CITY TOURS

DAILY TOURS go to pre-post tours

Regular / Half Day Afternoon Tour

Tour of "Sultan Ahmet Center", the heart of the "Old City" from where the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires were ruled.

Hagia Sophia, the Church of Divine Wisdom, one of the greatest marvels of architecture, constructed as a basilica in the 6th century by Emperor Justinian.

Blue Mosque, facing Hagia Sophia, famous with its blue İznik tiles and unique with 6 minarets, built in the name of Sultan Ahmet.

Hippodrome, center of sportive events (chariot races, athletics) and political activities of the old city. Serpentine Column, Obelisk of Theodosius and German Fountain of Wilhelm II are the monuments decorating the Hippodrome.

Fırça, a unique place for art lovers! A family-owned atelier producing handmade ceramics. Along with Hittite productions of terra cotta, quartz Seljuk productions, quartz İznik (Nicea)-Ottoman productions, Fırça also has various examples from the Turkish culture.

RATE:
€ 35.- (V.A.T. included) / per person
Regular / Half Day Afternoon Tour

Topkapı Palace, residence of Ottoman Sultans exhibiting imperial treasury, sacred Islamic relics of Prophet Mohammed, kitchen, Chinese porcelain, weapons, calligraphy section etc. Live guide commentary is not allowed in special sections. (Harem is not included in the program)

Sultan Tombs, there are five tombs of Ottoman Sultans within the graveyard at Hagia Sophia. The ceramic panels are the most beautiful examples of the 16th century with purple, red, green and blue flower motives. Prince robes and a small piece from the Kaaba covers are displayed on the sarcophaguses.

RATE:
€ 35.- (V.A.T. included) / per person
Regular / Full Day Tour

Tour of "Sultan Ahmet Center", the heart of the "Old City" from where the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires were ruled.

Hagia Sophia, the Church of Divine Wisdom, one of the greatest marvels of architecture, constructed as a basilica in the 6th century by Emperor Justinian.

Blue Mosque, facing Hagia Sophia, famous with its blue İznik tiles and unique with 6 minarets, built in the name of Sultan Ahmet.

Hippodrome, center of sportive events (chariot races, athletics) and political activities of the old city. Serpentine Column, Obelisk of Theodosius and German Fountain of Wilhelm II are the monuments decorating the Hippodrome.

Grand Covered Bazaar, most attractive shopping center and the biggest "souk" in the world with nearly 4000 shops selling antiques, jewellery, gold, carpets, leatherware and souvenir. (Art demonstration of handmade Turkish carpets upon request)

Lunch at a Turkish Restaurant.

Topkapı Palace, residence of Ottoman Sultans exhibiting imperial treasury, sacred Islamic relics of Prophet Mohammed, kitchen, Chinese porcelain, weapons, calligraphy section etc. Live guide commentary is not allowed in special sections. (Harem is not included in the program)

Sultan Tombs, there are five tombs of Ottoman Sultans within the graveyard at Hagia Sophia. The ceramic panels are the most beautiful examples of the 16th century with purple, red, green and blue flower motives. Prince robes and a small piece from the Kaaba covers are displayed on the sarcophaguses.

This tour ends approximately at 17:00

BROCHURE RATE:
€ 70.- (V.A.T. included) / per person
Regular / Full Day Tour

Golden Horn (from the bus), the arm of the Bosphorus and a natural harbour of the historical peninsula separating the old and the new parts of İstanbul where the first colonies settled during the Byzantines. The residential area for Byzantine Jews, Italian traders and other non-muslim minorities. Drive along the traces of history at Balat viewing Metal Church of St. Stephen the Bulgarian, Jewish Hospital (Or-Ahayim), Fener Orthodox Patriarchate and 22 kms. long Byzantine City Walls, strongest fortification of the middle age.

Spice Bazaar (Egyptian Bazaar), mystical smells of different aromas of various spices. Shops selling fruits, vegetables, fish, flowers etc.

Bosphorus Cruise on Plan Tours' private boat, through the waterway separating the two continents, Europe and Asia, with a possibility to take photographs of marble palaces, ancient wooden villas of Ottoman architecture besides modern residentials and luxurious apartments.

Rumeli Fortress (from the boat - no interior visit), historical armament built by the Conqueror to control and protect the Bosphorus. A unique example of military architecture.

(Visit to a leather showroom if time permits)

Lunch at a Turkish Restaurant.

Dolmabahçe Palace, recent residence for Ottoman Sultans built by two Ottoman architects Karabet and Nikogos Balyan on a 110.000 m2 area and served as the main administrative center of the Ottoman Empire. Famous with great collection of European antiquity, furniture and 4.5 tons chandelier, the palace has 285 rooms and 46 halls.

