Exploring Istanbul’s iconic landmarks has never been easier. The Skip-The-Line: Istanbul City Highlights Tour with Lunch offers a convenient way to experience the city’s top attractions, from the grandeur of Hagia Sophia to the bustling Grand Bazaar. With skip-the-line access, you’ll avoid lengthy queues and learn about the city’s rich history and vibrant culture. Accompanied by a professional English-speaking guide and a delightful lunch, this tour promises an unforgettable day in one of the world’s most captivating destinations. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a seasoned traveler, this tour might just be the key to unlocking the true essence of Istanbul.
Key Points
- This comprehensive full-day small-group tour covers iconic Istanbul landmarks like Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, and the Blue Mosque with skip-the-line access.
- The tour includes lunch at a local restaurant and provides wheelchair-accessible transportation with flexibility for pickup times.
- Professional English-speaking guides lead the experience, and admission fees for Topkapi Palace and Hagia Sophia can be purchased separately.
- The tour is designed for travelers with mobility challenges, with wheelchair-friendly surfaces and strollers/infant seats provided.
- The tour has a maximum group size of 12 and a free cancellation policy up to 24 hours before the start.
Tour Overview
This SKIP-THE-LINE: Istanbul City Highlights Tour w/LUNCH offers visitors a comprehensive, full-day small-group guided experience showcasing the city’s top attractions.
The tour covers iconic landmarks like the Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, Hippodrome, Blue Mosque, and Grand Bazaar.
Participants will enjoy skip-the-line access, avoiding long queues, and a delicious lunch at a local restaurant.
With an experienced English-speaking guide, travelers can explore Istanbul’s rich history and culture.
The tour caters to various needs, providing wheelchair-accessible transportation, stroller and infant seats, and free admission for children under 8.
Flexibility is also a key feature, as pickup times can be adjusted for cruise arrivals and departures.
Inclusions
The tour includes a professional English-speaking guide, a lunch at a local restaurant, and land transportation in a high model vehicle. Sightseeing at all mentioned locations and drinks during lunch are also provided.
The admission fees for Topkapi Palace and Hagia Sophia are excluded, but pre-paid skip-the-line tickets are available to avoid long queues. These skip-the-line tickets can be purchased from the guide in cash, in dollars, euros, or Turkish lira.
The tour is accessible for wheelchair users, and strollers and infant seats are available. Children under 8 can join the tour for free with a valid passport.
Pickup Details
Centrally located Istanbul hotels and the Istanbul Port (Sultanahmet, Taksim, Besiktas, Sisli) offer pickup for this tour.
Confirmation of the pickup time is required before the tour date, and pickup times can be adjusted for cruise arrival and departure.
Cruise guests also receive a guarantee of drop-off at the port before their ship’s onboard time.
Children under 8 can join the tour for free, but they’ll need to provide a passport.
The tour is accessible, with wheelchair-friendly transportation and strollers available.
Guests should note that the Grand Bazaar is closed on Sundays, and the Topkapi Palace is closed on Tuesdays, in which case the Basilica Cistern will be visited instead.
Accessibility
The tour offers wheelchair-accessible transportation, and strollers and infant seats are available for families.
Most travelers can participate in the experience, as the surfaces are wheelchair-friendly. This means those with mobility challenges can fully enjoy the highlights of Istanbul without any barriers.
Whether you’re exploring the grand Hagia Sophia or wandering through the vibrant Grand Bazaar, the tour is designed to accommodate diverse needs.
The company ensures that all travelers can enjoy the city’s rich history and culture, making this a truly inclusive experience.
Important Notes
On Tuesdays, Topkapi Palace is closed, and instead, the Basilica Cistern will be visited. The Grand Bazaar also remains closed on Sundays.
Travelers can cancel their booking for free up to 24 hours before the tour starts. This small-group tour accommodates a maximum of 12 participants, and the price varies based on the group size, with a lowest price guarantee.
Lastly, guests must confirm their pickup location up to 24 hours prior to the activity.
