Best Of Istanbul Tour (Private)

Here is the chance to visit the most-known historic relics of Istanbul. Private Best of Istanbul Tour covers all the popular historic spots.

We pick you up from your hotel at a time you prefer and your driver will take you to the tour starting point. The first stop of the tour is the heart of the Old City, Sultanahmet Square.

Highlights:

-Hagia Sophia (Closed during Friday Prayers)

It was built by The Byzantine Emperor Justinian I in under five and a half years. This mighty construction was used as a patriarchal basilica and persisted as the largest cathedral in the world until it was conquered by Ottoman armies and Sultan Mehmet, the Conqueror, in 1453. It was used as a mosque until Mustafa Kemal Ataturk converted it into a museum. Now, it is used as a mosque.

-Blue Mosque (Closed during Friday Prayers)

This mosque is well-known for its exquisite blue tiles and six elegant minarets. Also known as Blue Mosque, The Sultanahmet Mosque took its name from the ruler Ahmet the first. It was built between 1609 and 1616. The mosque stands next to Hagia Sophia.

-Grand Bazaar (Closed on Sundays)

Being one of the oldest and largest covered markets in the world, the Grand Bazaar has more than 4.000 shops and 60 streets where you can find local and traditional products from leather clothing to jewellery and hand-woven fabrics in an authentic oriental atmosphere.

-Topkapi Imperial Palace (Closed on Tuesdays)

This amazing palace that extends over one of Istanbul’s seven hills in a splendid position was built in 1478 by Sultan Mehmed the conqueror. The palace is one of the symbolic structures of Istanbul. It was used as the main administrative centre until Dolmabahce Palace was built in 1856.

-Hippodrome of Constantinople

The construction of the Hippodrome started in 203 AD by a Roman Emperor and continued until it was completed by Constantine the Great in 330 AD. The Hippodrome of Constantinople was used to watch the demonstrations, ceremonies, sporting events, and even executions. Later, it was especially used for chariot races, leading to its Turkish name ‘At Meydani’- literally ‘Horse Square’ during the Ottoman era. Many treasures such as the Obelisk from Egypt, the Serpentine Column from Delphi and the Fountain of Wilhelm II can be visited in this area.

-Walled Obelisk

The Walled Obelisk (Turkish: Örme Dikilitaş) is one of the Roman monuments at the Hippodrome of Constantinople, now Sultanahmet Square in Istanbul. Its original date is unknown. The Roman emperor Constantine VII Porphyrogenitus repaired it. Therefore, the column is also called Constantine's Obelisk (Konstantin Dikilitaşı) and dated 10th century.

-Serpent Column

The Serpent Column (Turkish: Yılanlı Sütun), also known as Plataean Tripod or Delphi Tripod, is an ancient bronze column at the Hippodrome of Constantinople. It was originally made and located in Delphi and relocated to Constantinople by Constantine the Great in 324. It is the symbol of commemorating the Greeks who defeated the Persian Empire at the Battle of Plataea (479 BC).

-German Fountain

The German Fountain (Turkish: Alman Çeşmesi) is at the northern end of the Hippodrome of Constantinople. It is the symbol of commemorating the second anniversary of Wilhelm II's visit, who was the German Emperor, Istanbul in 1898. The fountain was originally built in Germany, then assembled and relocated in its current site in 1900.

PSI: This tour is a mostly walking tour.