Bosphorus Bridge, unique chance to step from one continent (Europe) to another (Asia) in 2 minutes.

Çamlıca Hill, famous for its widest bird's eye panoramic view of İstanbul from Marmara Sea to the Black Sea, gives a chance to see the Bosphorus and Golden Horn from one of the best point of the highest and most appealing places of the city.

This tour ends approximately at 17:00

IMPORTANT NOTICE

Bosphorus Tours are practiced with regular boat if minimum number of attendants is not provided for the private boat

RATE:
€ 70.- (V.A.T. included) / per person

General Information & Conditions for Regular Tours

  • Tour fees include A/C transportation, guidance in English, entrance fees and mentioned meals/drinks,
  • The tours will not be private but regular tours of with mix of other people,
  • We kindly request our guests to be ready by the hotel's reception 10 minutes before departure time,
  • Courtesy transfers from/to in-city hotels. Pick-up transfers may last from 45 minutes to 1 hour due to heavy traffic,
  • Guests are to be promptly on time at the meeting points given by the tour guide. Tours will proceed without waiting the delayers,
  • Tour programs and prices may change without prior notice. Any increase in museum entrance fees will be reflected in the prices.
  • For reserving a tour please kindly get in touch with secretariat@cice2020.org

Important Note: Overnight Anatolian tours (such as Cappadocia, Ephessus & House of Virgin Mary & Pergamum, Pamukkale & Hierapolis, Göbeklitepe) are availabe upon request. However it needs to to be tailor-made and priced accordingly. Please be in touch with us from secretariat@cice2020.org

CLOSED

Hagia Sophia on Monday replaced with Underground (Basilica) Cistern
Sultan Tombs on Monday replaced with Little Hagia Sophia (St. Sergius & Bacchus)
Blue Mosque visited from outside on Friday mornings because of noon prayer
Grand Covered Bazaar on Sunday replaced with authentic shops
Topkapı Palace on Tuesday replaced with Tour to Byzantium
Dolmabahçe Palace on Monday replaced with Eyüp + Pierre Loti Coffee House + Miniatürk
St. Savior in Chora (Kariye Museum) on Wednesday

Private / Full Day Tour (except Saturday & Sunday)

THE STORY OF TURKISH JEWS who were deported from Spain in 1492, now living in Türkiye for more than 500 years in peace & harmony.

Start after breakfast for a tour in Galata, the centuries-old Jewish neighborhood with its famous tower built by the Genoese. Visit to Neve Shalom Synagogue or Ashkenaz Synagogue (upon availability)

Drive to Balat along the Golden Horn, residential area of the Ottoman Jews where the "Star of David" still appears on the facades of some buildings. Visit to Ahrida Synagogue, built in the 15th century and from outside Jewish Hospital (Or-Ahayim).

Visit to Zülfaris Jewish Museum of the Quincentennial Foundation and the "Oldies House" at Hasköy.

The Jewish Cemetery where the martyrs of Neve Shalom are buried. Stop at Ortaköy, first disembark point of Sephardic Jews who were expelled from Spain by the religious disturbance of the Spanish King and the Queen, desperate on the ships in the middle of the sea, not being accepted by any European country except the Ottoman Sultan Beyazid Khan The Second who welcomed them offering a safe and peaceful life. Last visit to Etz Ahayim Synagogue in Ortaköy.

RATE:
€ 85.- (V.A.T. included) / per person (minimum 8 required)
  • Above tour rates include round trip transfers from/to central hotels, private A/C transportation, English speaking professional private guide (other languages are available on request), donations to synagogues, museum entrance fees, Lunch and exclude drinks.
  • Photocopy of the passport page with photo is needed in advance (4 days) for visit permits. Passports required for security during the tour.
Private / Full Day Tour

The Patriarchate at Fener, by the Golden Horn, is the heart of Orthodox Christianity. After Constantine the Great' s declaration of Christianity as the religion of Roman Empire, the capital was moved from Rome to Byzantium. With the conquest (1453) of Ottoman Empire, the seat of Patriarchate remained in İstanbul.

Church of Panagia of Blachernae, the best known and most celebrated shrine of the Holy Virgin located near Golden Horn, famed with the hagiasma (fountain of holy water), good to cure health problems, and the Hagion Lousma (sacred bath) good to clean the soul where the emperor also came to purify himself.

St. Savior in Chora (Kariye Museum), originally a Byzantine monastery, dedicated to Jesus Christ the Savior, survived with fantastic mosaics and frescoes, portraying scenes from the Bible, the life and miracles of Jesus.

