Istanbul Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour: Explore Europe-Asia Bridge City's Major Highlights
3.3
143 Ratings

Discover magnificent sightseeing of the city of Istanbul which is considered as the bridge between Europe and Asia. Unique opportunity for everyone to explore deeply all major touristic highlights within a short time with a special audio-guide equipment.

Duration: 1 day
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights

Sultanahmet Departure (Route)

Operating Schedule: Departure from Sultanahmet at (10:00 - 11:00 - 12:00 - 13:00 - 14:00 - 15:00 - 16:00 - 17:00)

1. Sultanahmet
Sultanahmet is notable for housing the famous, mosaic-filled Hagia Sophia mosque, as well as the magnificent Ottoman-era Blue Mosque with its prominent minarets. Along with the Egyptian Obelisk of Theodosius and the nearby 4th-century Stone of Million pillar ruin, Sultanahmet Square contains a park, gardens, and fountains. Shops, hotels, and traditional eateries line the streets of this renowned region.

2. Eminönü
As boats unload passengers at the ferry docks near the city’s bazaars, Eminönü buzzes with bustle. The Egyptian Bazaar, also known as the Spice Bazaar, is a colourful jumble of carpets, textiles, lamps, and jewellery, with kiosks full of fruit, teas, and spices, while the Grand Bazaar’s halls are a brilliant jumble of carpets, fabrics, lamps, and jewellery. The Süleymaniye Mosque dominates the region, while the Rustem Pasha Mosque, built in the 16th century, is known for its Iznik tiles.

3. Karaköy
Karaköy is a buzzing harborside district where hipster cafes and late-night cocktail bars mingle with neighbourhood bakeries and family-run businesses. Young fashion designers’ studios and boutiques are housed in Ottoman-era structures splashed with street art, and there’s also a thriving modern art gallery scene. A mosque and therapeutic baths are part of the 16th-century Klç Ali Paşa complex.

4. Galataport Istanbul
Galataport is a cruise ship port and mixed-use development in Istanbul’s Galata neighbourhood. It lies on the European side of the Bosporus strait, where it meets the Golden Horn.

5. Dolmabahçe, Beşiktaş
Dolmabahçe Palace was the major administrative centre of the Ottoman Empire from 1856 to 1887 and from 1909 to 1922 (Yldz Palace was used in the interim). It is located in the Beşiktaş district of Istanbul, Turkey, on the European coast of the Bosporus strait.

6. Naval Museum
The Istanbul Naval Museum is a national naval museum, located in the Beşiktaş district of Istanbul in Turkey. It was established in 1897 by the Ottoman Minister of Navy Bozcaadalı Hasan Hüsnü Pasha. The museum contains an important collection of military artefacts pertaining to the Ottoman Navy.

7. Beylerbeyi Palace
The Beylerbeyi Palace, Beylerbeyi meaning “Lord of Lords”, is located in the Beylerbeyi neighbourhood of Üsküdar district in Istanbul, Turkey, at the Asian side of the Bosphorus. An Imperial Ottoman summer residence built between 1861–1865, it is now situated immediately north of the First Bosphorus Bridge.

8. Büyük Beşiktaş Çarşısı
The Beşiktaş Bazaar is a popular Sunday market that is located in the Beşiktaş district. As you enter the market, myriad colours and friendly smiles will welcome you. It offers an astonishing range of goods that cover a wide span from tomatoes to exclusive jewellery.

9. Taksim Square
Fanning out from Taksim Square with its Republic Monument, Taksim is a busy nightlife, shopping, and dining area. Vintage trams shuttle along Istiklal Caddesi, the city’s main pedestrian boulevard, which is lined with 19th-century buildings housing international shopping chains, movie theatres, and cafes. The dense network of side streets is filled with bars, antique shops, and rooftop eateries with Bosphorus views.

10. Şişhane Sokak
For long a district known only for its lighting shops and rather grimy traffic, but now rapidly being transformed, with some of the most handsome of the fin-de-siècle buildings and incredibly accessible thanks to the new metro station. Few know the origin of the name, the 6th (Şeş in old Turkish, now only used in backgammon) Office, in other words, the municipality headquarters of the 6th arrondissement, Istanbul’s first modern municipality.

11. Egyptian Bazaar
The Spice Bazaar in Istanbul, Turkey is one of the largest bazaars in the city. Located in the Eminönü quarter of the Fatih district, it is the most famous covered shopping complex after the Grand Bazaar.

