Best of Istanbul City Tour
Full Day Best of Istanbul City Tour
Explore Istanbul’s top highlights in one day: Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Hippodrome, and Bosphorus Cruise with lunch and hotel transfers included.
Tour Overview
Discover the very best of Turkey’s most iconic city in one unforgettable day with our Best of Istanbul City Tour. This full-day guided experience blends ancient history, imperial architecture, and scenic waterfronts into a seamless journey through time and culture. Perfect for first-time visitors or those with limited time, this tour brings you face-to-face with Istanbul’s legendary landmarks on both land and water.
- Visit top historical highlights like Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, and the Ancient Hippodrome
- Enjoy a tasty lunch at a local restaurant with Turkish flavors
- See the Golden Horn, once the heart of Byzantine trade and naval power
- Join a Bosphorus Cruise between Asia and Europe, admiring palaces, mosques, and seaside mansions
- Hotel pick-up and drop-off included from centrally located hotels
From ancient empires to modern marvels, this is Istanbul in a single, breathtaking day.
Tour Itinerary
08:00 – 08:30 – You will be picked up from your centrally located hotel in Istanbul and transferred to the tour starting point.
- Ancient Hippodrome – Once the social and sporting center of Constantinople, this historic square still displays remarkable monuments such as the German Fountain of Wilhelm II, the Egyptian Obelisk, the Serpent Column, and the Column of Constantine Porphyrogenitus.
- Blue Mosque (Sultanahmet Camii) – Admire the only mosque in Istanbul with six minarets. Famous for its exquisite blue İznik tiles, this grand structure still functions as a mosque today and welcomes visitors from all over the world.
- Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque – Originally built as a cathedral in 537 AD, later a mosque, then a museum, and now once again a mosque, Hagia Sophia is the ultimate symbol of Istanbul’s layered religious and architectural history.
- Lunch Break – Enjoy a delicious Turkish lunch at a local restaurant. Vegetarian options available upon request.
- Golden Horn (Haliç) – A historic inlet separating the old and modern parts of Istanbul. Once a natural harbor for Byzantine and Ottoman navies, it now offers scenic views and rich stories.
- Bosphorus Cruise – End the day with a stunning boat ride between the continents of Europe and Asia. See architectural jewels like Dolmabahçe Palace, Çırağan Palace, Maiden’s Tower, Rumeli Fortress, and Beylerbeyi Palace along the shoreline. Our licensed guide will share fascinating details about each landmark during the cruise.
17:00 – The Best of Istanbul City Tour ends.
You will be transferred back to your hotel.
What's Included
Included
- Pick up and drop off from Central Hotels.
- English Speaking Licenced tour guide
- Bosphorus Boat Cruise
- Lunch
- Entrance Fees
- All necessary land transportation by A/C Touristical Buses
- Local Taxes
Not Included
- Personal Expenses
- Drinks at the lunch
- Any extra fees for transportation if your hotel is not central
Important Remarks
Please read the following important information carefully before booking. These remarks contain essential details about your tour experience.
- This tour is not operated on Fridays due to the Blue Mosque being closed for public visits during Friday prayers.
- Between the Old City Tour and the Bosphorus Cruise, there is a midday break. According to the season and group logistics, guests are either: 1- Hosted in our central tour office (with seating and rest area), or 2- Transferred back to their hotel for rest before the cruise.
- The Bosphorus Cruise starts around 14:00, and boat departure times may vary slightly due to seasonal traffic or weather conditions.
- The lunch menu includes traditional Turkish dishes. Vegetarian options are available upon request.
- Hotel pick-up and drop-off are available only from centrally located accommodations (Sultanahmet, Taksim, Şişli, Beyoğlu, Fatih). Extra fees may apply for out-of-zone hotels.
- Entrance fees to visited sites and professional English-speaking guidance are included in the price.
More Details
Your journey through Istanbul begins where empires once ruled and history still whispers in every stone. After your hotel pick-up, the heart of the Old City opens before you—starting with the Ancient Hippodrome. Once the epicenter of Byzantine entertainment, today it’s a peaceful square echoing the cheers of ancient chariot races. The German Fountain, Egyptian Obelisk, and Serpent Column quietly guard the stories of emperors and sultans.
Next, you step into the spiritual serenity of the Blue Mosque, its six minarets piercing the Istanbul sky. Inside, thousands of blue İznik tiles reflect the morning light, creating a mystical ambiance that transcends time. A few steps away, you cross into another era as you enter the magnificent Hagia Sophia. This grand monument—church, mosque, museum, and now mosque again—embodies the layers of faith and civilization that define Istanbul itself.
After this immersive morning, there is a short break. Depending on the season, you may be comfortably accommodated at our central office or transferred to your hotel to rest. Around 14:00, the day continues with a new perspective—by water.
You embark on a relaxing Bosphorus Cruise, sailing between two continents. The cool breeze carries the scent of the sea as you pass iconic landmarks: Dolmabahçe Palace gleaming in neoclassical glory, the elegant Çırağan Palace, the solitary beauty of Maiden’s Tower, and the sturdy walls of Rumeli Fortress. Your guide narrates the secrets behind each structure, while you sip Turkish tea and watch seagulls drift along the skyline of domes and minarets.
By the time you return to land, the city has shared its very best with you—from ancient squares to sacred domes, and finally, the sparkling waters that have separated and united civilizations for centuries.
This is not just a tour. It’s Istanbul, unveiled.
I loved every part of this tour! Exploring the historical sites in the morning was fascinating, and the boat trip in the afternoon was the perfect way to unwind. Seeing Istanbul from the water gave me a whole new perspective on the city. This tour is a must-do for anyone visiting Istanbul!
The day trip was the perfect way to explore both the Old City and the Bosphorus. The historical sites were breathtaking, and the boat tour provided stunning views of Istanbul’s skyline. Hagia Sophia and Topkapi Palace were truly impressive, filled with so much history. The boat ride along the Bosphorus was a relaxing and scenic way to end the day!
If you’re looking for a complete Istanbul experience, this tour is the way to go. The morning was filled with history, as we visited Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, and the Blue Mosque. The lunch break was perfectly timed and gave us energy for the rest of the day. The highlight for me was the Bosphorus cruise in the afternoon. Seeing the city’s skyline from the water was absolutely breathtaking. This tour truly captures the essence of Istanbul!
It was an unforgettable tour that covered all of Istanbul’s must-see attractions. The Old City was fascinating, with its stunning landmarks and rich history. Our guide made every stop interesting with detailed explanations. After lunch, we took a relaxing Bosphorus cruise, which was the highlight of the tour for me. The views of Istanbul’s skyline, palaces, and iconic bridges were breathtaking. Seeing the sun set over the city while sailing was magical. This tour was the perfect mix of history and relaxation!
Thanks to you and Mr Erkan for your prompt responses. We greatly appreciated it.
Similar Tours You Might Like
Discover more amazing experiences similar to this tour. We've carefully selected these tours based on destinations, activities, and customer preferences to help you find your perfect adventure.