Pantocrator (Zeyrek Mosque), the monastic complex was one of the largest and best organized of the Byzantine period, comprising two churches and a funerary chapel, baths, a hospice for the aged, a hospital and a medical school, a hostel for travellers and a library. (from outside)

Church of St. Mary Pammacaristos (Fethiye Mosque), built in the 11th century by John Comnenus, displaying the aesthetic refinement attained to Paleologan Age, originally belonged to a convent of nuns. Housed the Patriarchate for a while after the conquest. (from outside)

Zoodochos Pege at Balıklı, dedicated to the Mother of God at Pege, with an underground cistern, full of gold fishes related to a well-known miracle, and the fountain of holy water.

St. Sergius & Bacchus, a landmark in Byzantine ecclesiastical architecture. Today it is known as the "Little Hagia Sophia” because its general plan is a precursor of the Hagia Sophia. (from outside)

Hagia Eirene, the old patriarchal church with its impressive size stands next to Hagia Sophia. (from outside)

Hagia Sophia, for many centuries was the largest church of Christendom, dedicated to Divine Wisdom, an attribute of Christ. Hagia Sophia played an important role as emperors were crowned and many victories were celebrated in this remarkable building.

RATE:
€ 85.- (V.A.T. included) / per person (minimum 8 required)
  • Above tour rates include round trip transfers from/to central hotels, private A/C transportation, English speaking professional private guide (other languages are available on request), donations to churches, museum entrance fees, Lunch and exclude drinks.

CLOSED

Hagia Sophia on Monday
St. Savior in Chora on Wednesday
Church of St. Mary Pammacaristos on Wednesday


PRE-POST TOURS go to daily tours

Departure by ferryboat via Yalova, enjoying the lovely countryside view. Than drive to Bursa, former Ottoman capital city and having lunch of famous Bursa style kebap called Bursa Iskender.

Climb to Uludağ mountain, the legendary Mount Olympos, by Teleferik (cable car), visit to Ulu Camii (Grand Mosque), the Green Mosque and the Green Mausoleum, the old Silk Market in the Covered Bazaar in the city.

Over night in the city at least for 1 night.

Drive to the 600 years survivor İnkaya Plane Tree and coffee break on the way to Uludağ if teleferik does not operate due to inconvenient weather conditions or if there are long queues.

Early morning drive to Çanakkale (Gallipoli), famous battlefield, Anzac Cove, War Cemeteries (Beach Cemetery, Quinn' s Post, The Nek) and the Anzac Memorials (Lone Pine - Australian Memorial, Conk Bayırı - New Zealand Memorial, Hellespont - English Memorial) of the naval battle (18 March 1915) during the World War I.

Ferry across Dardanelles. We'll see the maquette Trojan Horse used in the famous movie "Troy” before lunch at Çanakkale. Visit to the ancient city of Troy, famous with the legendary Trojan Horse from the times of Beautiful Helen, the Queen of Sparta and Paris, the Trojan Prince.

Over night in the city at least for 1 night.

Early morning flight to İzmir or night before bus to Kuşadası, birthplace of Homer and departure for Ephesus, one of the twelve cities of the Ionian League during the classical Greek period. Ephesus was also one of the "Seven Churches of Anatolia (Asia)" that are cited in the Book of Revelation.

Visit to the old Greco-Roman city of Ephesus, Marble Street, Odeon, Bouleterion, Temple of Hadrian and Serapis, Agora, Library of Celsus, Great Theatre, Double Church, Arcadian Way, Gate of Magnesia.

Last abode of Virgin Mary at Mount Solmissos and lunch at Selçuk. Visit to İsabey Mosque, one of the oldest and most impressive works of architectural art remaining from Anatolian Beyliks and the Temple of Artemis, one of the "Seven Wonders of the Ancient World”.

Over night in the city at least for 1 night.

Early morning flight to İzmir or night before bus to Kuşadası and drive to Pamukkale (Cotton Castle), a beautiful and spectacular natural site near Denizli, unique in the world. Thermal spring waters have carved this fantastic formation of stalactites.

Thermal waters have been used since Roman times for their therapeutic powers. Situated on the plateau are both the thermal center with its motels, thermal pools and ruins of the ancient city of Hierapolis. Monument on this site includes the ancient thermal baths which have been restored and converted .

Over night in the city at least for 1 night.

General Information & Conditions for Regular Tours

  • Tour programs and prices may change without prior notice. Any increase in museum entrance fees will be reflected in the prices.
  • • For reserving the above tours please kindly get in touch with secretariat@cice2020.org, since those tours needs to be tailor made.