Things to do in

Rustem Pasha Mosque

Embark on a journey of historical discovery with this one-day tour of Bosphorus and Dolmabahce Place. Experience the majesty of one of the grandest palaces on earth, as well as first-hand history and culture of Turkey and the Ottoman Empire. Start your tour with a narrated walk through the Spice Bazaar of Istanbul. Then take a leisurely 90-minute cruise, fully narrated by a professional tour guide. From here you can see the city from the unique point of view of the Bosphorus and get perfect photo opportunities with such landmarks as Leanders Tower and Rumell Hisari Fortress. After a relaxing lunch, you will move on to Dolmabahce Palace. With 285 rooms, 6 baths (hamam), 68 toilets and a ceiling made of 14 tons of gold, this is truly a sight to behold. With strong French influences as well as the richness of the East, this is a must-see on any tour. Expert guides will take you through the most fascinating aspects of the palace, and answer any questions you may have on 19th century Ottoman history. Enjoy a journey of discovery through the stories, myths and great works of art related to this special place. Including religious sites such as Dolmabahce Mosque, this one day tour covers the full range of culture, history, and art of Istanbul in a relaxed, informative environment.

Spice Bazaar (Egyptian Bazaar) was built between 1597 and 1664, also it is the second oldest covered bazaar in the city. You can find exotic aromas and various spices. It contains fruit vegetable, flower and fish shops inside. Rustem Pasha Mosque, for a tour. It was built by a famous Bosnian, Rüstem Pasha and designed by -one the most famous architect in history- Mimar Sinan. One of the most famous mosque in Istanbul for her interior design. Dolmabahce Palace, was the first European style palace. It was built by Ottoman Sultans between 1843 and 1846.This is the last residence for Ottoman Sultans with 365 rooms and 22 saloons. Also famous with the great collection of European antiquity. Ataturk lived the final part of his life in the palace and died there. Bosphorus Strait connects the Black Sea with the Sea of Marmara and splits the European and Asian sides of Turkey. Bosphorus Bridge, pass through the bridge and watch the beautiful view. It is 1704m long and was the 4th longest bridge around the world. Don’t miss this unique chance to pass from one continent (Europe) to another (Asia) in 2 minutes. Camlica Hill, the highest point in Istanbul, exposing a panoramic view of Istanbul city and Bosphorus. Take a little break for lunch here and enjoy the view while you are eating your tasty meal. Ortakoy, is a cosmopolitan area, bordering waters of the Bosphorus. Turks, Greeks, Armenians and Jews are leaving here. The neighbourhood hosts many different religious. It is also a popular spot for locals with art galleries, night clubs, and restaurants.

Your 5-hour guided walk begins in Sultanhamet, in the heart of the main tourist area of Istanbul. From here you’ll head to the Blue Mosque, where you’ll admire the 6 minarets and stunning tiles that were made in Iznik, the birthplace of the Ottoman Empire. Next your guide will tell you about Hagia Sophia and the Roxana Baths before continuing on to the ancient Hippodrome. Hear about the famous obelisk that was shipped from Egypt to the Byzantine Emperor Theodosius in 6th century A.D. Walk along the ancient roadway past the Ottoman Parliament House and then make your way to the Grand Bazaar. Marvel at the labyrinth of streets lined with textiles and most every other kind of product as well! You can learn the local art of bargaining here. Enjoy a stroll to the nearby Sahaflar Book Market, where books were printed for the first time during the Ottoman era. Learn about Islam and its holy book, the Koran. On the way to the Suleymaniye complex you’ll pass by the spectacular façade of Istanbul University and enter the Cagaloglu district, which is a shopping hub for locals that’s far from the main tourist attractions. Once you reach the Suleymaniye complex you’ll see the Turkish bath, the library, the madrasah, eateries, and the grand Suleymaniye Mosque that dominates the skyline along the Golden Horn. Learn about the history of the Mosque, named after the most famous and powerful of sultans, Suleyman the Magnificent. Your guide knows a great hidden teahouse here where you can drink çay (tea) and try a nargile (water pipe) with its intoxicating aroma and fruity flavors. After the break, you’ll continue on through the hidden streets of Istanbul. See local markets where products are made on site. Visit the hidden Rustem Pasha Mosque and admire its lovely tiles. Then it will be time to taste some baklava, a delicious Turkish dessert. Explore the spice market and see a mountain of Turkish spices, Turkish delight, and local handicrafts. From the Spice Bazaar you’ll take a walk so that you can appreciate the views of the picturesque Galata Bridge. Finally it’s time to relax for a delicious lunch of local specialties. After lunch your guide can tell you how to get back to your hotel and give you some advice on other things to do in your free time.

Explore a different side of Istanbul on a 4-hour walking tour that takes in some of the city’s hidden sites. Learn more about the practice of Islam as you stop at mosques with your local guide. Explore street bazaars and taste the local cuisine. Walk to the Hippodrome of Meydani, where Byzantines enjoyed chariot races. See the Blue Mosque, an Istanbul landmark, before walking along Divanyolu, originally mapped out by Emperor Constantine as a road to Rome, more than 950 miles away. Explore the Grand Bazaar before making your way through local markets to the famous Old Book Bazaar. Visit Beyazit Camii Mosque to see the beautiful stone and wood craftsmanship and masterful stained glass windows. Pass Istanbul University, built by the reforming Ottoman Sultans, and learn about the education system in Turkey today. Marvel at the beauty of the Mosque of Süleyman the Magnificent. Visit the royal tombs of Süleyman and his cohort Roxanna. Enjoy sublime city views and pause for tea in the sunken garden. Continue on to the hectic trading area of Istanbul, where you’ll find crumbling Byzantine buildings and Ottoman architectural relics. Hear stories of how the merchants of the past lived. See the hidden Rustem Pasha Mosque, acclaimed for its stunning Iznik ceramic tiles. The tour ends in the Spice Bazaar area, where your leader can direct you to a local lokanta (small restaurant) for lunch, or give you some more great Istanbul tips for you to make the most of the rest of your stay.

Your 6-hour tour begins in the morning with a short drive from your hotel to the Spice Market, an Egyptian-style bazaar heaped with sweets and spices. One of the world’s largest spice bazaars, it has been in operation since 1665. Following this, you’ll visit the Rustem Pasha Mosque. Take a cruise on a Bosphorus ferry, the legendary strait that separates Europe from Asia. Enjoy the views on both sides of Istanbul from the water. After a break for lunch (included in the tour price) you’ll continue on to the Beylerbeyi Palace via the Bosporus Bridge. The last stop on the tour will be Camlica Hill, where you’ll be able to take in the amazing views. At the end of the program you’ll be transferred back to your Istanbul hotel.

Explore Istanbul’s most famous sites on this walking tour, beginning with the old Ottoman book bazaar and the 16th-century Rustem Pasa Mosque. The Rustem Pasha Mosque was designed by Ottoman imperial architect Mimar Sinan for the grand vizier Rüstem Pasha and is famous for its Iznik tiles. After visiting the mosque, catch a ferry to Kadikoy, a largely residential area on the Asian side of Istanbul. In Kadikoy you will get to see how the local people live and visit the famous fish market. After lunch in Kadikoy, walk down Istiklal Street and see the 3,000 street cafes, pubs and restaurants. The tour will take you to Galata tower, one of the first towers built in the world, where you can see a 360-degree view of Istanbul from the top of the tower. Cross the Galata Bridge at Karakoy, where you can see locals fishing and shopping at the market.