As being a metropolis that sits on two continents, Istanbul offers a big variety of tour options to its visitors.
It is an enormously big city - maybe one of the most attractive in the world- offering unique opportunities for any kind of taste.

Depending on what your interests are highly based on, you may have the opportunity of touring the splendid architectural edifices of this unique city or spending a whole day visiting the numerous art galleries full of fine examples of antique and modern masterpieces and special collections, or visiting the old palaces or religious monuments dating back to earlier centuries with magnificent interior and exterior decorations, or exploring the endless variety of historical, cultural, ethnographical, or archeological museums.

Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Hippodrome area, Topkapi Palace, Archeological Museum, Chora Museum, Suleymaniye Mosque, Istanbul Modern Museum of Art, The Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts, Rustem Pasha Mosque, Underground Cistern, Grand and Spice Bazaars, Jewish Heritage sites can be counted among the places of interest that can be visited in Istanbul. These are also the highlights of the city.

Due to the fact that the options are of great variety, please do not hesitate to contact us to tailor your own touring program, on your own pace. No doubt that we would be flexible in designing the best itinerary to suit your preferences (taking into account the closure days of the sites) so as to make your visit worthed and to let you get the most out of your limited time in Istanbul. Please visit the "itineraries" section to have an idea about possible tour options in Istanbul.

Half Day Tour Options

OTTOMAN RELICS
Meet your guide at the pier for your half day tour. Start touring with a visit to the reputed Topkapi Palace which served as the residence of the Ottoman Sultans from 15th to 19th centuries. Serving more than just a private residence for the sultan and his family, it was also the seat of the supreme executive council called Divan. Today, the palace is a museum holding a wealth of treasures among which we can count an exquisite collection of precious gems and gold, jewellery, wardrobes of the sultans and their families, miniatures, thrones, chamber of Sacred Relics and one of the world’s finest collections of Chinese porcelain. You may also explore the Harem section which offers a glimpse into the lives of the Ottoman imperial family and those who served them.
Next stop will be at the famous Rustem Pasa Mosque designed by the court architect Sinan. Built in 1561, it is considered to be a skillful accomplishment of the famous architect. Exquisite and colorful Iznik tiles in floral and geometrical designs decorate the superbly proportioned interior and the mosque is a typical sample of Islamic architecture amidst the rows of shops near Spice Bazaar…

CHORA CHURCH + SPICE BAZAAR + RUSTEM PASHA MOSQUE
Meet your guide at the pier for your half day tour. Explore the magnificent Chora Museum (Kariye Museum), originally a Byzantine monastery with fantastic frescoes and mosaics portraying scenes from the bible, the life and miracles of Jesus. The interior decorations are   considered to be among the world’s most important. Our next stop is the famous Spice Market also known as Egyptian Bazaar at the base of the Golden Horn. The air is filled with mystical smells and different aromas of various spices. This colorful, covered bazaar has shops selling fruits, vegetables, fish, flowers and all sorts of exotic goodies, herbs and spices.
Lastly, proceed to the famous Rustem Pasa Mosque designed by the court architect Sinan. Built in 1561, it is considered to be a skillful accomplishment of the famous architect. Exquisite and colorful Iznik tiles in floral and geometrical designs decorate the superbly proportioned interior and the mosque is a typical sample of Islamic architecture amidst the rows of shops near Spice Bazaar…

ASIAN SIDE TOUR WITH CAMLICA HILL & BEYLERBEYI PALACE (TWO CONTINENTS TOUR)
Meet your guide at the pier. This is a tour that gives you the chance to step from one continent to the other in a half day time. A pleasant and scenic drive would take you to the Asian side of Istanbul over the Intercontinental Bosphorus Bridge. First to see is one of the highest points in Istanbul, Camlica Hill. This is where you can admire the magnificent panorama of Istanbul and Bosphorus as you sip your drinks in a local café (the whole city, Bosphorus almost as far as the Black Sea, the Marmara Sea with Prince’s Islands is within your view there) Second stop is at Beylerbeyi Palace. Designed by Agop and Sarkis Balyan, it was built between 1861 and 1865 as a summer residence of the Ottoman sultans. With 26 rooms and six large halls, the palace was also used to host foreign guests from other countries. Mens' section (Selamlik) and womans’ section (Harem) had separate entrances, the Selamlik was used for state affairs therefore was very ornate, whereas “Harem” was reserved only to the ladies and the decoration was very simple. After completing the visit, return the European side of Istanbul and the pier after the tour.  

