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Istanbul: A Symphony of Squares, Mosques and Palaces!
4 days
+29
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Who is attending
0 people, 6-65
Exertion Level
Medium
Language
English, French, Russian
Comfort
Unique
Complain about the tour
4 mosques/ 4 squares/ 2 palaces/ 2 boat trips!
According to a 2025 ranking by the world travel site tripadvisor:
Istanbul is 8 among the destinations in Europe
Istanbul is a city of the past, present and future. Istanbul not only connects continents, it also brings together cultures and people. Close your eyes and imagine yourself in a city where there is Eastern mysticism and Western modernity, a constant journey through time between past and future, a balance between traditional and modern. Istanbul is one of the most visited and important places in the world, a central hub connecting Asia and Europe, combining the past and the future, bringing together cultures and people from all over the world. Visit Istanbul with us and experience the harmony of opposites.
Our group tour in Istanbul offers a unique journey that allows you to immerse yourself in the rich culture and history of this amazing city. Together with an experienced escort, participants will be able to visit not only famous sights, but also hidden corners that usually remain outside tourist routes: walking through colorful markets, visiting cozy cafes
serving traditional Turkish dishes.- The bright embankments of the Bosphorus
- Baroque mosques and palaces from the end of the empire
- Istanbul's 2 main squares
- Istanbul's Arbat and Galata Tower
- a real oriental bazaar
- Princes' Islands
- Istanbul's three main mosques
- The main palace of the Ottoman Empire
Organized by: travel-expert Maxim H
Program
Day 1. Welcome to Istanbul!
Arrival in Istanbul (New Ist Airport) on a day or evening flight, ideally around 12:00 (because check-in at the hotel is no earlier than 14) or later. After which - transfer and check-in at the hotel
Day 2. Getting to know Istanbul
Two mosques
We'll start the morning with a visit to the Suleymaniye Mosque, one of the most magnificent mosques in Turkey.
The tombs of Sultan Suleiman and his wife Hurrem Sultan (Roksolany) are also located here. After that, we move to the north of Istanbul to the magnificent Ottoman Baroque mosque, enjoy the views of the Bosphorus and cross a kilometer-long bridge to Asia.Anatolia
On the Asian side of Istanbul, or Anatolia/Anadolu as the Turks call it, we will visit an elegant palace on the Bosphorus, which is one of the most magnificent symbolic structures of the changing identity of the Ottoman Empire of the 19th century.The interior will amaze you with its scale to match the relics of the then Ottoman Empire. We'll have lunch and take some photos of the famous Maiden Tower from
afar.Modern city center
We return to the European part, visit Taksim Square and walk from there along the famous Istiklal Street directly to the Galata Tower.
On the way along the street, we'll look into the Christian Church - a real piece of Italy in the center of Istanbul. From the tower we'll go down to the Galata Bridge, then it's time to return to the hotel.
Day 3. A Day On The Water
Egyptian Bazaar
In the morning, we'll visit the famous Egyptian Market, the aromatic center of Istanbul.
It is not an easy task to resist the enchanting delicacies at the Spice Bazaar. You'll see colorful mosaic lights, sun-dried sausages, tomatoes, peppers and eggplants hanging from the ceilings and facades of stores and lined up with shops every step of the way up to the exit from the bazaar
.Princes' Islands
These islands were once used to imprison the sons of Byzantine kings, but today they are known for their sandy beaches, old wooden structures and their clean air.
We'll start this journey with a boat trip across the Bosphorus and the Sea of Marmara. The journey takes 1.5 hours towards the first island. After arriving at the largest island, we will go up to its very top by electric transport, and we will walk the last 1 km to the monastery and the observation deck. Upon returning to the marina, it's time for lunch at a restaurant with a large selection of seafood.
In the afternoon, we return to Istanbul, where you will have some free time for shopping or dining in the historic city center.
Day 4. Historic Center
Historical center
We check out from the hotel and move to the most historic center - Hippodrome Square with its ancient artifacts. After that, we go to Topkapi Palace for more than 2 hours
.The Topkapi Grand Palace has been one of the main residences of the Ottoman sultans for almost 400 years. The palace complex consists of four main courtyards and many smaller buildings. At its peak, the palace was home to 4,000 people and covered a large area with a long coastline. It housed mosques, a hospital, a bakery, and a mint. You will see all this from the inside, and as a bonus, you will get another great view of the Bosphorus
.Two mosques
It is now time to visit two of Istanbul's most famous mosques, located opposite each other: Blue and Hagia Sophia. Hagia Sophia is famous for its massive dome and is considered the epitome of Byzantine architecture. It remained the largest cathedral in the world for almost a thousand years, until 1520. Both buildings will amaze you with their scale and give you some of the most unforgettable moments of
your stay in Istanbul.Departure home
This evening - flight back home, see the flight around 21:00 However,
those interested can continue this tour by
visiting Cappadocia https://youtravel.me/tours/653...Exertion Level
Medium
Activities within the same location or change of several locations during the route, infrastructure-developed locations, periodic outings to nature.
