Spend the morning exploring Istanbul's Ottoman past at the enchanting Topkapi Palace and the Blue Mosque.
About this activity
- Free cancellation
- Cancel up to 24 hours in advance to receive a full refund
- Mobile ticketing
- Use your phone or print your voucher
- Duration 4 hours
- Starting time 9:00 AM
- Instant confirmation
Experience
Highlights
- Explore Topkapi Palace
- See the world's third largest diamond
- Discover the treasures housed in the Topkapi Museum
- Visit the Blue Mosque (Sultanahmet Mosque)
- Check out the Imperial Treasury and Armory
Full description
Discover Istanbul's treasures from the Ottoman Empire, beginning at the magnificent Topkapi Palace, the principle residence of the empire's sultans for 4 centuries.
The palace is now a museum, hosting extravagant gifts from other leaders of the epoch, including the priceless Spoonmaker's Diamond; the third largest in the world. The Topkapi Museum also boasts an impressive collection of early Chinese ceramics. Here, you can see ceramics that have a special glaze that was said to change color in the presence of poison.
Visit the Imperial Treasury housed within the palace, and check out Baghdad Kiosk. Stroll through the ground's glorious courtyards. See the Imperial Treasury's remarkable ancient trees where many are hollow, some are fused together, but all survive. Then see centuries of Ottoman weaponry at the Imperial Armory.
The Blue Mosque is an iconic monument in both the Turkish and Islamic worlds. The stunning structure was built in the classical Ottoman style, and features 6 towering minarets and 260 windows that provide illumination for its vast inner chamber that is lined with more than 20,000 Iznik tiles.
Includes
- Entrance fees
- Transportation and round-trip hotel transfer
- Customary gratuities
- Personal expenses
Select participants and date
Participants
Date
Prepare for the activity
Meeting point
The Istanbul cruise port. Please be advised that guide will be holding a “Neon Tours” sign at custom area at the cruise port. Please advise cruise ship details.
Open in Google Maps ⟶Important information
Know before you go
- The Blue Mosque is closed from 1st of March until 15th of May 2018 due to maintenance work; during this period Suleymaniye Mosque will be visited instead of the Blue Mosque
- Tours run daily. Exact times can vary between 08:00 and 09:00, depending on your hotel's location.
- The supplier reserves the right to change the tour itinerary in the event of unforeseen and/or unusual circumstances such as museum closures, holidays, strikes, etc.
- Blue Mosque is closed on Fridays, until around 14:00. Another place will be visited or more free time will be given.
- Please contact the supplier 24 hours before tour departure to confirm your booking.
