Private Guided Istanbul Old City Tour [314469P2]
Istanbul has always been a unique city with a heritage of 3 Empires and a true melting pot! I would love to share my experience of 17 years as a Professional Licensed Tour Guide in Istanbul and lead the way for a sophisticated experience of old town for all my guests!
During our tour day together, we will have a chance to explore some of the top historic highlights of Istanbul such as 'Hagia Sophia' , 'Blue Mosque' , 'Basilica Cistern' , 'Hippodrome of Constantinople' and the first Baroque Mosque of the ciy from 1755(Nuruosmaniye Mosque)! And finally we will wonder around the alleys of the oldest mall of the world with thousands of shops, The Grand Bazaar! A unique experience with all the hidden gems of the worldwide famous market place! You will have a lovely taste of Istanbul from all different perspectives! History, culture, food, trading, social life and more! The tour would be a great option for first time visitors as well as couples and families!
During our tour day together, we will have a chance to explore some of the top historic highlights of Istanbul such as 'Hagia Sophia' , 'Blue Mosque' , 'Basilica Cistern' , 'Hippodrome of Constantinople' and the first Baroque Mosque of the ciy from 1755(Nuruosmaniye Mosque)! And finally we will wonder around the alleys of the oldest mall of the world with thousands of shops, The Grand Bazaar! A unique experience with all the hidden gems of the worldwide famous market place! You will have a lovely taste of Istanbul from all different perspectives! History, culture, food, trading, social life and more! The tour would be a great option for first time visitors as well as couples and families!
ADDITIONAL INFO
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
INCLUDED
- Professional Tour Guide
NOT INCLUDED
- Basilica Cistern optional (800 TRY)
- Hagia Sophia Mosque optional (25 euros )
CANCELLATION POLICY
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
ITINERARY
- The landmark and masterpiece of Istanbul Old Town since 537! One of the most important churches of Orthodox Christianity ever! Once the seat of Greek Orthodox Patriarch! Currently and active mosque and a partial museum! It offers best examples of Byzantine mosaic art from different centuries! The first architecture of the world with pendentives and flying buttresses! And it used to be the largest Christian cathedral for almost 11 centuries!
- Once the center of chariot races with a capacity of 30.000 people! And the exact location of Nika Riot in 532 resulted the massacre of thousands and destruction of Constantinople! Adorned with beautiful monuments from all over the Roman Empire and it still holds several special pieces from those days like 'Egyptian Obelisk', 'Column of Serpent' etc.
- The largest water reservoir of the Roman Era with its amazing architecture from 4th century! And definitely an unexpected historic beauty for every visitor. In Istanbul, we have 150 of those cisterns and it had to be the largest among all becuse the Basilica Cistern was the major water reservoir of the royal buildings! A natural set of movies and a great location for special events!
- One of the brilliant historic symbols of Istanbul! The most famous mosque of the world known for its unique tile decorations and frescoes! Built up in 1616 by the 16th Sultan of the Ottoman Empire(Ahmed the 1st) and it has six minarets which can be classified as the highest number for an Ottoman mosque! On the inside, it is decorated with thousands of Iznik tiles and painted floral motifs in predominantly blue colours, which give the mosque its popular name. The mosque's külliye (religious complex) includes Ahmed's tomb, a madrasa, and several other buildings in various states of preservation. Its charming beauty is always worthseeing at any time of the day.
- Designed by a Greek non-Muslim architect named Simeon Kalfa, the Nuruosmaniye mosque was the first monumental Ottoman building to exemplify the new Ottoman baroque style, which introduced baroque and neoclassical elements from Europe. The construction of the mosque complex was commissioned on the order of Sultan Mahmud I in 1748 and completed under his brother and successor, Sultan Osman the 3rd in 1755. It was named as Nuruosmaniye, meaning "The holy light of Osman", after Osman the 3rd!
- The first shopping mall of the world located at one end of the Silk Road! The top reason what makes the city of Istanbul so unique is; Location Location Location!!! The hub of trading culture since 1461 with its thousands of shops! We will go for a very special walking tour of the famous market place with its hidden spots! Bunch of HAN(old business centers located on the sides of the market) buildings would be the part of our walking tour to explore!
