Travel back in time to experience the story of the ancient Hagia Sophia on a guided tour in Istanbul. Trace how this iconic site has transformed over time with a local guide. Uncover stunning details as you explore this architectural gem. Meet with your professional local guide in front of Hagia Sophia. Hear a short history of the Old City then start the Hagia Sophia tour.  Your guide will explain the mystery of the magnificent Hagia Sophia. Hagia Sophia is a great architectural beauty and an important monument both for the Byzantine and the Ottoman Empires. Once a church, later a mosque, the Hagia Sophia has always been a precious building for the locals.

Join a guided tour to discover Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia, and the Basilica Cistern in Istanbul. Benefit from priority admission at the museum ticket offices to skip the long lines and head in faster. Meet your guide in the Sultanahmet neighborhood at an easy spot and check out Istanbul's greatest monuments on a walking tour. Start with the Basilica Cistern, wander around the “Subterranean Palace” and learn about its history. See the underground pillars and learn about Byzantine architecture. Walk on the wooden walkways over the water until the famous upside-down Medusa heads. Next, visit the Hagia Sophia and witness the most significant site of the Greek Orthodox religion in Istanbul and learn how it was converted into a mosque after the Ottoman conquest of Constantinople. Explore the stunning monument with elements of a mosque and a church standing next to each other. Admire the basilica’s stunning dome and minarets, and countless mosaics, paintings, and Roman columns. Learn how the impressive İznik tiles were added over time in the Mosque, how the stunning Virgin Mary mosaic was made, and why the Ottomans chose to bury their sultans in the courtyard. Continue to Topkapi Palace to explore the splendor of the Ottoman Empire. Discover the complex of buildings, pavilions, and courtyards was a self-contained city, which most inhabitants rarely left. Explore the outer-terraced gardens and admire the view over the Golden Horn. Visit the Harem, ruled by the Queen Mother who wielded domestic and political power. The harem housed hundreds of women and family members as well as hundreds of eunuchs, who performed a wide range of duties. Admire cupboard doors inlaid with mother of pearl and tortoiseshell and stunning Iznik tiles with verses from the Quran. The tour ends with a visit to the holy relics and the imperial kitchens.

Located in the heart of the historical peninsula, at a walking distance from Grand Bazaar and serving since 1584, the historical Çemberlitaş Hamam is waiting for you! If you are searching for the best place for a Turkish bath in Istanbul, this is the best place for you. Going to the Turkish bath and witnessing the Turkish bath experience is one of the essential things to do in Istanbul. Take a break from the Istanbul day tours and all the Istanbul sightseeing places and relax in Cemberlitas Hamam. The Turkish Bath is a traditional type of public bathing which is essentially based on the ancient Roman bathing culture and the principles of the steam bath. Combining this with the traditional Turkish bath massage (“Turkish scrub”), it became an integral part of Turkish culture as well as an important part of social life. After sweating, the person in charge of scrubbing and foaming will scrub all the dead skin from your body. Do not worry, it does not hurt. You will be surprised how much dead skin will come off your body. After foaming, you can relax as long as you want in the Hammam. Your body will begin to breathe in each cell and your blood circulation accelerates. Do not miss this experience! Learn more about the ancient bathing ritual of the Ottoman Sultans while relaxing. 

Take a trip into the past on a full-day tour of Gallipoli from Istanbul, traveling by air-conditioned minibus to the battlefields and war memorials of the ANZAC campaign of the Battle of Gallipoli during World War I. Depart Istanbul early in the morning, stopping en route for refreshments ( Breakfast served at own expense ) Upon arrival on the Gallipoli Peninsula, after the lunch your tour will focus on the ANZAC sector of the infamous battlefields. Stop at 11 different points of interest to learn more about the fateful events of the Australian and New Zealand troops, including ANZAC Cove where the troops first landed and set up base. Go to Beach Cemetery, where many of the soldiers who died during the Battle of Gallipoli were buried. Pause to reflect at the Lone Pine Memorial, one of 5 memorials on the peninsula that commemorate servicemen of the former British Empire killed in the campaign but who have no known grave. Visit the battlefields of The Nek and Chunuk Bair, where experienced guides will paint a picture that brings the war to life. Then, return to Istanbul by comfortable minibus for a hotel drop off and the end of the tour services.

Travel back to the days of the Trojan War and such legends of ancient history as Helen of Troy, Achilles, and Homer on a full-day tour of “Truva” (the historic city of Troy). Depart Istanbul early in the morning from convenient meeting points in Taksim, Beşiktaş, Beyoğlu, Şişli, Ortaköy and Bebek. Hotel pick-ups are available from Sultanahmet, Beyazıd, Sirkeci, Laleli and Aksaray. Transfer to Ataturk Airport for any last pick-ups from airport area hotels. Then transfer to Troy. Upon arrival, lunch will be served at a restaurant with stunning views of the Dardanelles as you dine. At 12.45, depart for Troy, and see the replica of the Trojan Horse from the movie “Troy” at the entrance to the legendary city. Gaze on the remains of city walls that date back more than 3,000 years, and learn about landmark ruins and monuments, such as the Temple of Athena, Megaron House, and trench of Schliemann. Explore the death of Achilles near the Scaean Gate, and discover the site where the Trojan Horse was probably taken at the Gate of Troy VI. See the remains of the Roman Bath, discover where the city’s music shows and poetry readings were held at the Odeon, and go to the ruins of the Bouleuterion where the council of citizens would meet. Learn about everyday life in the city at the remains of the Agora (market place) and more. Your tour of the ruins ends at 5:00 PM with a transfer back to Istanbul at 6:00 PM, and a hotel drop-off at approximately 11:00 PM.

