Istanbul Dream: Old City, Ottoman Markets Tour & Whirling Dervish

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3 days (approximately)
Pickup offered
Offered in: Portuguese and 5 more

Discover the many faces of Istanbul on a three-day journey through its history, culture, and everyday life. Begin with a comfortable airport transfer to your hotel, then spend your first full day exploring the legendary sights of Sultanahmet with a licensed guide. Walk through the Old City and encounter masterpieces such as Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, the Basilica Cistern, and the Grand Bazaar. Continue your discovery through Eminönü, where historic mosques, traditional markets, lively squares, and the Galata Bridge reveal another side of the city. In the evening, experience one of Türkiye’s most distinctive cultural traditions with a Whirling Dervish ceremony at the historic Hodjapasha Cultural Center. This thoughtfully designed itinerary brings together Istanbul’s iconic heritage, local atmosphere, and cultural traditions in one memorable experience.

What's Included

Small-group tour option (up to 10 participants)
Professional, licensed tour guide authorized by the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism
Whirling Dervish (Sema) Ceremony with hotel pick-up and drop-off
Inbound airport transfer from Istanbul Airport (IST) or Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW) to your hotel
Private tour option (not shared with other participants)
Hotel pickup and drop-off for the guided walking tours
Accommodation
Meals and drinks
Hagia Sophia
Topkapi Palace
Basilica Cistern

Meeting and pickup

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

On Day 1, an inbound transfer from Istanbul Airport (IST) or Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW) to your hotel is included. On the following day(s), no hotel pickup or drop-off service is provided for the guided tours. These guided tours are operated as walking tours, and guests are required to meet their guide at the designated meeting point. The meeting points for each tour are clearly indicated in the itinerary below.

OR
Meeting point
You can choose from multiple locations at checkout.
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.

Itinerary

Duration: 3 days (approximately)
    Day 1

    Arrival Istanbul and Airport Transfer

    1 stop
  • 1
    Istanbul

    Welcome to Türkiye! Your first day is dedicated to your arrival in Istanbul. Upon landing, our team will meet you at the airport and provide a comfortable private transfer to your accommodation. The rest of the day is free to relax and recover from your journey.

    1 hour 30 minutes • Admission ticket free
    • Day 2

    Istanbul Old City Walking Tour

    9 stops
  • Sultanahmet District (Pass by)

    You’ll meet your licensed tour guide and embark on a small-group (up to 8 participants) walking tour exploring the highlights of Sultanahmet, the historic heart of Istanbul. Today’s tour includes visits to Hagia Sophia, the Hippodrome, Topkapi Palace, the Basilica Cistern, and the Grand Bazaar. The meeting point for today’s tour is the German Fountain in Sultanahmet. Your tour guide will be waiting for you at the meeting point, and from there, you’ll begin your walking tour of Istanbul’s Old City. The tour is entirely on foot, so no transportation service is required or included.

  • 2
    German Fountain

    The German Fountain, located at the northern end of Sultanahmet Square in Istanbul, across from the Mausoleum of Sultan Ahmed I, is a striking gazebo-style structure. Built to commemorate the second anniversary of German Emperor Wilhelm II’s 1898 visit to Istanbul, the fountain was constructed in Germany, transported in pieces, and assembled on-site in 1900. Designed in the Neo-Byzantine style, it features an octagonal dome supported by eight marble columns, with its interior adorned in stunning golden mosaics.

    15 minutes • Admission ticket free
  • 3
    Hippodrome

    The Hippodrome of Constantinople, now known as Sultanahmet Square, was once the grand chariot racing arena and a key social and sporting hub of Constantinople, the capital of the Byzantine Empire. Today, it stands in modern-day Istanbul as a public square, renowned for its rich history and the surviving remnants of its ancient structures.

    20 minutes • Admission ticket free
  • Blue Mosque (Pass by)

    The Blue Mosque (Sultanahmet Mosque) is one of Istanbul’s most iconic landmarks, famous for its elegant six minarets and beautiful blue Iznik tiles. You’ll admire the mosque from the outside and learn about its history and architectural significance from your guide.

  • 4
    Sultanahmet Square

    After a short walk through Sultanahmet Square, you’ll continue to Hagia Sophia, the next stop on your tour.

