Istanbul City & Bosphorus Tour

Your day begins as your guide welcomes you in the hotel lobby between 08:30 – 09:00 am. Soon, you find yourself stepping into the mysterious depths of the Basilica Cistern, where rows of marble columns rise from the water and the famous Medusa heads hide in the shadows. It feels like entering another world beneath the city.

Back above ground, the air fills with rich aromas as you wander through the Spice Bazaar. Here, colorful stalls overflow with saffron, Turkish delights, dried fruits, and teas — a feast for all the senses.

From the bustling marketplace, you head to the waterfront for a Bosphorus Cruise. As the boat glides between Europe and Asia, you admire elegant palaces, wooden mansions, and mosques dotting the shoreline. The sea breeze and the city’s skyline create an unforgettable panorama.

In the afternoon, you make your way to the Galata Tower, rising proudly over the Golden Horn. Climb to the top for sweeping views of Istanbul — domes, minarets, and the endless blue of the Bosphorus stretching before you.

As the day comes to an end, your guide escorts you back to your hotel, leaving you with vivid memories of Istanbul’s contrasts: the hidden and the open, the old and the new, Europe and Asia.

Optional: Extend your journey with a visit to the Dolmabahçe Palace, the 19th-century Ottoman residence renowned for its grandeur and crystal chandeliers.