Attractions: Serpent Column

On this small-group tour you will explore the historic heart of Istanbul, starting at the German Fountain, a gift from Kaiser Wilhelm. Along the way you will see the Blue Mosque, a magnificent Ottoman-era landmark, and Hagia Sophia, the Church of Divine Wisdom that has recently been operating as a mosque. You will also visit Hippodrome Square, once the site of Roman chariot races, where the Egyptian Obelisk, the Serpentine Column and the Column of Constantine still stand. Your guide will welcome you to two cisterns—the Basilica Cistern and the Nakkas Cistern—and will give details about Roman hidden gems and how Constantinople looked around 1200 AD. You will see a demonstration of Turkish handicrafts and enjoy a three-course lunch featuring choices from Turkish cuisine, typically including mixed kebab or vegetarian options. The tour will finish at the Grand Bazaar, the world-famous historic market with over 4,000 shops. Groups are kept small, with a maximum of ten travellers, and professional guides will be happy to answer your questions about Istanbul’s culture and way of life.

On this self‑guided audio walk through the heart of Istanbul, you’ll follow an audio guide on your smartphone as you wander charming streets and take in the city’s picture‑book views without a tour group. The route includes 20 points of interest, each with its own audio commentary. Along the way you may pause for a coffee, explore a captivating side street and then return to the tour path whenever you’re ready. As you move through the city, you will hear about the realities of being a sultan and the implications of maintaining a harem, and learn why Istanbul is so famously fond of its cats. The commentary also covers how a Roman emperor embraced Christianity and established the Byzantine Empire, and even the insights Dracula gained from the Ottomans. Alongside these historical and cultural stories, the guide offers practical tips on what to try and what to buy as souvenirs in Istanbul, helping you decide where to stop and what to taste as you explore.

On this day tour of Istanbul, you’ll discover the highlights of the city with an experienced guide. You’ll start with a tour of the old city, including the Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque, which is famous for its blue İznik tiles. You’ll also see sights like the Hippodrome, the Serpentine Column and the Obelisk of Theodosius. Next, you’ll visit the Grand Covered Bazaar and explore over 4,000 shops selling gold, antiques, jewelry and much more before stopping for a tasty local lunch. After lunch, you’ll take a scenic cruise on the Bosphorus and then take the cable car to a coffee house.

Istanbul’s mix of grand architecture and layered history sets the scene for this in-depth guided walking tour. Meeting your guide at Sultanahmet Square, you’ll set off on a scenic stroll through the heart of the former capital of the Ottoman Empire. The route covers the city’s main attractions while also venturing to some harder-to-find, secret spots. Your guide will take care of navigation and offer illuminating commentary as you move through the streets. Along the way, stories from Byzantine and Ottoman rule will bring the past to life. The tour aims to give you a clear overview of Istanbul as a bridge between east and west, introducing its historic attractions, museums and the local arts and traditions that shape everyday life. Expect a mix of well-known sights and tucked-away corners, all linked by the local history and culture your guide explains.

On this small-group tour of Istanbul, you'll explore the city’s historic heart with an official, professional guide. Groups are limited to 20–25 people to keep the experience personal. As you move through the old city, you'll see iconic landmarks such as Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque, and walk around the Hippodrome to learn about its role in Byzantine public life. You will also visit the colourful Grand Bazaar. After lunch, the guided tour will continue with visits to Topkapi Palace, where you can learn about the Ottoman court, and to Hagia Irene. The route finishes with a walk through Gulhane Park. Along the way, your guide will share historical context and stories that help connect the sites to Istanbul’s past.

Beneath the sun-soaked streets and striking architecture of Istanbul lies a darker layer. You will descend deep below Istanbul’s centre into a parallel city that is more than 1,500 years old. Stretching across an enormous area of former quarry, it is formed from an intricate series of tunnels and chambers. This macabre underground complex offers a rare glimpse into the city’s ancient past. As you move through the tunnels, you will explore the unknown side of the city that sits beneath its ancient boulevards, public gardens and museums. Along the way, the atmosphere and the remains of this vast subterranean site will be brought to life by an expert guide. The guide will recount tales of Constantinople gone by and share stories of the city’s long, sometimes eerie history, helping you imagine a glorious past that is rarely visible from the streets above.

On this private shore excursion from the cruise port, you will meet a licensed guide and travel by private transport to the heart of Istanbul. The tour is fully private and customisable, so you can go at your own pace as you explore the city’s main sights and neighbourhoods. You will have a guided visit to the Hagia Sophia Mosque and will explore the area around the Blue Mosque. Along the way, the itinerary will include Topkapı Palace, where you will learn about its history, plus other highlights of Sultanahmet. When possible, the tour will use a skip-the-line style entry approach at major sites to save time. You can also buy authentic souvenirs at the Grand Bazaar or around the Sultanahmet district. Some admissions are included in the tour; others you will need to pay on the spot. The schedule is planned to be cruise-friendly, and you will return to your ship right on time.

On this thoughtfully curated walking tour of Istanbul, you’ll explore both the city’s iconic landmarks and its quieter corners. As you move through the historic heart, you’ll see the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia and Topkapı Palace, while an expert guide will bring their stories to life with historical context and cultural insights. The focus is on depth rather than a checklist of sights, so you’ll gain a clearer sense of how the city’s past and present connect. Along the way, the route blends well-known attractions with lesser-seen places such as Caferağa Medrese and Soğukçeşme Street. You’ll learn about local history, architectural details and cultural nuances that often go unnoticed by casual visitors. The tour is designed for you if you want to connect with the spirit of Istanbul rather than only view its highlights, offering a balanced experience of discovery and understanding.

