Hagia Sophia & Topkapı Palace & Blue Mosque, Guided, Small Groups

4.0
(5 reviews)

7 hours (approximately)
Pickup offered
Offered in: English

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.

What's 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
Topkapı Palace skip the line entrance ticket
Hagia Sophia skip the line entrance ticket
Lunch

Meeting and pickup

Pickup points
You can choose a pickup location at checkout (multiple pickup locations are available).
Pickup details:

Hotel pick-up and drop-off from centrally located Istanbul hotels. Before the tour start time, each hotel has a fixed pick-up time.

OR
Meeting point
Buhara 93 Restaurant

Front of Buhara 93 Restaurant

End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.

Itinerary

Duration: 7 hours (approximately)
  • 1
    Blue Mosque

    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.

    40 minutes Admission ticket free
  • 2
    Hippodrome

    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.

    30 minutes Admission ticket free
  • 3
    The Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque, Istanbul

    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

    50 minutes Admission ticket not included
  • 4
    Grand Bazaar

    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.

    45 minutes Admission ticket free
  • 5
    Sultanahmet District

    Free time for Lunch

    40 minutes Admission ticket free
  • 6
    Topkapi Palace Museum

    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

    3 hours Admission ticket not included
  • 7
    Hagia Irene Museum

    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

    30 minutes Admission ticket not included

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.
Supplied by Aljazeera Tour

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Tags

Full-day Tours
Historical Tours
Walking Tours
City Tours
Additional fees
Short term availability

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

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Rating

4.0 Based on 5 5 reviews
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