Personalized Istanbul Tour with Private Local Tour Guide

Tour of "Sultanahmet Center", the heart of the "Old City in Istanbul" from where the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires were ruled. Our tour guide will meet you at the meeting point and you will start to explore all around in old city.

Hagia Sophia once described as the greatest church in Christendom, is certainly a masterpiece with a synthesis of the Occident and the Orient. Built by Constantine the Great in 325 on the remains of a pagan temple. Rebuilt by Justinian and Theodora. In 1453, Mehmet the Conqueror added minarets to the huge, soaring dome and turned the former church into a mosque.

Blue Mosque, has a special place among the various Ottoman buildings constructed in the Sultanahmet Square. Constructed by Sedefkar Mehmet Aga who took classical Ottoman architecture and the Hagia Sophia into consideration in designing and construction of the Blue Mosque and created an interior space which is more spacious, well lighted and airy than the others. It is known as the Blue Mosque for the blue tiles adorning the walls of its interior.

Topkapi Palace(closed on Tuesday), which had been the seat of government for the Ottoman Empire that ruled three continents for centuries, was constructed between the years of 1460 and 1478 during the reign of Sultan Mehmed II(The Conqueror).

Grand Bazaar(closed on Sunday), is the oldest and biggest closed bazaar of the world. It was founded in 1461. Like an enormous labyrinth, it is a spectacular and unique part of Istanbul with 60 streets and over 3600 stores. The Grand Bazaar offers a wide range of products from copper to glazed tiles, from marriage articles to ready wear, and from various handicrafts to all types of spice. Western writers often mention the Grand Bazaar in their memories and travel journals.

Hippodrome, a public park used in the days of the Byzantine Empire for ceremonies and sporting events(chariot races, athletics).

Built in the 6th century by Byzantine Emperor Justinian I, it served as a water reservoir for the Great Palace. Located southwest of Hagia Sophia, the Basilica Cistern is one of Istanbul’s most spectacular museums.