Private Istanbul Tour: Explore Unseen Byzantine and Ottoman Heritage Sites
5.0
3 Ratings
Istanbul
Discover the hidden gems of Istanbul on a private tour that explores the lesser-known Byzantine and Ottoman heritage sites. Immerse yourself in the rich history and culture of the city while experiencing the local way of life.
Duration: 6 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Suleymaniye Mosque - The first stop is the Suleymaniye Mosque was built on the order of Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent and constructed by the great Ottoman architect Sinan. The construction work began in 1550 and the mosque was finished in 1557. The mosque is modeled in part on the style of a Byzantine basilica, particularly the Hagia Sophia, which was perhaps a conscious move on the part of the sultan to create a continuity and a symbolic connection with the city’s past.
  • Eyup - After the mosque, we will have a tea-coffee break at one of the most splendid spots of Istanbul with a beautiful view over the Golden Horn - Pierre Loti Hill.
  • Fener & Balat - Then you will again start drive but that time along the shores of Golden Horn through the towns Fener and Balat which is the old Greek and Jewish living sites. Fener Orthodox Patriarchate is in the area as well.
  • Kadikoy Carsisi - Following lunch, your next destination will catch a ferry to Kadikoy, a largely residential area on the Asian side of Istanbul. In Kadikoy, you will get to see how the local people live and visit the famous fish market. This will be your last stop, and after this visit, you will be driven back to your hotel.
What's Included
  • Donations and entrance fees included
  • Enjoy in-vehicle air conditioning
What's Not Included
  • Lunch
Additional Information

This exclusive excursion showcases the city’s distinctive spots that can be challenging to explore independently. You will delve into the historical essence of Istanbul, where you’ll be guided through the landmarks that epitomize the Byzantine and Ottoman civilizations’ legacy. Since the destinations are away from the customary tourist areas, you will also experience the authentic daily life of the locals.

Location
Suleymaniye Mosque
Prof. SIddIk Sami Onar Cd. No:1, Süleymaniye Mah
Cancellation Policy

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

Customer Ratings
5.0
(3 Ratings)
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1 star
Swimandrews
Aug 15, 2023
Well worth the time and money! - Wonderful tour. I wanted to see other sights besides the main 5-6 around the Grand Bazzar/Hagia Sophia. Enjoyed walking through Fener and Balat, seeing St. George’s cathedral, the new mosque, and another mosque (can’t remember the name). All beautiful sights and actually more enjoyable because of fewer people. Burat was wonderful, had a fantastic lunch, and stopped in a friendly informative rug distributor warehouse/educational center. Each tour might be different but we hit the places we wanted to go to.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Mnmb2014
Nov 1, 2020
A Wonderful Private Tour of Istanbul - Derya is a great person and excellent host and guide! She met us at a local cafe near the apartment we are staying in and we had a great time getting to know her over the course of the day. My wife and I had a great time - we saw areas of Istanbul that we would not have seen on our own and the places we stopped for coffee or snacks during the day were great - very cute and comfortable places that locals typically only have a chance to frequent. The vehicle was a large, very comfortable van that made the moves around the city a breeze, Derya wanted us to have memories of the places we visited so she took many very thoughtfully composed pictures of us - she could be a photographer for a living :) She made it a wonderful experience and one that we will not forget. Well worth it for those who want to see more than the typical tourist sites in Istanbul. Thanks Derya!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Lukelongman31
Jul 5, 2020
Family trip to Turkey - Derya gave us a wonderful holiday in Turkey. She was so organized, friendly, and full of recommendations. Transportation, accommodations, and local dinners at each destination were amazing. We loved every minute of the itinerary, a great balance between organized activities and free time. Turkey is a beautiful country of both historic and natural wonders. We will always remember this wonderful experience and all the fun we had.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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up to 10 guests
1 Adult
June 2024
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