A comment from the tour leader
Hiking (hiking) is not difficult, but for 1-2 hours each. There are steep climbs of about 1 km. Please consider this if you have any contraindications.
Conditions
Included
- Hotel accommodation (2-bed accommodation)
- Breakfasts
- All transportation on the tour by land (minivan or minibus) and by water
- Entrance tickets to attractions according to the program:
- Princes' Islands
- Hagia Sophia
- Empire Dusk Palace
- The main palace of the Ottoman Empire
- Visits to other nearby locations (natural attractions, observation decks, photo zones)
- Personal support by the tour organizer
- Photo and video reports about the trip
- Flight selection and other consultations
Not included
- Lunches and dinners
Allocation
Hotel, Hotels 4*
Comfort
Unique
Lodging has a sense of distinctive place with an exceptional level of comfort.
Accommodation
Double
Important information
Tour preparation
- We walk through the streets of Istanbul, and travel long distances by minibus or taxi (of course, you are in passenger seats, you don't need to drive) - The program can change the order of attractions between days or within a day due to changes in their opening hours or weather conditions
I'm going alone. Who am I going to spend the night with?
We live in a room for 2 people, sharing them by gender or inner sympathies.
Who's buying tickets?
You buy tickets yourself, and we select the flight options that are convenient for you and send you purchase instructions. Sometimes we call each other and buy tickets together. In general, we do our best to make sure you don't have problems buying tickets.
Cancellation terms
- Cancellation within 24 hours of booking confirmation – full refund of prepayment
- Cancellation after 24 hours – full refund minus 15% of the tour cost
Guest requirements
- You must have travel insurance with you that also covers Covid.
- Please have no more than 1 suitcase per person
Visa
Visa-free entry
Covid-19
No restrictions
Do I need to pay full amount at once?
The amount of prepayment is determined by the Travel Expert and is indicated on the tour page. For the majority of tours standard prepayment does not exceed 50% of the tour price. If you have any difficulties with payment, please contact the customer service.
How do I book a trip
Select your dates and click Reserve. You’ll be redirected to the page with fast and secure payment by credit card or by Apple Pay / Google Pay. For tours with instant booking, you get an immediate confirmation. For other tours, you can reserve a place in the group by making an advance payment, then your booking is approved by the travel expert within 24 hours. If the booking is rejected, your prepayment will be refunded instantly. Please feel free to contact the tour organizer directly if you have any questions prior to booking.
21 reviews
It is with pleasure and gratitude that I write this review. This tour really exceeded all my expectations. I was driving alone and was very comfortable and safe.
From the very beginning, everything was clearly organized and thought out to the smallest detail. Maxim answered all your questions, helped with buying and selecting plane tickets, was always in touch, and a general chat for our group was also created.
I comfortably took a transfer to the hotel, where a pleasant surprise from Maxim was waiting for me, for which I am very grateful to him!!!
Everything was punctual and without delay: tours started exactly on schedule, transfers arrived on time, and took place everywhere without queues.
The hotel where we stayed is very cozy, clean, with friendly staff, with delicious breakfasts, with a good location.
The program is rich and varied, but not overloaded. Nobody rushed us, but at the same time we did everything in time, returning to the hotel every day with new experiences.
I enjoyed the beauty of Istanbul, the special atmosphere and the beautiful views of the Princes' Islands, the delicious food, and the interesting stories of our guide Engin, whom it was a pleasure to listen to.
I'm happy to be able to wholeheartedly recommend this tour to couples, companies, and solo travellers. This is a good option for those who want to enjoy this beautiful city in a relaxed state, without hassle, really have a good rest and get a lot of pleasant experiences.
Thank you so much for everything Maxim!
From the very beginning, everything was clearly organized and thought out to the smallest detail. Maxim answered all your questions, helped with buying and selecting plane tickets, was always in touch, and a general chat for our group was also created.
I comfortably took a transfer to the hotel, where a pleasant surprise from Maxim was waiting for me, for which I am very grateful to him!!!
Everything was punctual and without delay: tours started exactly on schedule, transfers arrived on time, and took place everywhere without queues.
The hotel where we stayed is very cozy, clean, with friendly staff, with delicious breakfasts, with a good location.
The program is rich and varied, but not overloaded. Nobody rushed us, but at the same time we did everything in time, returning to the hotel every day with new experiences.
I enjoyed the beauty of Istanbul, the special atmosphere and the beautiful views of the Princes' Islands, the delicious food, and the interesting stories of our guide Engin, whom it was a pleasure to listen to.
I'm happy to be able to wholeheartedly recommend this tour to couples, companies, and solo travellers. This is a good option for those who want to enjoy this beautiful city in a relaxed state, without hassle, really have a good rest and get a lot of pleasant experiences.
Thank you so much for everything Maxim!
