Istanbul Shore Excursion: Private Istanbul Express Sightseeing Tour | La Vacanza Travel

Istanbul Shore Excursion: Private Istanbul Express Sightseeing Tour

Duration: 4 hours
Destination: Turkiye, Turkiye, Istanbul
from
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  • 4 hours
  • Istanbul
  • E-Voucher
  • Lowest Price
  • Not-Cancellable

Overview

When you’re docked at Istanbul port, make a beeline for three of the city’s showstoppers on this 4-hour private shore excursion that's ideal for anyone short on time. With a knowledgeable guide beside you, visit the 6th-century masterpiece of the Hagia Sophia to marvel at its exquisite mosaics and soaring dome. Also, explore the stunning, blue-tiled Blue Mosque and roam the stall-packed lanes of the Grand Bazaar (closed on Sundays) as your guide reveals its history and Ottoman design. Experience the best sights and attention from your guide on this private excursion.

Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product

Stop At: Hagia Sophia Mosque, Sultan Ahmet, Ayasofya MeydanI No:1, Istanbul 34122 Turkiye

Meet your expert guide at the cruise port and board your air-conditioned minivan to begin your 4-hour private shore excursion of Istanbul's highlights.

Head for Sultanahmet, Istanbul Old Town, and make your first stop at the Hagia Sophia, the breathtaking, UNESCO-listed church-turned-mosque-turned-museum. Completed in 537 AD by the Roman Emperor Justinian, this towering masterpiece was once one of the world’s largest Christian basilicas, and is coated in shimmering Byzantine mosaics. Admire its dome — an extraordinary architectural feat for the 6th century — and view the mosaics and Ottoman artifacts as your guide charts their history.

Continue to the Blue Mosque, another of Istanbul’s signature sights. Designed to outshine the nearby Hagia Sophia, this classical 17th-century mosque is a whirl of domes and minarets. Head inside with your guide to see the 20,000 blue İznik tiles that cover its ceiling and give it its name.

Next, be swept up in the colors and chaos of Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar. This huge, covered marketplace was established in 1456 and rings with stalls selling a myriad of goods, from jewelry to carpets. As you stroll, learn how the lanes are divided into different merchandise areas in traditional Ottoman style, and see the bedestans (domed market halls) that formed the original structure. Get buying tips from your guide and explore some of the 13 hans – open courtyards — that were caravan stops for medieval merchants.

After time to absorb the sights and sounds, return to the port, where your tour finishes.

Please note: the order of activities as described above may be subject to change on the day of your tour.

Worry-free Shore Excursion:

We will ensure your timely return to Istanbul cruise port for this activity. In the rare event your ship has departed, we will arrange for transportation to the next port-of-call. If your ship is delayed and you are unable to attend this activity, your money will be refunded. See our terms and conditions for full details.

Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Blue Mosque, Sultanahmet Mah At Meydani Cad No 7, Istanbul 34122 Turkiye

We will visit Blue Mosque

Duration: 2 hours

Inclusions
  • Port pickup and drop-off
  • Transport by private, air-conditioned minivan
  • Professional guide
  • Covered by Viator’s worry-free policy
  • Entry/Admission - Hagia Sophia Mosque
  • Entry/Admission - Blue Mosque

Exclusions
  • Gratuities
  • Food and drinks, unless specified
  • Entrance Fees
  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Stroller accessible
  • Near public transportation
  • Infant seats available
  • Surfaces are wheelchair accessible
  • Most travelers can participate
  • It is highly recommended that you wear comfortable clothes and shoes
  • This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
  • This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund
  • This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate
  • Confirmation will be received at time of booking, unless booked within 9 days of travel. In this case confirmation will be received within 48 hours, subject to availability
Departure Point

Traveler pickup is offered

Ports

  • Istanbul Port


Departure Time


Confirm time with the local provider in advance of your experience.
Istanbul Shore Excursion: Private Istanbul Express Sightseeing Tour
8/19/2023 - 12/31/2024

Monday - Sunday : 07:00 AM - 10:00 AM

Voucher info

You can present either a paper or an electronic voucher for this activity.

Duration

4 hours


User's Reviews

mannmar

27 Oct, 2015

our guide was wonderful. but all the tour companies should have known it was a Muslim Holy Day and that the grand Bizarre and Spice fair would be closed. access to the Blue Mosque was available only after 2:30PM

KARLENE P

20 Oct, 2015

So much information to digest. I think Sofia hagia was my favourite

Becky

12 Oct, 2015

Wonderful and informative guide, He took our needs into consideration and took us across the bridge to Asia!

Grace H

22 Sep, 2015

LOVED Istanbul! Lovely, fascinating city! Wonderful food too. Wish we had more time there. Sadly our guide had his own agenda which didn't include seeing the sights we wanted, as much as him talking at length about minor things that would have been interesting if we had had more time in the city. It felt like he was holding us back from seeing as much as we could in our allotted time.

Denise G

26 Aug, 2015

An excellent tour with a great guide. Our guide was waiting on the pier when the ship docked. We had a private guide and a competent drive. Our guide was able to avoid most lines and get us right in to all of the sights. She took us everywhere we wanted to go and helped us negotiate all of our purchases in the grand Bazaar. We were delivered back to our ship in a timely fashion.

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