Welcome to Istanbul Galata Port. Upon arrival, your professional tour guide will take you on a historical tour of the peninsula by public transport. Your guide will meet you at the port and, after a warm welcome, will escort you to Topkapi Palace. Once the official residence of the Ottoman Sultans and the center of state administration, the palace has been a museum since 1924. It houses sacred Islamic relics, a kitchen, Chinese porcelain, weapons, a calligraphy section, a harem, and an imperial treasury. Among its most notable exhibits is the Spoonmaker’s Diamond, the 7th largest diamond in the world.
Next, you will visit Hagia Sophia, one of the architectural marvels of the world. Constructed as a basilica in the 6th century by Emperor Justinian, it was the largest church in the world for a hundred years and is now the fourth largest. Hagia Sophia was converted into a museum in 1935 and is now a mosque.
After Hagia Sophia, you will head to the Blue Mosque, located opposite Hagia Sophia. Renowned for its blue Iznik tiles and unique six minarets, the mosque was built in honor of Sultan Ahmet.
Following this, you will visit the Hippodrome, the ancient center for sports and political activities in the city. Here, you can see the Serpentine Column, the Obelisk of Theodosius, and the German Fountain of Wilhelm II.
Your final stop will be the Grand Bazaar, established in 1461. This bustling market is the largest in the world, featuring nearly 4,000 shops selling antiques, jewelry, gold, ceramics, leather goods, carpets, and souvenirs.