12. Sultanahmet
The end of the exciting journey.

Points of Interest

  • Blue Mosque

  • Eminonu Pier

  • Karakoy

  • Galata Tower

  • Dolmabahce Palace

  • Naval Museum

  • Beylerbeyi Palace

  • Besiktas

  • Taksim Square

  • Beyoglu

  • Misir Carsisi (Spice Market)

What's Included
  • Professional licensed driver
  • Internet access
  • A-day valid ticket
  • Audio-guide (8 languages)
Cancellation Policy

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

Customer Ratings
3.3
(143 Ratings)
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Panju_a
Mar 23, 2024
Great Experience - Easy to hop in and hop off because they keep up the time by the minute. Comfortable seats with great view …
Review provided by Viator
Christina_s
Jan 29, 2024
Nice overview - I always like the Hop On Hop Off bus. Can get a lot of information and see the basics. I do wish the audio recording matched up with what we were seeing a bit better. The customer service representative was very helpful and kind.
Review provided by Viator
Susanbj2221on
Jan 6, 2024
Great way to see the city, but beware the curse of the Istanbul traffic jams! - Ignore the timetables as due to the terrible Istanbul traffic these buses get to you when they can! Informative voiceover but again due to traffic constraints it was always 10 minutes out if cync with the things it was describing, and barely any commentary on the more modern parts of the city. The staff were brilliant, advising passengers where to get off and change for the bus following the second route when we were stuck in traffic meaning they would not get back to the terminus in time to swap, and they let us off outside our hotel, bonus!!! Good way to see the city’s sights!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Hondat35
Nov 18, 2023
Visiting many representative places - Very convenience and reasonable price for private tourist. Using own private one-day tour schedule. Bus operating schedule was almost on time.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Oswestrymedix
Feb 12, 2024
Pretty expensive!!! - Pretty exprnsive for what it is and where it is. It is basically a single route and not that long either. It feels longer than it is because of the istanbul traffic and the 10 minute stops at multiple places. Expensive, maybe because they have no competition, when infact taxis are much cheaper in Istanbul
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Shroffy75
Nov 18, 2023
Good option for seeing the main sights with nice views - Very expensive for a hop on/ off bus but generally good for seeing a lot in a few hours. Blue bus does not exist its all 1 line but info has not been updated. Make sure you take a photo of the timetable as if you get off you may be waiting a while.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
622dorisj
May 7, 2024
Expensive and disappointing experience - We took our tickets directly at the ticket office. When the bus arrived it was full. We waited 45 minutes for the next bus. The floor being occupied we found ourselves stuck and on the wrong side. Since all the attractions are on the right side, it's impossible to see much. We spent u. Endless time in traffic for nothing. It would have been more judicious to take the much less expensive public transport, the result not at all living up to the promises. Nothing to do with the same experience in Paris or London. We do not recommend this activity.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
62michelev
Dec 26, 2023
In what language can you listen? In Italian... it's a lie - I purchased the ticket from an agency which assures me that it is possible to listen to the guide recorded in Italian. Upon departure I discover that there is no option in Italian, the listening is distorted and low and even in terms of assistance I did not perceive any attention. Considering the price, the service does not seem adequate to me.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Alexrhysdavis
Mar 26, 2024
The worst in the World - I usually enjoy a sightseeing hop on/off bus whenever I visit any city in the World, but this is the exception! Initially I thought it wouldn't be a problem that the bus was infrequent as we were aware in advance and could plan around it. The problem then arises when you realise that the busses are all completely full - and as they operate every 45 minutes, if one bus is full you have a loooong wait for the next. Add to this that when the bus turned up the guide who told us it was full promised there was an extra bus added which was 10 minutes behind never turned up. When you consider an Uber in Istanbul costs £3-£4 to go pretty much anywhere and the public transport system is so advances and cheap, it's much cheaper and more efficient to just work your own way around the city. I honestly cannot stress enough how much you should avoid this rip off operation. It's not worth your time or money.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
90celiag
Mar 26, 2024
Avoid! RIP-off - If only I had checked the reviews on trip advisor! Total waste of money and time. Initially thought it might give a good overview of the city - it didn’t : stuck in traffic and commentary was dull . Complete rip off . Recommend taking ferries across to the various districts .
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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May 2024
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