During this morning tour in Istanbul, you will visit 3 of the most important places of the city, in a small group accompanied by a licensed English speaking guide.
You will meet your guide at the hotel and begin your tour by visiting the Blue Mosque, also called to as Sultan Ahmet Mosque, one of the premier attractions in Turkey and an important Islamic monument. The Blue Mosque was built during Ottoman rule under the direction of Sultan Ahmet. You will admire the & minarets that tower over the dome structure. You will also discover the main chamber’s 20,000 Iznik tiles that are illuminated by 260 windows.
You will then visit Topkapi Palace, the illustrious pinnacle of the Ottoman Empire. It is one of the world’s largest and oldest palaces full of elegant chambers and heirloom treasures. During your visit, your guide will tell you about all the history of this palace that sits along the coastline of the Golden Horn.
You will go then to the former heart and soul of Constantinople's sporting and political center, the Hippodrome. You will learn about this lively area which for 500 years was home to Ottoman sports and even riots! The site is now a city park called At Meydanı (Horse Grounds), named after former chariot races. You will discover the ancient granite Obelisk and discover how Emperor Theodosius transported it from Egypt to Constantinople in the late 4th century.
You will finish your tour with a ride back to your Istanbul hotel.
