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3-Day Istanbul City Break: Old City Highlights & Blue Mosque

4.8 607 reviews 🏆 Travelers' Choice 2026
/ 10
Duration
3 days 7h
Max Group Size
40
Departure Type
Scheduled
Guiding Method
Fully guided
Physical Level
Easy
Operated In
English
Age Requirement
11 - 90 Ages

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.

Overview

Route

Journey 3 stops

Itinerary

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.

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.

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.

Trip includes

Included

Two nights of hotel accommodation in Istanbul - 5 Star Ramada By Wyndham Istanbul Pera

Please Note: If the above hotels are not available we will provide the similar category hotels.

Hotel

Professional English-speaking guide during the city tour.

Guiding Method Fully guided

English

Arrival transfer from Istanbul Airport (IST) to your hotel.
Departure transfer from your hotel to Istanbul Airport (IST).
Transportation for the scheduled transfers and city tour in an air-conditioned, non-smoking vehicle.

Coach / Bus Mini-coach Private Vehicle

Blue Mosque visit, subject to visitor access.
Exterior visits to Hagia Sophia and Topkapi Palace.
Exterior stop at the Basilica Cistern.
Hotel city/accommodation tax.

Admission clarification: The standard itinerary does not include paid museum or monument admission tickets.

  • Duration: Three days and two nights, with one guided sightseeing day.

  • Airport transfers: The package includes transfers to and from Istanbul Airport (IST). If travelling through Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW), request confirmation of transfer arrangements and any supplement before booking.

  • Hotel details: The hotel name, category and room type will be confirmed in your booking offer.

  • Exterior sightseeing: Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace and the Basilica Cistern are included as exterior stops only. Their interior attractions require separate tickets.

  • Optional visits: Purchasing admission does not automatically extend the guided tour. Interior visits must fit the schedule or be arranged separately.

  • Mosque dress code: Wear clothing that covers shoulders and knees. Women should bring a scarf to cover their hair, and shoes must be removed before entering the Blue Mosque.

  • Visitor access: Religious services, security measures and unexpected restrictions may affect the Blue Mosque visit or the order of sightseeing.

  • Walking: The Old City tour involves walking over paved and occasionally uneven surfaces. Comfortable shoes are recommended.

  • Meals: Only two buffet breakfasts are included. Lunches, dinners and Indian meals are not included; dietary requests should be shared before travel.

  • Check-in and check-out: Hotel timings apply. Early check-in and late check-out are subject to availability and may incur additional charges.

  • Free-time activities: Grand Bazaar, Spice Bazaar and other excursions are not part of the standard itinerary.

  • Tour arrangements: Share your flight details and any mobility requirements before arrival so transfers and sightseeing can be coordinated.

Excluded

International and domestic flights.

Lunches, dinners, drinks and meals other than the two included breakfasts.

Vegetarian Halal Meat

Insurance: All types

Türkiye entry visa fees, where applicable.
Hagia Sophia interior/tourist visiting-area admission.
Topkapi Palace admission, including the Harem and other ticketed sections.
Basilica Cistern admission.
Additional guiding or transport required for optional interior visits.
Lunches, dinners, drinks and meals other than the two included breakfasts.
Personal expenses, minibar, laundry and hotel extras.
Tips for guides and drivers.
Travel, medical and cancellation insurance.
Optional excursions, including Princes’ Islands, Isfanbul/Vialand, Miniaturk, shopping tours and Istanbul Aquarium.
Any service not expressly listed under “Included.”

Need help or have a question about this tour?

If you have any question about this tour or need help with planning a trip, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us. We're ready to help.

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Availability

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Tripadvisor
4.8
Based on 607 traveler reviews
🏆 Travelers' Choice 2026 #38 of 1,226 in Istanbul
Read all 607 reviews
Traveler Stories

What our travelers say

Real, verified reviews from travelers who explored Turkey with us — straight from Tripadvisor.

May 2026

“We had an incredible experience on the 14-day ANZAC Gallipoli and Türkiye tour. The real highlight was our guide, Mert — outstanding from start to finish.”

S
Sharon H
Australia
Nov 2025

“The Travelshop team made our trip to Istanbul truly unforgettable. Everyone was extremely professional, from the first message to the last day.”

H
Hikmet G
Reviewed on Tripadvisor
Oct 2025

“Our recent tour of Türkiye was an unforgettable experience, made truly exceptional by our highly knowledgeable and personable guide, Ash.”

B
Bruce M
Reviewed on Tripadvisor
Jan 2026

“Mrs. Derya Buyukgol stepped up with extraordinary commitment and professionalism, securing full refunds across all our services. Truly grateful.”

R
Roaming Routes
India

Reviews are sourced from our verified Tripadvisor profile.