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Imperial Istanbul Half-Day Tour: Hagia Sophia, Basillica Cistern and Grand Bazaar

53 Reviews 3.74 out of 5 stars Based on 53 reviews collected by City Boat Tours and TripAdvisor | Istanbul, Turkey
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from $105 per person

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Don't miss out!
On average, this is booked 33 (0) days in advance.
4 hours (approx.)
Hotel pickup offered
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Instant confirmation

Overview

Get a glimpse of Istanbul's fascinating Imperial legacies on this half-day sightseeing tour with an expert local guide. First visit Hagia Sophia, once one of the largest basilicas in the world and now the second-most visited museum in Turkey. Venture below ground to the ancient Basilica Cistern, which once supported the Great Palace of Constantinople, and hone your haggling skills at the bustling Grand Bazaar, one of the world's largest and oldest covered markets where you can shop for jewelry, spices, leather goods and souvenirs galore.

What's Included

  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
  • Transport by air-conditioned minivan
  • Local guide
  • Gratuities
  • Food and drinks, unless specified
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Meeting and Pickup

Pickup point

Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul At Sultanahmet
Tevkifhane Sokak No. 1, Istanbul 34122, Turkiye

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Pickup details

Since your tour is a small group and you will be joining in the afternoon, we will share your guide's contact information with you prior to the tour day. You and your guide will stay in contact and meet in a location within the Sultanahmet area as determined by your guide for the tour.

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Meeting point

Binbirdirek
Sultan Ahmet Parkı, 34122 Fatih/İstanbul, Türkiye

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Detailed check-in instructions, including the exact address, are provided with your booking confirmation.

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

Detailed check-in instructions, including the exact address, are provided with your booking confirmation.

What To Expect

Grand Bazaar

Your Imperial Istanbul tour starts with pickup from your hotel in the early afternoon. Traveling by minivan, your guide will spend five hours showing you the fascinating history and culture of Turkey's largest city.Delving into Istanbul's ancient past, you'll learn that this city served as the capital of a whopping four empires: the Roman Empire (330–395), the Byzantine Empire (395–1204 and 1261–1453), the Latin Empire (1204–1261) and the Ottoman Empire (1453–1922). Strategically located along the Silk Road, linking Europe and the Middle East, Istanbul has been fought over for thousands of years.Your first stop is Hagia Sophia, a former Greek Orthodox church built in the 6th century by the Roman Emperor Justinian. The seat of the Patriarchate of Constantinople, Hagia Sophia was one of the largest basilicas in the Christian world, and was converted into an Imperial mosque after the Ottoman conquest. Today it is a magnificent museum revealing Istanbul's complex layers of history and featuring stunning Byzantine mosaics. Join locals and visitors alike as you explore the second-most visited museum in Turkey with your guide, who'll explain what you see.Just a few paces from Hagia Sophia lies the Basilica Cistern, your next stop. The largest of several hundred ancient cisterns that lie beneath the city, the Basilica Cistern was built in the 6th century during the reign of Byzantine Emperor Justinian I to provide a water filtration system for the Great Palace of Constantinople.Back above ground, head to the Grand Bazaar to practice your bargaining skills at one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world. The original market was erected in the 15th century, shortly after the Ottoman conquest. Today you'll find a dizzying array of local treasures at more than 3,000 shops spread across 61 streets. Browse jewelry, leather, pottery, spices, carpets and more, and soak up the atmosphere of this cultural hotspot as your guide leads you through.Your tour ends with hotel drop-off.Please note: You may visit the Basilica Cistern or Nakkas Cistern, Hagia Sophia (Closed on Mondays; will be replaced with Chora Museum), Grand Bazaar (Closed on Sundays; additional time will be spent at the other locations).
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1 hour • Admission Ticket Free

Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque

St Sophia
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1 hour • Admission Ticket Free

Basilica Cistern

Basilica Cistern
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1 hour • Admission Ticket Included

Sultanahmet District (Pass By)

Walk through the Sultanahmet district
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Additional Info

  • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
  • Not recommended for pregnant travelers
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Children 18 years and under must be accompanied by an adult
  • In the event of any museum closures, an alternative similar museum will be visited
  • Hagia Sophia will be closed on Mondays, should you travel on this day, you'll visit the Chora Museum instead

Frequently Asked Questions

(6)

Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Imperial Istanbul Half-Day Tour: Hagia Sophia, Basillica Cistern and Grand Bazaar?

A: You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund. For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (+03).This tour requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund. Read more Apr 2025

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.

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Activity code: C-3795IST06

Reviews

3.74
53 reviews

Average 3.74 out of 5 stars based on 53 traveler reviews collected by City Boat Tours and partner sites such as Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor

5 stars
20
4 stars
15
3 stars
7
2 stars
6
1 star
5

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On average, this is booked 33 (0) days in advance.
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Frequently Asked Questions (6)

Activity name

The answers provided below were previously given in response to questions from City Boat Tours customers.

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Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Imperial Istanbul Half-Day Tour: Hagia Sophia, Basillica Cistern and Grand Bazaar?
A:
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.
  • For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.
  • If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
  • Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.
  • Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (+03).
  • This tour requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.
Apr 2025
Q: What's included in the price?
A:
The following is included:
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off.
  • Transport by air-conditioned minivan.
  • Local guide.
The following is NOT included:
  • Gratuities.
  • Food and drinks, unless specified.
Apr 2025
Q: What is the minimum age for this tour?
A:

The minimum age to participate is 5. This tour requires at least one adult to accompany children..

Apr 2025
Q: My date is not available in the calendar, I am just checking to see if it is available?
A:

If a date or time is not listed on the calendar, it’s sold out or unavailable for another reason. Support cannot assist further if a date or time is not on the calendar.

If you find a date and time that works for you, book it NOW because things always sell out at this time of year.

Apr 2025
Q: Is this an accessible tour?
A:

Accessibility information for the Imperial Istanbul Half-Day Tour: Hagia Sophia, Basillica Cistern and Grand Bazaar is as follows:

  • Not recommended for pregnant travelers
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Apr 2025
Q: Where is the meeting point for this activity?
A:

Detailed check-in instructions – including meeting point address, Google map, and parking information – for Imperial Istanbul Half-Day Tour: Hagia Sophia, Basillica Cistern and Grand Bazaar will be included in your confirmation email from City Boat Tours. Please be sure to double and triple check your email address is correct at checkout so this important email makes its way to you!

 

 

Mar 2024

What's Included

Activity name

  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
  • Transport by air-conditioned minivan
  • Local guide
  • Gratuities
  • Food and drinks, unless specified

Additional Info

Activity name

  • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
  • Not recommended for pregnant travelers
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
  • Not recommended for children aged 4 and under
  • Children 18 years and under must be accompanied by an adult
  • In the event of any museum closures, an alternative similar museum will be visited
  • Hagia Sophia will be closed on Mondays, should you travel on this day, you'll visit the Chora Museum instead
  • The Grand Bazaar is closed on Sundays and on religious holidays (September 1-4, 2017) should you travel on these days, you'll spend additional time at Hagia Sophia and the Basilica Cistern
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 14 travelers

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Free Cancellation

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100% refund
No refund

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.

  • For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.
  • If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
  • Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.
  • Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (+03).
  • This tour requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.

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