DOLMABAHCE PALACE + ISTANBUL MODERN MUSEUM
Meet your guide at the pier for your half day tour. Visit the opulent Dolmabahce Palace. Built between 1843 and 1856, Dolmabahce is one of the most glamorous palaces in the world, right by the Bosphorus. It served as the administrative center of the late Ottoman Empire and replaced Topkapi Palace as the residence of sultans after its completion. Famous with a great collection of European antiquity, furniture and world’s largest crystal chandelier, the palace has 285 rooms and 46 halls. After the foundation of the Turkish Republic in Ankara, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk transferred all government functions to the youthful capital but on his visits to Istanbul, he occupied a small room at Dolmabahce Palace. He stayed, welcomed his foreign guests there and used the palace for national, historical congresses and international conferences.
After completing the tour of Dolmabahce Palace, proceed to Istanbul Modern Museum of Art which can be considered as the first privately-owned museum devoted to modern and contemporary art in Turkey. It was founded in 2004 with the aim of fostering wider enjoyment and understanding of modern art among the general public. Located beside the Bosphorus, the museum brings together the Istanbul cityscape with the production of arts ranging from painting, sculpture, and photography to video and new media. At the end of the tour, return your ship.

ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM + UNDERGROUND CISTERN
Meet your guide at the pier for your half day tour. Head to the Archaeology Museum located right near Topkapi Palace. The Istanbul Archaeology Museum actually consists of three museums. Those are the main Archeology Museum, the Old Eastern Works Museum and the Enameled Kiosk Museum. It houses over one million objects that represent almost all of the eras and civilizations in world history. The extremely ornate Alexander Sarcophagus, once believed to be prepared for Alexander the Great, is among the most famous pieces of ancient art in the museum. Afterwards, proceed to the mysterious and surreal Underground Cistern which is also known as Yerebatan Sarayi, one of the Grand underground cisterns which were an important source of water for the city during the Byzantine and Ottoman times. This cistern is thought to have been built after the Nika riot in 532 AD. It was known as the Basilica Cistern during the Roman period, as there was a Stoa Basilica above the pre-existing one at the time. After the conquest of the city by the Ottoman Turks, it was rediscovered in 1545 and was used to water the gardens of Topkapi Palace. Sensitively restored, the cistern is now equipped with meandering walkways above the water, atmospheric illumination and classical music. At the end of the tour, return your cruise ship. 

RUSTEM PASHA MOSQUE + EGYPTIAN BAZAAR + BOSPHORUS CRUISE (PUBLIC OR PRIVATE)
Your guide waits you right at the arrival gate of the pier with a sign bearing your name. Enjoy a half day tour of Istanbul. First stop is at Spice Market also known as Egyptian Bazaar at the base of the Golden Horn. The air is filled with mystical smells and different aromas of various spices. This colorful, covered bazaar has shops selling fruits, vegetables, fish, flowers and all sorts of exotic goodies, herbs and spices. Continue touring with a visit to the famous  Rustem Pasa Mosque designed by the court architect Sinan. Built in 1561, it is considered to be a skillful accomplishment of the famous architect. Exquisite and colorful Iznik tiles in floral and geometrical designs decorate the superbly proportioned interior and the mosque is a typical sample of Islamic architecture amidst the rows of shops near Spice Bazaar.
Lastly proceed to the pier for an exciting cruise on the Bosphorus by private boat or by public ferry. This is for sure the best way to get an overview of Istanbul and an amazing cruise between the two continents, Europe and Asia.  Bosphorus Strait or Istanbul Strait connects the Black Sea with the Sea of Marmara and this leisurely exploration of this historic waterway gives the opportunity to take photographs of marble palaces, ancient wooden villas of Ottoman architecture. You would be amazed by the beautiful views of the city, including the old and modern residences, lavish mosques and mansions, palaces along the shore. (Dolmabahce and Beylerbeyi Palaces, Ottoman summer mansions and Ortakoy mosque, the defensive Rumeli Fortress and Bosphorus Bridge, can be seen on the way) At the end of the tour, return to the pier.

