PRIVATE CUSTOM TOUR
Your Dates. Our Planning and Expertise.

At 9:00 am, you will be greeted at the exit gate of the customs area of Galataport Istanbul cruise port by Sightseeist dedicated guide, for departure by deluxe air-conditioned Mercedes-Benz minivan for an unforgettable Istanbul visit.

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Your private tour of Istanbul starts with a visit to the Hippodrome, the largest chariot race ground of the Byzantine Empire. 

Istanbul's Byzantine Hippodrome was the heart of Constantinople's political and sporting life, and the scene of games and riots through 500 years of Ottoman history as well. This was the largest hippodrome of the ancient world with a design that was conceptually based on the Circus Maximus in Rome. You will see Egyptian Obelisk, Serpentine Column, Constantine Column which are remained from the original Hippodrome.

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Next, you will visit World famous Hagia Sophia, the church of the Divine Wisdom, which is one of the most extraordinary constructions in the World. It was built during Emperor Justinian reign ( AD 537 ) and it remained the greatest church in Christendom until the conquest of Constantinople in 1453 by Sultan Mehmet II. The walls ofthis beautiful piece of architecture are decorated with gorgeous mosaics. 

Then you will visit the 6th century Underground Cistern- an impressive 9,800 square meter cistern capable of holding 80,000 cubic meters of water. The mystery of Dan Brown’s “Inferno is solved here. Perhaps the most unusual structure in Istanbul!

Last, visit the Grand Bazaar, the largest and oldest covered Bazaar in Turkey with more than 4,000 shops. A variety of handicrafts, gold and silver jewelry, carpets, rugs, antiques, tiles, leather, ceramics and souvenirs all sold in small shops next to each other. 

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At the end of the tour, you will be transferred back to Galataport Istanbul cruise port to board on your ship with a stop for some baklava tasting.