On this tour, we’ll travel back to the past of Constantinople to discover its ancient walls and the most colorful neighborhoods of Istanbul. We’ll also sail along the waters of the Bosphorus aboard a luxury cruise. A must-do!
Tour Details
After picking you up from your hotel, we’ll head to the impressive Walls of Constantinople. Built in the 4th century, these defenses were impregnable for centuries. We’ll learn about their strategic importance while enjoying unique panoramic views of the city.
Our next stop will be Yedikule Fortress, known as the Fortress of the Seven Towers. We’ll enter its famous dungeons and admire the Golden Gate, the monumental entrance through which Byzantine emperors made their triumphant entries after battle.
We’ll continue the route by visiting the Kariye Museum, or Church of the Holy Savior in Chora. Here, we’ll marvel at its Byzantine mosaics and frescoes, considered among the most beautiful and best preserved in the world.
Later, we’ll immerse ourselves in the multicultural atmosphere of the Fener and Balat neighborhoods. As we stroll through their labyrinthine cobbled streets, we’ll discover the Church of St. Stephen of the Bulgars, an architectural gem built of iron, and the Church of St. Mary of Blachernae, famous for its sacred spring. We’ll also visit the Church of St. George (Aya Yorgi), a peaceful place that safeguards centuries of Orthodox heritage.
To end the day in the most relaxing way, we’ll board a luxury boat for a Bosphorus cruise. As we sail between 2 continents, we’ll admire from the water iconic monuments such as the Dolmabahçe Palace, the Rumeli Fortress, and the majestic bridges connecting Europe and Asia. During the cruise, we’ll serve tea and Turkish coffee along with some snacks.
Before finishing the journey, we’ll make a stop in the charming village of Kanlıca, on the Asian shore. There, you’ll have the opportunity to try its famous traditional yogurt before returning to the port.
Finally, we’ll take you back to your hotel after approximately 7 hours of tour.
Hotel Pickup
This activity only includes pickup from hotels in the Fatih and Taksim districts. If you're staying in other areas, you'll need to travel to these neighborhoods in central Istanbul.