    10 minutes • Admission ticket free
  • 5
    Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque

    Visit the Hagia Sophia with pre-booked tickets and experience one of Istanbul’s most iconic landmarks, deeply rooted in Greek Orthodox history. Discover how this magnificent structure was transformed into a mosque following the Ottoman conquest of Constantinople. Marvel at the unique blend of architectural elements from both a mosque and a church, coexisting harmoniously. Take in the grandeur of its soaring dome, towering minarets, intricate mosaics, vivid paintings, and ancient Roman columns. Learn about the addition of exquisite İznik tiles over the years, the craftsmanship behind the Virgin Mary mosaic, and the Ottoman tradition of burying their sultans in the courtyard.

    1 hour • Admission ticket not included
  • 6
    Basilica Cistern

    Walk on the wooden walkways over the water until the famous upside-down Medusa head. The Basilica Cistern, an ancient underground water reservoir in Istanbul, features stunning columns and a mysterious ambiance, reflecting the city's rich history and architectural brilliance. The cistern was known in Byzantium as thebasilica Cistern, Justinian was the founder of the largest underground cistern, built after the Nika Revolt in 532. A must-visit marvel.

    45 minutes • Admission ticket not included
  • 7
    TopkapI Palace

    Topkapi Palace Museum / Topkapı Sarayı More than just an Imperial Residence of Ottoman Sultans, it was the seat of the Supreme Executive and Judiciary Council for almost 400 years long. Topkapi Palace is a great monument of Oriental architecture which resembles the power of the Ottoman Empire.

    1 hour 30 minutes • Admission ticket not included
  • 8
    Grand Bazaar

    Grand Bazaar / Kapalı Çarşı One of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world with over 4,000 shops with colorful products of ceramic, leather, rugs, carpets, handicrafts, clothes, silver, and gold.

    1 hour • Admission ticket free
    • Day 3

    Ottoman Markets with Golden Horn Walking Tour & Whirling Dervish (Sema) Ceremony

    8 stops
  • 9

    Meet your licensed guide in front of Rüstem Paşa Mosque and begin your walking tour. Discover this beautiful Ottoman mosque, known for its elegant architecture and stunning İznik tiles.

    40 minutes • Admission ticket free
  • 10
    Misir Carsisi (Spice Market)

    Continue to the famous Spice Bazaar, one of Istanbul’s historic covered markets. Walk through its lively aisles filled with spices, Turkish delight, dried fruits, nuts, and other traditional products while experiencing the atmosphere of this historic marketplace.

    45 minutes • Admission ticket free
  • 11
    Yeni Camii

    Walk to the impressive New Mosque, located next to the Spice Bazaar. Admire its grand Ottoman architecture and learn about its history and importance in the heart of Eminönü.

    20 minutes • Admission ticket free
  • 12
    Eminonu Square

    Continue through Eminönü Square, one of the liveliest areas of Istanbul. See the busy ferry terminals, street vendors, and the daily rhythm of local life.

    30 minutes • Admission ticket free
  • 13
    Eminonu Pier

    Explore the lively streets around Eminönü’s local food area, where you’ll see traditional food vendors and experience one of the city’s busiest everyday neighborhoods.

    30 minutes • Admission ticket free
  • 14
    Galata Bridge

    Finish your walking tour with a walk across the historic Galata Bridge. Enjoy views of the Golden Horn, Bosphorus, Istanbul’s skyline, and the local fishermen along the bridge.

    30 minutes • Admission ticket free
  • Karakoy Rihtim (Pass by)

    Your tour concludes on the Karaköy side of Galata Bridge, where you can continue exploring Istanbul or easily reach other parts of the city by public transportation or taxi.

  • 15
    Whirling Dervishes Istanbul

    Experience the spiritual beauty of a traditional Whirling Dervish ceremony and witness the mesmerizing Sufi ritual of the Mevlevi tradition, offering a unique glimpse into one of Türkiye’s most fascinating cultural traditions.

    1 hour • Admission ticket included

Additional info

  • Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
  • Not recommended for pregnant travelers
  • 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
  • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
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Multi-day Tours
Bus Tours
Private and Luxury
Historical Tours
Walking Tours
City Tours
Car Tours
Luxury Car Tours
Small Group
Additional fees
Zombie
Zombie Slice
Short term availability

Cancellation Policy

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

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