Full Day Guided Istanbul City Tour (Ottoman & Byzantine Relics)

Places to Visit During City Tour
Now, let us provide you with the answer that you wonder the most: Where will you visit during Istanbul City Tour? Well, of course, our answer will be “the most popular tourist attractions of Istanbul”!

Moreover, at none of these places you will wait in the long ticket lines; since we will have arranged everything for you!

The Itinerary of Istanbul City Tour 

• Hagia Sophia
• Blue Mosque
• Hippodrome
• Obelisk
• Lunch Break
• Topkapı Palace

Hagia Sophia

One of the most significant historical museums of Turkey, Hagia Sophia has a sacred importance in the cultural background of Istanbul. Once, in Byzantine era, it has been demanded to be built by I. Justinianus, as a Petrarchan Cathedral with a basilica basis; and it has been completed between 532-537.

In 1453, however, Istanbul has been captured by Ottoman Empire and one of the most well-know sultans of Ottoman Empire, Fatih Sultan Mehmet, has wanted to turn Hagia Sophia into a mosque.

After that, of course, Hagia Sophia has been used as a mosque until 1935. Since 1935, Hagia Sophia has been welcoming the travelers all around the world as a museum.

Hagia Sophia, with its historical richness, is also important for architecture; because it is considered as an architectural milestone.

Again, Hagia Sophia is a hybrid of Byzantine and Ottoman Empire in every way; and to see the combination of them is on the list of things to do in Istanbul.

As convincing other features, Hagia Sophia is the oldest and biggest (until Sevilla has been built) cathedral; and the oldest sacred place which serves the worshipers (for 15 centuries) of the world. Thus, it must be seen by everyone, at least for once.

Blue Mosque
A student of architectural genius Sinan, Sedefkar Mehmed Aga, has designed Blue Mosque with the demands of Ahmed I.

It was built with six minarets (in general, all mosques have four), one with a large dome and eight smaller domes around it; and its size is gigantic. Yet, the most striking feature of it cannot be seen from outside; since it is the blue interior decoration, which will leave you speechless.

The color of peace, blue is dominant inside, on the 20,000 handmade ceramic tiles, brought from İznik. Also, there is the architectural style consists of classical Islamic and Byzantine; and also, something that resembles Sinan’s technique.

This mixture makes Hagia Sophia a real piece of art which is still be used actively by prayers 5 times in a day. With a proper clothing, you can also pray; or please your eyes and soul only by viewing the ceilings, chandeliers or mosaics.

Hippodrome
At Sultan Ahmet Center, there is an ancient and huge building which has been used for chariot races for centuries, by different civilizations and empires.

Firstly, at A.C. 203, Hippodrome has been built by Byzantines, and used as a platform for a daily activity: Chariot races. Byzantines -from all walks of life- used to go there to bet, watch, win and have fun. After 100 years, Istanbul has become the center of New Roman Empire, and the Hippodrome has been decorated and upgraded; since it had to be magnificent.

With its upgraded version, it still was the place for horse and chariot races.

When Ottoman Empire has captured Istanbul, Hippodrome has remained the same both as a building and duty; it has been even used for ceremonies of sultans.

Thus, as a building which has hosted three different time periods and empires, it deserves to be seen and touched by new generations.

Obelisk
Obelisk is a gorgeous piece of Hippodrome; so gorgeous that Byzantine Empire was very proud about it; since it was symbolizing the strength of them.

Brought from Egypt, there are hieroglyphs and texts in Latin and ancient Greek; and it simply honors the emperor.

It has divided into different sections as a design, which is a unique feature of it comparing to others; since it has an irregular perspective and combination of different materials. All of its four sides have a different message; yet, the meaning is always the same: The emperor of Byzantine is powerful, wise and strong.

Because of its height, it used to be seen from anywhere in Hippodrome, and still is very striking with its 20-metre-height and hieroglyphs, ornaments and stateliness; and you can see it in Sultan Ahmet and honor the soul of emperors of Byzantine.

Lunch Break 
There are not many famous cuisines in the world; yet, luckily, Turkish cuisine is one of the most favorable ones of this precious branch; and you will be enjoying a nice, traditional meal by having your lunch in the extent of this tour.

While resting your body and filling your stomach with the tastiest foods of Turkey, you may already consider of coming back here; this time, only to try new flavors. With its various options of meals as vegetables, meats, pastries, desserts and drinks, you can have anything you want to spoil yourself.

Topkapi Palace
For nearly 400 years after the conquest of Istanbul (in 1453), Topkapi Palace has been the center of education, management and art; also, the residence of sultans with its 4 harems.

After the establishment of Republic of Turkey, it has been turned into a museum; and since then, it welcomes the travelers from all around the world.

What is special about Topkapi Palace is the fact that it is one of the biggest palace-museums of the world: It consists of four main courtyards and many smaller buildings in these boundaries.

There are many things to see in there, of course, but mainly The Gate of Salutation, Byzantine Church Hagia Eirene and its interior design, The Imperial Mint of the Ottoman Empire, Gate of Felicity, Audience Chamber, Miniature and Portrait Gallery and Harems can be count as must-be-seen points of Topkapi Palace.

The places have related information about the importance of these sections; especially if you are interested in Ottoman Empire era; and specifically, you will gather deep knowledge about the lives of sultans and their families.

Hagia Irene
The Church of St. Irene (in Turkish Aya İrini, in Greek. Αγία Ειρήνη, Ayia Irene) is the earliest building of all the churches of Constantinople that has survived to this day. The church was dedicated to the “Holy World” and not to Saint Irina, as some legends say, which have also reached our days. The church is located in the courtyard of the Topkapi Palace, which in turn occupies an important place in the cultural heritage of Turkey and is located in the historical district of Istanbul – the Sultanahmet district.

The structure was erected in the shape of a cross, which was a new type of basilica. Inside the church there is a crypt, according to legend, that keeps the ashes of Constantine.

Originally on the site of the current Church of St. Irina there was an ancient temple, after its destruction, already on the site of the ruins, in the 4th century the first basilica of the Christian faith was erected. Prior to the construction of the Hagia Sophia, the Church of St. Irene was the most significant temple of Constantinople.

The church suffered significant destruction in 532 and 740, which required significant reconstruction work. In 1453, the church, after the capture of the city, did not undergo changes, thanks to which the original atrium was preserved. Later, the church was used as an armory, as the Archaeological Museum, the Imperial Museum, and the Military Museum. Nowadays, the church of St. Irina serves as a hall for concerts.