Day 2Sultanahmet Old City
The Byzantine and Ottoman heart of Istanbul, explored on foot with a licensed guide. You pass from the palace of the sultans to the great domes of Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque, then finish in the Grand Bazaar.
Tour Overview
Istanbul, Given the Time It Deserves
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This 4 days Istanbul tour is a complete Istanbul city tour package for travellers who want to see the highlights of the city in one well-paced stay. Instead of rushing through Istanbul as one stop on a long Turkey route, you spend four days and three nights in the city, with a licensed English-speaking guide, a comfortable hotel with breakfast, all entrance fees and every airport transfer already arranged. It is currently on sale from $575 per person.
Upon arrival, a driver will meet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel. On the first full day you explore the Old City of Istanbul on a guided walking tour: Topkapi Palace, the historic residence of the Ottoman sultans; Hagia Sophia, one of the most historically significant structures on earth; the Blue Mosque, famous for its blue Iznik tiles; the ancient Hippodrome; and the vibrant Grand Bazaar, one of the world's largest and oldest covered markets.
On the second full day you discover the lesser-known jewels of the city. Visit Rustem Pasa Mosque, a 16th-century work of Mimar Sinan renowned for its exquisite Turkish tilework, stroll through the aromatic Spice Bazaar in Eminonu, and enjoy a scenic Bosphorus boat cruise between Europe and Asia, passing Beylerbeyi Palace and charming waterfront villas. Two local restaurant lunches are included, so you can taste traditional Turkish food without searching for a restaurant yourself.
As the tour wraps up, you will be transferred back to the airport with lasting memories of Turkey's most historic city. The Istanbul small group tour is the best-value option, while a private Istanbul tour upgrade gives you your own guide, a slower pace and extra flexibility for families, couples and seniors.
Why book a 4-day Istanbul tour package?
A 4-day Istanbul itinerary is long enough to visit the major Istanbul historical sites without hurrying, yet short enough to fit into a long weekend or a stopover. Day 2 and Day 3 are fully guided, and Day 1 and Day 4 stay light for airport transfers, so you arrive and depart without stress. Hotels are centrally located, with options such as the Vogue Supreme Hotel, Innova Hotel or Golden Crown Hotel (or similar), and the hotel category can be upgraded on request.
Because Topkapi Palace is closed on Tuesdays and the Grand Bazaar on Sundays, the order of the sightseeing days is arranged around your arrival date. Tell us when you will arrive and we will confirm the best order for your Istanbul sightseeing tour, including the Bosphorus cruise, the bazaars and the Byzantine and Ottoman monuments of Sultanahmet.
Suitable for all travelers. This tour suits seniors with moderate mobility and is equally ideal for first-time visitors. A private tour upgrade gives a slower pace and extra flexibility if needed.
Why this tour works
Many Istanbul itineraries are squeezed into a day or two as part of a longer Turkey route. Here, all four days are spent in one city, so the great monuments of Sultanahmet, the markets of Eminonu and the Bosphorus each get their own unhurried slot.
Day 2 covers the Old City on foot, Day 3 adds tilework, spices and a cruise, and your first and last days stay light for airport transfers. Hotels are centrally located, which keeps transfers short.
Tour at a glance
- 4 days, 3 nights in Istanbul
- Small group or private tour
- Bosphorus boat cruise included
- 2 local restaurant lunches
- Licensed English-speaking guides
- All entrance fees and taxes
- Air-conditioned vehicles and all airport transfers
Duration
4 Days
3 nights
Style
Group or Private
private upgrade available
Meals
B&B + 2 lunches
Days 2–3
Price
from $575
was $699
Your route
Transfer
Transfer
Cruise
Transfer
Day 2
Day 3
Day 3
The Journey at a Glance
One city, four days. After your airport welcome on Day 1, the route moves through three areas of Istanbul, then returns you to the airport on Day 4.
