Items | Sultanahmet Highlights Tour: 3.5h or Full‑Day Upgrade
Sultanahmet Highlights Tour: 3.5h or Full‑Day Upgrade
(11) Reviews
Alemdar
Important Information
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Public transportation options are available nearby
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Suitable for all physical fitness levels
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Do I need to follow a dress code when visiting mosques? Yes — mosques in Istanbul have a strict dress code, and following it ensures a smooth, respectful visit. Women should wear long, loose clothing that fully covers arms, legs, and hair. Men must cover their shoulders and ensure their shorts or trousers go below the knee. If clothing doesn’t meet the required standards, mosque staff may refuse entry — so it’s best to come prepared.
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What if I forget something? Many mosques offer scarves and wraps at the entrance. Your guide will also let you know before entering so you have time to adjust.
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How much walking is involved in this tour? Half‑Day Tour (3.5 hours): You’ll walk approximately 2.4 km, spread out across easy, mostly flat paths in the Sultanahmet area. Full‑Day Discovery Tour (8.5 hours): The full itinerary covers around 3.5 km in total, including Topkapı Palace and Hagia Sophia. The pace is relaxed, with plenty of breaks and time to explore comfortably.
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What is the duration of the tour? The morning tour lasts 3.5 hours, giving you a complete introduction to the highlights of Sultanahmet. If you’d like to continue exploring, you can upgrade to the Full‑Day Discovery Tour, which extends the experience to 8.5 hours and includes lunch, Topkapı Palace, and Hagia Sophia.
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What is included in the 3.5‑hour Half‑Day Tour? The Half‑Day experience includes everything you need for a rich introduction to the Sultanahmet area. You’ll explore with a local English‑speaking guide, visit the Sahaflar Book Bazaar and the Grand Bazaar, enjoy Turkish tea at a local tea house, walk through the Ancient Hippodrome, and enter the Blue Mosque.
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
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Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
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If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
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This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.
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Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
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Discover Istanbul’s highlights on a 3.5‑hour walking tour through the Book Bazaar, Grand Bazaar, Hippodrome and Blue Mosque with a local guide. Upgrade to the 8.5‑hour Full‑Day Discovery to enjoy lunch and continue exploring Topkapı Palace and Hagia Sophia for a deeper journey into the city’s imperial past.
Highlights
3 hours and 30 minutes
Offered in English
Free Cancellation
Mobile Ticket
3 hours and 30 minutes
Offered in English
Free Cancellation
Mobile Ticket
What's Included
Enter the Blue Mosque (Sultanahmet Mosque)
Walk through the Ancient Hippodrome
Visit Hagia Sophia with a guided explanation
Continue your tour after the morning portion if you booked the full‑day option
Explore the Sultanahmet district on foot
Visit the Sahaflar Book Bazaar and the Grand Bazaar (Sunday: Spice Bazaar instead of Grand Bazaar)
Dine at a trusted local restaurant for a sit‑down lunch
Explore Topkapı Palace highlights including the Imperial Gate & Hagia Irene, the Treasury, the Harem
Enjoy traditional Turkish tea at a local tea house
Gratuities
Meeting Points
Departure
Pudding Shop Lale Restaurant
Pudding Shop Lale Restaurant, Divanyolu Caddesi No.6 34400, Sultanahmet, Istanbul. The restaurant is located on the street where the tram lines runs through Sultanahmet, approximately a 3-minute walk from Sultanahmet tram stop.
Return
Itinerary
1
Pudding Shop Lale Restaurant
Meet your local guide and get an introduction to Istanbul’s history, culture, and the route ahead before beginning your walking tour of the Old City.
15 minutes
2
Sahaflar Bazaar
Explore one of Istanbul’s oldest markets, known for rare books and history. Your guide explains its origins and unique role in local culture.
15 minutes
3
Grand Bazaar
Walk through the Grand Bazaar’s historic lanes as your guide highlights artisan workshops, ancient trade routes, and hidden corners of this massive market.
15 minutes
4
Hippodrome
Pause for traditional Turkish tea and experience everyday Istanbul life in an authentic local setting and then discover the ancient chariot‑racing arena of Byzantine Constantinople while your guide explains its monuments and political importance.
1 hour
5
Blue Mosque
Visit the iconic Blue Mosque and admire its blue Iznik tiles and elegant architecture while learning about Ottoman and Islamic heritage.
30 minutes
6
Topkapi Palace
If you booked the Full‑Day Discovery Tour, your experience continues after the Half‑Day itinerary with a relaxing lunch at a local restaurant (location may vary). After lunch, follow your guide into the magnificent Topkapı Palace, exploring its grand courtyards, Harem, Treasury, sacred relics, and breathtaking Bosphorus views as you dive deeper into Istanbul’s imperial history.
30 minutes
7
Hagia Sophia
Continue your Full‑Day Discovery with a guided visit to Hagia Sophia. Step inside this architectural masterpiece and learn how it evolved from basilica to mosque and became one of Istanbul’s most iconic monuments.
Sultanahmet Highlights Tour: 3.5h or Full‑Day Upgrade
(11) Reviews
Alemdar
About
Discover Istanbul’s highlights on a 3.5‑hour walking tour through the Book Bazaar, Grand Bazaar, Hippodrome and Blue Mosque with a local guide. Upgrade to the 8.5‑hour Full‑Day Discovery to enjoy lunch and continue exploring Topkapı Palace and Hagia Sophia for a deeper journey into the city’s imperial past.
Highlights
3 hours and 30 minutes
Offered in English
Free Cancellation
Mobile Ticket
3 hours and 30 minutes
Offered in English
Free Cancellation
Mobile Ticket
What's Included
Enter the Blue Mosque (Sultanahmet Mosque)
Walk through the Ancient Hippodrome
Visit Hagia Sophia with a guided explanation
Continue your tour after the morning portion if you booked the full‑day option
Explore the Sultanahmet district on foot
Visit the Sahaflar Book Bazaar and the Grand Bazaar (Sunday: Spice Bazaar instead of Grand Bazaar)
Dine at a trusted local restaurant for a sit‑down lunch
Explore Topkapı Palace highlights including the Imperial Gate & Hagia Irene, the Treasury, the Harem
Enjoy traditional Turkish tea at a local tea house
Gratuities
Meeting Points
Departure
Pudding Shop Lale Restaurant
Pudding Shop Lale Restaurant, Divanyolu Caddesi No.6 34400, Sultanahmet, Istanbul. The restaurant is located on the street where the tram lines runs through Sultanahmet, approximately a 3-minute walk from Sultanahmet tram stop.
