SKIP-THE-LINE: Treasures of istanbul w/LUNCH

e Egyptian Pyramids or the Great Wall of China. Today's Hagia Sophia was built by the Emperor Justinian in 537AD. It was the religious center of the city during the Byzantine period. It was used as a church for 916 years and as a mosque for 481 years, In 1934, by the order of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk it was converted into a museum and since it is open to the visitors.

Blue mosque today is one of the most famous landmarks of the old city with its famous six minarets and magnificent dome. Although it is officially called Sultanahmet Mosque, the name Blue Mosque was given to it by the visitors because of the amazing blue tiles decorating the interior walls

It housed the Ottoman sultans for nearly 400 years until the Dolmabahçe palace was built. In 1924 it was converted into a museum. Today it is famous with harem, royal treasury, and holy relics sections

ppodrome was the civil center for the people of the city where once 100,000 spectators could be held. Located in the heart of Sultanahmet surrounded by Blue mosque, Hagia Sophia and Topkapi palace, today it is home to The Egyptian Obelisk (Dikilitaş), The Serpentine Column (Burma sütun), The Constantine Column and German Fountain.

It was built between 1455-1461 by Sultan Mehmet the Conqueror. Today, shops selling the same kind of merchandise tend to be congregated in their own streets or inns as it was the original Ottoman system At the end of the tour drive you back to the departure point