1
Airport & Hotel
Day 12
Sultanahmet
Day 23
Eminonu
Day 34
Bosphorus
Day 35
Departure
Day 4Day 2Day 3Eminonu & the Bazaars
Tilework, spices and local flavour on the Golden Horn waterfront. Rustem Pasa Mosque shows Mimar Sinan's Iznik tiles, the Spice Bazaar fills the air with spices and delicacies, and a local restaurant lunch is included.
Day 3The Bosphorus
Europe on one side, Asia on the other, and the skyline of Istanbul in between. The boat trip passes Beylerbeyi Palace, mosques and charming waterfront villas, and is the most relaxing part of the program.
Tour Itinerary
4-Day Istanbul Itinerary: Topkapi, Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Bazaars & Bosphorus
If you are planning a 4-day Istanbul itinerary, the order of the stops matters as much as the sights themselves. This program is built around two fully guided sightseeing days, with a relaxed arrival day and a simple departure day, so you see the best of Istanbul in 4 days without feeling rushed. Every day below shows exactly which places you will visit.
Day 1: Airport transfer and a gentle start
Your Istanbul tour with airport transfer begins the moment you land. A driver meets you, takes you to your hotel and leaves the rest of the day open. If your flight arrives in time, you can add the optional Bosphorus dinner cruise for a first view of Istanbul by night.
Day 2: Old City tour of Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Hippodrome and Grand Bazaar
The Istanbul Old City tour is the heart of the itinerary. After breakfast you walk with your licensed guide through Sultanahmet, the district that holds most of Istanbul's great monuments. You see Topkapi Palace, the former home of the Ottoman sultans; Hagia Sophia, the Byzantine masterpiece; the Blue Mosque with its famous Iznik tiles; and the Hippodrome, where chariot races once took place. The day ends in the Grand Bazaar, a covered market of shops, cafes and workshops that has traded for centuries.
Day 3: Rustem Pasa Mosque, Spice Bazaar and Bosphorus cruise
Day 3 adds the places that many short visits miss. Rustem Pasa Mosque is a small 16th-century mosque by Mimar Sinan, covered in beautiful tilework. The nearby Spice Bazaar in Eminonu fills the air with spices, herbal remedies and Turkish delight, and a local restaurant lunch is included. In the afternoon, a Bosphorus boat cruise takes you between Europe and Asia, past Beylerbeyi Palace and waterfront villas.
Day 4: Breakfast and airport transfer
After breakfast you are transferred to the airport for your flight home. In total the Istanbul highlights tour covers nine places, three nights of bed and breakfast accommodation, two local lunches, all entrance fees, and every transfer, guided by a licensed English-speaking guide. Open any day below for details.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Four days, one city. The places visited each day are listed under each day's title. Tap a day to see what you will visit, what is included and where you will sleep. Timings are approximate and may be adjusted for traffic and opening hours.
1
Welcome to Istanbul! Upon arrival, our driver will greet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel.
Airport meet & transfer
Your driver meets you in the arrivals hall and takes you straight to your hotel, so the first day starts without any stress.
Optional Dinner Cruise
Depending on your arrival time, you may choose to join our optional Dinner Cruise tour on the Bosphorus.
A gentle first day: arrive, settle in and rest before the sightseeing begins.
Airport & hotel transfer
2
After breakfast, embark on a comprehensive guided walking tour of Istanbul, the unique city straddling two continents. Today you visit five of the city's most important places.
Places visited today (5)
Topkapi PalaceHagia SophiaBlue MosqueHippodromeGrand Bazaar
1. Topkapi Palace
Discover the grandeur of this historic Ottoman residence, with its courtyards, pavilions and treasures, where the sultans ruled for centuries.
2. Hagia Sophia
One of the most historically significant structures on earth, a Byzantine cathedral that later became a mosque. Your guide explains it from the outside and surrounding areas; interior access is not included.
3. Blue Mosque
Admired for its cascading domes, six minarets and thousands of blue Iznik tiles. Modest dress is required.
4. Hippodrome
The historic site of ancient chariot races, now the open square of Sultanahmet with its obelisk and monuments.
5. Grand Bazaar
Immerse yourself in the vibrant atmosphere of one of the world's largest and oldest covered markets.
