2 DAYS IN ISTANBUL – ISTANBUL HERITAGE TOUR

Highlights

• Topkapi Palace and Harem
• Grand Bazaar and Spice Market
• Bosphorus Tour by boat
• Hagia Sophia
• Blue Mosque
• Hippodrome
• Basilica Cistern
• Lunches at Deraliye and Ciya Restaurants

You can see the full itinerary day by day at the bottom of the page.

Please bear in mind; we can always redesign this tour according to your interest and time. 

Topkapi Palace and Harem

On the first day, your guide will meet you at your hotel and take you straight to Topkapi Palace, the heart of the Ottoman Empire for nearly four centuries. Unlike most tours, we include a visit to the Harem — the private quarters of the sultan’s household — where you’ll uncover the hidden stories of royal family life, power, and intrigue behind those ornate walls.

Grand Bazaar and Spice Market

After lunch, you’ll dive into the sensory world of Istanbul’s most famous bazaars. The Grand Bazaar, one of the world’s oldest and largest covered markets, is a labyrinth of colour and craft. Just a short walk away, the Spice Market overwhelms the senses with its pyramids of spices, dried fruits, and Turkish delights. Together they capture the trading spirit that has defined Istanbul for millennia.

Bosphorus Tour by Boat

After all that razzle-dazzle, you’ll unwind on a relaxing Bosphorus cruise. As the boat glides between two continents, you’ll take in sweeping views of Ottoman palaces, centuries-old waterfront mansions called yalıs, medieval fortresses, and the ever-changing skyline of Istanbul. It’s the perfect way to close your first day before returning to the hotel.

“Holy Istanbul! Your name is the most enchanting one of all names enchants me.
Pierre Loti”

Hagia Sophia

Day two begins with one of the world’s great monuments. Hagia Sophia has stood for nearly 1,500 years, serving as a cathedral, mosque, museum, and mosque again — each layer adding to its extraordinary story. Inside, its vast dome, shimmering Byzantine mosaics, and colossal calligraphy panels create an atmosphere unlike anywhere else on earth.

Blue Mosque

A short walk across the square brings you to the Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmet Camii), Istanbul’s only imperial mosque built with six minarets. Step inside to see the stunning cascade of 20,000 hand-painted Iznik tiles that give the mosque its name and its otherworldly blue light.

Hippodrome

Right at the heart of the old city lies the Hippodrome, once the social and sporting centre of Byzantine Constantinople. Three ancient monuments still stand here — the Egyptian Obelisk, the Serpentine Column, and the Column of Constantine — each with a story reaching back thousands of years. Your guide will bring this open-air history book to life.

Basilica Cistern

Hidden beneath the streets of Istanbul lies one of its most atmospheric secrets. The Basilica Cistern is a vast underground reservoir built in the 6th century, supported by 336 marble columns rising from still, dark water. Two Medusa heads repurposed as column bases add a touch of ancient mystery to this remarkable space.

Lunches at Deraliye and Ciya Restaurants

Food is woven into the fabric of this tour. On day one, lunch is at Deraliye Restaurant, where the menu revives Ottoman palace cuisine from the 14th to 17th centuries — a rare and flavourful glimpse into imperial table culture. On day two, you’ll take a ferry across to the Asian side of Istanbul to reach Ciya Restaurant in the Kadıköy neighbourhood, celebrated for its authentic Anatolian flavours and the philosophy of its legendary chef. Along the way, your guide will share the fascinating story of Kadıköy — known in antiquity as the City of the Blind — as you pass through the neighbourhood market on foot.

Included

• All entrance fees to the sites
• Assistance of a private local guide
• Transport (local ferries, taxi, tram or private A/C van depending on group size)
• Treats to experience different local tastes
• Lunch

Not Included

• Gratuities to guide and driver
• Any items not specifically mentioned as included

Are you interested in this tour? Contact us to get your personalised itinerary.