After you meet your local guide, you will skip the ticket lines and get inside the fastest way. Once inside the Topkapi Palace, you can discover the three courtyards, terraces with astonishing views, as well as precious collections at your own pace and enjoy the highlights of this stunning. Starting from the square and fountain in front of the Topkapi Palace, you can see explore each of the famous gates while listening to interesting stories and surprising details about legendary figures from history.

Istanbul to Ephesus by flight to Izmir You will be picked up from your hotel in ISTANBUL the morning and transfer to Istanbul Airport IST or SAW for a morning flight to Izmir. ( Istanbul hotel pick up time, flight details will be emailed in your confirmation email ) After arriving in Izmir Airport, you will be met by your tour guide and driven to Ephesus (a 45-minute drive). Your tour will begin with a visit to the Artemission Temple, which is one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Continuing to Ephesus, you will walk through history along the marble streets which are lined with wonderful public buildings. Among these buildings are the State Agora, Odeon, the Memnius Monument, the Temple of Domitian, the Polio Fountain, and Curetes Street. You will also encounter the Grand Theater which was built in the 3rd century B.C., before being later expanded to a 24,000 spectator arena by the Romans in the 1st century A.D. After Ephesus, lunch will be served in the garden of a local handicrafts center. Here you can see some of the traditional carpet weaving techniques used, and enjoy viewing some splendid displays of beautiful carpets. Following lunch, you will visit the House of Virgin Mary, located on the Aladag Mountains, 5 miles from Ephesus. At the third Ecumenical Council of 431 in Ephesus, it was claimed that Mary came to Ephesus with St. John in 37 A.D. and lived there until her death in 48 A.D. After the discovery of the house, the Archbishop of Izmir declared it a place of pilgrimage in 1892. On July 26, 1967, Pope Paul VI visited this place and prayed here. Following this sacred place, you will drive back to to Izmir airport for your flight back to Istanbul. Once having landed at Istanbul you will be met by your representative and transferred back to your point of origin.

Learn all you need to know about the Ottoman Empire on a half-day tour of Dolmabahce Palace, beautifully situated on the banks of the Bosphorus Strait in the Beşiktaş district of Istanbul. Built in the 19th century on an old bay of the Bosphorus where the Ottoman fleet would anchor, the palace was the administrative center of the Ottoman Empire and home to the last of the sultans. A licensed guide will take you on a tour of the palace complex, explaining its history and function. Hear annecdotes about a youthful Ataturk, father of the Turkish Republic, and how he would welcome foreign guests for international conferences and other state functions. Continue to the Grand Bazaar to discover one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world. Haggle with the vendors for bargain carpets, jewelry, leather work and other souvenirs, before the transfer back to your hotel.

The historic Old City in Istanbul is stunningly beautiful, and we can help you make the most of your visit with this full-day guided walking tour. Our professional local guide will take you through all the sights of the Old City, giving you valuable insight into the history of this fascinating place. The tour starts at the Hagia-Sophia Museum before you head to the world heritage monument. We will then walk to the Blue Mosque to see the glorious architecture of this historic building, which dates back to the early 1600s. Then it’s off to the Roman Hippodrome Square, where your tour will show you the Egyptian Obelisque, Roman Pillar, Greek Column and the German Fountain. Then it's off to a Roman Cistern. Afterwards, walk to the entrance gate of the world famous Grand Bazaar.

On this full-day tour, you will discover some of the most magnificent sites of historical Istanbul, coming into contact with the historical wonders of the Byzantine and Ottoman empires and uncovering the roots of modern-day Turkish culture. See the heart of the Old City, the seat of two of history's most notorious empires. Visit Hagia Sophia, a wonder of ancient architecture, a basilica constructed by Emperor Justinian in the 6th century. Just across from the Hagia Sophia stands the famous Blue Mosque with its striking blue iconic tiles and unique 6 minarets, built in the name of Sultan Ahmet. The Hippodrome was a center for sporting events, such as chariot races, as well as political activities in the Old City. Decorated by the Serpentine Column, the Obelisk of Theodosius and the German Fountain of Wilhelm II, the Hippodrome is one of Istanbul's most popular tourist attractions. Next, you will visit the world-famous Grand Covered Bazaar, the world's largest "souk" (market) with nearly 4000 shops selling antiques, jewellery, gold, carpets, leather wares and more. You can even see a demonstration of the making of a traditional handmade Turkish carpet! Enjoy lunch, then move on to Topkapi Palace, residence of the Ottoman Sultans. This sumptuous residence contains imperial treasures, sacred Islamic relics of the prophet Mohammed, Chinese porcelain, weapons, and more. You'll get to visit the Sultan Tombs at the Hagia Sophia, too!