Must See in Istanbul: Private Full-Day Experience & Local Lunch | La Vacanza Travel

Must See in Istanbul: Private Full-Day Experience & Local Lunch

Duration: 9 hours
Destination: Türkiye, İstanbul, Istanbul
from
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  • 9 hours
  • Istanbul
  • E-Voucher
  • Lowest Price
  • Not-Cancellable

Overview

Either I conquer Istanbul or Istanbul conquers me. – Fatih Sultan Mehmet – the conqueror. Journey in the footsteps of the city’s most famous ruler and conquer Istanbul in just a day. This is the ultimate all-in-one introduction to the sites everyone must-see in Istanbul, with a locals-know twist. Visit Turkey’s iconic UNESCO-listed historic spots such as the jaw-dropping Hagia Sophia, the beautiful Blue Mosque, and the pretty, tree-lined ancient Hippodrome, and learn how Istanbul has stood strong through the centuries. Eat a tasty Turkish lunch with locals at a hidden restaurant, then listen to stories of how generations of sultans lived at the grand Topkapi Palace, overlooking the gorgeous Bosphorus Strait. Finish it all off with a backstreet tour and some good-natured haggling with local artisans in the Grand Bazaar.

Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product

Stop At: Hagia Sophia Mosque, Sultan Ahmet, Ayasofya MeydanI No:1, Istanbul 34122 Turkiye

Start your private Istanbul tour with a dose of awe at Justinian the Great’s Hagia Sophia. This masterpiece of Byzantine architecture stands tall and proud in downtown Istanbul, holding within its walls more than 1,500 years of Turkish history. This mind-bogglingly beautiful site is also somewhat of a chameleon — it has lived its long life as a church, a mosque, and now as a museum. It’s also a movie star: anyone who’s seen From Russia with Love will feel a bit like James Bond when they step inside.

Duration: 45 minutes

Stop At: Blue Mosque, Sultanahmet Mah At Meydani Cad No 7, Istanbul 34122 Turkiye

You’ll then head just across the street to the jewel in the Istanbul crown. Sultan Ahmet I’s Blue Mosque is one of the most striking sights in Istanbul, with its iconic blue-tiled walls (the tiles number in the tens of thousands!), 260 windows, and six minarets. Don’t forget to ask your guide the significance of those six spires.

Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Topkapi Palace, Cankurtaran Mahallesi Gulhane Park, Near Sultanahmet Square, Istanbul 34122 Turkiye

Once you’re filled with Turkish cuisine, Topkapi Palace awaits. This opulent complex overlooking the Bosphorus is a true Istanbul treasure, with many colourful stories about the rich sultans who lived there between 1453 and 1839.

Duration: 1 hour 45 minutes

Stop At: Hippodrome, Binbirdirek, Sultan Ahmet ParkI No:2, Istanbul Turkiye

Next, your Istanbul private tour will take you to the ancient Hippodrome. Today, this charming promenade is a popular meeting point for Istanbulites, but it is also an integral part of Turkish history. Chariot races once took place along this strip, which was also home to the notorious Nika riots — a dramatic political protest in 532 AD that led to the massacre of tens of thousands of people.
Need a break? We’ll step back to the present and join the locals as we lunch in a hidden café. You’ll enjoy friendly conversation with members of the community and learn about daily life in Istanbul.


Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Grand Bazaar, Kalpakcilar Cad. Sorguclu Han No: 22, Istanbul 34126 Turkiye

Lastly, you’ll seek out treasures of a different kind in Istanbul’s famed Grand Bazaar, which offers up 3,000 shops to explore along 61 streets. Meet a few of the local characters, perfect your haggling skills, have a true Turkish coffee, and shop till you drop.
Note that the Grand Bazaar is closed on Sundays, so if you choose a Sunday departure, you’ll explore the nearby vibrant Spice Market, filled with delectable and colourful Turkish spices, treats, coffees, and teas.


Duration: 1 hour

Inclusions
  • Take in the majestic Blue Mosque (admission is free)
  • Visit the mesmerising ancient site of Hagia Sophia (admission is free)
  • Enjoy a tasty Turkish lunch with locals in a hidden restaurant
  • Stop at the spine of ancient Hippodrome (admission is free)
  • Haggle with local vendors at Grand Bazaar
  • Listen to stories of sultans at Topkapi Palace (entrance fee included - except for the Harem))
  • Join Local Licensed English-speaking guide
  • Get tips on what else to see, do and eat during your stay
  • Entry/Admission - Hippodrome
  • Entry/Admission - Topkapi Palace

Exclusions
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
  • Additional food and drinks
  • Not wheelchair accessible
  • Near public transportation
  • Most travelers can participate
  • For your Intrepid Urban Adventures trip you will be in a private tour just for you and your group. Max size of the group is 12 customers
  • You will pick up some responsible travel tips that will help you to be a greener traveller while you’re in the city
  • This tour can cater to vegetarians, vegans, gluten free customers. For any specific dietary request, we need to know 24 h before the tour start time.
  • This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate
  • Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Departure Point

Pudding Shop Lale Restaurant, Alemdar, Divan Yolu Cd. No:6, 34400 Fatih/İstanbul, Türkiye


Departure Time

08:30 AM


Return Details

Grand Bazaar, Beyazıt, 34126 Fatih/İstanbul, Türkiye

Voucher info

You can present either a paper or an electronic voucher for this activity.

Duration

9 hours


User's Reviews

Mat1lda

23 Jul, 2023

Superb day tour with guide Yaz. He was very informative and gave us tons of information. Well worth it, a great day out that packs a lot in

DIANA C

04 Jul, 2023

Arif was well-informed, personable, and patient. He was considerate of individual requests. We could not have asked for a better guide.

melmair

10 Jun, 2023

Fabulous day with Berivan in Istanbul! She was so knowledgeable and passionate about her city that it was a joy to learn from her. Loved seeing key sites like Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque and Topkapi Palace. She spent extra time with us to ensure we saw the Grand Bazar and Spice Bazar, along with a memorable ice cream experience and coffee fortune telling. Highly recommend this experience for an intro to Istanbul.

Flavia M

11 May, 2023

We made a city tour in Istanbul with Arif Rakici and everything was well set up. He led us through the city showing the most important places and giving us a good explanation. He took care of us with good suggestions on what to do, what to eat, where to go, finding the cheapest way possible. He also bought a special dessert for everyone after lunch :) Thank you for this great time together!

417jost

24 Sep, 2022

Best serviced tour I've ever been on.. had my own guide as I was the only person on the excursion. Loved it! Ekrem, my guide was wonderful more like a friend you could go shopping with. We went into the bizar and tasted some local foods. Did a litle picnici shop and hung with the locals. Then to the ferry to the Asian side and had our little picnic and talked history, politics and lifestyle he was amazing.

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