Istanbul Half-Day Private Old City Tour & Hagia Sophia Fast-Track

Your guide picks you up from your hotel lobby (centrally located hotels only).

The first stop is Sultanahmet Square, where you see monuments such as the Obelisk of Theodosius and the Serpent Column, reminders of the power and beauty of the Byzantine and Ottoman empires.

With your guide you then explore the Blue Mosque, famous around the world for its graceful architecture and beautiful blue Iznik tiles.

Next is the timeless Hagia Sophia, a masterpiece of Byzantine art that has been a church, a mosque and a museum over its remarkable history.

You then feel the lively spirit of the Grand Bazaar, where centuries-old trading traditions, fine craftsmanship and colourful shops tell the story of Istanbul's commercial past.

Your senses are then treated to the scents and colours of the Spice Market, with its shelves of spices from distant lands, Turkish sweets, teas and local products.

The tour ends in Eminonu with a view of the historic Galata Tower, one of Istanbul's best-loved landmarks and a symbol of the city's many layers of history.

This is the end of our service. Thank you for travelling with us; we look forward to welcoming you again.

• Without van service, your guide meets you on foot ONLY at centrally located hotels or Galataport. If your hotel is not central, the meeting point is the German Fountain.
• With private van service we pick up from all central hotels. There is an extra charge for hotels outside the city centre or on the Asian side.