Note: Topkapi Palace is closed on Tuesdays and the Grand Bazaar on Sundays; the order of visits is adjusted accordingly.
Guided walking tour Entrance fees as per program
3
A day of tilework, spices and the water: four stops that show Istanbul's quieter jewels, finished with a Bosphorus cruise.
Places visited today (4)
Rustem Pasa MosqueSpice BazaarBosphorus Boat TripBeylerbeyi Palace
1. Rustem Pasa Mosque
A 16th-century gem in Eminonu, known for its stunning Iznik tilework, designed by Mimar Sinan for Grand Vizier Rustem Pasa.
2. Spice Bazaar
One of Istanbul's oldest markets, offering spices, herbal remedies, and delicacies. Located in Eminonu, it's open on Sundays.
3. Bosphorus Boat Trip
Cruising between Europe and Asia, with the skyline of Istanbul, mosques and charming waterfront villas passing by.
4. Beylerbeyi Palace
Seen from the water on the Asian shore, one of the landmarks passed during the Bosphorus cruise.
Istanbul seen from the water: the best way to understand a city built on two continents.
Local restaurant lunch Bosphorus boat trip
4
After breakfast, our tour comes to an end. We will transfer you to the airport for your flight back home.
Airport transfer
Our driver takes you to the airport in good time for your flight home.
Hotel & airport transfer
Destination Guide
Istanbul Destination Guide: Nine Places Across Two Guided Days
Read ahead about where you will go and why each place matters. This guide covers the Istanbul sightseeing tour day by day, with the places visited, what to expect and practical tips for your 4 days in Istanbul.
Day 2 · Old City
Sultanahmet & the Old City: Byzantine and Ottoman Istanbul
Sultanahmet is the historic peninsula where Istanbul's great empires left their mark. Within a short walk you can stand in the old Hippodrome, look up at Hagia Sophia, admire the Blue Mosque and enter the courtyards of Topkapi Palace. That is why the Old City tour is done on foot with a licensed guide.
- 5 places
- Guided walking tour
- Entrance fees included
01
Day 2
Topkapi Palace
For centuries the residence and court of the Ottoman sultans. Courtyards, pavilions and the famous Harem tell the story of imperial life above the Bosphorus, and your guide explains how the palace worked.
The grandeur of the Ottoman court
02
Day 2
Hagia Sophia
Built as a Byzantine cathedral in the sixth century and later a mosque, it is one of the most historically significant structures on earth. Your guide explains it from the outside and surrounding areas; interior access is not included.
1,500 years under one great dome
03
Day 2
Blue Mosque
Its cascade of domes and six minarets face Hagia Sophia across Sultanahmet Square, while the interior glows with thousands of blue Iznik tiles. Modest dress is required, so carry a light scarf.
Ottoman architecture at its most elegant
04
Day 2
Hippodrome
Once the chariot-racing arena of Constantinople, now the open square of Sultanahmet, dotted with ancient monuments such as an Egyptian obelisk. It is the best place to picture Byzantine Istanbul in action.
Where Byzantine Istanbul came to watch
05
Day 2
Grand Bazaar
One of the world's largest and oldest covered markets: carpets, ceramics, jewellery and lamps under painted vaults. Your guide shows you where to start; note that it is closed on Sundays.
Istanbul's trading tradition, still alive
Day 3 · Eminonu & Bosphorus
Eminonu, the Spice Bazaar & the Bosphorus: Istanbul's Quieter Jewels
Day 3 adds the places that many short visits miss. You begin on the Eminonu waterfront with a masterpiece of Turkish tilework and the aromatic Spice Bazaar, enjoy a local lunch, then finish with a boat trip between Europe and Asia, the best way to understand a city built on two continents.
- 4 places
- Local restaurant lunch
- Bosphorus cruise included
01
Day 3
Rustem Pasa Mosque
A small 16th-century mosque in Eminonu designed by Mimar Sinan for Grand Vizier Rustem Pasa. Its walls are covered in exquisite Iznik tilework, and it is usually far quieter than the big mosques.
