Top Istanbul Day Trips - page 2

See Istanbul’s minarets, mansions, mosques and palaces from the water as you sail between two continents on this long lunch cruise. Glide up to Anadolu Kavagi, a pretty fishing village near where the Bosphorus meets the Black Sea, then scale the hill to an old fortress to capture dramatic photos. As you sail, savor a 2-course lunch with coffee, tea, water, snacks and fruit: alcoholic drinks are available for an extra charge.

Maximize every moment of your Istanbul vacation on a private day tour of the city’s historic peninsula. This adventure is perfect for travelers who want to complete their bucket list without feeling rushed. Follow your guide to iconic attractions, such as the Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, and Grand Bazaar, along with a few lesser-known landmarks, like Sogukcesme Street. Along the way, enjoy commentary that takes you through more than 2,000 years of history.

Discover Istanbul off the beaten path on a guided adventure where history and vibrant culture come alive. Visit iconic landmarks like the Hippodrome, Serefiye Cistern, and Suleymaniye Mosque, along with hidden gems like the book market Sahaflar Çarşısı, the Spice Bazaar, and the old neighborhoods of Fener and Balat. Between stops, savor Turkish coffee, pastries, and even a relaxing hookah session before exploring more of the city’s rich layers.

Learn about the history and landmarks of Bursa, the first capital of the Ottoman Empire, on this full-day tour. Admire the tile décor of the Green Mausoleum (Yesil Turbe) and the Green Mosque (Yesil Camii). After lunch prepare for a cable car ride to the peak of Mt. Olympos. Get an unbeaten view of the city, perfect for your holiday photos.

Escape the bustle of the capital and visit Turkey’s stunning countryside during this full-day small-group excursion from Istanbul. Ride comfortably by air-conditioned transportation, with hotel pickup and drop-off provided. Highlights include an all-inclusive, open-air lunch in Mahmudiye village, a visit to Ormanya wildlife park (zoo fees paid separately), and a stroll along serene Sapanca Lake.

Visit the stunning Turkish countryside with this full-day tour from Istanbul. Relax and enjoy the serenity of Sapanca Lake, explore Ormanya, and walk through the picturesque village of Masukiye. Afterwards, indulge in a delicious lunch by a waterfall before hiking up Kartepe mountain, with the option to join a ski lift tour, and experience the beauty of this beloved weekend retreat.

Leave Istanbul’s hustle and bustle behind for a full-day tour of the Princes Islands. With a guide at your side, you get thorough overviews of Buyukada and Heybeliada’s top attractions. Free time on both islands allows for a more personalized sightseeing experience. Traveling by a privately owned boat enables you to avoid the overwhelming lines and limited space of the public ferry that visits the islands.

It is one of the most popular sightseeing spots in Istanbul. It is an island that attracts a lot of attention from domestic and foreign tourists. Enjoy the idyllic, car-free environment as you travel by Electric Car wagon. You will start this tour with a boat trip. You will visit first island and than you will visit second island. You will also enjoy free time on the island to swim and shop for souvenirs or admire the Ottoman mansions. You can admire the most popular places of Istanbul such as Topkapi Palace and Maiden's Tower with a boat trip from Istanbul to Buyukada.

I joined a 5-hour Istanbul tour combining a walking tour and a Bosphorus yacht cruise. First, we explored Balat and the Kariye Museum with a live guide. Walking through Balat’s colorful streets, I saw historic churches and synagogues, and at Kariye, I admired the Byzantine mosaics and frescoes. Next, we enjoyed a yacht tour along the Bosphorus, seeing Dolmabahçe Palace, Çırağan Palace, the Rumeli and Anadolu Hisarı fortresses, and the elegant mansions of Bebek and Beylerbeyi. The views from the sea offered a peaceful and scenic perspective of Istanbul’s skyline. In just 5 hours, I experienced historic neighborhoods on foot and the stunning Bosphorus by yacht, making it an unforgettable tour.

