Highlights
- Half-day sightseeing tour of imperial Istanbul
- Visit Hagia Sophia
- Shop in the Grand Bazaar
- Visit the Underground Cistern
- Entrance fees included
Recent Photos of this Tour
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Galata-BrückeGalata-BrückePhoto by: Monika J04 2013 -
Am Goldenen HornBlick auf die Süleymaniye-MoscheePhoto by: Monika J04 2013 -
Istanbul - Goldenes HornBlick vom Galataturm aufs Goldene Horn und die AltstadtPhoto by: Monika J04 2013 -
Hagia SophiaJuxtaposition of religionsPhoto by: Krishnan VaitheeswaranAustralia, 05 2011 -
Hagia SophiaHagia SophiaPhoto by: Krishnan VaitheeswaranAustralia, 05 2011 -
Hagia SophiaHagia SophiaPhoto by: Krishnan VaitheeswaranAustralia, 05 2011 -
Hagia SophiaHagia SophiaPhoto by: Krishnan VaitheeswaranAustralia, 05 2011 -
Useful Information
Turkis shoes at the Grand Bazaar, Turkey
Now a museum, the Hagia Sophia was built in the 6th century by the Roman Emperor Justinian, and was one of the largest basilicas in the Christian world. After the Ottoman conquest, it was converted to a mosque, and is today one of the most magnificent museums in the world. Take a moment to linger here, admiring the fine Byzantine mosaics. Hagia Sophia is closed on Mondays; should you travel on this day, your visit will be replaced with Chora Museum).
Underground Cistern:
Continue to the Underground Cistern (also known as the Basilica Cistern or Yerebatan Sarayı), to see the largest of several hundred ancient cisterns that lie beneath the city of Istanbul. The cistern, located 500 feet (150m) southwest of the Hagia Sophia on the historical peninsula of Sarayburnu, was built in the 6th century during the reign of Byzantine Emperor Justinian I.
Grand Bazaar:
Do some haggling at the Grand Bazaar! In operation since the 14th century, the Grand Bazaar is one of the world’s largest covered markets, with 58 streets and over 4,000 shops. The bazaar is specially known for its jewelry, leather, pottery, spices and carpets. The market is closed on Sunday, so should you travel on this day, additional time will be spent at the Underground Cistern and Hagia Sophia.
Reviewed by edhadley, April 2013
I would recommend the full day tour, but we only had a half day available. Good tour guide and interesting tour. Suggest you copy what is on tour (its not on the voucher), as our tour guide would have left out the Roman Cisterns (which was a highlight), if I had not reminded her.
Reviewed by Nancy H, April 2012
Excellent!