Full Day Tour Options

MARVELS OF OLD ISTANBUL
You will be met at the pier by your guide for your full day tour to explore the highlights of the old district of Istanbul. Our first stop is at the Church of Divine Wisdom (Aya Sofya in Turkish, Sancta Sophia in Latin, Hagia Sofia in Greek). Converted into a museum by Ataturk, Aya Sofya was built by the Byzantine Emperor Constantine the Great in the 4th century and reconstructed by the Byzantine Emperor Justinian in the 6th century. Also called the Church of Divine Wisdom, it is one of the greatest architectural marvels of all times and a masterpiece of grandeur and proportion. The word “Hagia” in Greek means “Divine” and “Sophia” means “Wisdom”. Divine Wisdom is one of the attributes of Jesus Christ and this church is devoted to his divine wisdom. It played a very important role in the Byzantine Empire as being the grandest church in Christendom until its conversion into a mosque by Sultan Mehmet II just after the conquest of Constantinople in 1453. After seeing Aya Sofya, proceed to The Hippodrome which served as the center of Byzantine civic life for 1000 years, including coronations and Roman chariot races. The vast Hippodrome, also known as “At Meydani” or “Plaza of the Horses” stretches between Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque with its four monuments, German Fountain of Wilhelm II, the Obelisk of Theodosius, the Bronze Serpentine Column and the Column of Constantine. Across from Hagia Sophia, is the elegant "Blue Mosque" of Sultan Ahmed I, with its six minarets. Built in the early 17th century, Blue Mosque is one of the most prominent landmarks of Istanbul. Its popular name is derived from its magnificent interior decoration of blue Iznik tiles. Undoubtedly, it impresses every eye that sees it for the first time with its beautiful interior design, domes and semidomes, nice courtyards and six slender minarets. Next to see before lunch is  Turkish and Islamic Art Museum. The museum’s beautiful building has been given to the Grand Vizier Ibrahim Pasha as a gift from Sultan Suleyman in 1520. Turkish and Islamic Art Museum exhibits almost all periods and all types of Islamic art. It has a collection exceeding forty thousand works. In the numerous rooms of this historic building have been collected the most precious and the rarest of the Moslem works of the epoch including carpets, wooden works, stone art, ceramic and glass, hand writings and metals. After having lunch at a local restaurant, visit the reputed Topkapi Palace which served as the residence of the Ottoman Sultans from 15th to 19th centuries. Serving more than just a private residence for the sultan and his family, it was also the seat of the supreme executive council called Divan. Today, the palace is a museum holding a wealth of treasures among which we can count an exquisite collection of precious gems and gold, jewellery, wardrobes of the sultans and their families, miniatures, thrones, chamber of Sacred Relics and one of the world’s finest collections of Chinese porcelain. You may also explore the Harem section which offers a glimpse into the lives of the Ottoman imperial family and those who served them. Our last stop will be at the famous Grand Covered Bazaar; the oldest and the largest covered marketplace in the world. In this reputed bazaar’s more than 4000 shops, any kind of item can be found, jewellery products, carpet sellers, furniture artisans, brassware and trays, meerschaum pipers, hand-honed copperware, hand painted ceramic works, onyxware, souvenir shops and leather goods. Return your ship at the end of the tour.

