3-Day Istanbul City Break: Old City Highlights & Blue Mosque
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
Discover Istanbul’s historic heart on a 3-day, 2-night Istanbul city tour package with TravelShopBooking. Combining hotel accommodation, airport transfers and a guided Old City tour, this short escape is ideal for first-time visitors looking for an introduction to the city’s Byzantine and Ottoman heritage.
Explore the ancient Hippodrome, visit the magnificent Blue Mosque and admire Hagia Sophia from outside. Learn about the Ottoman sultans at the exterior of Topkapi Palace and hear the story of the Basilica Cistern during a stop outside its entrance.
With two buffet breakfasts and time to explore independently, this Istanbul city break brings together cultural discovery and convenient travel arrangements. Interior admission to Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace and the Basilica Cistern is not included.
Route
The interactive map couldn’t be loaded.
View the route on Google MapsItinerary
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.
Professional English-speaking guide during the city tour.
Guiding Method Fully guided
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.
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.
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.
We're ready to help.
Availability
Now, just deposit 25% of the total
Book the tour by paying only 25% upfront, and settle the remaining amount 30 days before departure.
No scheduled departures for the selected month — try another month or send an enquiry.
Online availability isn't published for this tour. Please send us an enquiry and we'll help you book.
Upcoming departures
-
Starts→EndsTotal
What our travelers say
Real, verified reviews from travelers who explored Turkey with us — straight from Tripadvisor.
“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.”
“The Travelshop team made our trip to Istanbul truly unforgettable. Everyone was extremely professional, from the first message to the last day.”
“Our recent tour of Türkiye was an unforgettable experience, made truly exceptional by our highly knowledgeable and personable guide, Ash.”
“Mrs. Derya Buyukgol stepped up with extraordinary commitment and professionalism, securing full refunds across all our services. Truly grateful.”
Reviews are sourced from our verified Tripadvisor profile.
Similar Tours & Activities
Hand-picked trips in the same category — more unforgettable ways to explore.