Small Group Best of Istanbul: Hagia Sophia, Basilica Cistern & Blue Mosque

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Duration: 3h 30m
Location: Istanbul, Turkey | Istanbul, Turkey


Category: Attractions

Highlights:
Exploration of historic Istanbul with an expert tour guide
Fast-Track entrance to UNESCO-listed Hagia Sophia
Elegant architecture & interiors of the Blue Mosque
Medusa carvings & Roman history at Basilica Cistern
Small group of up to 15 people for an intimate experience

Inclusions:
Guided tour of the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, and Basilica Cistern
Admission fees and Fast-Track entrance to Hagia Sophia and Basilica Cistern
Live tour commentary provided in English
Headset for tour commentary for groups larger than 6

Description:

Discover the best of historic Istanbul on this guided tour. Traveling in a small and intimate group, you can experience the benefit of having a licensed local guide as you skip long general queues at Hagia Sophia and the Basilica Cistern—making the most of your visit.

Meet your guide bright and early at the Blue Mosque, where you can enter before the chaos of the daytime crowds. Enjoy a guided tour, hearing about the rituals that take place here and the fascinating history of Istanbul’s changing religions, which some have considered a symbol of a shift from West to East.

Your guide leads you across the ancient Roman Hippodrome to Hagia Sophia—Istanbul’s most in-demand site. The lines here often stretch for hours, but you can gain immediate access with your licensed guide. Explore the interior together with your small group, hearing the history of a structure that has housed not just 1 but 2 major world religions. Spot traces of its tumultuous past in the charming gold mosaics that hang on every wall.

The last stop of the morning is a little cooler. Venture underground at the Basilica Cistern to see its charming Medusa carvings and hear of its fascinating origins. Again, traveling with a guide has its benefits as you skip long lines here too.