A hidden masterpiece of Iznik tiles
02
Day 3
Spice Bazaar
One of Istanbul's oldest markets, in Eminonu, offering spices, herbal remedies and delicacies. A good place to taste Turkish delight and buy small gifts, and it is open on Sundays.
Colours, scents and flavours of Turkey
03
Day 3
Bosphorus Boat Trip
Cruise between Europe and Asia with the skyline, mosques and charming waterfront villas of Istanbul always in view. After the walking days in the Old City, it is a calm and scenic finish.
Two continents, one strait
04
Day 3
Beylerbeyi Palace
A landmark on the Asian shore of the Bosphorus, passed on the boat trip. Seen from the water, it shows how the Ottoman court enjoyed the strait as well as the city.
Imperial Istanbul seen from the water
Insider tip: Topkapi Palace is closed on Tuesdays and the Grand Bazaar on Sundays. Your itinerary is arranged around these closures, so tell us your arrival date and we will confirm the order of the days.
Practical guide for your visit
Opening days
Topkapi Palace is closed on Tuesdays and the Grand Bazaar on Sundays. The Spice Bazaar is open on Sundays, so the order of the days can be adjusted around your arrival.
Mosque dress code
Cover shoulders and knees when visiting mosques. Women may need a scarf to cover their hair, so carry a light scarf in your day bag throughout the tour.
Walking and pace
The Old City tour is on foot over cobbled streets. Comfortable shoes are essential, and a private tour upgrade gives a slower pace and extra flexibility.
Topic Highlights
What Makes This Istanbul Tour Special
Topkapi Palace
The grandeur of this historic Ottoman residence, explored with a licensed guide.
Hagia Sophia
One of the most historically significant structures on earth (interior access not included).
Blue Mosque
Renowned for its architectural beauty and blue Iznik tiles.
Grand & Spice Bazaars
Two of the world's oldest and most atmospheric covered markets.
Bosphorus Boat Trip
Cruising between Europe and Asia, past Beylerbeyi Palace and waterfront villas.
Rustem Pasa Mosque
A 16th-century Mimar Sinan gem, famous for its Iznik tilework.
Photo Gallery
Istanbul
Galata TowerBlue Mosque Services
What Is Included and Not Included
Included in the price
- 3 nights accommodation B&B at your choice of 3-4-5★ hotels
- All sightseeing tours in the program
- 2 local restaurant lunches per person
- English-speaking guides licensed by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism
- Transport in new, air-conditioned vehicles
- All airport transfers throughout the trip
- All parking fees, ferry tolls and petrol
- All entrance fees and taxes
Not included
- International airfare to Turkey
- Travel insurance
- Turkey entry visa
- Personal expenses
- Tips
Where you will stay
Istanbul · 3 Nights, Breakfast Included
Options include the Vogue Supreme Hotel, Innova Hotel or Golden Crown Hotel, or similar, centrally located for the Old City tour and Bosphorus cruise.
Hotel category can be upgraded on request. Tell us your preference when you enquire or reserve.
Price & Booking
Tour Price and Booking Terms
The tour is currently on sale. Choose the small-group departure, or ask us about a private tour for a slower pace and extra flexibility.
Small-Group Tour
$575
per person · was $699
- 4 days, 3 nights, B&B
- Bosphorus cruise included
- 2 local lunches
- Entrances and airport transfers
Private Tour
On request
your own party only
- Slower pace, flexible timing
- Same program and inclusions
- Ideal for seniors and families
- Quote within a few hours
Payment
Reservation
Reserving requires a 40% deposit. Confirmation is received at the time of booking.
Balance
The balance is payable on arrival.
Travel Recommendations
The History Travel Tips for Your 4 Days in Istanbul
Practical suggestions based on the route and the pace of the itinerary.
First time in Turkey?
Four days entirely in Istanbul is a relaxed, well-paced introduction to Turkey's history and culture.
Check closing days
Topkapi Palace is closed on Tuesdays and the Grand Bazaar on Sundays. Share your dates so we can order the days well.
