Onex is pleased to offer you a walk and acquaintance with the most iconic sights of European and Asian Istanbul. Bosphorus Cruise and Discover Two Continents will be perfect to see around Istanbul. You will immerse yourself in modern Istanbul with the natural splendor of the Bosphorus, the sophisticated architecture of the east and west, visiting the most famous places and discovering completely new ones. What are you waiting for?
Absolutely every inhabitant of the planet heard about this palace, it was within these walls that intrigues and conspiracies were created, it was here that the Ottoman Empire flourished. We are talking, of course, about the Topkapi Palace. 25 Ottoman sultans lived and ruled here, future rulers were born here, history was made here.
Many people fell in love with this place because of the Turkish bestseller “The Magnificent Age”, which reproduced the brightest periods of Ottoman history. The palace is so huge that it is hard to imagine how people could live there and not get lost. Today Topkapi opens its doors as a museum exhibition. The courtyards, of course, remain behind closed doors, but everyone has the opportunity to get to know the story that everyone loves.
In the first courtyard of Topkapi is one of the very first Christian churches in Constantinople, which managed to survive to this day almost in its original appearance. Before the construction of the Hagia Sophia, it served as the main Christian church in the capital. According to legend, it is in this basilica that the remains of the emperor who gave his name to Constantinople, Emperor Constantine, rest.
Moving to the Fatih district – the historical center of Istanbul, you will see the magnificent Sultanahmet Mosque and Hagia Sophia. The Blue Mosque, also known as the Sultanahmet Mosque, is the first mosque in Istanbul. Blue was nicknamed because of the interior decoration, decorated with Iznik tiles of all shades of blue and blue, and gained world fame because of 6 minarets, erected either out of stupidity or out of misunderstanding.
The Blue Mosque is connected to the Hagia Sophia by the Hippodrome square. The famous Egyptian and Constantinopolitan obelisks are located here, as well as the German Fountain and the serpentine column. Once a real hippodrome, today the square performs a more creative function. Visitors walk here, locals rest here, at the Hippodrome you feel the magnificence of Istanbul.
At the other end is the Hagia Sophia – a long-suffering temple, which is currently a functioning mosque. Since 2020, it has been referred to as the Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque. Inside, the decoration impresses with its mosaic cycles, which cover the periods from the 11th to the 14th centuries. Organically fitting into the architecture of modern Istanbul, the Cathedral is today the main monument of Byzantine architecture.
You will walk past Hamam Hürrem Sultan, which is a very symbolic building of its time. From the point of view of architecture, the hamam was very different from its counterparts, for which it gained such fame. Next, you will have a sea cruise along the cool waters of the Bosphorus and a walk along the Golden Horn.
From the Bosphorus, you will have a view of one of the latest Ottoman buildings in Istanbul – the summer residence of Beylerbeyi, which is definitely knocked out of typical oriental architecture. In appearance, the palace looks more like its Western counterparts, based little on the features of the Ottoman buildings. Exactly like the outside, the Beylerbeyi Palace is beautiful in its interior decoration.
Having visited Bosporus Cruise and Discover Two Continents, you will touch and visit the significant and unique buildings of the Ottoman and Byzantine worlds. It is very easy to fall in love with Istanbul, it is simply impossible to throw it out of your thoughts. So let’s all fall in love together!
Istanbul Bosphorus Cruise and Discover Two Continents Tour price is 55 Euro for adults, 45 Euro for children from 3 to 7 years old and for children under 2 years old free.
Please note that we have ‘no hidden costs’
Tour days: Daily
Tour duration: From 08:30 to 18:30
Istanbul Hotels Transfer: Pick up from your hotel
Would you like to join another excursion in İstanbul? Check out Istanbul City Tour ( Byzantian Relics ).
Blue Mosque: The Blue Mosque actually bears the same name with the entire historical center – the Sultanahmet Mosque. This work of art was designed by a student of the great architect Sinan, Mehmet Aga Sedefkar.
After the era of Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent, one setback after another began to haunt the Ottoman Empire. The young Sultan Ahmet decides to return the favor of Allah to his state and begins the construction of a huge mosque worthy of the Almighty.
Impressive in its size, the mosque could accommodate up to 35 thousand parishioners. And the number of minarets even became a reason for a scandal during construction. Because at that time 6 minarets was the maximum number and only at the Forbidden Mosque in Mecca.
Sultan Ahmet approached this problem very diplomatically and simply paid for the construction of an additional 7th minaret at the mosque in Mecca.
Usually funds won in military campaigns were allocated for the construction. But Sultan Ahmet did not win a single war, and therefore all the costs of building a mosque were taken from his personal treasury. Thanks to this, the new mosque was named after the young ruler.
Construction lasted 7 years. By an insidious plan of fate, the unfortunate Sultan Ahmet died of a fatal illness a year after the opening of the Sultanahmet Mosque. Luck never returned to his side. On the excursion “On two continents in Istanbul” the guide will tell you a lot of interesting and surprising things from the history of these places.
A truly unique building of all times and peoples is the Hagia Sophia. This place has been sacred since Roman times.
During the greatness of Byzantium, the cathedral was founded on a hill where the sanctuary of the goddess Artemis had previously been located. Columns and jewels were brought to decorate the temple, and it became famous all over the world. It was under the impression of the glory of this cathedral that Orthodoxy began to reach the still unbaptized Russia.
In the fifteenth century, the Byzantine Empire was replaced by the Ottoman Empire. The cathedral is being rebuilt into the Aya Sofya mosque, but the Christian icons have been preserved.
After 500 years, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk will give the Aya Sofya mosque the status of a museum, and the icons will be returned to the walls of the cathedral. Since 1935, a mosque and a church have simultaneously existed in this building that has survived all eras.
The large hippodrome witnessed many events in the social and political life of the capital of the Byzantine Empire. It was used as an arena for sports competitions, as a square for meetings and uprisings, holidays and funeral processions. After the capture of Constantinople by the Ottoman Empire, the hippodrome was practically destroyed and turned into a quarry. But, despite this, he retained some sights to this day.
The palace was built in the 15th century and for the next 500 years it was the residence of the Ottoman sultans and their families. In 1923, the palace became a museum, and there is actually something to see here.
Topkapi is not just a courtyard, but a whole city with a huge infrastructure. Hospitals, schools, harems, warehouses, stables. Luxurious dresses and suits, interior details and personal items – all this has been preserved to this day, and you can touch the real life story of the sultans on the tour “On Two Continents in Istanbul”.
Cruise along the famous strait that separates Europe from Asia – what could be more romantic? This is an exciting walk to the cries of seagulls and the sound of the waves will not leave anyone indifferent!
You will see stunning landscapes passing by. Palaces and mosques along with modern luxurious mansions surrounded by greenery. This freedom, delight and sea wind in the face should be experienced by every guest of Istanbul!
We will finish our journey by observing the city from an observation deck on one of the highest points in Istanbul. Taking great pictures and once again admiring the sights and the Bosphorus from above will be an excellent end to a busy day. Excursion “On two continents in Istanbul” will leave in your heart the amazing stories, events and atmosphere of these places forever!
You may like to take a look at our another Activities and Excursions in Istanbul