The tour covers all the major highlights of Istanbul, including Hagia Sophia, the Topkapi Palace, the Hippodrome, the Blue Mosque, and the Grand Bazaar, providing a rundown of the city’s rich history and cultural heritage.
Booking and Cancellation
Travelers can conveniently book the Istanbul City Highlights Tour up to 24 hours before the experience starts. Plus, they may cancel their booking for free up to 24 hours prior to the tour. This flexibility allows guests to plan their trip with ease.
The tour has a maximum of 12 travelers per group, ensuring an intimate and personalized experience. Prices vary based on group size, with a lowest price guarantee.
Visitors can confirm their pickup location up to 24 hours before the activity. This hassle-free booking process and cancellation policy make it simple for travelers to secure their spot on this comprehensive tour of Istanbul’s top attractions.
Group Size and Pricing
This tour accommodates a maximum of 12 travelers per group, ensuring an intimate and personalized experience.
Pricing for the Istanbul City Highlights Tour varies based on the group size, with a lowest price guarantee. Whether you’re traveling solo, with a partner, or as part of a small group, you’ll benefit from competitive rates.
The more people in your party, the lower the per-person cost. This flexibility makes the tour accessible to a wide range of budgets.
The operator is committed to providing the best value, so you can focus on enjoying the highlights of Istanbul without worrying about the price tag.
Book now and secure your spot on this popular tour.
Tour Highlights
Exploring the iconic Hagia Sophia, a former Byzantine cathedral and Ottoman mosque, provides a captivating glimpse into Istanbul’s rich cultural heritage. Venturing into the opulent Topkapi Palace, the former residence of Ottoman sultans, unveils a treasure trove of architectural wonders and historical artifacts. Traversing the Hippodrome, the center of Byzantine public life, offers a chance to visualize the grandeur of ancient Constantinople. Marveling at the exquisite Blue Mosque, with its stunning blue-tiled interior, is a quintessential Istanbul experience. Immersing oneself in the vibrant atmosphere of the Grand Bazaar, one of the world’s largest covered markets, allows for engaging with local artisans and discovering unique souvenirs.
| Highlight | Description |
|---|---|
| Hagia Sophia | Former Byzantine cathedral and Ottoman mosque |
| Topkapi Palace | Former residence of Ottoman sultans |
| Hippodrome | Center of Byzantine public life |
| Blue Mosque | Exquisite blue-tiled interior |
| Grand Bazaar | One of the world’s largest covered markets |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the Tour Be Customized for Individual Preferences?
The tour can likely be customized to some degree for individual preferences. Customers should inquire with the tour provider about options for tailoring the itinerary or activities to suit their specific interests and needs.
What Type of Cuisine Is Served During the Lunch?
The tour provides a lunch at a local restaurant, which typically serves authentic Turkish cuisine. The menu may include dishes like kebabs, Turkish meze platters, or traditional Turkish rice and vegetable dishes, though the exact menu may vary.
Is There an Option to Extend the Tour Duration?
There is no explicit option to extend the tour duration. The tour is a pre-set full-day itinerary. However, travelers may be able to arrange additional time at select sites by communicating with the tour provider prior to the tour date.
Can We Stop at Any Additional Sites Not Listed in the Highlights?
While the tour covers the main highlights, there may be opportunities to visit additional sites not listed, depending on the group’s interests and the guide’s discretion. However, this would need to be discussed with the tour provider beforehand.
Is Photography Permitted at All the Visited Locations?
Photography is generally permitted at most major tourist sites in Istanbul. However, some restrictions may apply, such as no photography allowed in certain areas of religious or historical significance. Travelers should check with their guide for specific guidelines at each location.
Recap
The Skip-The-Line: Istanbul City Highlights Tour with Lunch offers an efficient and immersive way to explore Istanbul’s iconic landmarks.
Travelers can skip the queues, enjoy a delicious lunch, and learn about the city’s rich history from knowledgeable guides – all within a small group setting.
This tour is an ideal choice for those seeking a convenient and personalized Istanbul experience.
