Istanbul Trip Overview
The magical city of Istanbul links the east and the west and has been the center of glorious empires. The city has always been a melting pot of culture, religions and different civilizations during its long history. All of these empires left beautiful structures and religious buildings. During this private tour, you will learn about the complex history of the Topkapi Palace and Hagia Sophia in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. You will hear great stories and unlock the secret life of sultans, concubines, eunuchs and viziers.
Additional Info
Duration: 4 hours 30 minutes
Starts: Istanbul, Turkey
Trip Category: Cultural & Theme Tours >> Cultural Tours
Explore Istanbul Promoted Experiences
What to Expect When Visiting Istanbul, Turkey, Turkey
The magical city of Istanbul links the east and the west and has been the center of glorious empires. The city has always been a melting pot of culture, religions and different civilizations during its long history. All of these empires left beautiful structures and religious buildings. During this private tour, you will learn about the complex history of the Topkapi Palace and Hagia Sophia in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. You will hear great stories and unlock the secret life of sultans, concubines, eunuchs and viziers.
Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Pass By: Sultanahmet District, Istanbul 34122 Turkey
The center of Constantinople which was capital ol Byzantine Empire
Stop At: Hagia Sophia Mosque, Sultan Ahmet, Ayasofya MeydanI No:1, Istanbul 34122 Turkey
The great church Hagia Sophia was built by the Byzantine Emperor Justinian I in the remarkably short time of about six years, being completed in 537 CE. In its 1,483 year life-span it has served as a cathedral, mosque and now a museum. Hagia Sophia was the symbol of Byzantium and a triumph of Christianity, and until the 16th century maintained its status as the largest church in the world. The church of the divine wisdom was designed to surpass in size, glory, and majesty every other structure ever constructed. The interior of Hagia Sophia was paneled with costly colored marbles and mosaics. It is a unique place in the world that one can appreciate Byzantine and Ottoman art.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Topkapi Palace, Cankurtaran Mahallesi Gulhane Park, Near Sultanahmet Square, Istanbul 34122 Turkey
Surrounded on three sides by the Marmara Sea, the Bosporus, and the Golden Horn, Topkapi Palace was the imperial residence of the Ottoman Sultans and home to his court and harem. The palace complex is huge and contains 4 main courtyards with beautiful gardens, an enormous kitchen, mosques, a hospital, many pavilions, and the Harem. The Topkapi housed each of the Ottoman sultans from Sultan Mehmed II to Sultan Abdulmecid, covering nearly four centuries and 25 sultans.
This opulent palace witnessed the greatest glories and the most heartbreaking tragedies in the history of the Ottoman Empire.
You will travel through centuries listening to great stories and uncover the secret life of mighty Ottoman sultans and their Harem.
Duration: 3 hours
Stop At: Sultanahmet, Sultanahmet, Istanbul
Historical District of Sultanahmet will be explained as that’s the center of country for centuries.
Duration: 30 minutes
