Byzantine & Ottoman Relics Tour

Overview

Full-day Istanbul Old City tour of Byzantine and Ottoman relics: Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, the Sacred Relics at Topkapi Palace and the Grand Bazaar.

This full-day walking tour in the heart of the Historic Peninsula tells Istanbul's 1,600-year story through four imperial monuments. You start with Hagia Sophia: a church in 537, a mosque in 1453 and once again open for worship today. Your guide explains the mosaics, calligraphy panels and upper gallery, and reminds you that ladies need a headscarf and everyone needs clothing that covers the knees.

After the Obelisk and Serpent Column in the Hippodrome, you move to the Blue Mosque, the best-known Ottoman mosque with more than 20,000 Iznik tiles and six minarets. After lunch you explore Topkapi Palace: the Harem, the Chamber of Sacred Relics (the mantle and standard of the Prophet Muhammad), the treasury and the fourth courtyard overlooking the Bosphorus. For our Gulf guests the Sacred Relics are the most moving moment of the day, and your guide allows extra time here.

The day ends in the Grand Bazaar with its 4,000 shops. Your guide points out trustworthy carpet, leather and gold dealers, explains how bargaining works and leaves you an hour of free time. Museum entrance fees are included; note that the Topkapi Harem ticket is separate. Total walking distance is about 4 km, so comfortable shoes are recommended.