Explore Istanbul’s most iconic landmarks on a small-group tour through the city’s imperial heart. With priority admission to each site, you will skip the long lines and enjoy captivating stories of empires, sultans, and sacred traditions.
Meet your expert guide in the historic Sultanahmet neighborhood. From here, stroll together toward the atmospheric Basilica Cistern — the “Subterranean Palace” hidden beneath the streets. As you walk along wooden pathways above still waters, you will witness Byzantine engineering at its finest. You will marvel at a forest of marble columns and the mysterious upside-down Medusa heads. Your guide will also explain how the cistern once supplied water to the Great Palace and was rediscovered in modern times.
Next, continue to the Hagia Sophia, Istanbul’s most celebrated monument. With pre-reserved tickets, you will enter seamlessly and stand beneath its colossal dome. This masterpiece of Byzantine and Ottoman architecture beautifully blends Christian mosaics with Islamic calligraphy. Admire the Virgin Mary mosaic, the Imperial Gate, and Roman columns brought from distant lands. Your guide will also share how the building evolved from a basilica to an imperial mosque, and now to a symbol of layered heritage.
Afterward, make your way to Topkapı Palace, the opulent residence of Ottoman sultans for nearly 400 years. Here, explore expansive courtyards, lavish pavilions, and ornate ceremonial halls. You will also see the dazzling Treasury and the Sacred Relics collection. Then, step into the imperial gardens for sweeping views over the Golden Horn and Bosphorus, while learning about state ceremonies and private palace life.
Conclude with a self-paced visit to the Harem using your included ticket. Inside, you will admire İznik tiles, mother-of-pearl inlays, and secluded courtyards. As you walk through these rooms, uncover stories of ambition, romance, and palace intrigue.
This tour effortlessly combines expert guidance, skip-the-line access, and three of Istanbul’s most unforgettable landmarks — perfect for first-time visitors and history lovers alike.
We meet at Ersoy Bufe. This is a small food kiosk just by the side of the Hippodrome in Sultanahmet Square. It is across the German Fountain. Your guide will be in front of the Ersoy Bufe with a sign that says, “Walks in Europe.”
Here is the Google Maps link https://goo.gl/maps/XmviCpepuGJtz52L6
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