Istanbul city and Buyukada island tour

General information

Destination	Category
Istanbul, Turkey	Sightseeing Tours

Program details

FIRST DAY

Broaden your Istanbul savvy and learn more about this city’s amazing history with this tour of some of the most iconic landmarks the area has to offer. Your first stop is a breath-taking Roman Hippodrome, where chariots used to race and clash in the faraway times of the Byzantine Empire.



Then this tour takes you to some of the most impressive constructions not only in Turkey but in the Balkan region. Set eyes upon the magnificence of the Blue Mosque, the only mosque with six minarets, and the Hagia Sophia, also known as the Church of Divine Wisdom. These two wonders are some of the most outstanding examples of Ottoman architecture. Also see the German Fountain, a gazebo-like construction that the Kaiser Wilhelm II gave as a gift to the Ottoman Empire.



After a detour into the Grand Bazaar, where you will see local vendors elaborate Turkish handicrafts, set route for the Topkapi Museum, the most impressive museum in Turkey. Filled with antique art, here you get a great insight into the life of the ruling classes of the Ottoman Empire. The amount of wealth contained in the building is tantalizing and staggering.
Last but not least, follow your guide past the beautiful Hagia Irene Church and wrap up the trip at the Church of Sergius and Bacchus; for friends: the Petite Hagia Sophia Mosque. These two buildings are an excellent finishing touch to a day full of awe-inspiring architecture.



SECOND DAY

This is an alternative Bosphorus cruise for travellers with limited time to spend in Istanbul. On this guided tour you will learn all about the role of this waterway in this magical city's rich history, visiting the Egyptian Bazaar before boarding a river cruiser for an exhilarating cruise along the Bosphorus. Then visit the Dolmabahçe Palace, the residence of the last sultan, and behold the timeless grandeur of this window on Asia.



THIRD DAY
Come and explore the idyllic island of Buyukada, a place where time has stood still. Formerly a place of exile and retreat, the island prohibits the use of motorised vehicles, meaning that visitors can enjoy its natural beauty and magnificent panoramic landscapes in blissful peace. Take a horse-drawn phaeton to ride around and appreciate the charm that has been attracting prosperous Turkish, Greek, Jewish and Armenian visitors for generations.



As you ride around the island on your horse-drawn phaeton you will see churches, palaces, Ottoman-era mansions, convents and many other places of interest. The aptly named Splendid Palace Hotel, dating from 1908, still stands near the port as a reminder of the island’s enduring appeal as a destination for discerning travellers.





Meeting/pick-up point: Pick up from the hotel on all three days.

Start/opening time: At 8.00am - 8.30am (1,2 & 3 days).

End/closing time: : At 17.00pm - 17.30pm (1,2 & 3 days).

Languages: English.

Others: Topkapi Palace Museum is closed on Tuesdays. It will be replaced with Chora Museum. Grand Bazaar is closed on Sundays. It will be replaced with Spice Bazaar. For groups of 10 to 15 pax, headphones will be provided. As mosques are closed on Fridays, there will only be external visits on that day.