Tour Highlights
Hagia Sophia (Ayasofya Mosque), Blue Mosque, Hippodrome, Grand Bazaar
Daily Morning The Imperial Tour of Istanbul
From: $88,00
Tour Duration: 4Hours
Tour Time: 09:00 - 13:00
Tour Type: Group Tour
Explore Istanbul’s imperial legacy at Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Hippodrome, and Grand Bazaar in this half-day guided tour through the heart of the Old City.
Service Location: Istanbul Tours
Service Provider: ITS
Available languages:
English
Service Details
This half-day guided tour reveals the city’s most iconic monuments. Step into the heart of imperial Istanbul and explore the grand legacy of Byzantium and the Ottoman Empire.
Hagia Sophia
Begin your journey in the Sultanahmet district at the awe-inspiring Hagia Sophia, a masterpiece of Byzantine architecture. Built in the 6th century by Emperor Justinian and designed by Anthemius of Tralles and Isidore of Miletus, it remained the largest cathedral in the world for nearly 1,000 years.
Converted into a mosque after the conquest of Constantinople in 1453, it now stands as a powerful symbol of Istanbul’s spiritual and architectural heritage. Admire its massive dome, shimmering mosaics, and imperial portraits of emperors, empresses, and the Virgin and Child.
Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmed Mosque)
Next, visit the elegant Blue Mosque, named for the over 20,000 blue İznik tiles that adorn its interior. Commissioned by Sultan Ahmed I in the early 17th century, this mosque is the only imperial mosque with six minarets.
Designed by Sedefkâr Mehmed Ağa, a pupil of the great architect Sinan, the mosque features a stunning courtyard and a harmonious blend of Ottoman grandeur and spiritual serenity. (Closed to visitors on Friday mornings during prayer time.)
Hippodrome of Constantinople
Step back in time at the Hippodrome, once the social and sporting center of ancient Byzantium. With a capacity for 100,000 spectators, this arena once hosted chariot races and imperial ceremonies.
Today, you can still see monuments that once adorned its spine, including the Egyptian Obelisk, Serpent Column from Delphi, and the German Fountain — each with a fascinating backstory.
Grand Bazaar
Conclude your tour at the lively Grand Bazaar, one of the world’s oldest and largest covered markets. With over 4,000 shops, the bazaar is a treasure trove of Turkish carpets, kilims, silks, jewelry, ceramics, leather goods, and antiques. Wander its historic lanes and enjoy a unique shopping experience in a place that has stood at the crossroads of trade for centuries.
Why Book This Service
- Discover Istanbul’s most iconic imperial landmarks with a professional guide.
- Explore the architectural genius of Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque.
- Visit the ancient Hippodrome, where empires once entertained.
- Dive into Ottoman-era commerce in the legendary Grand Bazaar.
- Perfect half-day experience for first-time visitors and history lovers.
- Small group and private options available for a more personalized experience
What's Included
• Museum entrance fees mentioned on the itinerary
• Professional Guidance
• Free pick up and drop off service from your hotel
• Transportation with A/C vehicles
• Donations to the Mosques
• TURSAB insurance, which covers the costs of services accepted and committed by the travel agency
Please Note
- The Blue Mosque is closed to visitors on Friday mornings. Afternoon tour available on Tuesdays for flexibility.
- Modest attire is required at mosques: women should bring a scarf; knees and shoulders should be covered.
- This is a walking tour — wear comfortable shoes and be prepared for uneven surfaces.
- The Grand Bazaar is closed on Sundays; on that day, alternate local markets may be visited.
- Afternoon version of this tour is also available on Tuesdays.
Meeting Point
At Your Hotel
Cancellation Details
Booking can be cancelled up to 3 day(s) before the tour start.
19 reviews for Daily Morning The Imperial Tour of Istanbul
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We booked the Imperial Morning Tour with ITS Travel and it became the absolute highlight of our Istanbul trip. From the very first moment, the team was organized and welcoming. Our guide, Hakan, was not only deeply knowledgeable but also had a warm, approachable style that made complex history easy to understand.
The tour started at the majestic Hagia Sophia — standing beneath its massive dome, surrounded by centuries of layered history, was simply breathtaking. We then continued to the Blue Mosque, where Hakan explained the subtleties of Ottoman architecture and religious tradition. Walking through the ancient Hippodrome, it was easy to imagine chariot races and imperial ceremonies happening centuries ago.
What we loved most was the pace: it never felt rushed, yet we covered so many key landmarks by midday. Even the small details — like how Aras from the operations team made sure our skip-the-line entries were smooth — showed how well ITS Travel handled everything.
If you want to feel the grandeur of Istanbul’s imperial past in just one morning, this tour is a must. Highly recommend for first-timers and history lovers alike.
So many highlights packed into one morning. The Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia were unforgettable.
Really loved the visit to Topkapi Palace and Hagia Sophia. ITS travel made it smooth and enjoyable.
Beautiful tour, we saw parts of Istanbul we wouldn’t have found on our own.
Beautiful introduction to the city’s imperial past. Our guide Hakan made every stop memorable.
Perfect for first-timers in Istanbul. Covered the grand sights without feeling rushed.
This imperial walking tour gave great insights into Istanbul’s rich history.
Très intéressant et bien organisé.
Great mix of history and culture, very informative guide.
A fantastic morning tour with ITS. Covered all the essentials of Ottoman Istanbul. Highly recommend.