7 Days 6 Nights Istanbul Tour

Highlights : Bosphorus by Boat, Grand Bazar, Dolmabahce Palace, Blue Mosque

Day 1 – Istanbul – Arrival Day
Welcome to Turkey Istanbul Airport. Meet with Anthesis Trvael staff and transfer to your hotel. Overnight in Istanbul.

Day 2 – Istanbul City Tour

Pick up at 08:30am from your hotel for the a day tour of old Istanbul city.

Visit to Hagia Sophia This ancient basilica, built by Constantine the Great in the 4th century and reconstructed by Justinian in the 6th century, is one of the architectural marvels of all time. Topkapi Palace The great palace of the Ottoman sultans from the 15th to the 19th centuries housing an exquisite collection of cyrstal, silver, and Chinese porcelain, robes worn by the sultans and their families, the famous jewels of the Imperial Treasury, miniatures, the Holy Mantle; enshrining relics of the Prophet Mohammed. SULTANAHMET IMPERIAL MOSQUE Across from St. Sophia built in the 16th century by the architect Mehmet, is known as the BLUE MOSQUE because of its magnificent interior decoration of blue Iznik tiles. HIPPODROME Ancient Hippodrome, the scene of chariot races, with the three monuments; the Obelisk of Theodosius, the bronze Serpentine Column and the Column of Constantine. Anthesis Travel tour guide will then take you to the GRAND COVERED BAZAAR. In this labyrinth of streets and passages are more then 4,000 shops with each trade having its own area: the goldsmiths’ street, the carpet sellers, Turkish arts and crafts, such as handpainted ceramic plates, hand-honed copperware, brassware and trays, water ewers, onyx-ware and meerschaum pipes. After the tour, transfer back to your hotel. Free Evening and optional Istanbul Evening Shows or Dinner on the Bosphorus incluing traditional Turkish entertainment and dinner. Overnight in Istanbul.

Day 3 – Istanbul Bosphorus Cruise and Dolmabahce Palace Tour

(Breakfast included)
Pick up at 08:30am from the hotel and depart for the Istanbul Bosphorus Cruise and Shopping Tour. Visit the SPICE BAZAAR (Egyptian Bazaar). The air here is filled with the enticing aromas of cinnamon, caraway, saffron, mint, thyme and every other conceivable herb and spice.
BOSPHORUS Boat Cruise a traditional excursion by boat along the waterway separating Europe and Asia. The shore is lined with old wooden villas, palaces of marble, fortresses, and small fishing villages. During the excursion you will see the magnificent sights of the following attractions from your boat. See Dolmabahce Palace, and further along, the parks and imperial pavilions of Yildiz Palace. On the coastal edge of this park, is Çiragan Palace, 300 meters of its marble facade faces the shore. At Ortakoy a great variety of artists gather every Sunday to display their work along the street. Ortakoy is a symbol of tolerance with a church, a mosque and a synagogue existing side by side for centuries.
RUMELI FORTRESS Built by Mehmet the Conqueror in 1452 prior to the conquest of Istanbul was completed in only four months to control and protect the infamous Bosphorus passage. It is one of the most beautiful works of military architecture anywhere in the world.
DOLMABAHCE PALACE The summer residence of Ottoman sultans exists in its original renovated glory featuring original antique furniture and magnificent gardens with the Harem on the Asian side of Istanbul.
BOSPHORUS BRIDGE enjoy a unique chance to step from one continent (Asia) to another (Europe)
CAMLICA HILL the highest point in Istanbul. At the top of it you can rest and admire the magnificent panorama of Istanbul and the Bosporus from the beautiful gardens, landscaped in traditional Turkish Ottoman style.
SHOPPING TOUR (after cruise) Experience the traditional silk weaving skills of Turkish women at the carpet weaving courses provided by The Ministry of National Education. You will get the opportunity to see jewellery, handcrafts centre and a modern leatherwear show. Enjoy the experience of shopping whilst gaining the knowledge of the ancient craftsmen, with Anthesis Travel’s local escort full of knowledge about how to bargain in the streets of Istanbul. The rest of the evening is yours to explore Istanbul. Overnight in Istanbul.

Day 4 – Istanbul – Free Day

(Breakfast included)
The day is yours. You don’t have to wake up early, you can explore Istanbul city, shop in the local markets, or enjoy one of the many day trips Anthesis Travel offer you to choose from. These include Ephesus, Cappadocia, Dolmabahce Palace, Family Shopping Tour, Traditional Turkish Bath, Green Bursa, Istanbul Princes Islands, Turkish Village Tour, Istanbul Museums Tour, Aquarium Tour, Private luxury yacht cruise, Helicopter Tours, or enjoy the Istanbul Evening Show, 1001 Istanbul Traditional Turkish Night, Dinner on the Bosphorus By Night popular musical instruments and Turkish singer. Overnight in Istanbul.

Day 5 – Princes’ Islands Tour

(Breakfast included)
Departure from European side and across the Bosphorus by the first bridge. Drive along the Asian side through Kadiköy all the way to Bostanci admiring the different facets of Istanbul.

Once we reach Bostanci you’ll have a chance to see one of the most beautiful districts of Istanbul. After having little time in Bostanci, embark the boat going to Princes’ Islands. Disembark at Büyükada which is the largest and the most famous of this chain of islands. There are several small hotels where people stay for the weekend. Some of the historical buildings are Aya Yorgi Church and Monastery from 6th century, Ayios Dimitrios Church, Hristos Church and Monastery and enjoy the lunch in a nice waterfront restaurant. After a small tour in the town centre, listening to the history of this lovely island, you’ll have free time to enjoy the beautiful island shores by renting a phaeton (horse-drawn carriage) or bicycle until the departure time. As there are no cars allowed on the island, this promenade will be an unforgettable memory for you. After the tour, return to your hotel. Overnight Istanbul.

Day 6 – Istanbul – Free Day

(Breakfast included)
The day is yours. You don’t have to wake up early, you explore Istanbul city, shop in the local markets, or enjoy one of the many day trips Anthesis Travel offer you to choose from. These include Ephesus, Cappadocia, Dolmabahce Palace, Family Shopping Tour, Traditional Turkish Bath, Green Bursa, Turkish Village Tour, Istanbul Museums Tour, Aquarium Tour, Private luxury yacht cruise, Helicopter Tours, or enjoy the Istanbul Evening Show, 1001 Istanbul Traditional Turkish Night, Dinner on the Bosphorus by Night with dinner, popular musical instruments and Turkish singer. Overnight in Istanbul.

Day 7 – Istanbul – End of Tour

(Breakfast included)
After breakfast check out from the hotel. We hope your tour was a memorable one and we look forward to seeing you in the future.

- Arrival and departure airport transfers from Istanbul  Airport
- Breakfasts in your  hotel
- 3 nights in Istanbul
- 2 Nights in Cappadocia 
- 1 Night Ephesus 
- Istanbul city tour
- Cappadocia tour
- Ephesus tour
- Istanbul Bosphorus cruise and shopping tour
- Miniaturk Museum and shopping tour
- All entrance fees mentioned in the itinerary
- Transportation in a fully air-conditioned, non-smoking coach
- Professional English-speaking tour guides
- Return transfer to Istanbul airports
- Lunch 

Please Note: Hagia Sophia closed on Mondays, Topkapi Palace closed on Tuesdays, Grand Bazaar closed on Sundays.

Drinks

Tips to guide and driver

 Personal expenses and optional tours