Istanbul is famous as the only city in the world that rests in two continents i.e. Europe and Asia. Its unique location and iconic historical landmarks like Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque add to its immense fame among global tourists. Each year thousands of them book Turkey holidays with well-versed travel agencies to explore the majestical beauty here.
Whether you want to sail Bosphorus or explore the old streets and markets here, the list of things to do in Turkey is beyond count. For those looking for a blend of culture, aesthetics, delicious food, and inspiring architecture, Istanbul is one of the most preferred travel sites. It stands out as a place with fast-paced yet peaceful life and where each corners exudes a unique story. Further, it is highly accessible with plenty of direct flights operating from all across the world. Experience the best of the city with guided historical tours to the below-mentioned sites and explore in style without feeling lost or overwhelmed.
In this post, we will walk you through what to expect from guided historical tours and what to explore in Istanbul during your Turkey holidays.
What’s Included in a Guided Tour?
Though it is quite easy to explore Istanbul on your own, but with a guided tour, things get sorted and way better and seamless for you and your loved ones. In the company of an experienced local guide, you can get to explore all the hidden spots as well as hear relevant stories that anyone would rarely know about. That’s the beauty of a guided tour and that is why we highly recommend it.
With such tours, you don’t need to line up and wait in long queues, proving to be a time-savvy choice in all cases. You can book either a half-day, full-day, or even multi-day tours in Istanbul depending on how much time you have to spare.
Here is what to expect in a guided tour in Istanbul:
- Professional English-speaking and multi-lingual guides.
- Optional transport
- Entry tickets for top sites in Istanbul
- Background stories and historical details
- Tips for finding the best food and shopping spots
Istanbul’s Top Gems You Can Explore with Guided Tours
Here is a short list of top places in Istanbul you can exploring during Turkey holidays by booking a guided tour:
Place #1 – Hagia Sophia
Pronounced as “Aya Sofya”, this historical wonder is one of the most visited places in Istanbul. Over the years, it has served as a church and a mosque as well. Now, it includes both a museum and a mosque. This was built back in 537 AD and boasts an impressive build, intricate mosaics, a distinctive dome, and much more. To get the best insights into the ancient Islamic and Christian past, you need to book a guided tour to this amazing site in Istanbul, Turkey.
Place #2 – Blue Mosque
As the name suggests, it is famous for its unique blue Iznik tiles and the beautiful six minarets that can be seen even from a distance. It is located near to Hagia Sophia and thus you can explore both in a single go. The mosque is though used for prayers, but is also open for those who simply want to tour across it. With a guided tour, you can get a perfect chance to understand its artistic design in depth as well as learn about the religious significance of this place. When deciding to visit this place, one thing you should keep in mind is to respect the dress code. Wear modest clothes and women should cover their heads with a scarf as a token of respect.
Place # 3 – Topkapi Palace
Topkapi Palace was the central residence of the Ottoman Sultans throughout nearly 400 years. It is the most significant and gorgeous monument of Istanbul. Once you come to this palace you will be able to see the way the Ottoman royals lived, ruled and had their everyday life. Visiting Topkapi Palace is like a journey back in time to the era of sultans, royal ceremonies and the great empire that used to control vast territories of the world.
It is a huge palace with vast courtyards, beautiful gardens, and properties that are used to display fantastic Islamic and Ottoman architecture. Coming to the interior of the palace, expect to see valuable things such as cloak and sword of the Prophet Muhammad, royal jewelry, ancient books, and golden thrones. The sultans attached a lot of importance to these things which are now exhibited in glass cases. The Harem of this palace is one of the most visited sections. It is usually visited on guided tours where the visitors can get a chance to understand how life was on the other side of the walls. It is also possible to admire the beautiful views of Bosphorus Strait that are available on the terraces of the palace.
Place # 4 – Basilica Cistern
Basilica Cistern is a massive underground water storage facility constructed in the 6th century during the era of the Byzantine Empire. It is situated at the very center of Istanbul and near to some of the well-known sites as the Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque. It is one of the most wonderful and mysterious places to visit in Istanbul during your Turkey luxury holidays.
The Basilica Cistern is not only the place where you can know more about the ancient construction, it is also famous for quite experiences it shares. The underground attractions here are worth-visiting whether you are interested in history or you simply want to see something new.
Place # 5 – Grand Bazaar
Your holidays to Turkey are still incomplete if you haven’t shopped your heart out at Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar! It is a well-known market that is among the oldest and largest markets in the whole world. It was established back in the 15th century and is quite popular among the tourists and locals alike. The market serves as an open large maze, where there are small streets and colourful shops at every glance.
It has more than 4,000 stores within it and you can find different types of interesting things here, as per your likings. Whether you want to buy hand-made carpets, glittering lamps, gold and silver jewellery, soft scarves, leather bags, painted ceramics, or any other thing, here you can find all. You can also treat yourself to different stalls with Turkish delight, dried fruits, spices, teas, and sweets, and everything smells truly great here! Just stroll across the Grand Bazaar, and you will enjoy an experience you will never forget no matter if you have purchased anything or not.
Place #6 – Spice Bazaar (Egyptian Bazaar)
The Egyptian Bazaar, also called the Spice Bazaar, is though smaller than the Grand Bazaar but is no less exciting in its own right. It is also among the oldest markets in Istanbul and famous for its colourful stores and fantastic aroma. The moment you enter the market, you will get to sense the sweet and spicy smell of herbs, teas, and snacks. This serves as a feast to your senses and taste buds equally. Overall, this market is an excellent spot to purchase local food, exotic gifts and souvenirs.
Get a chance to buy Turkish delight of every colour and flavour, bags filled with dried fruits like apricots and figs, roasted nuts, and a myriad of spices such as saffron, sumac, cinnamon and chili. With a guided tour, you can best know different stalls and where to shop for the best things. They also allow you to taste small portions so that you may know what you like before you purchase. There are numerous sellers that are quite friendly and offer you a bite of Turkish delight or a small cup of local tea out of generosity and as a gesture to greet you.
Hope this mini-guide helped you. Embark on the best Turkey holidays with Virikson Holidays and get a chance to explore maximum historical landmarks under guided supervision here.
By
