Daily Tours in Istanbul City
A modern city with a very ancient past. A city which is the only city in the world to be located on the continents of both Europe and Asia. Istanbul was the capital of three great empires in history: The Roman, the Byzantine and finally the Ottoman Empire. The city still holds many of the great monuments of these times. Founded by the mythological King Byzas in the 7th century B.C., it later became known during the time of the Emperor Constantine, as Constantinople. During the peak of the Byzantine Empire the St.Sophia was built and the great underground cisterns. After Sultan Mehmet conquered the city in 1453, the city was adorned with more magnificent structures, such as the Suleymaniye Mosque of the great architect Sinan. There is more than just history to see in the multi-color city of Istanbul but you just need time !
-St.Sophia One of the greatest marvels of architecture constructed as a basilica in the 6th. centurybyEmperor Justinien.
-Blue mosque Facing St.Sophia famous with its blue İznik tiles and unique with 6 minarets built in the name of Sultan Ahmet.
-Hippodromme Center of sportive (chariot races, athletics) events and political activities of the old city.
-Turkish&IslamicArtsMuseum and Covered Bazaar The most attractive and biggest shopping center in the world with nearly 4000 shops.
-Topkapı Palace imperial residence of Ottoman Sultans exibiting imperial treasury, Chinese porcelain, weapons, calligraphy section etc.
-Süleymaniye Mosque Masterpiece of famous architect Sinan, built in the name of Süleyman the Magnificient during the 16th. century.
-Also visioned during the tours: Aquaduct of Valens, Obelisk of Theodosius, Serpentine Column, German Fountain of Wilhelm II, Galata Bridge, Golden Horn
- Spice Bazaar:(Egyptian Bazaar) Mystical smells of different aromas of various spices. Shops selling fruits vegetables, flowers and fish etc.
-Bosphorus on boat Cruise through the waterway separating the two continents, Asia and Europe, with a possibility to take pictures of marble palaces, ancient wooden villas of Ottoman architechture besides modern residentials and luxurious apartments .
-Rumeli Fortress Historical armament built by the conquerer to control and protect Bosphorus. A unique example of military architecture.
-Dolmabahçe Palace The last residence for Ottoman Sultans with 365 rooms and 22 saloons. Famous with the great collection of European antiquitity, furniture and 4.5 tons chandelier.
By Travelling on Bosphorus Bridge you will have the Unique chance to step from one continent (ASIA) to another (EUROPE) in two minutes. 
Çamlıca Hill Exposing a panoramic view of Istanbul and Bosphorus from the best point of view.

( * CLOSED : Spice bazaar on Sunday Dolmabahçe Palace on Monday & Thursday / Replaced with Imperial Yıldız Park and Yıldız Porcelain factory / Rumeli Fortress on Monday....)
-Cruise in MARMARA SEA to PRINCES' ISLANDS, stop at Büyükada, the popular summer resort with sandy beaches and pinewood scenery. Once the pleasure island of Byzantian Princes. Tour of the island with horse-drawn carriages before lunch Evening return to Istanbul and transfer to hotels.
More Destinations..
-CHORA church (Kariye Museum): A beautiful example of the beginning of Byzantine renaissance with its mosaics and frescoes depicting the scenes from the lives of the mother of god and christ.
- The Patriarchate: A Visit to the St.George’s church, The Spiritual center of the greek church
- EYÜP Mosque: The Holiest mosque of Istanbul dedicated to the memory of prophet mohammed's Standard-Bearer Eyüp Ensari. Behing the mosque, there is the Türbe (Burial Site) of the standard-bearer which has the most beautiful samples İznic tiles.
- Café Pierre Loti: Wonderful view of Golden Horn and Istanbul, famous French Author Pierre Loti (1850-1923) came to this place and wrote a lot of poems about Istanbul, the Golden Horn and Life in the Harem, here.
- Kariye Museum is closed on Tuesday.
ISTANBUL TOURS - SMALL GROUPS/individuals FULL-DAY TOURS (All Year Round Possible)

*See the highlights and the back streets of the "real" Istanbul
*Small Group Tours are limited to 10 passengers
 (minimum 2 passengers required for departure)
*Lunches in cozy local restaurants with fresh quality food
*Informative and enthusiastic professional local guides
*Tours with more relaxing atmosphere- not a lot of running!
*Hotel and tour packages available for Istanbul-Bursa and other areas of Turkey.

SULTANAHMET Area TOUR (70 USD per person)

Visit The St. (Haghia) Sophia, which was built by the Emperor Justinian. It was the largest building in the world for over 1000 years. See its mosaics and huge central dome. Continue with the Topkapi palace, which was used by the Ottoman Sultans from the 15th to 19th centuries. We will also see the impressive collection of priceless jewels, crystal, silver and porcelain, robes worn by the sultans and relics of the prophet Mohammed. (Entrance to the Harem is extra). After lunch we will see the Blue Mosque, built for Sultan Ahmet I, which is a unique piece of architecture with its six minarets and features 20,000 beautiful Iznik tiles. Visit the ancient Hippodrome with Obelisk of Theodosius, Snake Pillar and German Fountain of Wilhelm II.  We may contnue with the Islamc Arts museum-Ibrahim Paşa Palace and the hidden underground Theodosian Cistern. See the Grand Covered Bazaar.It is possible to make this tour as a walking tour. (LUNCH INCLUDED)

BYZANTINE CITY WALLS, CHORA, EYUP, PIERRE LOTI HILL  TOUR (70 USD per person)

We start our tour by taking a drive along the shore of the Marmara Sea, viewing some interesting sections of the ancient sea walls and Fortress of the Seven towers with the Golden gate. We continue with the Theodosian land walls where people work in their small gardens and horse cart is still being used for transportation. One interesting stop will be the Sacred Spring of the Fish (Balıklı Greek Orthodox Church). This important orthodox church is more than 1500 years old and was founded during the early Byzantine Empire. The chapel courtyard is paved with tombstones. Our tour will continue with Kariye Church (Chora museum) with its famous 14th century mosaics and frescoes, depicting scenes from the Bible, then with Tekfur Palace, one of the best examples of Byzantine architecture existing in Turkey was also used as ceramic factory-kilns for while during the Ottoman period. We finish our tour visiting Pierre Loti Hill with the great view of the Golden Horn. We walk down to Eyup Imperial Mosque and tomb of the standard bearer of Mohammed. (LUNCH INCLUDED)

BEYOĞLU Istiklal-Galata TOUR  (60 USD per person)

Lets take a walk along the most famous street of Istanbul visiting the back streets ad the most famous monuments of the area. The tour ends at Galata Tower or at Taksim square. (LUNCH INCLUDED)

MARKET AREA TOUR (50 USD per person)

Lets take walking tour through the covered Bazaar then down to Mısır Çarşısı-The spice market visiting on our way the Baroque style Nuruosmaniye mosque, then the Rustem paşa mosque with its world famous iznik tiles. 


GROUP TOURS INCLUDE
*All full-day small group tours include entry fees and lunch
*Pick up and drop off at your hotel, but some tours may be done as a walking tour
*Transportation in A/C non-smoking car or minibus with professional English speaking guide and driver and ferry if needed. 

GROUP TOURS DO NOT INCLUDE:
Beverages, tips and personal expenses. 
Combine İstanbul and Bursa and see both ! Package offer for the two cities! Click...!
Other tours and destinations are organised upon request in Istanbul and it’s region..

Karagöz Tourism Travel Agency
Kapalıçarşı eski Aynalı çarşı No: 4 16020 Bursa
Tel /fax: 224 2218727-2205350