Tour Highlights: Golden Horn, Spice Bazaar (Egyptian ), Bosphorus Tour on Boat, Dolmabahce Palace, Piyerloti Hill, Cable car & Eyüp Mosque.
GOLDEN HORN is the arm of the Istanbul strait and a natural harbor separating the European shore into two; the old city and the new İstanbul. Golden Horn was a residential area of non-muslim minorities like Byzantine Jews or Italian traders. During this panoramic drive through Golden Horn, you’ll see; Byzantine City Walls, the strongest defensive walls of the Middle age, the Fener Orthodox Patriarchate, The seat of Orthodox Christianity, the Metal Church of St. Stephen the Bulgarian which was built in a night and Jewish Hospital Or-Ahayim.
SPICE BAZAAR was the center of the spice trade in İstanbul during the Ottoman period and it still is. Now you can also find Turkish delights and small souvenirs like devil eyes, Turkish coffee pots, and cups.
PIYERLOTI HILL In the sleepy İstanbul suburb of Eyüp, Pierre Loti Hill rises above the Golden Horn. Named after the French writer Julien Viaud, or rather his pseudonym, Pierre Loti Hill offers stunning views and a collection of ancient İstanbul architecture that has been lovingly preserved since the 19th century. There is a cable car that leads directly to the top of the hill, but adventurous travelers should tackle the somewhat strenuous climb up the stairs that cross the Sultan’s Cemetery.
The hill is a popular spot for a selfie or three and is home to six historic mansions that have been converted into a boutique hotel. There is also a restaurant and a familiar cafe, where you can enjoy the view with a cup of Turkish tea or coffee. Loti used to sit here to write his novels. For the best view, try the telescope on the viewing platform at the Piyerloti Cable Car Station.
Upon returning and crossing the Golden Horn, you’ll face the dilemma of where to entertain the kids, the visually stunning Miniatürk, or the fun and interactive Rahmi M. Koç Museum.
Pierre Loti Hill, although not a park, this wooded hill in Eyüp, interspersed with historic cemeteries, is a large green space with one of the most famous views of İstanbul's waterway from the top.
EYUP MOSQUE The order to build Eyup Sultan Mosque was issued by Sultan Mehmet Fatih in 1458. However, the mosque has not remained the same as it was destroyed by the earthquake in 1766, which led to its destruction.
In 1800, another mosque was built on the site of the destroyed mosque, by order of Sultan Salim III. Given the prevalence of baroque architecture at that period, the Sultan Eyup Mosque was influenced by this style of architecture. The mosque was designed as a square-shaped figure with corners, featuring a large dome, 16 meters in diameter, and eight domes adjacent to it.
BOSPHORUS CRUISE is a must To complete your İstanbul experience. Cruise on the İstanbul Strait, separating two continents Europe and Asia, with the possibility to take pictures of suspension bridges connecting Europe to Asia, marble summer palaces, wooden villas of Ottoman architecture, modern luxury residential, and apartments.
Lunch at a Turkish restaurant.
DOLMABAHÇE PALACE, the last residence of Ottoman Sultans, was built in Ottoman-European style to dispel rumors of the empire’s bankruptcy. The interiors were done by the designer of the Paris Opera. Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of the Turkish Republic, also used the palace as his İstanbul base during the early years of the republic. He died at the palace in 1938. If you want to visit the palace individually you might have to wait long minutes, maybe hours. You need to join a guided tour to skip the line.
BOSPHORUS BRIDGE, located between Ortaköy and Beylerbeyi, connects not only these two neighborhoods but also the Europe and Asia continents. During your 2-minute drive from Europe to Asia on the Bosphorus Bridge, you’ll have a chance to see and also take photos of one of the best views of Bosphorus.
Also visioned during the tour
IMPERIAL GARDENS OF ROYAL YILDIZ PALACE BOSPHORUS BRIDGE connecting EUROPE & ASIA continents * BEYLERBEYİ PALACE from the boat
This tour ends approximately at 17:00
IMPORTANT NOTICE
Bosphorus Tours are practiced with regular boats if the minimum number of attendants
is not provided for the private boat.
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Professional English Guide
Air-conditioned vehicle
Guaranteed to skip the long lines
Free hotel pickup and drop-off
Museum & Entrance fees
Relax over lunch at a traditional restaurant
Local taxes
Group Tours
Pickup & Drop
Pick up Time: 08:30
Drop Time: 17:00
Catogory
City tour
Poularity
Group Tour
Duration
Full Day
Guide Languages