Thanks a lot to Maxim! I will remember these days in Istanbul for a long time. Excursions, in general, the organization, and communication with experienced travelers left only positive emotions. Thanks also to our guide Engin.
I would like to share the wonderful experience of my little trip to Istanbul. I'm new to traveling, so I wanted all the nuances to be taken into account - maximum experience, minimum anxiety)
My thanks to Maxim - that's what happened. A perfectly “assembled” tour program, a colorful guide, and the accuracy and coordination of the organizer's work. The result is a lot of impressions. Thanks 🌷
My thanks to Maxim - that's what happened. A perfectly “assembled” tour program, a colorful guide, and the accuracy and coordination of the organizer's work. The result is a lot of impressions. Thanks 🌷
An incredible journey for those who value comfort and depth!
Going to Istanbul alone was my bold decision. My journey was safe, comfortable and memorable. From the very first minute, I felt cared for: I was met at the airport, taken to the hotel on time, and the curator was there for me and in touch all the following time. Everything was extremely punctual: tours started exactly as scheduled, transfers arrived on time, there was not a minute of downtime or confusion. This is very valuable when you're in a city you don't know.
The program is very well thought out and varied. We didn't just run to the must-see points, but really immersed ourselves in the atmosphere of Istanbul. The tours were very colorful and lively, thanks to guide Engin, who told fascinating stories rather than dry facts.
Loved the accommodation. The hotel was clean, nice, with a good location, which is very important in a city like Istanbul.
I can in good conscience recommend this tour to anyone — and to anyone traveling alone (especially girls!) , for both companies and couples. This is an ideal option to see the maximum without any hassle, feel safe and get a lot of vivid emotions. Many thanks to the organizers for such a trip!
Going to Istanbul alone was my bold decision. My journey was safe, comfortable and memorable. From the very first minute, I felt cared for: I was met at the airport, taken to the hotel on time, and the curator was there for me and in touch all the following time. Everything was extremely punctual: tours started exactly as scheduled, transfers arrived on time, there was not a minute of downtime or confusion. This is very valuable when you're in a city you don't know.
The program is very well thought out and varied. We didn't just run to the must-see points, but really immersed ourselves in the atmosphere of Istanbul. The tours were very colorful and lively, thanks to guide Engin, who told fascinating stories rather than dry facts.
Loved the accommodation. The hotel was clean, nice, with a good location, which is very important in a city like Istanbul.
I can in good conscience recommend this tour to anyone — and to anyone traveling alone (especially girls!) , for both companies and couples. This is an ideal option to see the maximum without any hassle, feel safe and get a lot of vivid emotions. Many thanks to the organizers for such a trip!
It was the first time. I had lots of emotions and impressions, everything was perfectly organized.Without delays or delays, We met at the airport, accommodated at a hotel (for a group tour, a normal hotel in the old center of Istanbul) The excursions were planned well (not tired) .So I recommend and think about going to Jordan with them
Thank you very much Maxim for a wonderful tour and vacation! My young man and I were very impressed with the trip.
They told us everything in detail about the history and main attractions and answered all our questions. The days themselves and the program were busy and well organized - every day we returned to the hotel with new impressions and positive emotions.
The young man, being a history buff, enjoyed the tour a lot!
Moreover, Maxim sometimes didn't dwell only on the planned program, but even showed us other interesting places impromptu, which felt like an informal attitude towards his work!
We are happy to have made it out on this journey! We had a good rest and got incredible pleasure from a different culture, monumental architecture and new information!
They told us everything in detail about the history and main attractions and answered all our questions. The days themselves and the program were busy and well organized - every day we returned to the hotel with new impressions and positive emotions.
The young man, being a history buff, enjoyed the tour a lot!
Moreover, Maxim sometimes didn't dwell only on the planned program, but even showed us other interesting places impromptu, which felt like an informal attitude towards his work!
We are happy to have made it out on this journey! We had a good rest and got incredible pleasure from a different culture, monumental architecture and new information!
We were vacationing in Istanbul from April 23 to April 29. During this period, we toured “Istanbul: a symphony of squares, mosques and palaces”. The tour itself is well planned. All three days of sightseeing are fully thought out. I would like to say a special thank you to Regina. She was with us all three days, giving us suggestions, responding to any request and helping us with all matters. We received a lot of wonderful impressions and positive emotions from Istanbul. I definitely recommend it.
This is not the first time I travel with you. All information is available and accurate. Specialists and travel experts are always available in case of any questions. We sincerely wish you more cool routes and like-minded people.
Good afternoon!
I would like to thank the tour organizers for our wonderful trip. Everything was well planned, we managed to see many interesting places and learned about local secrets and legends.
I would like to thank the tour organizers for our wonderful trip. Everything was well planned, we managed to see many interesting places and learned about local secrets and legends.
+2
It's all great! The tour is well organized. In three days, we saw the main sights of Istanbul. Thanks a lot to the organizers!
