Would you like to see the most luxurious palace in Istanbul, a mosque specially built for Hürrem Sultan and the mystical Basilica Cistern in one day? Then the Istanbul City Tour will help you to see the most famous sights of Istanbul in one day!
Your excursion begins at the most luxurious Dolmabahce Palace on the banks of the Bosphorus. It was commissioned in the mid-19th century by Sultan Abdul-Majid I, who dreamed of having a luxurious palace in the style of exquisite 18th-century European residences.
The location of the building near the Bosphorus, the adjacent park area, its luxurious interior and exterior in the Baroque style will really amaze you. The palace and the crystal staircase are decorated with 14 tons of gold. You will be amazed by the incredible Bohemian glass chandelier donated by Queen Victoria and the collection of Aivazovsky paintings commissioned by the Sultan.
You will visit the most beautiful mosque in Istanbul – Suleymaniye Mosque. It was built by order of Sultan Suleiman especially for his beloved wife Alexandra Anastasia Lisowska. Here are the tombs of Suleiman and Hürrem.
The mysterious Basilica of Erebatan, which you will visit later, will surprise you with its mystical view and columns illuminated in the dark. There you will see ancient aquariums and statues of the head of the Gorgon Medusa.
During Istanbul City Tour you will see three different and very famous sights of Istanbul that will immerse you in the past of the Ottoman Empire!
Istanbul City Tour price is 35 Euro for adults, 20 Euro for children from 5 to 10 years old and for children under 4 years old free.
Please note that we have ‘no hidden costs’
Tour days: Daily
Tour duration: From 08:30 to 13:00
Istanbul Hotels Transfer: Pick up from your hotel
A comfortable bus will pick you up from your hotel and you will visit three major sights of Istanbul. You will be amazed by the luxurious 19th-century Dolmabahce Palace, the entire complex of which covers an area of 45,000 m². You will plunge into history and see the tombs of Sultan Suleiman and his wife Hurrem, In the mystical atmosphere of the Basilica Cistern you will feel like the hero of an adventure film.
You will visit Istanbul’s most luxurious palace, Dolmabahce, which is located right next to the Bosphorus. The total area of the palace complex is 45,000 m². It was built in 1842-1853 by order of Sultan Abdul-Majid I, who dreamed of having a palace that would surpass in sophistication the 18th-century European residences and the medieval Topkapi palace complex.
More than 14 tons of gold were used to decorate the interior and the crystal staircase. You will be amazed to see a huge Bohemian glass chandelier weighing almost five tons, donated by Queen Victoria herself. A collection of amazing paintings by Ivan Aivazovsky commissioned by the Sultan will amaze you.
After the fall of the monarchy, Turkey’s most famous and respected ruler, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, lived in the palace. After his death in 1938, Dolmabahce Palace became a museum.
Drive to the old city of Istanbul where you will visit the most beautiful mosque – Suleymaniye Mosque. It was built in 1557 by order of Sultan. Suleymaniye Mosque was built for 7 years by famous architect Mimar Sinan who wanted to make it as elegant as possible. It really is a masterpiece of architecture as you will see once you are there. The building of the mosque can accommodate up to 5,000 worshippers. In addition to the mosque itself, there are madrasahs (Islamic educational institutions), kitchens, libraries, observatories and even a bath complex on the territory. In the courtyard of the mosque you can see the tombs of Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent, his wife Roksolana, their daughter Mikhriman and two Ottoman sultans – Sultan Suleiman II and Sultan Ahmet II.
Inside the mosque, you will be amazed by the rare stained glass windows by the talented master Ibrahim Sarhosh.
The austere and refined appearance of the Suleymaniye Mosque and its perfect shape will amaze your eyes.
Drive to the historical center of Istanbul in the Sultanahmet district, where you will visit the largest ancient underground reservoir in Constantinople – the Basilica Cistern. The name “Erebatan Saray” in Turkish translation means “underground palace”. You will be amazed by the Byzantine drinking water reservoir with its resemblance to a palace complex. The arches in the ceiling support 336 columns, eight meters high. The golden illumination of the columns at dusk gives the atmosphere a special mystical vibe. You will have the opportunity to take incredible photos against the backdrop of many ancient columns.
Construction of the Basilica Cistern was begun under Emperor Constantine I (306-307) and completed in 532 under Emperor Justinian. The pillars of the reservoir come from various ancient temples. You will find that they are all different. At the foot of the two pillars you can see the heads of the Gorgon’s Medusa. And “Column of Tears” will surprise you with its legend.
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