Istanbul: Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia & Sultanahmet Tour
Overview
Available languages
3 hours
Mobile ticket
Begin your journey in the lively Sultanah met district, where you'll meet your expert guide at a convenient starting point. Your first stop is the famed Blue Mosque, renowned for stunning blue tiles.
As your guide leads you through its fascinating history, you'll be immersed in the mosque's captivating atmosphere. Pause to admire the panoramic views of modern Istanbul from the mosque's courtyard before meandering through the ancient streets.
Discover the Hippodrome, once the vibrant social and political center of the city.
Explore the remarkable evolution of this site from a Greek Orthodox cathedral to a mosque following the Ottoman conquest of Constantinople. Be awed by the harmonious blend of mosque and church architecture, featuring grand domes, towering minarets, exquisite mosaics.
Continue your journey through the Hagia Sophia, where you'll learn about its ornate Iznik tiles, the iconic Virgin Mary mosaic, and the intriguing tradition of sultans being buried in its courtyard.
Additional Info
Public transportation options are available nearby
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Please arrive at the meeting point on time. If you are more than 5 minutes late, the guide will not be able to wait. For the sake of the tour’s atmosphere and flow, we cannot allow late arrivals to join once the tour has started.
Please be aware that once the tour begins, the guide will be fully focused on leading the group and cannot answer phone calls or assist latecomers.
Thank you for your understanding, and we look forward to welcoming you on the tour!
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
German Fountain
Situated at the northern end of the famous hippodrome known as Sultanahmet Square, the German Fountain (also known as the Kaiser William Fountain) was built in 1898 to commemorate the German Emperor’s visit to Istanbul. Designed in a Neo-Byzantine style by a team of German and Italian architects, the fountain survives today as a testament to Germany and Turkey’s longstanding friendship.
Sultanahmet District
With buildings dating from the early Byzantine through the late Ottoman periods, the bustling Sultanahmet District is thick with historical and religious attractions. Behold the breathtaking Hagia Sophia Museum, witness the opulent lives of sultans at Topkapi Palace, go underground to explore the Basilica Cistern, experience the active Blue Mosque and its intricate tile work, shop for the perfect souvenir at the Grand Bazaar, and imagine horse racing at the site of the ancient Hippodrome. Most guided tours of the Sultanahmet District visit all of the six main sites, and often allow you to skip the long lines. Opt for private or group tours of various lengths to suit your travel style and schedule.
What‘s Included
Professional guide
Entrance fees (if option selected)
Transfer
Food and drinks
Options
Including Entry Tickets
Tickets: This option includes entry tickets.
Reviews
525 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Fun and Informative Tour
E3460MOshawns,,Dec 19, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our tour guide was Ece. She was quite knowledgeable and explained the historical significance of the sites in great detail. Time management wise, the tour was operated smoothly as well.
Emre is the best
Walter C,,Dec 16, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Emre was incredibly knowledgeable and articulate while keeping everything fun. Tailored the tour to our interests and covered everything we wanted to see.
Tour with Ece
m0hammadharrisj,,Dec 15, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our tour guide, Ece, was very welcoming and kind. She was also very knowledgeable and was able to provide history of each site we visited. The tour guide is an absolute must as it makes it so much easier to navigate, learn, but most importantly, to enjoy. Thank you!
2 fantastic hours in Istanbul
Quest66926357144,,Dec 15, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Very structured, Very interesting. All questions were answered competently. Great knowledge of culture and religion.
Excellent experience
G4657NHdianac,,Dec 13, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I recently booked the Tourmania - Istanbul: Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia & Sultanahmet Tour, and it was truly a fantastic experience. From start to finish, everything was well-organized and thoughtfully planned. Our guide was incredibly knowledgeable, engaging, and passionate about Istanbul’s rich history—he answered every question with insight and enthusiasm. The tour itself was far from ordinary. Each stop, from the majestic Blue Mosque to the awe-inspiring Hagia Sophia, was brought to life with fascinating stories and historical context. I especially appreciated how smoothly everything ran and how the guide kept the group engaged throughout. It never felt rushed or dull—just the right balance of information and exploration. I would absolutely recommend this tour to anyone visiting Istanbul. It’s a perfect introduction to the city’s cultural heart, and Tourmania does a wonderful job making it memorable.
Great tour
scots571,,Dec 13, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Emre was very personable and knowledgeable. Great tour that you see a lot in a short amount of time. Great way to see the major sites
a great guided tour
lottag832,,Dec 13, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had a fantastic tour of Hagia Sofia, the blus mosque and the cistern - our guide was very knowledgeable and informative and the group was small enough for the flow to be smooth
Must do tour!
nifrant1,,Dec 11, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The guide Emre is very professional & educated person. We enjoyed everything! Entry tickets were prepaid, so we didn’t wait in the queue.
Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque
testaniken4,,Dec 10, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The tour was great and our guide John was excellent. Very knowledgeable and engaging. He provided a lot of interesting details regarding the history of each location visited.
Complete Tour
59karanm,,Dec 7, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Great experience, Embrae is a very insightful guide, would recommend this tour to anyone seeking a full experience…..
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