Private guided tour to old city istanbul
Event/Tour date:
May 2, 2024
Departure time:
8:30 am
Visiting:
Azamara Cruise ship from Galata port
Private Old city tour for Azamara cruisers
- YOUR GUIDED TOUR DEPARTURE CRUICE DETAILS ISTANBUL
- 8-Night Greece Intensive Voyage
- REGION: Mediterranean
- SHIP: Azamara Pursuit
- EMBARK : Piraeus (Athens), Greece
- DEPARTURE DATE: 24 APRIL 2023
- DEBARK: ISTANBUL TURKEY GALATA PORT
- 02 MAY 2023 06:00 AM
- PICK UP: GALATA PORT -> GUIDED TOUR -> DROP OFF: YOUR HOTEL IN ISTANBUL
Private guided tour to old city Istanbul. On this guided walking tour that brings you to some of the capital's best-preserved history. Your journey begins with a visit to the Great Palace Mosaic Museum, where you'll see sixth-century mosaic floors that were once part of Constantine's Palace.
Then, follow your guide to Hipodrom. then continue to visit Blue mosque, Hagia sophia, Topkapi Palace and great Grand bazaar
Tour Highlights
- Following a short bus drive to the city center, visit the old city of istanbul Sultanahmet.
- Step into the golden ages of the Ottoman, Byzantine and Roman empires with a full-day, private tour to Istanbul's Old City. See the monuments and historic sites of Hippodrome Square, where Roman charioteers raced in ancient times, then explore St. Sophia's stunning architecture and museum. See the iconic tiles, mosaics and slender minarets of the Blue Mosque and browse traditional handicrafts inside the Grand Bazaar. Learn about the lives of sultans and courtiers at Topkapi Palace, which contains a remarkable collection of Turkey's greatest holy relics, imperial treasures and artwork.
- Full day, private tour of Istanbul.
- See the most important sites of city,
- Enjoy the flexibility of a private tour Learn about local history and culture.
- All entrance fees and transfers included
- After the tour if requested we can transfer you to your Hotel in Istanbul
What to Bring?
- KeyCard and photo ID
- Cash/credit card
- Camera
What to wear?
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Sunglasses
- Sun Had
Keep in mind
- Due to ongoing renovations, some sites may be closed to viewing.
- On Sundays, the Grand Bazaar closed and only the shops of the outer bazaar remain open, therefore the visit to the traditional covered section of Grand Bazaar may be replaced with the Spice Bazaar.
Guests must be able to walk approximately two miles over uneven surfaces for this tour. - Some delays can occur due to traffic.
- Please note that most of the tours in Turkey may include a shopping stop at the end. They are very proud of their authentic products such as Carpet, Jewelry and Souvenir that would differ by the ports you visit.
- Please note the new terminal in Turkey is very large. The walk to the transport may be at least 10 minutes long, depending on where the ship is docked.
We use for transportation on the tour Mercedes Benz Vito. Comfertable and high level car
Event Timelines
08:30 AM Pick up you from Galata port
Following a short private bus drive to the old city Istanbul and visit,
Hagia Sophia (Can be visited as a mosque since 2019)
One of the greatest marvels of architecture, Hagia Sophia was founded as a basilica in the 6th century.
Built by the order of Byzantine Emperor Justinianus, St.Sophia was the largest cathedral in the world for nearly a thousand years; it is considered the masterpiece of Byzantine architecture.
After being considered the Patriarchal Basilica of Constantinople, it was converted into a mosque in 1453 by Sultan Mehmed II, The Conqueror, which led to adding the minarets, tombs and fountains.
In 1935 it was turned into a museum by Ataturk, and in 2019 it was turned into a mosque again.
Blue Mosque( Closed on Friday Mornings because of Friday Pray )
Facing Hagia Sophia, famous for its blue Iznik tiles and its unique six minarets, the Blue Mosque was built in the name of Sultan Ahmet. This is the last great imperial mosque of the classical period.
The name for which is commonly now known, “Blue Mosque”, comes from the 20.000 marvellous blue-toned Iznik tiles decorating the interior walls.
Hippodrome and Obelisks
It’s a former center of sportive events (chariot races, for example) and political activities of the old city. The Obelisk of Theodosius, the Serpentine Column, and the German Fountain of Wilhelm II are the monuments that you can find and learn more about while visiting the Hippodrome.
Grand Covered Bazaar( Closed on Sundays, replaced with Arasta Bazaar)
In this labyrinth of streets and passages are more then 4,000 shops with each trade having its own area: the goldsmiths' street, the carpet sellers,
Turkish arts and crafts, such as handpainted ceramic plates, hand-honed copperware, brassware and trays, water ewers, onyx-ware and meerschaum pipes
Topkapi Palace( Closed on Tuesdays, replaced with Basilica Cistern)
This extraordinary and, full of secrets, palace was the residence of the Imperial Ottoman Sultans and the center of the Ottoman Empire for nearly 400 years.
The building is a typical example of Ottoman architecture and the rooms exhibit rich collections of porcelains, robes, weapons, shields, armours, Ottoman miniatures, Islamic calligraphic manuscripts as well as Ottoman treasures and jewellery
The Treasury and Harem sections are not included in the program and are due to extra entrance fees)
After the tour we will transfer you to your HOTEL in ISTANBUL
INCLUDES
Pick up from Azamara cruise ship in Galata port.
Drop off to your Hotel in Istanbul
Transportation by A/C No smoking minibus
Professional Tourist Guide
Local Taxes
EXCLUDES
Entrance fees
Lunch
Personal expensis
Gratitude's & tips to the guide and the driver