ITINERARY

• Known as the Sultan Ahmet Camii (or Sultan Ahmed Mosque), this breath-taking building is one of the most majestic Ottoman mosques in all of Turkey. *** Please note that there isn't any priority entrance for the guides at the mosques. We skip the lines at the museums*** Don't trust who can do that!
• Hippodrome of Constantinople, located in Sultanahmet/Istanbul, was a public arena mainly for chariot races. The word hippodrome comes from the Greek hippos (horse) and dromos (way). The Hippodrome of Constantinople was also home to gladiatorial games, official ceremonies, celebrations, protests, torture to the convicts and so on. Hippodrome functioned all in Roman (203-330 CE), Byzantine (330-1453 CE), and Ottoman (1453-1922) periods.
• The Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque / Ayasofya-i Kebir Cami-i Şerifi, with its innovative architecture, rich history, religious significance and extraordinary characteristics has been fighting against time for centuries, was the largest Eastern Roman Church in Istanbul. Constructed three times in the same location, it is the world’s oldest and fastest-completed cathedral. With its breathtaking domes that look like hanging in the air, monolithic marble columns and unparalleled mosaics, is one of the wonders of world’s architecture history. The sheer dazzling beauty of mosque with its magnificent play on space, light, and color provokes worship in the believer! Hagia Sophia pose on the ground of the first hill of Istanbul, precisely at the tip of the historic peninsula, surrounded by the Sea of Marmara, the Bosphorus and the Golden Horn on three sides. *** Please note that there are 2 lines one for buying tickets with cards and if you bring cash we can skip the tickets line to go in***
• This subterranean structure was commissioned by Emperor Justinian and built in 532. The largest surviving Byzantine cistern in İstanbul, it was constructed using 336 columns, many of which were salvaged from ruined temples and feature fine carved capitals. Its symmetry and sheer grandeur of conception are quite breathtaking, and its cavernous depths make a great retreat on summer days. *** We skip the lines here as this is a museum and guides can have priority.***
• it served as the main residence and administrative headquarters of the Ottoman sultans: Topkapı Palace and Harem (Topkapı Sarayı) are likely to have more colourful stories than most of the world's museums put together. Libidinous sultans, ambitious courtiers, beautiful concubines and scheming eunuchs lived and worked here between the 15th and 19th centuries when it was the court of the Ottoman empire. A visit to the palace's opulent pavilions, jewel-filled Treasury and sprawling Harem gives a fascinating glimpse into their lives. *** Please note that to see all palace takes one full day that's why we spend our time to see main highlights according to your desire. *** We skip the lines here as this is a museum and guides can have priority.***
• Istanbul's Grand Bazaar (Kapalıçarşı in Turkish) is one of the world's greatest shopping destinations and, spanning 30,700 square meters, the largest covered market in the entire world.
• We will do a bosphorus cruise on a public boat for 90 minutes. Bosphorus is worth to visit not only for business but also for recreation and eye appeal. Alongside the Strait on both continents, there are exceptionally attractive views of Ottoman architecture created by manor houses and palaces. Most of the tourist attractions also have some kind of this magnificent scenery.
• ***ONLY ON TUESDAYS WE DO VISIT ***Dolmabahce Palace built in 19 th century is one of the most glamorous palaces in the world. It was the administrative center of the late Ottoman Empire with the last of Ottoman Sultans was residing there.
• Located just before the Bosphorus Bridge, the Ortaköy Camii, Turkey (Ortaköy Mosque Turkey) has to have one of the most picturesque settings of all of the Istanbul mosques. Indeed, Ortaköy Mosque photos, with the bridge in the background are often used to demonstrate that particular Istanbul juxtaposition of traditional and modern.
• Rumeli Castle (Rumeli Hisarı) is an Ottoman fortress dating to 1452. It was built by Ottoman sultan Mehmed II (Mehmed the Conqueror) in preparation for the conquest of Constantinople. The castle is situated on the shore of the Bosphorus Strait at its narrowest point with approximately 660 meters. It is just opposite of Anadolu Castle (Anadolu Hisarı) which is another Ottoman castle built-in 1394 by Bayezid I. Both Anadolu Castle and Rumeli Castle were built by Ottoman sultans in order to prevent military and economic aid to the Byzantine Empire coming from the north, Black Sea. Thus, the Bosphorus strait connects the Black Sea with the Marmara Sea.
• This attractive part of the İstanbul strait on the Asian shore is mentioned by Byzantine historians, and in Ottoman times became one of the imperial parks known as Kandil Bahçesi (Lantern Garden). Sultan Murad IV (1623-1640) was particularly fond of Küçüksu and gave it the name Gümüş Selvi (Silver Cypress), and in several sources from the l7th century onwards the name Bağçe-i Göksu is used. During the reign of Mahmud I (1730- 1754) Divittar Mehmed Paşa built a two storey timber palace on the waterfront here which continued to be used by Selim III (1789-1807) and Mahmud II (1808-1839).
• Described by some as a miniature Dolmabahce Palace but without the crowds, the Beylerbeyi Sarayı (Beylerbeyi Palace) was commissioned by Sultan Abdülaziz to act as an imperial summer residence. With 24 rooms, 6 halls, and a hamam, it would have been quite the summer home and was also used to entertain visiting dignitaries.
• Also known as the Galata Kulesi Museum, an iconic symbol situated in the Galata quarter of İstanbul, Türkiye. Considered among the oldest towers in the world and one of the symbols of İstanbul, Galata Tower (Galata Kulesi) was included in the UNESCO World Heritage Temporary List in 2013. Galata Tower, one of the most important structures that make up the silhouette of İstanbul, was used as a long-term fire watchtower and was named Galata Fire Tower.
• Constructed under the edict of the ottoman emperor, yildirim bayezid, in beykoz district today to facilitate to istanbul’s conquer, the anatolian fortress is one of the pieces that greatly contributes to the charming silhouette of istanbul.