PRIVATE/ Small Grp Fully Guided Tour with TRAM to save time
Description
Ancient Hippodrome – Blue Mosque – Topkapi Palace – Hagia Sophia – Grand Bazaar. Tram is the fastest way of transportation to Old city from Istanbul port to escape from Istanbul Heavy Traffic. Our professional guide will be with you in the sites excprt St. Sophia , have pre-paid tickets to skip the lines, you will have several alternatives to taste famous Turkish Delicious foods, if you want to have lunch during your trip ( Live guiding is not allowed anymore inside St. Sophia. Our guide will give you brief information outside. You have to have smart phones with you to use audio guide inside).
Tour Options
Itinerary
Meeting with your local tour guide in front of Istanbul Galata Port Terminal Building with CURIO TRAVEL sign at prearranged time (Meeting time will be given in your confirmation message). We are going to walk 200 meters to Tophane Tram Station. We are going to take the tram to Sultanahmet area which is about 20 mins.
Pass by Galata bridge over Golden Horn.
The only city in the world located on two continents is Istanbul, which has been the capital of three great empires – Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman – for more than 2000 years. Our first stop is Hippodrome Square where used to take place for chariot races and the Byzantine riots during Roman & Byzantine period.
Our second stap is Blue Mosque where is a few meters to Ancient Hipodromme. Blue Mosque has its fame from its beautiful blue Iznik tiles
Continue walking around 300 meters to Topkapi Palace, was not only the residence of the Ottoman sultans, but also the administrative and educational center of the state. It was constructed between 1460 and 1478 by Sultan Mehmed II, the conqueror of Constantinople. We will visit the Topkapi Palace including weapons section.
Only a short walk away, reaches Hagia Sophia built in 532 AD by Roman Emperor Justinian I. Update for St. Sophia interior visit : Live guiding is not allowed in St. Sophia after the 15th January 2024. Guests have to have their smart phones and headphones during their visit. If guests do not have a headphone, they can buy at the entrance at the cost of 3,5-USD The system is similar to audio guide system. Guests who does not have smart phones will follow the signs and the given informations on the signs.
After a short lunch break in famous local restaurants like Pudding Shop, we will walk to visit Grand Bazaar where is one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world, with more than 58 covered streets and over 1,200 shops which attract between 250,000 and 400,000 visitors daily. Opened in 1461, it is well known for its jewellery, pottery, spice, and carpet shops. Grand Bazaar is closed on Sudays and it will be replaced by Spice Market.
After Grand Bazaar we are going to walk to Sultanahmet Tram Station to catch the next tram to Tophane Tram Station. After get off the train, around 200 meters walk back to port. The end of services.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
Tram is the fastest way of transportation to Old city from Istanbul port to escape from Istanbul Heavy Traffic. Pick up time will be given in your confirmation message. Meeting time is vary for each cruise lines . This tour is organised for Cruise Guests only and can not be bookabel by hotel guests because of TRAM route. Ancient Hippodrome – Blue Mosque – Topkapi Palace – Hagia Sophia – Grand Bazaar. Our professional guide will be with you in the sites, have pre-paid tickets to skip the lines, you will have several alternatives to taste famous Turkish Delicious foods, if you want to have lunch during your trip.
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Dress code is smart casual
- In the event of any museum closures, an alternative similar museum will be visited. On Tuesdays : Topkapi Palace replaced by Underground Cistern, On Sundays: Grand Bazaar will be replaced by Spice Market. Grand Bazaar on religious holidays will be replaced by Arasta Bazaar. On Fridays: Blue Mosque is open from 15.00 to 17.30
- Tram is the fastest way of transportation to Old city from Istanbul port to escape from Istanbul Heavy Traffic.
Reviews(1)
We were aware of the cruise ship Oceania Vista in Istanbul and booked directly with Curio Travel this tour including admissions. We were very lucky to get a really good guide and there were only two of us. Mustafa Kemal has adapted the tour to our wishes and explained the sights with a lot of wit and enthusiasm. It was a wonderful day in a very beautiful city with a great and also lovable guide.
Hello, Your kind words will be shared with our entire team, who will be thrilled to know they helped create this memorable experience. We will share your kind message and opinions with your guide. Thank you on behalf of him. We would be delighted to see you in our wonderful country again. Ephesus Shuttle Turkey Team