Istanbul Uncovered

Highlights / General details

Turkey's capital is a beautiful city, but it pays to know where to look. Join this Istanbul tour to be shown the unmistakable icons as well as the hard-to-find secret spots that make Istanbul so captivating. Discover the secret haunts of locals in Sultanahmet and explore the back streets and hidden gems. Walk the ancient highway to Rome "Divanyolu". Explore the Suleymaniye Mosque with a local and gain insight into Islam. Be stunned by stellar views of Istanbul and hear tales of both Byzantine and Ottoman drama and intrigue. Explore the labyrinth that is the Grand Bazaar.

Inclusion

Local English speaking guide; Entry and guided tour of Sultanahmet; Tour of the Grand Bazaar, Book Bazaar, Beyazit Mosque; Tea at local teahouse in Suleymainye; Visit to Suleymainye Mosque Complex.

Exclusion

Extra drinks; Additional food; Tips or gratuities for your local guide.

Hours of operation

Available: Daily, excluding Sunday; Start time at 8:30am.

Duration

Approximately 4 hours.

Location Meeting point: Pudding Shop Lale Restaurant, Divanyolu Caddesi No.6 34400, Sultanahmet, Istanbul (Use the Sultanahmet tram stop as reference. The restaurant is located on the street where the tram lines runs through Sultanahmet, approximately a three minute walk from the Sultanahmet tram stop.) Finish point: Sultanahmet. Your local guide can provide instructions on how to get back to your hotel or you are free to continue your own personal exploration.

Itinerary As we tour Istanbul, your local guide will point out places to get the best local snacks and coffee, as well as show you the main points of interest along the way. You'll start this Istanbul walking tour by exploring Istanbul’s ancient Hippodrome. Following this we make our way across to walk Divanyolu, a historical thoroughfare originally mapped out by Emperor Constantine, in the early 300s AD. For a change of pace, explore the Grand Bazaar, internationally known as the first ever shopping mall, and take a look at the incredible array of goods for sale in any of the 4,000 shops. We’ll also stop by the book bazaar, where the first printed book in Turkey was sold in 1729. Just behind the Book Bazaar is Beyazit Mosque, where your local guide will teach you about Islam, the mosque, and the roles both play in Turkish society. Then explore the beautifully symmetrical Mosque of Süleyman the Magnificent, including time to try Turkish tea in a tea house that has amazing views of the city. We’ll continue our Istanbul tour with a visit to the Istanbul University, built by the reforming Ottoman Sultans, and learn about the role of education in the modern republic, and the amazing transformation that was undertaken during the time of Ataturk. We’ll finish this Istanbul city tour 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.

Participant restrictions

This is a child-friendly tour. Children between the ages of 6 and 11 inclusively are permitted on this tour. Children younger than 6 are permitted at no extra cost, but please make sure you inform our guides of this before you take the tour.

Additional Information Please be aware that the standard of dress throughout Turkey is both conservative and modern. On this walking tour we visit a variety of Mosques. To respect this and for your own comfort we recommend modest clothing. This means clothing that covers your shoulders and knees for both men and women. We would also request that women have their own scarf to cover their heads which can be easily purchased in Istanbul. The weather in Istanbul is highly variable depending on the time of year. Winters range from freezing cold to extremely hot and humid in summer (June, July and August).

Itinerary

As we tour Istanbul, your local guide will point out places to get the best local snacks and coffee, as well as show you the main points of interest along the way. You'll start this Istanbul walking tour by exploring Istanbul’s ancient Hippodrome. Following this we make our way across to walk Divanyolu, a historical thoroughfare originally mapped out by Emperor Constantine, in the early 300s AD. For a change of pace, explore the Grand Bazaar, internationally known as the first ever shopping mall, and take a look at the incredible array of goods for sale in any of the 4,000 shops. We’ll also stop by the book bazaar, where the first printed book in Turkey was sold in 1729. Just behind the Book Bazaar is Beyazit Mosque, where your local guide will teach you about Islam, the mosque, and the roles both play in Turkish society. Then explore the beautifully symmetrical Mosque of Süleyman the Magnificent, including time to try Turkish tea in a tea house that has amazing views of the city. We’ll continue our Istanbul tour with a visit to the Istanbul University, built by the reforming Ottoman Sultans, and learn about the role of education in the modern republic, and the amazing transformation that was undertaken during the time of Ataturk. We’ll finish this Istanbul city tour 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.

Participant restrictions This is a child-friendly tour. Children between the ages of 6 and 11 inclusively are permitted on this tour. Children younger than 6 are permitted at no extra cost, but please make sure you inform our guides of this before you take the tour.

Location

Meeting point: Pudding Shop Lale Restaurant, Divanyolu Caddesi No.6 34400, Sultanahmet, Istanbul (Use the Sultanahmet tram stop as reference. The restaurant is located on the street where the tram lines runs through Sultanahmet, approximately a three minute walk from the Sultanahmet tram stop.) Finish point: Sultanahmet. Your local guide can provide instructions on how to get back to your hotel or you are free to continue your own personal exploration.

Itinerary As we tour Istanbul, your local guide will point out places to get the best local snacks and coffee, as well as show you the main points of interest along the way. You'll start this Istanbul walking tour by exploring Istanbul’s ancient Hippodrome. Following this we make our way across to walk Divanyolu, a historical thoroughfare originally mapped out by Emperor Constantine, in the early 300s AD. For a change of pace, explore the Grand Bazaar, internationally known as the first ever shopping mall, and take a look at the incredible array of goods for sale in any of the 4,000 shops. We’ll also stop by the book bazaar, where the first printed book in Turkey was sold in 1729. Just behind the Book Bazaar is Beyazit Mosque, where your local guide will teach you about Islam, the mosque, and the roles both play in Turkish society. Then explore the beautifully symmetrical Mosque of Süleyman the Magnificent, including time to try Turkish tea in a tea house that has amazing views of the city. We’ll continue our Istanbul tour with a visit to the Istanbul University, built by the reforming Ottoman Sultans, and learn about the role of education in the modern republic, and the amazing transformation that was undertaken during the time of Ataturk. We’ll finish this Istanbul city tour 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.

Participant restrictions This is a child-friendly tour. Children between the ages of 6 and 11 inclusively are permitted on this tour. Children younger than 6 are permitted at no extra cost, but please make sure you inform our guides of this before you take the tour.

Additional Information Please be aware that the standard of dress throughout Turkey is both conservative and modern. On this walking tour we visit a variety of Mosques. To respect this and for your own comfort we recommend modest clothing. This means clothing that covers your shoulders and knees for both men and women. We would also request that women have their own scarf to cover their heads which can be easily purchased in Istanbul. The weather in Istanbul is highly variable depending on the time of year. Winters range from freezing cold to extremely hot and humid in summer (June, July and August).

Policies This tour is offered on a "join-in" basis. Maximum group size is 12. If you have your voucher, your booking is confirmed. We'll see you at the start point. Complete information, including local telephone numbers at your destination, will be included on your Confirmation Voucher.

All information requested must be supplied or booking is subject to automatic cancellation