• Istanbul - The attractions listed below are not intended to be visited on every tour due to time constraints. The itinerary can be adjusted by the guide’s recommendation or the traveler’s preferences, with the traveler’s agreement, considering factors such as crowds, restoration work, personal interests, fitness levels, weather conditions, closure times, public gatherings, political rallies, religious/public holidays, marathons, traffic, and flight arrival times. A tentative itinerary will be shared before the tour day.
• Hippodrome - Modeled after the Circus Maximus in Rome, the Byzantine Hippodrome was the new capital of the Roman Empire. Discover the tales of triumphant chariot racers and admire the monuments erected by ambitious Roman engineers, including the Egyptian Obelisk, Serpent Column, and Column of Constantine.
• Blue Mosque - As a functioning mosque, the guide will take visitors inside the mosque complex between prayer times and assist with borrowing a scarf or skirt if necessary. It is closed until 2:00 pm on Fridays due to the Friday noon prayer service.
• Hagia Sophia Mosque - Discover the architectural wonder of Hagia Sophia Mosque with a licensed tour guide, exploring its architectural, religious, and political significance. Note that Hagia Sophia opens at 10:00 am, is closed on Fridays until 2:00 pm, and welcomes visitors until 10:00 pm.

Hagia Sophia serves as both an active mosque for Muslim worshippers and a museum for international visitors. Please note that the admission fee is 850 TL or 28 USD, and the experience lasts approximately 45 minutes. Admission tickets are not included.

• Basilica Cistern - Descend the stairs to find a palace-like underground water system, built by the Romans in the 6th century. Its vast size allowed it to store ample water, serving the Roman Palace and the surrounding area until it was forgotten. Today, it awaits rediscovery.

The admission fee for this historical site is 1500 TL or 35 USD.

• Grand Bazaar Jewelers - Built in the 1460s by order of Ottoman Sultan Mehmet the Conqueror to generate income for maintaining their newly converted mosque, the Grand Bazaar is the world’s oldest shopping mall. Located at the crossroads of oriental trade routes, the bazaar became grand and famous. Today, with 3,000 shops, it offers a wide range of colorful items, from simple souvenirs to expensive goods like jewelry, carpets, mosaic lamps, magnets, and leather.

The Grand Bazaar is closed on Sundays.

• Suleymaniye Mosque - Active since 1556 and named after its commissioner, Sultan Suleyman the Magnificent, the mosque is located on the 3rd hill of the old city. A short walk from the Grand Bazaar along the wall of Istanbul University, visitors will be guided through and can rest while enjoying the stunning view of the Asian side and the new city from the terrace.
• Misir Carsisi (Spice Market) - Sample delicious Turkish Delights, nuts, and dried fruits while exploring a 400-year-old structure. The Spice Market offers insight into the origins of spices and Turkish cuisine.
• Bosphorus Strait - Take a public ferry for the fastest intercontinental trip to the Asian side of Istanbul. Experience the transition from old to new Istanbul while passing by the Bosphorus Bridge in the distance. 2 USD per person.
• Kadikoy Carsisi - Discover the trendy neighborhood of Kadıkoy and indulge in the Kadıkoy Food Market. Sample Turkish food sourced from local suppliers. Consider trying home-cooked style dishes at Ciya Sofrası, recently featured on Netflix.
• Topkapi Palace - Visit the iconic Topkapi Palace to learn about Ottoman history and view impressive collections, from the treasury to medieval weapons, in this expansive museum. The museum is closed on Tuesdays. Admission fee is 2400 TL or 60 USD.
• Galata Tower - Enjoy a panoramic view of the city from this iconic tower, built in the late 13th century by the Genoese Colony as part of a defense and watchtower.
• Yeni Camii - The New Mosque, later known as the New Valide Sultan Mosque after partial reconstruction and completion between 1660 and 1665, is an Ottoman imperial mosque located in the Eminönü quarter of Istanbul.

• Round-trip private airport transfers
• In-vehicle air conditioning
• Private tour
• Professional guide

• Food & Drinks
• Cabin Bags and Carry-ons should be stored at the Left Lugagge.
• Private vehicle for the whole tour duration
• Admission fees
• Admission fees
• Admission fees

Istanbul Layover Tours specializes in providing layover tours from Istanbul Airports.

Meet and Greet: Finding your driver at the airport is now more convenient. A welcome host will meet you at a designated spot and time to escort you to your vehicle.

Timely & Safe Logistics: Experience a comfortable round-trip transfer to and from the airport in a private, spacious van.

Fast Track Entry: Enjoy VIP access and save valuable time at museum ticket desks with the help of accredited tour guides from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.

Professional and Enthusiastic Guides: Our guides are not only knowledgeable historians but also your travel companions. Discover culture, politics, and religion through engaging personal stories and anecdotes.

Eat like a Local: Savor delicious, affordable local cuisine at eateries frequented by locals. Various dietary restrictions are accommodated.

• Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia are closed until 2.30 pm on Fridays.
• Topkapı Palace and Hagia Irene is closed on Tuesdays

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