Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Grand Bazaar guided small group tour
Activities

Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Grand Bazaar guided small group tour

3.5/5

Great
3 reviews
from
£21.00
Free cancellation
Language: English
Mobile voucher accepted
Duration: 3 hours 30 minutes
Why you’ll love this…
  • Explore the rich history and significance of Istanbul at the Hagia Sophia
  • Admire the Blue Mosque's exquisite handmade blue Iznik tiles and six majestic minarets
  • Immerse in the lively ambiance of the Grand Bazaar as you meander through its bustling stalls
  • Stroll through the historic Hippodrome, once a hub of culture, sport and politics
  • Take in the sights of the German Fountain, Serpentine Column and the Column of Constantine
What to expect

Find your guide at the meeting point or enjoy the convenience of being picked up from centrally-located hotels in Istanbul.

Begin your tour with a visit to 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.

Next, step into the heart of ancient Constantinople at the Hippodrome, once the city’s vibrant social and sporting center. Admire historical monuments including the German Fountain of Wilhelm II, the Bronze Serpentine Column, the Obelisk of Theodosius and the Column of Constantine.

Visit the awe-inspiring 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.

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

Read more
What's included
  • check Guided tour
  • check Transportation in air-conditioned vehicle
  • check Hotel pick-up
  • check Tour guide
  • check Sales tax
What's not included
  • x_not_included Tips (optional)
  • x_not_included Hotel drop-off
  • x_not_included Skip-the-line ticket
Where

Sultan Ahmet, Buhara 93 Restaurant, Nakilbent Sokak, Fatih/İstanbul, Türkiye

Meeting point:
1: The "Half Day Guided Tour" option is the tour with a meeting point. Meet your guide in front of Buhara 93 Restaurant at Sultanahmet Square, holding the Aljazeera Tour Logo Flag. 2: The "Tour with pick-up" option is the tour with hotel pickup. Pickup is only available from European side areas (from Osmanbey, Harbiye, Taksim, Fındıklı, Karaköy, Tepebaşı, Sirkeci, Sultanahmet, Kadırga, Beyazıt, Laleli, Aksaray, Yenikapi, Fındıkzade, Topkapı areas).
What to remember

Not allowed:

  • Clothes that don't cover arms and legs. Participants are advised to wear long pants, and a long-sleeved shirt and to bring a scarf to cover the head

Extra fees to be paid on-site:

  • Hagia Sophia skip the line entrance ticket is not included in the tour price (€25, cash, per person)

Know in advance:

  • This is a walking tour
  • Even though you'll skip the ticket lines, the security checks at the Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque are mandatory and cannot be bypassed
  • The Grand Bazaar is closed on religious holidays and Sundays
  • This is a shared transfer with Minibus or Midibus and pick-up could be early or late. Each hotel has a fixed pick-up time. before the tour starts time. Please confirm the pick-up location and time directly with the local tour operator, you'll find the contact information on the voucher you'll receive after booking
  • The tour ends at the Grand Bazaar
Read more
Provider
Aljazeera İstanbul Turizm limited şirketi
Booking fee
Good news! No extra fees are applied to this booking.
Cancellation policy
Receive a 100% refund if you cancel up to 24 hours before the experience begins.

What people say about this experience

Great

3.5 /5

Based on 3 reviews from verified customers


Review categories

Value for money

5/5

Safety

5/5

Service

5/5

Staff

5/5


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  • L

    Lena

    Verified booking

    4.6

    7 August 2024

    Travelled with family


    Eine Tour am Morgen ist nur zu empfehlen. Es ist noch nicht so warm und viel leerer, so kommt man überall schnell rein. Tolle Erklärungen für die Blaue Moschee, der Eintritt in die Cisterne Basilika (Versunkener Palast) war genau zu dem Extrapreis (800 TL/Person) zu bekommen, wie TUI es angegeben hat. Und sie hat sich wirklich gelohnt! Sie ist einfach überwältigend schön! Die Erklärung zur Hagia Sophia kam etwas zu kurz für mich. Gleichzeitig stand das ehemalige Hippodrom neu auf dem Programm.

  • T

    TUI Musement Traveler

    Verified booking

    3

    17 June 2024
  • T

    TUI Musement Traveler

    Verified booking

    3

    6 December 2022

    It was not the guides fault that the mosque was under construction, so nothing to see. Guest should not be taken there, there should be an alternative. During the tour we were taken to a shop to see a fashion show and we could by some leader jackets? Sorry, but this is for some a waste of time !

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