Your tour begins at the old Hippodrome of Constantinople, once the city’s sports and social centre. Here you’ll see major works of public art, including the Obelisk from Egypt, the Serpentine Column from Delphi and the fountain of Wilhelm II, constructed by the Germans. From the Hippodrome you’ll move on to the Blue Mosque, whose six minarets are a key feature of Istanbul’s skyline. You’ll then visit Topkapi Palace, home to the Ottoman emperors between the 15th and 19th centuries, where the jewel-stuffed treasury and displays of Oriental porcelain are highlights. Next is the Hagia Sophia Mosque: admire its vast dome and the stunning Byzantine mosaics while your guide recounts its turbulent history. The tour finishes with a sense of Istanbul’s lively markets. Wander through the Grand Bazaar with its over 3,000 shops offering carpets, jewellery, ceramics and leather goods, then stroll the Spice Bazaar, where the air is rich with almost every spice imaginable alongside dried fruits, nuts, sweets and Turkish Delight. Along the way you’ll learn about the art, architecture and history that tie these places together.

This expertly guided tour puts you in the heart of Istanbul's history and culture. You will be taken to the city's most iconic landmarks, where you can marvel at the breathtaking Hagia Sophia and soak in the beauty of the Blue Mosque. You will uncover the secrets of Topkapi Palace, once home to Ottoman sultans, and learn about its place in the city's past. As you move through the historic Sultanahmet Square, you'll feel the atmosphere that ties these sites together. Along the way, you'll wander into the legendary Grand Bazaar, where centuries-old traditions and hidden treasures await. The tour brings together major monuments, palace history and lively market life to give you a rounded view of Istanbul's rich heritage.

On a walking tour of Istanbul’s Old City, you’ll explore some of the area’s most important historic sites and learn about their architecture and past. You’ll visit the Hagia Sophia Museum, a monument of roughly 1,500 years, and the Blue Mosque, noted for its scale and famous blue tiles. In the Hippodrome area you’ll see the site where chariot races were held during the Byzantine era. As you move through the neighbourhood, you’ll also pass Caferaga Medresesi, a cultural foundation that organises workshops on handicrafts and music, and Topkapi Palace, one of Istanbul’s largest palaces and the main residence of the Ottoman sultans for approximately 400 years. The tour finishes with a visit to the Grand Bazaar, the world’s oldest indoor market, where you’ll experience its covered lanes and historic atmosphere. Along the way you’ll hear stories about the people, events and styles that shaped the city, with a focus on both history and architecture.

This city walk in Istanbul takes you through the heart of the old city, giving an introduction to its landmarks, history and everyday life. You’ll stroll through Sultanahmet Square and the Ancient Roman Hippodrome, and you’ll see the Hagia Sophia up close. Along the way you will amble past the Blue Mosque, Topkapı Palace and the Basilica Cistern, viewing these top-rated sites from the outside as your guide points out the main points of interest. As you move through hidden backstreets and the bustling lanes around the Grand Bazaar, your guide will show you where to find the best local snacks and coffee. You’ll stop by the Spice Market and explore small, characterful areas that many visitors miss. The commentary will cover art, food and architecture, helping you understand how the city’s landmarks and legends shaped modern Istanbul.

This tour takes you from Istanbul to Kusadası and brings together many of Turkey’s most important historical and cultural sights. A departure transfer from either of Istanbul’s two major airports and five nights’ accommodation are included, so you can focus on the places you’ll visit rather than logistics. As you move through Istanbul, you’ll see highlights such as Hagia Sophia and The Blue Mosque, and explore the old civic heart around the Hippodrome with its Obelisk of Theodosius from Egypt and the Serpentine Column from the Temple of Delphi. You’ll also pass the German Fountain and have time for the bustling Grand Bazaar and the imperial rooms of Topkapi Palace. Along the way you’ll visit ancient cities like Ephesus and tour UNESCO-listed archaeological sites such as Pamukkale, all while travelling toward Kusadası. The programme is focused on history and culture, so you’ll learn about the landmarks’ origins and significance as you go.

You will step into the heart of Istanbul on a private full-day tour of the city's most iconic landmarks, accompanied by your own personal guide and private transfers. The pace will be yours, so you can linger where you wish and follow the themes that interest you most. As you move through the historic centre, your guide will bring the city’s layers of history to life. Expect to take in the grandeur and architectural significance of the Hagia Sophia, descend into the underground atmosphere of the Basilica Cistern, and admire the shimmering domes of the Blue Mosque. You will also visit the imperial courts and collections at Topkapi Palace, learning about the people and events that shaped Istanbul. Along the way, your guide will offer context and stories that connect each site to the wider culture and history of the city, leaving you with deeper insight and lasting memories.

On this experience you will see Istanbul’s most popular attractions, including Hagia Sofia and Topkapı Palace, while moving through the city’s rich history and atmosphere. Along the way you will have the opportunity to taste some Turkish street food, giving you a small culinary insight into local flavours as you take in the sights and stories that surround these landmarks. Previous guests say you will have a guide who is very knowledgeable, friendly, responsive, patient and accommodating, and who engages visitors with fun and humour. The pace and commentary will suit travellers who want to cover the city’s key highlights in a limited time, offering a concise but enriching visit to some of Istanbul’s most important places.