Dress for mosques
Shoulders and knees should be covered, and women may need a scarf for their hair. Carry a light scarf in your day bag.
Choose the right shoes
Old City streets are cobbled and Day 2 is a walking tour, so wear comfortable, broken-in shoes.
Photography lovers
The Bosphorus cruise and Sultanahmet Square at soft light make the best photos. Bring a spare battery.
Mobility
Suitable for seniors with moderate mobility. Consider the private option if you want a slower pace.
What to pack
Walking shoes
Day 2 is a walking tour on cobbled Old City streets, so wear comfortable, broken-in shoes rather than new ones.
Sun protection
Sunscreen and a hat help on the Bosphorus boat trip and in Sultanahmet Square, where there is little shade.
Modest clothing
Shoulders and knees must be covered in mosques. A light layer and a scarf in your day bag solve this easily.
Day bag
A small, lightweight bag holds your scarf, water, camera and purchases from the bazaars comfortably.
Camera or phone
The Bosphorus cruise and Sultanahmet Square give the best photos. A spare battery or power bank is useful.
Water bottle
Stay hydrated between sights. A reusable bottle is easy to refill at your hotel before each guided day.
Passport and visa
Check whether you need an entry visa for Turkey, which is not included, and keep your passport with you.
Booking confirmation
Keep your voucher and the driver's contact details ready for the airport meeting on Day 1.
Guest Reviews
5 Stars Excellent Service · The History Travel
5.0
★★★★★
33 reviews on TripAdvisor
These are guest reviews of The History Travel on TripAdvisor, reproduced as written. They describe the agency's tours in Istanbul and across Turkey, including customised Istanbul itineraries and family trips. Read all reviews on TripAdvisor.
B
★★★★★
Family tour to Turkey“We had a wonderful family trip to Turkey. Mr Sebahettin of The History Tours planned and organised it. He knows Turkey well, provided detailed itinerary unlike other travel agents. All domestic bookings, transfers, guides, day trios were organised by him. He kept in touch throughout the trip for updates. Highly recommend him for any travel to Turkey”
S
★★★★★
Excellence holiday in Turkey with family“We had heard about the beauties of Turkey from friends who had visited, and then we booked a 10-day family package tour with Mr. Sebahattin, owner of History Travel, which was recommended by friends. He was very friendly and very knowledgeable. All the service was very well organized. We liked our tour very much. I recommend Mr. Sebahattin and The History Travel Agency to everybody.”
N
★★★★★
A thrilling visit to a glorious country“Our visit to turkey was filled with incredible experiences and long lasting memories. Mr Sebahattin was very helpful throughout out planning stages and in the process created a personalised itinerary that fit our needs. Even while in Turkey he was extremely prompt and professional in all his dealings. The English speaking guides organised by him were very knowledgeable and friendly. The transport and the hotels provided were also of top quality and we were very pleased with the service.”
I
★★★★★
Perfect customised Istanbul itinerary“Sebahattin meticulously planned our customised itinerary at Istanbul perfectly. The arrangement from the first to the last attraction just simply made sense the way he planned it. In addition, when one of our family members was unwell and he found out about it, he immediately sprang into action and made changes to our itinerary to allow for more rest, yet we were able to cover all the attractions after he had made changes to the plan.”
D
★★★★★
Explore Istanbul through History Travel“The History Travel Agency is a professional one with exemplary tour itinerary. Mr Sebahattin Selam from the Agency remained in constant touch with us starting our departure from India till we landed back home. He took care of minute details. Like we are vegetarians and were worried about the food. History Travel had organised exceptional vegetarian continental lunch for us. City tour involves plenty of walking. So, do wear a comfortable sport shoes.”
C
★★★★★
More than a tour guide, a friendly host“Mehmet and Sebahattin were more than tour guides, they were hosts showing the beauty of their country. My wife and I had a full day tour of Istanbul. We had a great lunch and toured all of the main mosques and Topkapi. It was a truly memorable day. The price was fair and I recommend them wholeheartedly.”
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