SPICE MARKET + RUSTEM PASHA MOSQUE + BOSPHORUS CRUISE + DOLMABAHCE
Your guide waits you right at the arrival gate of the pier with a sign bearing your name. Enjoy a full day tour of Istanbul. First stop is at Spice Market also known as Egyptian Bazaar at the base of the Golden Horn. The air is filled with mystical smells and different aromas of various spices. This colorful, covered bazaar has shops selling fruits, vegetables, fish, flowers and all sorts of exotic goodies, herbs and spices. Continue touring with a visit to the famous  Rustem Pasa Mosque designed by the court architect Sinan. Built in 1561, it is considered to be a skillful accomplishment of the famous architect. Exquisite and colorful Iznik tiles in floral and geometrical designs decorate the superbly proportioned interior and the mosque is a typical sample of Islamic architecture amidst the rows of shops near Spice Bazaar.
Proceed to the pier for an exciting cruise on the Bosphorus by private boat or by public ferry. This is for sure the best way to get an overview of Istanbul and an amazing cruise between the two continents, Europe and Asia.  Bosphorus Strait or Istanbul Strait connects the Black Sea with the Sea of Marmara and this leisurely exploration of this historic waterway gives the opportunity to take photographs of marble palaces, ancient wooden villas of Ottoman architecture. You would be amazed by the beautiful views of the city, including the old and modern residences, lavish mosques and mansions, palaces along the shore.
After having lunch at a local restaurant, visit the opulent Dolmabahce Palace. Built between 1843 and 1856, Dolmabahce is one of the most glamorous palaces in the world, right by the Bosphorus. It served as the administrative center of the late Ottoman Empire and replaced Topkapi Palace as the residence of sultans after its completion. Famous with a great collection of European antiquity, furniture and world’s largest crystal chandelier, the palace has 285 rooms and 46 halls. After the foundation of the Turkish Republic in Ankara, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk transferred all government functions to the youthful capital but on his visits to Istanbul, he occupied a small room at Dolmabahce Palace. He stayed, welcomed his foreign guests there and used the palace for national, historical congresses and international conferences.
We will end our tour at Ortaköy district. Artists gather especially every Sunday to exhibit their works in a street side gallery. The variety of people creates a lively scene. In Ortaköy, there is a church, a mosque and a synagogue that have existed side by side for hundreds of years - a tribute to Turkish tolerance at the grass roots level. Overshadowing Istanbul’s traditional architecture is one of the world's largest suspension bridges, the Bosphorus Bridge, linking Europe and Asia. At the end of the tour, return the pier.

JEWISH HERITAGE COMBINED WITH PERA (BEYOGLU) DISTRICT
For synagogue visits, prior reservation and passport copies are required. Synagogues can be visited on weekdays.
Meet your guide at the pier. Start your day in the original Jewish quarter of Istanbul; Balat. The Jews expelled from Spain first settled here, bringing with them the latest advances in medicine, clock making and ballistics. Balat housed the first printing press in the Ottoman Empire (brought by Sephardic Jews) as well as famous Yeshivot and over 20 synagogues. The Ahrida Synagogue - over 500 years old - was restored in the 1990’s: its boat-shaped ark symbolizes the ships, which brought the Sephardim to Istanbul upon their exile from Spain. After the Ahrida - considered to be one of the most beautiful synagogues in the world - you will cross the Golden Horn and continue to the Jewish Museum in the Zulfaris Synagogue where you will see a small, lovely collection of Jewish artifacts from all over Turkey. After lunch, proceed to Grande Rue de Pera (Istiklal Street) which will make you discover a cosmopolitan district built by a mix of a cultural richness of Italians, Armenians, Muslims, Austro-Hungarians, French, English, Greek, Karaits, Sephardic and Ashkenazi. You are invited to see/visit  fashion shops, bookshops, art galleries, the colorful ambiance of Balik Pazari (Fish Bazaar), Cicek Pasaji (Flower Passage), the beautiful gothic Catholic Church of St. Anthony (it was constructed in 1907. This church resembles Notre Dame de Paris very much but much smaller) and other eastern churches, historical and modern buildings, arcades of the most prestigious district of the city. The historical Galata Tower became a famous symbol of Istanbul.  The top of the tower offers a tremendous 180 degree view of the city. At the end of the tour, you will be dropped off at the pier.

