Tour Details

Byzantine City Walls: Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1985, the city walls are one of the most important historical constructions of Istanbul. The impressive walls were built to defend Constantinople from invasion and are a magnificent testimony to Byzantine military architectural prowess.

Golden Horn: The Golden Horn estuary separates the modern business district and the historic peninsula of the Old City, both on the European side of the Bosphorus. Where the Golden horn meets the Bosphorus, it forms a natural harbour which is now traversed by a number of bridges and a regular ferry service. Widest at the entrance to the Bosphorus, it is 8km in length.

Spice Bazaar (Egyptian Bazaar): The Egyptian Bazaar was established as a marketplace for exotic spices that arrived by sea after the Ottoman conquest of Egypt in the 16th century. It is a feast for the senses, and offers you the chance to buy exotic herbs and spices and sweets (Turkish delight). In this Bazaar there are also shops that sell especially Fine Turkish linens which you will surely be impressed by.

Bosphorus Boat Trip: This is a unique boat tour, on which you can experience the transition of cultures between the continents of Europe and Asia. You will have you the chance to take photographs of marble palaces and historic buildings, and may be surprised by the wooden Ottoman villas, nestling between more modern residential buildings.

Rumeli Fortress: (View from the boat - No interior visit): This citadel was constructed in just four months by Mehmet the Conqueror in preparation for the seventh and final Ottoman siege of the Byzantine city Constantinople. In conjunction with the Anatolia Fortress on the opposite side of the Bosphorus, they were able to cut off all Black Sea traffic in and out of the city.

Bosphorus Bridge: Crossing from the continent of Europe into Asia by bus over the Bosphorus Bridge is a unique experience for our guests. The bridge itself, which has been described as the epitome of amazing architecture, is impressive enough. Sit back and enjoy the fabulous views of both sides of the Bosphorus strait while passing from one continent to another.

Beylerbeyi Palace: If you have seen the Dolmabahce Palace on the European side of the strait (check out our Travel in Turkey Full day Dolmabahce Palace and Bosphorus cruise), you may be interested to know that the Beylerbeyi Palace, on the Asian side, was also designed by the Balyan family of architects. It was designed in the European style and served as a summer residence for the Sultans of the Ottoman dynasty. Although not quite as grand as Dolmabahce Palace, Beylerbeyi Palace has idiosyncratic features which make it well worth a visit.