Blue Mosque, Sultanahmet Old Town & Hippodrome Guided Tour

Overview

Available languages

German

English

Italian

French

Spanish

1 hour 30 minutes

Mobile ticket

Discover the wonderful history and fascinating culture of Istanbul, Turkey, with this afternoon tour that takes you to some of the city's most popular landmarks amongst both tourists and locals. Get picked up at your hotel in Istanbul, then depart for the first stop of the tour. Also known as the Seraglio, this museum, which was formerly used as an official residence of sultans during the Ottaman era, is filled with a jewel-filled treasury and opulent design that gives you a peek into its past. Check out the stunning architecture of the Hagia Irene Church, with a dome 35 meters high and peaked roofs on all four corners. Learn about Istanbul as you explore the Caferağa Medresseh, an educational institution built in 1559, with your English-speaking tour guide. Your last stop for the tour is Sogukcesme Street, a small street in Istanbul's Sultanahmet neighborhood filled with beautiful historic houses, before you get dropped off back at your hotel.

Additional Info

Wheelchair accessible

Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap

Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

What To Expect

German Fountain

The German Fountain (Turkish: Alman Çeşmesi; German: Deutscher Brunnen) is a gazebo styled fountain in the northern end of the former Hippodrome of Constantinople (Sultanahmet Square) in Istanbul and across from the Mausoleum of Sultan Ahmed I. It was constructed to commemorate the second anniversary of German Emperor Wilhelm II's visit to Istanbul in 1898. It was built in Germany, then transported piece by piece and assembled on its current site in 1900. The neo-Byzantine style fountain's octagonal dome has eight marble columns, and dome's interior is covered with golden mosaics.

15 minutes • Admission Included

Hippodrome

Although the Hippodrome is usually associated with Constantinople's days of glory as an imperial capital, it actually predates that era. The first Hippodrome was built when the city was called Byzantium, and was a provincial town of moderate importance. In AD 203 the Emperor Septimius Severus rebuilt the city and expanded its walls, endowing it with a hippodrome, an arena for chariot races and other entertainment.

25 minutes • Admission Included

What‘s Included

Hotel pick-up

Entrance fees

Guide

Lunch and Hotel drop off

Options

Private Tour

Small Group Tour

Reviews

5.00

5 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

Emrah is an exceptional guide
christyh521,,Jan 13, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Emrah was an amazing guide! Even though it was raining and cold, he took us to all of the sights. He gave us detailed information and history of everywhere we went. Emrah answered all of our questions and made us feel comfortable the entire trip. Highly recommend this day trip!
Very nice tour!!
Q7056VKmarioa,,May 13, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
I recommend it!!!👍👍 It was very interesting and the tourguy was very good with all the information! The time in every places was perfect
First visit to Istanbul
rossellavaleriamarip,,May 9, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
The tour was well organized and our guide very knowledgeable. I really appreciated this type of walking tour which allows you to better appreciate not only the planned attractions but also the context and environment in which they are found
The tour guide’s introduction is very detailed 👍🏻
Connie M,,Mar 31, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Our experience during this visit was very good. We originally planned to meet at a meeting point, but they WhatsApped us the day before and would pick us up at the hotel. This service was very considerate. In addition, the tour guide introduced each scenic spot very clearly.