Scenic Highlights

Begin your visit to this beautiful city on two continents with a drive through the coastal road of Dolmabahce. View the magnificent gate of famous Dolmabahce Palace as you cross to the Asian side of Istanbul via the Bosphorus Bridge. After a short orientation drive on the Asian side, a short stop gives you a great photo opportunity. Continue to the Old City in the European side where you’ll find the Hippodrome, a reminder of what was the center of Byzantium’s political scene. Take in the breathtaking views of the Blue Mosque with its unique exterior defined by its six minarets, domes and semi-domes. You’ll admire its interior, covered with beautifully hand painted blue tiles which give the mosque its most popular name. Hundreds of windows let the natural light come through, creating a luminous effect. Stop at the Grand Bazaar with its two distinctively different sections. The covered part, surrounded by a wall, can be entered through several gates where you’ll find anything imaginable in its thousands of stalls. You’ll have the chance to explore its exotic atmosphere for a brief period of time before continuing to the open and modern section which offers the best and most reliable shopping. During your time around the Grand Bazaar, you’ll take part in a presentation on the unique art of Turkish carpets. Enjoy some complimentary refreshments while you shop and stroll in the handicraft store. Note: The Asian-side orientation drive is subject to traffic conditions and in case of extreme congestion or road closures can be replaced with a scenic drive by the Old City walls. Expect differences in tour durations due to traffic conditions. Participants are required to remove their shoes in order to enter the mosque and are provided with an environmentally friendly bag to store them. As this tour visits a place of worship, please dress respectfully: no bare shoulders or exposed knees. Should the Blue Mosque be closed to visitors due to religious festivities, you’ll visit another historical mosque. On Sundays, the Grand Bazaar closes and only the shops of the outer bazaar remain open, therefore the visit to the Grand Bazaar may be replaced with the Spice Bazaar.