ASIAN SIDE WITH SULEYMANIYE MOSQUE
Meet your guide at the pier. This is a tour that gives you the chance to step from one continent to the other. A pleasant and scenic drive would take you to the Asian side of Istanbul over the Intercontinental Bosphorus Bridge. First to see is one of the highest points in Istanbul, Camlica Hill. This is where you can admire the magnificent panorama of Istanbul and Bosphorus as you sip your drinks in a local café (the whole city, Bosphorus almost as far as the Black Sea, the Marmara Sea with Prince’s Islands is within your view there) Second stop is at Beylerbeyi Palace. Designed by Agop and Sarkis Balyan, it was built between 1861 and 1865 as a summer residence of the Ottoman sultans. With 26 rooms and six large halls, the palace was also used to host foreign guests from other countries. Mens' section (Selamlik) and womans’ section (Harem) had separate entrances, the Selamlik was used for state affairs therefore was very ornate, whereas “Harem” was reserved only to the ladies and the decoration was very simple. Lunch either on Asian or European side. After completing the visit, head back to the European side to explore Suleymaniye Mosque which is a grand 16th century mosque built on the order of Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent and by the great Ottoman architect Sinan in an attempt to rival Hagia Sophia.  The construction work began in 1550 and the mosque was finished in 1557.  It is perhaps the most prominent example of Ottoman architecture and for sure a great work of Sinan. Our last stop will be at the famous Grand Covered Bazaar; the oldest and the largest covered marketplace in the world. In this reputed bazaar’s more than 4000 shops, any kind of item can be found… jewellery products, carpet sellers, furniture artisans, brassware and trays, meerschaum pipers, hand-honed copperware, hand painted ceramic works, onyxware, souvenir shops and leather goods. Return your ship at the end of the tour.

ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM + UNDERGROUND CISTERN
Meet your guide at the pier for your full day tour. Head to the Archaeology Museum located right near Topkapi Palace. The Istanbul Archaeology Museum actually consists of three museums. Those are the main Archeology Museum, the Old Eastern Works Museum and the Enameled Kiosk Museum. It houses over one million objects that represent almost all of the eras and civilizations in world history. The extremely ornate Alexander Sarcophagus, once believed to be prepared for Alexander the Great, is among the most famous pieces of ancient art in the museum. Afterwards, proceed to the mysterious and surreal Underground Cistern which is also known as Yerebatan Sarayi, one of the Grand underground cisterns which were an important source of water for the city during the Byzantine and Ottoman times. This cistern is thought to have been built after the Nika riot in 532 AD. It was known as the Basilica Cistern during the Roman period, as there was a Stoa Basilica above the pre-existing one at the time. After the conquest of the city by the Ottoman Turks, it was rediscovered in 1545 and was used to water the gardens of Topkapi Palace. Sensitively restored, the cistern is now equipped with meandering walkways above the water, atmospheric illumination and classical music. After lunch, explore the magnificent Chora Museum (Kariye Museum), originally a Byzantine monastery with fantastic frescoes and mosaics portraying scenes from the bible, the life and miracles of Jesus. The interior decorations are considered to be among the world’s most important. Our last stop is at the famous Spice Market also known as Egyptian Bazaar at the base of the Golden Horn. The air is filled with mystical smells and different aromas of various spices. This colorful, covered bazaar has shops selling fruits, vegetables, fish, flowers and all sorts of exotic goodies, herbs and spices. At the end of the tour, return your cruise ship. 
The half day tour options given above can be combined to make a full day tour.