A-Day-Tour Of Istanbul, By Land And Sea

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Tour Information

Key Details

  • Mobile Voucher Accepted
  • Hotel pickup Available
  • Duration: 8 Hrs
  • Language:
    English
  • Departure Time :
    8:15 AM Times are subject to change due to local traffic conditions.
  • Return Details :
    Times are subject to change due to local traffic conditions.
  • Cancellation Policy :
    This activity is non-refundable Tours booked using discount coupon codes will be non refundable.

Overview

Experience Asia and Europe by land and sea on this full-day tour of Istanbul, a gem of a city waiting to be discovered. With a tailored itinerary, visit all the major sights on land in the morning, including the Bosphorus Bridge, amlca Hill, Beylerbeyi palace and Badat Street. Enjoy lunch in a local restaurant to taste Turkish cuisine. Then continue touring the city on an afternoon cruise on the Bosphorus, the best way to explore the shores of stanbul by the sea. Finish your day with a visit to the world famous Spice market.

Know More about this tour


Your morning starts with a trip toward the Bosphorus Bridge, an architectural masterpiece that connects 2 continents. Travel 197 feet (60 m) above water, cross the contemporary steel structure, and admire an expansive view of both sides of the city.
Lying under the legs of the Bosphorus Bridge is the Beylerbeyi Palace, the elegantly-furnished 19th-century summer residence of the Ottoman sultans. From Bohemian crystal chandeliers and Hereke-type carpets to Arabic-inscribed ceilings and stately rooms, explore the Ottoman house plan, where nearly everything is symmetrical.
Ascend to one of the highest points in Istanbul, Camlica Hill, and absorb a panorama of the city—a great photo opportunity. This idyllic spot is scattered with small cafés and tea-houses and surrounded by pine trees and well-maintained lawns, making it a favorite leisure spot for locals and tourists.
For a sample of modern Istanbul, visit Bagdat Street. Lined with sidewalk cafés, swaying trees, and chic boutiques and shops, this is the place to be for the fashionable, local Sunday-brunch crowd.
After the naval victory at Cyzicus, the ancient Athenian general Alcibiades possibly built a custom station for ships coming from the Black Sea on a small rock in front of Chrysopolis (today's Üsküdar). In 1110 Byzantine Emperor Alexius Comnenus built a wooden tower protected by a stone wall. From the tower an iron chain stretched across to another tower erected on the European shore, at the quarter of Mangana in Constantinople. The islet was then connected to the Asiatic shore through a defense wall, whose underwater remains are still visible. During the Ottoman conquest of Constantinople (Istanbul) in 1453, the tower held a Byzantine garrison commanded by the Venetian Gabriele Trevisano. Subsequently, the structure was used as a watchtower by the Ottoman Turks during the reign of Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror.
There are several documents suggesting that the name of the bazaar was first "New Bazaar". The and got its name "Egyptian Bazaar" (Turkish: Mısır Çarşısı) because it was built with the revenues from the Ottoman eyalet of Egypt in 1660. The word mısır has a double meaning in Turkish: "Egypt" and "maize". This is why sometimes the name is wrongly translated as "Corn Bazaar". The bazaar was (and still is) the center for spice trade in Istanbul, but in recent years shops of other types are gradually replacing the sellers of spices.The building itself is part of the külliye (complex) of the New Mosque. The revenues obtained from the rented shops inside the bazaar building were used for the upkeeping of the mosque.

Itinerary:


Your morning starts with a trip toward the Bosphorus Bridge, an architectural masterpiece that connects 2 continents. Travel 197 feet (60 m) above water, cross the contemporary steel structure, and admire an expansive view of both sides of the city.
Lying under the legs of the Bosphorus Bridge is the Beylerbeyi Palace, the elegantly-furnished 19th-century summer residence of the Ottoman sultans. From Bohemian crystal chandeliers and Hereke-type carpets to Arabic-inscribed ceilings and stately rooms, explore the Ottoman house plan, where nearly everything is symmetrical.
Ascend to one of the highest points in Istanbul, Camlica Hill, and absorb a panorama of the city—a great photo opportunity. This idyllic spot is scattered with small cafés and tea-houses and surrounded by pine trees and well-maintained lawns, making it a favorite leisure spot for locals and tourists.
For a sample of modern Istanbul, visit Bagdat Street. Lined with sidewalk cafés, swaying trees, and chic boutiques and shops, this is the place to be for the fashionable, local Sunday-brunch crowd.
After the naval victory at Cyzicus, the ancient Athenian general Alcibiades possibly built a custom station for ships coming from the Black Sea on a small rock in front of Chrysopolis (today's Üsküdar). In 1110 Byzantine Emperor Alexius Comnenus built a wooden tower protected by a stone wall. From the tower an iron chain stretched across to another tower erected on the European shore, at the quarter of Mangana in Constantinople. The islet was then connected to the Asiatic shore through a defense wall, whose underwater remains are still visible. During the Ottoman conquest of Constantinople (Istanbul) in 1453, the tower held a Byzantine garrison commanded by the Venetian Gabriele Trevisano. Subsequently, the structure was used as a watchtower by the Ottoman Turks during the reign of Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror.
There are several documents suggesting that the name of the bazaar was first "New Bazaar". The and got its name "Egyptian Bazaar" (Turkish: Mısır Çarşısı) because it was built with the revenues from the Ottoman eyalet of Egypt in 1660. The word mısır has a double meaning in Turkish: "Egypt" and "maize". This is why sometimes the name is wrongly translated as "Corn Bazaar". The bazaar was (and still is) the center for spice trade in Istanbul, but in recent years shops of other types are gradually replacing the sellers of spices. The building itself is part of the külliye (complex) of the New Mosque. The revenues obtained from the rented shops inside the bazaar building were used for the upkeeping of the mosque.

