Anytime
Discoveried The Old City of Istanbul In a Half-Day
Activity Duration (4 to 8 hours)
Moderate
Hosted in English
Share
Overview
About
I spent half a day exploring the ancient city of Istanbul, and what a discovery it was!
What you'll do
Explore ancient sites, religious landmarks, and a vibrant Turkish market on a half-day tour of Istanbul's Old City with a local guide. Visit the Hippodrome Square, Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, and the Grand Bazaar. Enjoy engaging stories and fascinating history on a personal headset, and get an overview and orientation that's ideal for first-time visitors to the city.
What is included?
- Wheelchair accessible
- Stroller accessible
- Near public transportation
- Infants must sit on laps
What is not included?
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 20 travelers
Meet your host
LT
Laguna Private Tours
Unverified hostThis host hasn't completed BookTourX verification yet. Their identity and business details haven't been confirmed, so we recommend reviewing the listing details before booking.
Host since 2025
Itinerary
Istanbul Sacred Site Pilgrimages Itinerary (2026 Guide) – What You'll See & Do
Explore the full itinerary for Discoveried The Old City of Istanbul In a Half-Day in Istanbul, Turkey. This sacred site pilgrimages experience includes 4 stops over 1 day. Duration: 4 hours. Activity level: Moderate.
No meal included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.
Here is the starting point
Hippodrome
1
Hippodrome
Stop: 30 minutes ·Admission includedThe admission fee is included in the tour package at no extra cost.
- The Hippodrome had been a center for sports and entertainment in the old Constantinople, the Eastern Roman Capital, and an important center for politics since sports and politics were closely knit in these times. No wonder that the Hippodrome had been a starting point for revolts and political movements throughout history.
- Echoes of cries by slaves riding chariots in ferocious races and the inspirational words of intellectuals and poets that lit the flame of public movements have still been reminiscent of those with a powerful imagination.
2
Blue Mosque
Stop: 30 minutes ·Admission includedThe admission fee is included in the tour package at no extra cost.
Sultan Ahmed Mosque, also known as Blue Mosque, arouses admiration with the delicate Ottoman tiles that decorate the shrine’s walls. The floral patterns of the tiles and the well lighted, spacious internal spaces are testimonials of the eternity of the Ottoman spirit.
3
Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque
Stop: 60 minutes ·Admission includedThe admission fee is included in the tour package at no extra cost.
- The Shrine of Holy Wisdom, a marvelous Byzantine basilica built in the 6th century, marks the golden age of Justinianus.
- The domed construction of the sanctuary is an architectural innovation and was so richly and artistically decorated that Justinian proclaimed, "Solomon, I have outdone thee!". Humankind would have to wait for millennia before building a cathedral that would surpass the gigantic size of Hagia Sophia.
- Converted to a mosque following the Ottoman conquest of the city, by the order of Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror in 1453, as the young Sultan fulfilled a divine premonition by the Holy Prophet Mohammad himself. In 1935 the building was converted to a museum by the executive order of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of modern Turkey.
- Hagia Sophia, whose status was converted to a mosque in July 2020, has been taking its visitors on a journey through the multi-layered texture of history as a mosque ever since.
4
Grand Bazaar
Stop: 2 hours ·Admission includedThe admission fee is included in the tour package at no extra cost.
- The largest, oldest, and most attractive covered bazaar in the world, where people have been trading jewelry, carpets, food, perfumes, and even gossiping for centuries!
- The tour also includes a short demonstration of Turkish rugs.
This concludes the tour.
You’re free to explore at your own pace from here.
No reviews yet but every journey starts somewhere.
Be the first to book and share your experience. Your voice helps others travel better.