Istanbul Historic Peninsula Tour 18 July 2026
Tour Detail
ISTANBUL HISTORICAL PENINSULA TOUR
Historical Peninsula-Topkapı-Hagia Sophia-Basilica Cistern
Sultanahmet-Obelisk-Hippodrome-Gülhane Park
02 AUGUST 2026
1,250 TL
Tour Program
Historic Peninsula Tour
Historical Peninsula - Topkapı - Hagia Sophia - Basilica Cistern - Sultanahmet - Obelisk - Hippodrome - Gülhane Park
After our refreshments on the vehicle and the break we will give en route, we arrive at the Historical Peninsula on the European side of Istanbul. Also called Suriçi, the Historical Peninsula is the area whose history dates back to 685 BC, which throughout history hosted first the Roman, Byzantine and finally the Ottoman Empire, surrounded on the sea side by the Golden Horn, the Sea of Marmara and the Bosphorus, and on the land side by the city walls built during the Byzantine period for the protection of the city, and today encompassing the district boundaries of Fatih. For this reason, the area is also called Suriçi. The Historical Peninsula’s first settlement was established by the Greeks in 685 BC and was named “Byzantion.” Known by different names by various civilizations throughout history, the Historical Peninsula was first referred to as Dersaadet during the Ottoman Empire and later as Istanbul. Sultanahmet, with its historical texture, architecture, cultural and artistic events, shopping and entertainment centers, and lively streets, is undoubtedly the most visited district by visitors coming to Istanbul and the most toured area of the city. Topkapı Palace, the residence of the Ottoman Sultans, is the center of administration and education of the state. Built by Sultan Mehmed II, the conqueror of Istanbul, between 1460 and 1478, and expanded with additional structures over time, the palace housed the Ottoman sultans and palace residents until the mid-19th century. After the Ottoman monarchy was abolished in 1922, Topkapı Palace was converted into a museum by the order of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk on April 3, 1924. The Basilica Cistern Museum is among the most important cultural assets through which we can trace the magnificent history of Istanbul. This large underground cistern, built by the Eastern Roman Emperor Justinian I (527-565), was popularly named the “Basilica Palace” because of the countless marble columns rising from the water. With a storage capacity of 80,000 tons of water, the Basilica Cistern is the largest covered cistern in the city and stands out for having more recycled structural elements than other covered cisterns; it is a gigantic rectangular structure covering approximately 10,000 m2, 140 meters long and 70 meters wide. We move on to Hagia Sophia. Hagia Sophia holds a very important place in the world of architectural art, having managed to survive from throughout the history of world architecture, in terms of its grandeur, magnificence, size, and functionality. Hagia Sophia is the largest church built in Istanbul by the Eastern Roman Empire. Today it serves as a mosque. Hippodrome, Obelisk, German Fountain, Serpentine Column, Walled Column and Sultanahmet Mosque after our tours, after free time in Gülhane Park, we walk a short distance and then get into our vehicle at Sarayburnu. Looking forward to meeting again on another tour, we drop our guests off at the points where we picked them up.
What's Included
*Transportation with 46 or 50-seat Travego or Tourismo 2+2 luxury buses
*On-board refreshments (hot and cold beverages, cake, water)
*Included environmental and city tours in the program
*Professional guide with a badge from the Ministry of Tourism
*Mandatory professional liability insurance in accordance with Tourism Law No. 1618
*ÇORLU TRAVEL Guarantee
Not Included
* Museum Card (Required for Entry to Museums Affiliated with the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.) (You can create your online museum card from the app downloaded to your phone)
* Museum and Archaeological Site Entrance Fees (Municipality - Private businesses, etc.)
* Breaks and Extra Food and Beverage Expenses
* Meals Included in the Tour
*With the new laws, the use of headphones is mandatory in the Istanbul Historic Peninsula area. The rental fee for guide narration is 100 TL.