Hagia Sophia & Topkapı Palace & Blue Mosque, Guided, Small Groups [330554P13]
Bypass the ticket lines and step into the grandeur of Topkapı Palace and its Harem. Immerse yourself in Istanbul's rich heritage as you explore UNESCO-listed landmarks including Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque and the bustling Grand Bazaar.
• Step back in time as you learn about the 6th-century Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque.
• Experience the grandeur and allure of Islamic architecture at the Blue Mosque.
• Explore the residence of sultans at Topkapı Palace & Harem with skip the line ticket.
• Look for a bargain as you pass by hundreds of stalls in the Grand Covered Bazaar
• Uncover the mysteries of Constantinople's first church, the Hagia Irene Church.
• Step back in time as you learn about the 6th-century Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque.
• Experience the grandeur and allure of Islamic architecture at the Blue Mosque.
• Explore the residence of sultans at Topkapı Palace & Harem with skip the line ticket.
• Look for a bargain as you pass by hundreds of stalls in the Grand Covered Bazaar
• Uncover the mysteries of Constantinople's first church, the Hagia Irene Church.
ADDITIONAL INFO
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Please dress appropriately when entering sacred sites. Participants are advised to wear long pants, a long-sleeved shirt. Please bring a scarf to cover head.
- Even though you'll skip the ticket lines,the security checks at the Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque are mandatory and cannot be bypassed.
- The Grand Bazaar is closed on religious holidays and Sundays.
- This is a shared transfer with Minibus or Midibus and pick up could be early or late. For each hotel there is a fixed pick-up time. before the tour starts time
- This is walking Tour
- Hagia Sophia skip-the-line entrance ticket costs €25 and Topkapı Palace & Harem skip-the-line entrance ticket costs: 2000 turkish lira = € 50 and must be paid in cash.
INCLUDED
- Hagia Sophia Guided visit
- Hotel pick-up and drop-off (if option selected)
- Professional history expert English-speaking guide
- Topkapı Palace and Harem Guided visit
- Hippodrome Guided visit
- Blue Mosque Guided visit
NOT INCLUDED
- Topkapı Palace skip the line entrance ticket
- Hagia Sophia skip the line entrance ticket
- Lunch
CANCELLATION POLICY
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
ITINERARY
- The magnificent Blue Mosque, renowned for its 20,000 hand-painted blue Iznik tiles and six elegant minarets. Learn how this architectural masterpiece was commissioned by Sultan Ahmet I and stands as the last great mosque of the Classical Ottoman period.
- Hippodrome, It was the sporting and social center of ancient Constantinople for 1000 years, with its monuments, German Fountain of Wilhelm II, Fountain of Sultan Ahmet III, Bronze Serpentine Column, Obelisk of Theodosius and Column Constantine.
- Hagia Sophia, a 6th-century marvel built by Emperor Justinian as a Greek Orthodox church. Discover the building’s rich history as it transitioned from church to mosque and later into a museum—standing as the world’s largest church for nearly a millennium
- Before reaching the Grand Bazaar, enjoy a brief stop at a local shop—an ideal opportunity to pick up authentic souvenirs and handcrafted goods. Then, gather in front of the Grand Bazaar’s main gate to hear fascinating insights about its rich history. Afterward, explore the Grand Bazaar at your own pace. Lose yourself in the vibrant atmosphere of the world’s oldest and largest covered market, with 65 bustling streets and over 4,000 shops offering everything from carpets and jewelry to spices, ceramics and more.
- Free time for Lunch
- In the afternoon, continue to Topkapı Palace, once the exclusive residence and administrative center of the Ottoman Sultans for over four centuries. Explore its opulent chambers and marvel at priceless collections, including sacred Islamic relics of the Prophet Mohammed, imperial treasures, Chinese porcelain, weapons, and exquisite calligraphy. Admire the Harem, nestled within the palace grounds, which once housed the sultan, his mother, wives, concubines, children, and other female members of the court. A walk through this secluded section reveals a maze of rooms, courtyards, and private chambers, offering a unique glimpse into the complex social and political life of the Ottoman Empire
- Hagia Irene Church, “Hagia Irene” means “Holy Peace”in Greek. Hagia Irene was first built as a basilica with three naves, on the order of during the reign of Constantinos the Great (306–337), on top of a temple, out of wood. Hagia Irene consists of three sections that include; the naos, narthex and atrium, while the standing atrium is the only surviving sample from the Byzantine period
