed to commemorate the second anniversary of German Emperor Wilhelm II's visit to İstanbul in 1898. It was built in Germany, then transported piece by piece and assembled in its current site in 1900. The neo-Byzantine style fountain's octagonal dome has eight marble columns, and the dome's interior is covered with golden mosaics.

Topkapı Palace, which from 15th to 19th century, was residence of Ottoman Sultans. Today its a museum where you can have the chance to see, imperial treasury including the Spoonmakers Diamond, the 3rd largest in the world, sacred Islamic relics that belongs to prophet Mohammed and his followers. In the Palace visit the Harem Apartments were where the sultans lived together with their families. (Harem is not included in the program and visit is due to extra entrance fee.)

Hagia Irene Church, is one of the few churches in Istanbul that has not been converted into a mosque during the Ottoman Period. Built in the 4th century like Hagia Sophia, Hagia Irene today operates as a museum.