5-Day Istanbul Highlights Tour

Day 1: Arrival in Istanbul, Airport Transfer and Free Day

Upon arrival at Istanbul Airport (IST) or Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW) at your scheduled time, you will be met by our representative at the international arrivals exit, holding a sign with our agency code for identification. Following a brief meet-and-greet, you will be transferred to your hotel for check-in. The remainder of the day is at your leisure. You may choose to rest after your journey or explore the city independently.

Alternatively, you can opt to join the Night Cruise on the Bosphorus with Dinner & Show at an additional cost. This experience offers a memorable evening on the Bosphorus, complete with entertainment and a delicious dinner.

• Overnight in Istanbul
• Included Meal(s): No meals are included on this day
• Accommodation: Antea Hotel Oldcity OR Deluxe Golden Horn Hotel or similar (Standard quality)

Day 2: Istanbul Byzantine and Ottoman Relics Tour

After breakfast, around 8:30 am, you will be picked up from your hotel to begin the full-day guided tour of Istanbul’s Byzantine and Ottoman treasures.

The tour will start with a visit to the grand Hagia Sophia, a majestic structure that began as a cathedral, later served as a mosque, and is now a museum, showcasing centuries of history from both Christian and Islamic cultures.

Next, visit the iconic Blue Mosque, famous for its striking blue tiles and six towering minarets. This impressive building remains an active place of worship and a hallmark of Ottoman architecture.

From there, you’ll explore the Hippodrome, which was once the center of Byzantine public life and the venue for chariot races and other social events. Here, you’ll see important monuments, including the Obelisk of Theodosius, Serpent Column, and German Fountain.

After visiting these key historical sites, you’ll enjoy a lunch break at a local restaurant, where you can sample traditional Turkish cuisine and take a moment to relax.

Following lunch, the tour continues with a visit to the stunning Topkapi Palace, the lavish residence of Ottoman sultans for nearly 400 years. You’ll explore the palace’s vast courtyards, jewel-filled treasuries, and, optionally, the Harem, the private quarters of the sultan’s family.

The final stop of the day will be at the Grand Bazaar, one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world. With over 4,000 shops, the bazaar offers a wide range of goods, from spices and carpets to jewelry and ceramics, providing an exciting experience for both shoppers and culture enthusiasts.

At the end of the tour, you’ll be transferred back to your hotel around 5:00 pm. The rest of the day is yours to spend at leisure, whether you choose to explore more of Istanbul on your own or simply relax.

• Overnight in Istanbul
• Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Lunch
• Accommodation: Antea Hotel Oldcity OR Deluxe Golden Horn Hotel or similar (Standard quality)

Day 3: Bosphorus Cruise & Two Continents Tour

After breakfast at approximately 8:30 am, you will be picked up from your hotel to join the full-day Bosphorus Cruise and Two Continents Tour.

Start with a visit to the Spice Bazaar (Egyptian Bazaar), where you’ll experience the vibrant colors and rich aromas of traditional spices, sweets, and local delicacies.

Next, you’ll board a shared boat and cruise along the Bosphorus, the strait that divides Europe and Asia. Enjoy stunning views of Istanbul’s historic skyline, Ottoman palaces, and waterfront mansions as you glide between two continents.

After the cruise, savor a delicious lunch at a local restaurant before visiting the magnificent Dolmabahçe Palace. This opulent palace, once the main administrative center of the Ottoman Empire, showcases luxurious interiors and beautiful gardens.

Conclude the day with a visit to Çamlıca Hill, the highest point in Istanbul, offering panoramic views of the city and the Bosphorus Strait.

After the tour, you will be transferred back to your hotel around 5:00 pm. The rest of the day is free for you to relax or explore Istanbul at your own pace.

• Overnight in Istanbul
• Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Lunch
• Accommodation: Antea Hotel Oldcity OR Deluxe Golden Horn Hotel or similar (Standard quality)

Day 4: Free day in Istanbul to explore

Today you will have a free day in Istanbul which you can use at leisure. If you like you can also join an add-on optional tour at an additional cost. There are three add-on optional day trips from Istanbul that you can select during booking at an additional cost. The add-on optional day trips are 1) Bursa, 2) Troy and 3) Sapanca & Masukiye which return to Istanbul at the end of the day.

• Overnight in Istanbul
• Included Meal(s): Breakfast
• Accommodation: Antea Hotel Oldcity OR Muyan Suites OR Deluxe Golden Horn Hotel or similar (Standard quality)

Day 5: Departure from Istanbul – End of Tour Service

After breakfast, you will check out from your hotel in Istanbul (hotel check-out is before 12:00 noon) and will then be transferred to the Istanbul International Airport according to your flight details. This will be the end of our tour and services.

• Included Meal(s): Breakfast

INCLUDED in the Tour Price:

• Arrival and departure airport transfers, along with all ground transportation.
• 4 nights in Istanbul at a standard quality or boutique hotel, including breakfast.
• Meals as indicated in the itinerary: (B) Breakfast, (L) Lunch.
• Sightseeing as described in the itinerary, including entrance fees.
• English-speaking guide during the tours.
• Local taxes and service charges.

NOT INCLUDED:

• International airfare & airport taxes.
• Visa to enter Turkey.
• Entrance to the Harem if requested is an extra USD 40 per person.
• Bosphorus Dinner Cruise
• Optional tours mentioned in the program, they will be provided at an additional cost.
• Services not mentioned in the program.
• Drinks with meals.
• Travel insurance (recommended).

IMPORTANT INFO:

• The order of the itinerary is indicative and subject to change, but all visits described will take place.
• The Blue Mosque is not open for visitation on Fridays as it is closed for religious prayer services. You will only be able to visit the outside of the Blue Mosque area on tours operated on Fridays. No visitation will be allowed inside the Blue Mosque for tourists on Fridays.
• Topkapi Palace is closed on Tuesday, it will be replaced with the Basilica Cistern (Yerebatan Sarnici).
• Dolmabahçe Palace is closed on Monday.
• Grand Bazaar is closed on Sunday.
• During religious holidays, the spice market and Grand Bazaar are closed.