Istanbul City Break

On arrival in Istanbul Türkiye (Turkey), we meet our local representative and transfer to our hotel in the modern side of Istanbul city, in Taksim.

2024

Lets discover more of this vibrant and bustling city!

After breakfast we set out on a morning city tour of Istanbul, which will include visits to the Blue Mosque and the historical St. Sophia Mosque , the Egyptian Obelisks, the Roman Hippodrome.

We finish our tour at a Turkish art centre, where traditional arts are taught and exhibited, followed by a refreshing cup of tea or coffee at a local café (included).

This lively city is a perfect combination of modern and ancient, displaying a range of architecture from majestic skyscrapers to historic mosques, temples and churches. The afternoon will be at leisure, to relax and get to know our surroundings or uncover more of Istanbul's fascinating treasures. Our expert guide will be happy to suggest places of interest.

Please note: St Sophia is no longer be a museum. It has now been converted to a Mosque. During times of prayer it may not be possible to visit the inside, should you wish to visit the inside in your free time.

*In order to preserve the beauty and integrity of the iconic Blue Mosque, restoration work is ongoing at this site. Some phases of the restoration involve scaffolding; thus a clear view of the entire Mosque may not be possible. 

2025 Itinerary varies:

Let's discover more of this vibrant and bustling city!

After breakfast we set out on a morning city tour of Istanbul, which will include visits to the Blue Mosque, the Egyptian Obelisks,  and the Roman Hippodrome with a walk past the historical St. Sophia Mosque (viewed from the outside) .

Let's uncover more of Istanbul with a visit the colourful and photogenic Fener/ Balat area of the city, including a church visit. Budding photographers will fall in love with the vivid colours of this unique area, and a popular place for Instagram posts. 

Discover more on a visit to a Turkish art centre, where traditional arts are taught and exhibited, followed by a refreshing cup of tea or coffee at a local café (included).

This lively city is a perfect combination of modern and ancient, displaying a range of architecture from majestic skyscrapers to historic mosques, temples and churches. The afternoon will be at leisure, to relax and get to know our surroundings or uncover more of Istanbul's fascinating treasures. Our expert guide will be happy to suggest places of interest.

Comfortable, sturdy shoes are recommended. We will be walking cobbled streets in the ancient city centre, or we could be descending or ascending some steps, and some elevated areas on our half day tours.

Lets see more of Istanbul!

After breakfast, we leave the European side of Istanbul and set off on a half day guided city tour of the Asian side. We enjoy a guided excursion to Camlica Hill, with panoramic views over Istanbul and a visit to the opulent summer residence of the Ottoman Sultan, Beylebeyi Palace. Step back in time and discover the wealth and lavishness of a summer home to the Sultans (entrance is included).

The afternoon will be at leisure. Our  guide will be happy to tell us of further places of interest, like a cruise down the Bosphorus, or the Spice market, Istanbul is a big city and there is lots to see and always something new to discover.

Today is free to explore at our own pace. Perhaps take in some of the sites like the Underground Cistern, a fascinating network of water channels and ornamental pillars, dating back to Roman times. Shop till you drop in one of the many trendy shops or in one of the ancient Bazaars; uncover more of Istanbul’s history with a visit to the iconic Galata Tower for that Instagram shot; or savour the moment sitting in a café with some wonderful Turkish delights while sipping a hot strong Turkish coffee or tea (Turkiye has the highest per capita consumption of tea in the world)!

Enjoy the opportunity on an optional excursion, take in a panoramic tour of the old city walls on the way to the Golden Horn, a natural second harbour and inlet that separates the European shore into two. Also included is a visit to the Spice Market (Egyptian Bazaar) where we can enjoy the aromas of various spices and teas. After this, enjoy a cruise down the Bosphorus by boat or ferry, cruising between the two continents of Asia and Europe, passing some beautiful landmarks along the way! Please note there are mobile steps to board and disembark the boat or ferry, hence this excursion may not be suitable for customers with restricted mobility. 

Minimum numbers are required for this tour to operate

Today we say goodbye to Turkey after exploring this fascinating and captivating ancient city with new friends and memorable moments.

We transfer by coach to Istanbul Airport for the flight home, with guide assistance.