Byzantine & Ottoman Guided Tour with Museum & Lunch

Byzantian and Ottoman City Tour Museum fees Lunch Inc

Overview

Discover Istanbul’s layered past on the Byzantian and Ottoman City Tour, a full day experience designed to cover the Old City’s most popular landmarks in one smooth route. With museum entrance fees and a rich lunch included, you can save time and focus on the stories that shaped empires, guided by licensed professionals.

🗺️ What to Expect

This Byzantian and Ottoman City Tour is an easy paced, history rich day through Sultanahmet and the heart of old Constantinople. You will move from open air monuments of the ancient Hippodrome to iconic sacred architecture, then step into the vibrant energy of the Grand Bazaar. The day finishes with the grandeur of the Ottoman court at Topkapı Palace, where collections, relics, and palace spaces reveal how Istanbul became a bridge between worlds.

✨ Highlights

• 🧭 See the legendary monuments of Sultanahmet Square, once the Hippodrome of Constantinople
• 🏛️ Admire the Obelisk of Theodosius and learn how it traveled from ancient Egypt to imperial Constantinople
• 🐍 Spot the Serpent Column, one of the last surviving Hippodrome monuments
• 🕌 Visit the Blue Mosque, famed for its blue Iznik tiles
• ⛪ Explore Hagia Sophia, a world monument shaped by centuries of religious change
• 🛍️ Browse the Grand Bazaar’s maze of streets with thousands of shops and craft traditions
• 👑 Discover Topkapı Palace and its collections, including the Chamber of Sacred Relics

📍 Itinerary

Sultanahmet Square and Hippodrome Monuments, Start at the historic heart of the Old City with its iconic public monuments.

• German Fountain, A neo Byzantine gift from German Kaiser Wilhelm II, erected in Istanbul in 1901 and ornamented with gold mosaic.
• Obelisk of Theodosius, Originally commissioned by Pharaoh Tuthmosis III in the 15th century BC, later erected in the Hippodrome during the reign of Theodosius I.
• Serpent Column, One of three remaining Hippodrome monuments, standing between the Obelisk of Theodosius and the Masonry Obelisk.
• Masonry Obelisk, A tall obelisk construction associated with the Theodosian period.

Blue Mosque, Visit Istanbul’s most famous mosque, also known for its blue Iznik tiles.

Hagia Sophia, Experience one of the world’s great monuments, built as a 6th century church under Emperor Justinian I, later serving as a mosque, a museum, and a mosque again.

Grand Bazaar, Walk through a labyrinth of passages with more than 4000 shops, including areas for goldsmiths, carpets, and Turkish arts and crafts.

Topkapı Palace, Tour the great palace of the Ottoman sultans from the 15th to the 19th centuries, featuring precious collections and the Chamber of Sacred Relics.

Hagia Irene Church, Built in the 4th century near Hagia Sophia, later incorporated into the Topkapı Palace grounds, with minimal structural changes after the conquest of Istanbul.

✅ What’s Included

• Byzantian and Ottoman City Tour guided experience with licensed tour guides
• Museum entrance fees
• Lunch, rich selection included

❌ Exclusions

• Any items or services not explicitly listed in What’s Included

ℹ️ Important Information

• Duration, 8 hours and 30 minutes
• Difficulty, Easy
• Focus, Old City highlights combining Byzantine and Ottoman heritage with museum visits and a included lunch
• Guiding, Led by licensed tour guides to help you learn the real history behind each attraction
• Planning note, Entrance fees are included, which helps you save time during the day

🚀 Secure Your Istanbul Story Today

If you want a seamless, one day deep dive into the Old City, the Byzantian and Ottoman City Tour brings the essentials together with museum fees and lunch included. Book now and enjoy a curated route that blends famous monuments, palace history, and the vibrant shopping culture of Istanbul, supported by Istanbul Old City tour expertise from licensed guides.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions, FAQ

Q1. How long is the tour?
A1. The tour lasts 8 hours and 30 minutes. It is designed as a full day visit to the main popular attractions in Istanbul’s Old City.

Q2. What is the difficulty level of this experience?
A2. The difficulty level is EASY. The day is planned to be comfortable while covering key landmarks in a single route.

Q3. Are museum entrance fees included?
A3. Yes, museum entrance fees are included in the Byzantian and Ottoman City Tour. This helps you save time during the day.

Q4. Is lunch included in the tour?
A4. Yes, lunch is included and described as a rich selection. It is part of the full day package.

Q5. What places will I see on the Byzantian and Ottoman City Tour?
A5. You will visit Sultanahmet Square monuments such as the German Fountain, the Obelisk of Theodosius, and the Serpent Column. The itinerary also includes the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, the Grand Bazaar, Topkapı Palace, and Hagia Irene Church.