You’ll spend one unforgettable day discovering Istanbul — a dynamic city where business, entertainment, and deep-rooted Turkish culture converge. Explore its ancient landmarks as you journey from majestic mosques to awe-inspiring Roman-influenced architecture.
Upon your arrival at Galataport, your private guide and driver will greet you and begin the day with a visit to the Hagia Sophia, a breathtaking former church and museum that now stands as a mosque. Continue to the Basilica Cistern, an atmospheric underground reservoir built during the Byzantine era.
Next, you’ll explore the Topkapi Palace, the opulent former residence of Ottoman sultans, home to royal artifacts and panoramic views of the Bosphorus. Afterward, immerse yourself in the vibrant colors and aromas of the Spice Market, a bustling bazaar offering everything from exotic spices to Turkish delights.
At the end of your tour, your private guide and driver will take you back to the cruise port, ensuring a comfortable return after a rich day of exploration.
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Hagia Sophia:
This famous basilica was constructed in the 6th century A.D.. It is often described as the greatest work of Byzantine architecture. Once the Church of Holy Wisdom, Christendom’s crowning glory, it glittered with mosaics and artistic treasures. Today, the Hagia Sophia is the fourth largest building constructed as a church in the world. It was dedicated to Hagia Sophia which means Divine Wisdom – an attribute of Christ.
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Basilica Cistern:
Istanbul, besieged countless times, has always needed permanent water supplies. As a result, many underground cisterns were built during the Byzantine Empire. Water was brought to these big reservoirs from distant sources via aqueducts. We will visit the largest and most ornate of these cisterns.
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Topkapı Palace:
The home for 400 years of ruling Sultan’s in Istanbul, this is a not to be missed site. The second palace built in Istanbul after its conquest by the Turks, it served as the center of the Ottoman Empire between the 15th and 19th centuries. This palace’s maze of oppulent buildings is where the sultans, their courts, and their harems lived and governed.
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Spice Market:
This covered market, built as part of the Yeni Cami (New Mosque) complex, is filled with the fragrant scent of spices from the Orient.
Day 1: Istanbul
- Your private guide and driver will welcome you at Galataport and begin the day with a visit to the Hagia Sophia, where you’ll explore its incredible architecture and remarkable history, followed by a tour of the Basilica Cistern, an atmospheric underground marvel from the Byzantine era.
- After lunch, you’ll continue to the Topkapi Palace, built by the Ottomans after their conquest of Constantinople in the 15th century. You’ll have the opportunity to explore the palace’s many treasures, including the hidden chambers of the Imperial Harem. The tour will then continue with a visit to the vibrant Spice Market, where you can soak in the rich scents and colors of traditional Turkish goods.
- Your full-day tour will conclude with your guide and driver escorting you back to the cruise port.
What is included in the tour
- Private Tours with licensed professional English speaking guides
- Galataport Transfers
- Admission tickets to sites and museums
- Private VIP transportation per tour itinerary
- Parking, portage, toll roads
- Coordination and attentive customer service throughout the tour by Sojourn staff
- Required Association of Turkish Travel Agencies Foreign Visitors Insurance (a basic mandatory policy and not an adequate replacement for purchasing your own travel insurance.)
What is not included in the tour
- Lunch and dinner
- Optional gratuities to guides, drivers, etc.
- Entry Visas
- Additional drinks at lunch and dinner
- Optional programs listed in the itinerary
- Travel insurance
- Visas, laundry, and personal items
2025 Prices are per person in US$
| Travelers | Prices |
| 1 | $830 |
| 2-3 | $520 |
| 4-5 | $420 |
| 6+ | $320 |
