Itinerary

1. Day 1: Hagia Sophia and Sultanahmet Mosque

   • Meet your tour guide and begin your visit with a stroll through the Sultanahmet area. Boasting two of the largest mosques in Istanbul, the Hagia Sophia and the Sultanahmet Mosque, this area has hundreds of years of history that has seen the likes of many civilizations. 
   • See the Hagia Sophia, also known to locals as the Aya Sofia, now a museum but was once a church before it was converted to a mosque during the Ottoman Empire's reign. Head upstairs to the mosque to see the mosaics and the incredible details covering the museum ceiling and pillars. Inside the mosque, a pillar to the left of the door is considered sacred, so be sure to touch your hand to it as many of the locals do.
   • Head to the Sultanahmet Mosque. Along the way, there are many interesting monuments and statues, including the Hippodrome and an obelisk gifted by Egypt. Inside the grounds of the Blue Mosque, spend time in the courtyard to see thousands of tiny blue tiles in the interior of the Sultanahmet Mosque, making it clear why it is also more commonly known as the Blue Mosque.  
   • Make your way to one of the rooftop bars of the nearby side streets for spectacular views of the sunset. From the rooftop bars, you will have spectacular views of the Blue Mosque's minarets and of the sun sinking into the Aegean Sea.

   Note: The Hagia Sophia is closed on Mondays.

2. Day 2: Grand Bazaar and Bosphorus Cruise

   • Spend your second day in the old city with a visit to the vibrant Grand Bazaar. With over 4000 tiny, independently owned shops, it is easy to get lost in the maze of the bazaar. The covered bazaar was built in 1455 and is filled with life and character, offering visitors hundreds of ceramics, clothes, jewellery, and beauty shops.  
   • For a great lunch spot around the bazaar, head to one of the falafel shops on the main road. With low prices and delicious food, these places serve traditional Turkish and Middle Eastern food. Wash your food down with the local beer Efes, or grab one of the freshly brewed pots of tea, known to locals as Cay.
   • After enjoying a delicious lunch, wander to the Golden Horn River and catch a boat for the nighttime Bosphorus tour. The boat will head up the Bosphorus River and provide you with ultimate views of the sunset. Be sure to look at both sides of the land; the European side has more historical views, while the Asian side has more green space and natural views.

   Note: The Grand Bazaar is often closed on Sundays.

3. Day 3: Topkapi Palace, Spice Bazaar and Cistern

   • Spend your last day in the old city visiting Topkapi Palace. Once the home of many great sultans of the Ottoman Empire, the palace sits on the confluence of the Bosphorus and Golden Horn Rivers. With plenty of rooms and gardens to explore, visit the palace kitchens, bedrooms, living rooms, and hammam to learn a lot about the history and culture of the early and mid-Ottoman Empire reign. One of the most incredible displays in the museum is the jewellery and swords that were once owned by the Sultans.  
   • In the afternoon, head to the Spice Bazaar beside the Golden Horn river. The Spice Bazaar is filled with vibrant colours and aromatic smells, selling loose-leaf tea, spices, and desserts. Be sure to taste test some of the incredible Turkish desserts including baklava, a sweet pastry dessert, and lokum, a sweet, chewy, and fruity dessert.
   • The bazaar is closed on Sundays.
   • After the Spice Bazaar, spend an hour visiting the Basilica Cistern. An ancient Roman aqueduct, one has to head underground to walk along a wooden walkway built over the remnants of the rain-water. At the end of the walkway, two Medusa heads hold up two of the original columns of the aqueduct.
   • Return to your stay at the end of the tour.

   Note: The Topkapi Palace is closed on Tuesdays.