Istanbul: Hagia Sophia, Topkapı Palace, Blue Mosque Tour Without Hotel Pickup & Without Entrance Tickets
ID: GYG491590-898029
Category:
Country: Turkey
Duration:
09:00 hours
Description
Skip the ticket line and enter the Topkapı Palace with history expert tour guide. Discover UNESCO-listed attractions Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Grand Bazaar and most popular sites on this guided tour.
Learn about this 6th century building that was constructed by the emperor Justinian as a Greek Orthodox Church. Hear about how the the Hagia Sophia has transformed over time and how it was the largest church in the world for 1000 years.
Continue to the Blue Mosque to admire its 20,000 blue Iznık ceramic tiles and its 6 towering minarets. Find out how it was built for Sultan Ahmet I and how it was the last great mosque of the Classical period.
Make your way to the the sporting and social center of ancient Constantinople at the Hippodrome. View the German Fountain of Wilhelm II, the Bronze Serpentine Column, the Obelisk of Theodosius, and the Column of Constantine.
See the Perayton, an older Byzantine fountain with a Turkish rococo structure. Take as stroll through the Grand Covered Bazaar, the oldest and biggest covered market in the world. Get lost in 65 streets with more than 4000 shops. Buy gifts for yourself or friends from the store we will visit. Sitting down to a delicious lunch. After the Lunch, Head to the Topkapı Palace, which was once the private residence of Ottoman Sultans.
View exhibits of sacred Islamic relics of Prophet Mohammed, imperial treasures, Chinese porcelain, weapons, and calligraphy works at the Topkapı Palace. Continue to the Byzantine-period Hagia Irene Church which was the first church completed in Constantinople.
Highlights
- Visit where the sultans lived at the Topkapı Palace with skip the line ticket
- Explore Byzantian and Ottoman heritage in historical sites of Istanbul Old City
- See the splendor and charm of Islamic architecture in the Blue Mosque
- Find out how the Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque has switched roles over the years
- Discover the secrets of Constantinople's first church, the Hagia Irene Church
Guiding languages
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
• The Grand Bazaar is closed on religious holidays and Sundays.
• The harem section in Topkapı Palace is not included in the program
• The security line, in the Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque takes approximately 20 minutes in off and mid seasons and in high season it takes around 60 minutes.
Meet your guide in front of Buhara 93 Restaurant at Sultanahmet Square. They will be holding an Aljazeera Tour logo flag.
Hotel pick-up and drop-off
When should I book?
To guarantee availability book as soon as possible. Early booking is worth consideration especially if you planning the trip during high season like public holidays or weekends.
Cancellations
Cancellation is not possible. If you cancel it anyway or not show up on the excursion you will still be charged the full price of the activity and the money you paid will not be refunded.
