• Hippodrome - The Hippodrome of Constantinople was a circus that served as the sporting and social hub of Constantinople, the capital of the Byzantine Empire. Today, it is a square known as Sultanahmet Meydanı in Istanbul, Turkey, with some remnants of the original structure still visible.
• German Fountain - The German Fountain is a gazebo-style fountain located at the northern end of the old hippodrome in Istanbul, Turkey, opposite the Mausoleum of Sultan Ahmed I. It was built to mark the second anniversary of German Emperor Wilhelm II’s visit to Istanbul in 1898.
• Walled Obelisk - The Walled Obelisk, also known as the Constantine Obelisk or Masonry Obelisk, is positioned near the Serpentine Column on the southern side of the Hippodrome of Constantinople in Istanbul, Turkey. Its original construction date is unknown, but it was restored by Constantine VII in the tenth century.
• Obelisk of Theodosius - The Obelisk of Theodosius is an Ancient Egyptian obelisk of Pharaoh Thutmose III, re-erected in the Hippodrome of Constantinople by Roman Emperor Theodosius I in the 4th century AD.
• Blue Mosque - The Sultan Ahmed Mosque, a historic mosque in Istanbul, Turkey, continues to function as a mosque while also drawing numerous tourists. It was built between 1609 and 1616 during the reign of Ahmed I. Its Külliye includes Ahmed’s tomb, a madrasah, and a hospice.
• Hagia Sophia Mosque - Hagia Sophia, once a Greek Orthodox Christian patriarchal cathedral, later became an Ottoman imperial mosque and is now a museum in Istanbul, Turkey. Constructed in AD 360 at the start of the Middle Ages, it is renowned for its massive dome.
• Topkapi Palace - The Topkapı Palace, also known as the Seraglio, is a large museum in Istanbul, Turkey. In the 15th century, it was the primary residence and administrative center of the Ottoman sultans. Construction began in 1459, commissioned by Mehmed the Conqueror, six years after the conquest of Constantinople.
• Dolmabahce Palace - Dolmabahce Palace is located on the European shore of the Bosphorus, forming a small town with its various dependencies, and its gardens stretch for over a mile along the water’s edge.
• Grand Bazaar - The Grand Bazaar (Kapalı Çarşı), established in the 15th century, is the oldest covered market in the world. Spanning 54,653 square meters, it remains one of the largest covered markets globally. Visitors should be prepared to navigate this maze of 56 interconnected vaulted passages, housing over 4,000 shops with enthusiastic shopkeepers eager to showcase their sales skills.
• Bosphorus Strait - Istanbul serves as a bridge between Europe and Asia, the Black Sea, and the Mediterranean, offering one of the most unique and stunning settings globally. The Bosphorus, a bright gem in nature’s diadem, flows between the hills on the European and Asiatic shores.

“This beautiful strait, sometimes spelled Bosporus and sometimes Bosphorus, has been known by this name since ancient times; derived from the mythology of Io, the mistress of Jupiter, who crossed it in the form of a cow. It resembles the Dardanelles in length, breadth, and current, and like it, is a narrow divide between Europe and Asia; yet it possesses many unique features. Rather than being a solitary stream between deserted shores, it is a lively body of water, winding through banks adorned with palaces and villages, shaded by magnificent forest trees, offering a new scene of bustling life at every mile.”

• Rumeli Fortress - At the narrowest point of the Bosphorus stands the Rumelihisarr Fortress, constructed by Sultan Mehmet the Conqueror on the European shore. The Sultan himself laid the foundation stone of the Fortress on March 26, 1452, intending to control the passage of ships through the Bosphorus and use it as a base for his assault on the city.
• Ortakoy - Ortaköy Mosque, officially known as the Büyük Mecidiye Camii, is located at the waterside of the Ortaköy pier square, one of the most popular spots on the Bosphorus in Beşiktaş, Istanbul, Turkey.
• Bosphorus Bridge - Inaugurated on October 29, 1973, on the fiftieth anniversary of the Turkish Republic, this bridge boasts the longest span in Europe and the fourth longest in the world. This suspension bridge measures 1,560 meters (1,706 yards) in total length and 33.4 meters (110 feet) in width.
• Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge - The Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge, also known as the Second Bosphorus Bridge, spans the Bosphorus strait in Istanbul, Turkey. Upon its completion in 1988, it was the 5th-longest suspension bridge span in the world; today, it ranks as the 24th.
• Beylerbeyi Palace - Located on the Asiatic shore of the Bosphorus between the villages of Kuzguncuk and Cengelköy, Beylerbeyi Palace was built by Sultan Abdülaziz in 1865. Seen from the Bosphorus, the palace appears as a white vision from a fairy tale. It is the most lavish royal residence of the 19th century, with millions spent on its construction.
• KIz Kulesi - Approximately 180 meters from the shores of Üsküdar stands this tower, known by two different names. Europeans named it Leander’s Tower, mistakenly believing it was where Leander drowned while attempting to swim the Bosphorus to reach his beloved Hero, the priestess of Aphrodite. However, Leander never crossed here, even in the legend, which refers to the Hellespont, Dardanelles.
• Kucuksu Pavilion - The summer Palace of Kucuksu, sometimes referred to as the Palace of Göksu, is located between the villages of Anadoluhisan and Kandilli on the Asiatic shore of the Bosphorus.
• Anadolu Hisari Fort - On the opposite bank stands the Anadoluhisari Fortress by the Göksu stream.