Inclusions

  • Tour of Asian Side of Istanbul, Beylerbeyi Palace, Baghdad Street & Spice Market.
  • English-Speaking & Professional Tour Guide.
  • Admission Fees to Cruise Boat.
  • Transportation from/to the Meeting Point.

Exclusions

  • Food & Beverages.
  • Admission Fees to Museums.
  • Gratuities
  • Personal Expenses.

Additional Info

Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller

Public transportation options are available nearby

Specialized infant seats are available

Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Traveler Reviews

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  • 13-Sep-2022

    Reggie is the best English guide you could wish for in Istanbul. He is very knowledgeable, helpful & flexible. We spent a fascinating day with him discovering Istanbul & we loved every minute of it. We highly recommend him to future travelers. Christiane & Edmond

  • 29-Aug-2022

    The Four Seasons Sultanahmet recommended Cent (“Jenk”) Akbostanci as our full day tour guide. He was more that just a tour guide. I can truly say we have made a life long friend. Not only was he knowledgeable about all of the sights we saw (which are too many to list) on the 7 hours we spent together, but we got a taste of the true delights of Istanbul. We felt like very special guests everywhere. We ate delicious foods at local restaurants and he brought us to the best shops for authentic souvenirs. Many memories were made and he took great photos of us throughout the day. Will recommend him to our friends and will definitely reach out to him for future visits. His tour was the highlight of our trip.

  • 22-Aug-2022

    We had the most exciting day in Istanbul with laughs and foods and history , we owe this all to our tour guide Cenk Akstobanci he is such an amazing man and will stay our friend forever , make sure you go see the spice bazaar and the underground city. And stay at Kempenski palace too if its in your budget

  • 21-Aug-2022

    Super engaging and informational tour guide! We visited sites completely customised to our preferences and plans, while utilising his very helpful suggestions. It was a great time and we saw and experienced so much of the beautiful Turkish cultured.

  • 21-Aug-2022

    We absolutely loved this private day tour and would recommend it to ANYONE who wants to experience the wonders of Istanbul. Our guide Ilgin was brilliant - super friendly, extremely knowledgeable - educating us not only on Turkey’s rich history but gave us an inside view of its fascinating culture. Ilgin toured us through all the city's most famous sites: Hagia Sophia, Basilica Cisterns, Topkapi Palace and the Blue Mosque, explaining everything to us in perfect English. We never felt rushed; he took time with us to sit down in a charming cafe and share some of the traditional Turkish foods. He also brought us to terrific shopping venues we would not have found on our own. Thank you again Ilgin - we wouldn't have wanted anybody else to show us around this fantastic city!

  • 20-Aug-2022

    We spent two days with Recep, expert guide. Smart guy, very polite, super competent, excellent English spoken. Always open at our ideas

  • 17-Aug-2022

    What an amazing expierince Istanbul at its finest thanks to Cenk he is so informative and entertaining , he saved us alot of money for the rest of our trip beacause the day we were with him he was constantly teaching us the ins and outs of bargaining in Turkey. This man loves to eat and has great reccomendations for cheap eats and treats . We always stay at The Four Seasons and he came and met us at the hotel and guided us all through the city , highly reccomend him for tours i will be back again

  • 15-Aug-2022

    Cenk was great and a top guide! My family thoroughly enjoyed his insights and knowledge of the beautiful Istanbul.

  • 07-Aug-2022

    My family and I stayed at the Four Seasons Bosphorus and were introduced to Cenk our wonderful guide. Cenk made the trip for us, his knowledge of the city was second to none and very impressive. He took us to some of the nicest restaurants that we ate at in Turkey. We were very happy with the hotels recommendation and would advise anyone who stays here to do a tour with Cenk!

  • 20-May-2022

    I would have liked more time in the Spice Market. The guide didn’t offer much information. I think more could be offered on this tour.

See all reviews