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3-Day Istanbul City Break: Old City Highlights & Blue Mosque
About This Tour
Discover Istanbul’s historic heart on a 3-day, 2-night Istanbul city tour package with TravelShopBooking. Combining hotel accommodation, airport transfers and a guided Old City tour, this short escape is ideal for first-time visitors looking for an introduction to the city’s Byzantine and Ottoman heritage.
Explore the ancient Hippodrome, visit the magnificent Blue Mosque and admire Hagia Sophia from outside. Learn about the Ottoman sultans at the exterior of Topkapi Palace and hear the story of the Basilica Cistern during a stop outside its entrance.
With two buffet breakfasts and time to explore independently, this Istanbul city break brings together cultural discovery and convenient travel arrangements. Interior admission to Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace and the Basilica Cistern is not included.
Tour Highlights
Enjoy a 3-day Istanbul escape with two nights of hotel accommodation.
Explore Sultanahmet, the historic heart of Istanbul, with an English-speaking guide.
Discover the Hippodrome and its ancient monuments.
Visit the Blue Mosque, celebrated for its elegant domes and blue İznik tiles.
Admire Hagia Sophia’s impressive exterior.
Learn about Ottoman court life during an exterior visit to Topkapi Palace.
Discover the history of the Basilica Cistern at an exterior stop.
Travel conveniently with arrival and departure airport transfers.
Start each morning with an open buffet breakfast.
Enjoy free time to discover Istanbul at your own pace.
Itinerary
Istanbul - Arrival Day
Welcome to Istanbul, where centuries of history meet the energy of a modern city.
Upon arrival at Istanbul Airport (IST), meet the TravelShopBooking representative and transfer to your hotel. After check-in, the rest of the day is yours to relax or begin exploring independently.
You may wish to take a neighbourhood stroll or enjoy your first Turkish meal at a local restaurant at your own expense.
Overnight: Istanbul
Meals: None included.
Guided Istanbul Old City Tour
Enjoy an open buffet breakfast at your hotel before setting out to explore Istanbul’s historic Sultanahmet district.
Hippodrome
Begin at the ancient Hippodrome, once the centre of public life and chariot racing in Byzantine Constantinople. Discover the Obelisk of Theodosius, the Serpentine Column and the Walled Obelisk as your guide shares stories of the city’s past.
Blue Mosque
Continue to the Sultanahmet Mosque, better known as the Blue Mosque. Built in the early 17th century, this remarkable Ottoman landmark is admired for its cascading domes, six minarets and beautiful İznik tilework.
The interior visit is subject to prayer times and visitor access.
Hagia Sophia – Exterior Visit
Admire Hagia Sophia from outside while your guide introduces its extraordinary history as a Byzantine church, an Ottoman mosque and one of Istanbul’s most recognisable landmarks.
Interior entry and tourist admission tickets are not included.
Topkapi Palace – Exterior Visit
Continue to the exterior of Topkapi Palace, the former residence and administrative centre of the Ottoman sultans. Hear about palace life and the empire once governed from this historic complex.
Museum admission, the Harem and interior collections are not included.
Basilica Cistern – Exterior Stop
Stop outside the Basilica Cistern and learn about the underground reservoir that helped supply water to Byzantine Constantinople.
The underground chamber, columns and Medusa heads can only be seen with a separate admission ticket.
After the tour, transfer back to your hotel. The remainder of the day is free.
Optional interior visits: Topkapi Palace and the Basilica Cistern may be requested at additional cost, subject to opening days, queues and available tour time. Admission is payable at the applicable ticket price. Please discuss arrangements with TravelShopBooking in advance.
Overnight: Istanbul
Meals: Open buffet breakfast.
Departure from Istanbul
After your final open buffet breakfast, check out of the hotel. At the arranged time, transfer to Istanbul Airport (IST) for your departure flight.
Thank you for travelling with TravelShopBooking. We look forward to welcoming you on another journey.
Meals: Open buffet breakfast.