Mysteries of Historical Peninsula Hagia Sophia and Cistern Tour

3 hours 30 minutes (approximately)
Pickup offered
Offered in: English

Delve into the rich history of Istanbul on a full-day exploration of the Historical Peninsula. Start your journey at Sultanahmet Square, uncovering the secrets of the Serpent Column and the Obelisk of Theodosius. Enter the magnificent Hagia Sophia to discover its sacred geometry and hidden inscriptions. Enjoy a private lunch featuring authentic historical cuisine in an Ottoman courtyard, followed by an immersive visit to the Basilica Cistern, where the mysterious inverted Medusa heads await. Gain exclusive access to lesser-known subterranean sites and vaults, revealing Istanbul's enigmatic past.

- Full-day guided tour of Istanbul’s Historical Peninsula
- Explore Hagia Sophia, the Basilica Cistern, and hidden sites
- Enjoy a private lunch in an Ottoman-era courtyard
- Skip-the-line access for priority admissions to key attractions

What's Included

Admission fee
Entrance fee for Basilica Cistern & Hagia Sophia
Private transportation
Lunch

Meeting and pickup

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

We can meet you at a mutually agreed-upon location within the Historical Peninsula, or we can pick you up directly if you are staying at a hotel located within the Historical Peninsula.

OR
Meeting point

We can meet you at a mutually agreed-upon location within the Historical Peninsula, or we can pick you up directly if you are staying at a hotel located within the Historical Peninsula.

End point
Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque

Itinerary

Duration: 3 hours 30 minutes (approximately)
  • 1
    Sultanahmet Square

    We will discover the ancient heritages from Byzantine and Ottoman Empire Period and the old Hiipodrome area.

    20 minutes • Admission ticket included
  • 2
    Blue Mosque

    The blue tiles will invite you to explore this magnificent mosque.

    20 minutes • Admission ticket included
  • 3
    Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque

    From church to mosque, this charming place and its hidden secrest are waiting for your.

    40 minutes • Admission ticket included
  • Hurrem Sultan HamamI (Pass by)

    Here is one of the oldest Turkish bath in Istanbul.

    Admission ticket free
  • Turkish and Islamic Arts Museum (Turk ve Islam Eserleri Muzesi) (Pass by)

    This is an old palace of an Ottoman Vizier.

    Admission ticket free
  • TopkapI Palace (Pass by)

    The oldest Ottoman Palace in Istanbul.

    Admission ticket free
  • Pudding Shop Lale Restaurant (Pass by)

    Hippies meeting point.

    Admission ticket free
  • 4
    Basilica Cistern

    One of the oldest cistern of Byzantine.

    25 minutes • Admission ticket included

Additional info

  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Supplied by Esoteric Tours

Tags

Half-day Tours
Private and Luxury
Private Sightseeing Tours
Cultural Tours
Historical Tours
Walking Tours
Short term availability

Cancellation Policy

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

Show more
from per group (up to 4)
Was {{formatPrice(summaryFromPriceBeforeDiscount, currency, 2)}}