Hagia Sophia, Sultanahmet & Grand Bazaar Tour – Half-Day Guided
In half a day, you explore Istanbul's Historic Peninsula with four stops within walking distance of each other: the Blue Mosque (Sultanahmet Mosque), the Hippodrome, Hagia Sophia and the Grand Bazaar.
You start the day at the Blue Mosque. As your guide explains, its six minarets and the handmade Iznik tiles covering the interior are why it is considered one of the last great works of Ottoman architecture. Just next to it, at the Hippodrome, you walk through the ceremonial square of the Byzantine era and learn the stories of the Obelisk, the Serpent Column and the German Fountain.
Then you move on to Hagia Sophia. Built in the 6th century under Emperor Justinian, the structure transformed from church to mosque, then museum and back to mosque; as your guide tells the story of its fifteen-century journey, you see the dome and mosaics up close.
The final stop of the tour is the Grand Bazaar. After your guide shares the history of the bazaar, your free time begins; you wander at your own pace through the covered streets where carpets, jewellery, ceramics, spices and leather goods are sold.
Group sizes are kept small, so there is plenty of room to ask your guide questions. Entrance to Hagia Sophia is not included in the tour; €25 in cash is paid at the door.
If you choose the hotel pick-up option, you are collected from hotels in the Şişli, Osmanbey, Harbiye, Taksim, Fındıklı, Karaköy, Tepebaşı, Sirkeci, Sultanahmet, Kadırga, Beyazıt, Laleli, Aksaray, Yenikapı, Fındıkzade and Topkapı areas. Because the transfer is shared, your pick-up time may shift earlier or later; each hotel has a fixed pick-up time before the tour starts.
Tour Information
- Duration: 4 Hour
- Languages: tr, en
- Categories: Daily Tours, Istanbul Tours, Turkey Tours, City Tours & Cultural Trips
- Age Groups: Baby: 0 - 2 · Child: 3 - 7 · Adult: 8 - 99
Included Services
- Professional Guide
- Transportation
- Hotel pick-up and drop-off
- Transportation by air-conditioned vehicle
- Taxes (VAT)
Not Included
- Gratuities
- Personal expenses
- Museum entrance fees
- Food and drinks not included in the menu
Meeting & End Points
- Starting Point: Buhara 93 Restaurant
- Ending Point: Kapalı Çarşı
Meeting Points
- Buhara 93 Restaurant — Sultan Ahmet, Nakilbent Sk. No:13 A 15, 34122 Fatih/İstanbul, Türkiye
- Historical Peninsula — Tarihi Yarımada
- Beyoğlu – Şişli line — Beyoğlu – Şişli hattı
Tour Route
08:50 · Buhara 93 Restaurant
Meet your guide in front of Buhara 93 Restaurant on Sultanahmet Square.09:10 · Blue Mosque
Explore the interior of the six-minaret mosque adorned with İznik tiles together with your guide.10:00 · Sultanahmet Square
See the Obelisk, the Serpent Column and the German Fountain, and walk through the ceremonial square of the Byzantine era.10:30 · Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque
Visit Hagia Sophia with its dome and mosaics; your guide tells the story of the building spanning fifteen centuries, from church to mosque.11:30 · Kapalı Çarşı — Grand Bazaar
After your guide shares the history of the bazaar, your free time begins; wander the covered streets selling carpets, jewelry, ceramics, spices and leather goods at your own pace.
Popular Points
- Blue Mosque
- Sultanahmet Square
- Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque
Tour Rules
What to Bring and Dress Code
- Allowed: Comfortable shoes
- Allowed: Sunscreen and hat
- Allowed: Cash
- Allowed: Clothing covering shoulders and knees
Not Suitable For
- Not Allowed: Wheelchair users
Not Allowed
- Not Allowed: Smoking
- Not Allowed: Pets (except guide dogs)
- Not Allowed: Bringing alcoholic beverages
Good to Know
- Allowed: Close to public transport
- Allowed: The program may change depending on traffic conditions
Booking Conditions
- Reservation request is instantly confirmed.
- Visa Status: Not Required
- Pay 30% now, the rest by Cash, Bank/Credit Card
- (Taxes Included)
Upcoming Departures
Tap a date to open the booking calendar with that date selected.
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Frequently Asked Questions
- Are taxes included in the tour price?
- Yes, taxes are included in the prices shown on this page.