This romantic castle, adorning the Asiatic shore of the Bosphorus, was built in 1395 by Sultan Bayazit, the Thunderbolt, and named “Güzelcehisar.” It was later expanded by Mehmet the Conqueror. Today, as the first possession of Turks on the Bosphorus, it serves as a landmark of Turkish rule.

• Halic - GOLDEN HORN
  The Golden Horn, also known by its modern Turkish name, Haliç, is a significant urban waterway and the primary inlet of the Bosphorus in Istanbul, Turkey.
• Bosphorus Strait - The Bosphorus features an inlet, a natural harbor known as the Golden Horn, which is an arm of the Sea of Marmara. It is a deeply submerged valley about 7 km long. Two streams, Ali Bey and Kagithane, flow into the Golden Horn, named for its resemblance to the horns of a stag or water buffalo by early inhabitants. Turks refer to it as the Halic, meaning the Gulf.

The Bosphorus itself has two charming rivulets on its Asiatic shore, called Göksu and Kucuksu, which empty into the Bosphorus between the villages of Anadoluhisari and Kandilli.

The two streams flowing into the Golden Horn were dubbed the Sweet Waters of Europe by foreigners, while Göksu and Kucuksu were known as the Sweet Waters of Asia.

• Halic - Golden Horn, Istanbul, Turkey
  As the sun sets in Istanbul, its golden light reflects on the waters of the Golden Horn, lending this freshwater estuary its romantic name. (The name in English is a direct translation of the Byzantine name Chrysokeras.)

“Golden Horn” is its Western name. Its Turkish name, Haliç, (hah-LEECH, from Arabic) is unrelated to gold or horns. Haliç, short for Haliç-i Dersaadet, means “The Bay of Istanbul.”

• Galata Tower - The Galata Tower, known as Christea Turris by the Genoese, is a medieval stone tower located in the Galata/Karaköy quarter of Istanbul, Turkey, just north of the Golden Horn’s junction with the Bosphorus.

• 2.5-hour sunset cruise on a luxury yacht
• Professional English-speaking tour guide
• Round-trip hotel transfers from centrally located hotels in the Fatih and Beyoğlu areas
• Fresh seasonal fruits served on board
• Assorted cookies and traditional Turkish baklava

• Entrance ticket fee for Hagia Sophia (25 euro per person) Fast-track tickets are available on site.
• Admission fees
• Drinks during lunch
• Personal expenses and souvenirs

Historical Tour of Istanbul with Bosphorus Sunset Cruise
Experience the most renowned landmarks of Istanbul and indulge in a luxurious Bosphorus sunset cruise, all in one memorable day. This comprehensive full-day tour features visits to the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, and the Grand Bazaar, seamlessly blending the city’s rich history with breathtaking waterfront vistas. Enjoy the convenience of skip-the-line access at Topkapi Palace, allowing for more time to explore the magnificent residence of the Ottoman sultans. Marvel at the stunning architecture, exquisite Byzantine details, imperial treasures, and the lively ambiance of the historic bazaar. After exploring the Old City, embark on a magical Bosphorus cruise aboard a luxury yacht, gliding past Dolmabahçe Palace, the Bosphorus bridges, and elegant waterfront mansions on both the European and Asian shores.

• Topkapi Palace is closed on Tuesdays, we visit Dolmabahce Palace on Tuesdays.
• The old city, Sultanahmet is closed for car traffic, travelers visit the sights by walking. There is quite a lot of walkings, so please wear comfortable shoes and get ready for a long walking day right before a very enjoyable luxury yacht cruise.
• The sunset cruise ends at 21.00 from 01st May to end of July.
• The tour guide will contact you one day before to coordinate the hotels pick services (if your hotel is in the city center) or the meeting point.
• The Grand Bazaar is closed on Sundays and it may be replaced with Spice Bazaar or Arasta Bazaar
• Ladies are recommended to bring scarfs to use while visiting the Blue Mosque
• Museum tickets are not included, the tour guide can provide fast-track musem entry tickets on the tour.

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.