5 Days Special Istanbul City Tour

Istanbul - Arrival Day

Welcome to Turkey! You will be transferred to your hotel, where you will check in with the TSG team. The rest of the day is yours to explore Istanbul. Overnight in Istanbul.

TSG advises: A daily Isfanbul (Vialand) Tour or an Istanbul Aquarium Tour can be inspiring alternatives for those who do not want to wait until tomorrow to explore the city.

Istanbul City Tour

(Open buffet breakfast included)

After breakfast, the tour will depart for a gorgeous Istanbul City Tour. The first stop is the Topkapi Palace; the great palace of the Ottoman Sultans from the 15th to the 19th centuries. At the same time, it houses an exquisite collection of crystal, silver, and Chinese porcelain, robes worn by the sultans and their families, the famous jewels of the imperial treasury, miniatures, and the holy mantle, enshrining relics of the Prophet Mohammed.

The second stop of the tour is Sultanahmet Square, where the Sultanahmet Imperial Mosque salutes the Hagia Sophia. The Sultanahmet Imperial Mosque, which was built in the 16th century by the architect Mehmet, is also known as the Blue Mosque because of its magnificent interior decoration of blue Iznik tiles. Next, the tour will explore the Hippodrome; the site of ancient chariot races, and the home of three ancient monuments; the Obelisk of Theodosius, the bronze Serpentine Column, and the Column of Constantine. When you reach the other end of the Hippodrome, the Hagia Sophia Mosque will meet you with all its grandeur.

After a delectable lunch break, TSG will take you to the bazaar, where you can find exotic spices and herbs, Turkish Baklava, delicious Turkish Delights, Turkish Coffee, nuts and fruits, hand made souvenirs, and more. Overnight in Istanbul.

Please note: Topkapi Palace is closed on Tuesdays, the Basilica Cistern can be an alternative. Please contact your consultant for details. Plus, like most of the travelers, you can book an optional Dinner Cruise tour for the night. Remember to bring a headscarf when visiting religious sites such as the Blue Mosque and the Hagia Sophia Mosque.

Istanbul Bosphorus Cruise and Shopping Tour

(Breakfast included)

The TSG team will pick you up from the hotel after breakfast around 8:00 a.m. for "Bosphorus by Boat," a traditional excursion by boat along the waterway separating Europe and Asia. The shoreline is home to dozens of old wooden villas, palaces of marble, fortresses, and small fishing villages. You will have the opportunity to see the 19th-century Ottoman masterpiece Dolmabahce Palace, Yildiz Palace, one of the unique samples of the last period of Ottoman architecture, and Ciragan Palace with its amazing marble facades from the boat. Moreover, the iconic view of Ortakoy, the Rumeli Fortress, which is one of the most beautiful works of military architecture of the Ottomans, the harmony of the architectural styles of east and west at Beylerbeyi Palace, and more can be seen during the boat tour.

Camlica Hill is the highest point in Istanbul. At the top of it, you can rest and admire the magnificent panorama of Istanbul and the Bosphorus from the beautiful gardens, landscaped in traditional Turkish Ottoman style.

Lunch break at the Turkish restaurant.

Shopping Tour (following the cruise) Experience the traditional silk weaving skills of Turkish women at the carpet weaving courses provided by the Ministry of National Education. You will have the opportunity to see jewelry, a handcrafts center, and a modern leatherwear show. Enjoy the experience of shopping while gaining the knowledge of the ancient craftsmen, with TSG's local escort full of knowledge about how to haggle on the streets of Istanbul. After the tour, drop back to the hotel. Overnight in Istanbul.

OPTIONAL Istanbul Prince's Island Tour

(Breakfast included)

Enjoy a cruise in the Marmara Sea to Istanbul's famous Prince's Islands. This is your opportunity to see Topkapi Palace, Maiden's Tower, and Uskudar from the sea. Stop at Buyukada, the popular summer resort with sandy beaches and pinewood scenery, once the pleasure island of Byzantine princes. During the summer season, enjoy the magical atmosphere that the island's beach resort has to offer, including many optional water sports activities. After lunch your tour, we will transfer you back to your hotel. Overnight in Istanbul.

Istanbul - End of Tour

(Breakfast included)

One of TSG's adventures comes to an end after breakfast. However, you can sign up to take advantage of TSG credits, and this is the best way to snag credits and use them for your next trips as a discount, as well as to hear about the hot deals according to your interests.