Hagia Sophia, Topkapi & Blue Mosque Shore Excursion from Istanbul

This is the most popular Istanbul tour, allowing time to visit Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, the Blue Mosque, and the Grand Bazaar, plus free time to enjoy a typical Turkish meal. After meeting your driver and licensed guide, you drive along the old city walls and under the ancient Roman aqueduct toward the best of Istanbul's architecture and attractions. The Roman Hippodrome, once used for chariot races, is today lined with parks, obelisks, and monuments. From there you visit the Blue Mosque, named for the vivid Iznik tiles lining its interior. On a full day tour you are likely to hear the call to prayer echo across the city center, which happens five times daily. The Blue Mosque is not wheelchair accessible.

Next you walk through Topkapi Palace. This large complex was the official residence of the Ottoman sultans for nearly four centuries and includes courtyards, pavilions, mosques, fountains, and a treasury. In the Sultan's chapel you may hear the Imam reading from the Koran. Note: Topkapi Palace is closed on Tuesdays. If your tour falls on a Tuesday, you'll visit the Ottoman Dolmabahce Palace instead, decorated with priceless carpets, chandeliers, and paintings.

After a stop for lunch (meal not included), you visit Hagia Sophia, the Church of Holy Wisdom completed in 537 AD under Emperor Justinian I. Its dome was the largest in the world for nearly a thousand years. Converted to a mosque after 1453, secularized as a museum in the 20th century, and reconverted to a mosque in 2020, it remains one of the most significant buildings in the city's history. Later in the afternoon you visit the Grand Bazaar, home to more than 4,000 stalls, or request the Egyptian Spice Market instead. At the end of the day, you return to the pier in Istanbul.

Tips on Visiting Turkey

Mosques:

Shoes must be removed to enter a mosque, and you may be required to carry them with you in a plastic bag. We suggest bringing socks to slip on if you are not wearing them. Women should carry a scarf, as they may be asked to cover their heads. Bare shoulders, shorts, and dresses above the knee are not allowed. A small gratuity may be requested at mosques.

Shopping:

If additional time is available, your guide may ask if you are interested in seeing how Turkish carpets are made or wish to shop. These free demonstrations are informative but are also a selling opportunity. You should never feel obligated to make a purchase.

Turkish Entry Visa:

Cruise passengers on a shore excursion do not need an entry visa. An entry visa is only required if your cruise begins or ends in Istanbul, or if you are staying overnight. Entry visas are obtained online in advance at evisa.gov.tr; the fee varies by nationality, so check the official site directly for the current cost that applies to you. Print your e-visa to show Customs and Immigration on arrival.

If you cannot find what you are looking for, our Istanbul tours and Istanbul shore excursions can also be customized to fit your needs. If you have a larger group, we can offer a private Istanbul tour using a mid-size bus or full size coach. Please contact us with any questions or to receive a customized quote.