Our Kurtulus tour starts with an exclusive visit to a sports club belonging to that historic community, where we’ll have our first breakfast, followed by a stop for the heavenly dairy delights of Erzincan. We’ll walk off breakfast with visits to local artisans – artichoke peelers, cuckoo clock repairmen, Armenian book venders – as then begin grazing on our way to lunch. There will be stunning meze samples, including top-grade stuffed vine leaves and topik, a classic Armenian speciality. Down the street, kebabs at a real-deal grill house will arrive sizzling, fresh from the fire. Along the way, we’ll sample street food from the Mediterranean port city of Mersin and share a couple plates of the daily special in a cozy family-run lokanta. Depending on the season, there may be boza, a fermented millet drink with Ottoman roots, or Turkish-style ice cream at a beloved dairy bar run by the third generation of a local family.

Take advantage of extended layover time in Istanbul on a round-trip tour of city highlights from the airport, customized to suit your interests and schedule. Zip with ease between iconic sights such as the Hagia Sophia and Grand Bazaar, and benefit from historic and cultural insights provided by your professional guide.

Istanbul’s Topkapi Palace was the seat of Ottoman power. Save time and skip the line for the palace and the Harem on this small group tour. Learn about the history of Topkapi Palace from your guide, and visit the imperial kitchens, the relics room, the royal courts, and the landscaped gardens. Admire the intricate tilework of the Harem and soak in views of the Bosphorus Strait from the palace.

Recall the days of ancient Rome on this full-day trip to Ephesus from Istanbul by air. With a professional guide, explore the spectacular Greco-Roman Ephesus, Turkey’s archaeological showpiece. Stroll the ancient streets to marvel at the Basilica of St. John and the Temple of Artemis. You also get time to walk through the Ephesus Archaeological Museum to see the excavations of the ancient city and shop for local handicrafts.

Get more out of your time in Istanbul by going on a sunset evening cruise on the Bosphorus Strait. Enjoy the personalized service of the onboard crew, and included snacks and soft drinks, as you sail. Sailing past Dolmabahce Palace, Bosphorus Bridge, Rumeli Fortress, Kucuksu Pavilion, and many more highlights, this cruise is a great way to see famous sights without being stuck in large crowds.

Experience the serenity of the biggest Princes' Island in Turkey, Büyükada, on this full-day guided tour from Istanbul. After traversing the Sea of Marmara by boat. On Büyükada, learn about the island’s history from your guide.

Explore the highlights of Istanbul in a day with this small group tour. Delve right into the history and culture of the city with a guide. Start your tour with a visit to the old Hippodrome, then continue to the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Museum and the Grand Bazaar amongst other places. Enjoy some delicious Turkish food during your included lunch.

Take the time to explore Istanbul’s most magnificent sites at your own pace with a customized guided tour of the city's historic places and landmarks. Follow in the footsteps of charioteers and Roman soldiers at the Hippodrome, admire the arched tiles of the Blue Mosque, and listen for the whispers of courtiers and sultans inside Topkapi Palace. Opt to include Hagia Sophia’s stunning murals and minarets and browse the vibrant displays at the iconic Grand Bazaar, with inside tips on the best places to find carpets, handicrafts and local souvenirs.

Immerse yourself into World War I history on a group day tour to the Gallipoli peninsula from Istanbul. The detailed and well-paced itinerary takes you to the Kabatepe War Museum, Lone Pine Cemetery (Australian Memorial), Shrapnel Valley, and more, including several significant ANZAC sites in Gelibolu National Park. Engaging narration from your guide goes beyond the typical tourist guidebook and provides an illuminating look at the Gallipoli Campaign.

Enjoy stunning, sunset views of Istanbul’s top heritage sites, all from the comfort of a luxury yacht. During this Bosphorus cruise, you’ll sail down both European and Asian sides of the renowned strait, covering highlights like 19th-century Dolmabahce Palace, imposing Rumeli Fortress, and the iconic towers of Maiden and Galata. Guided tours include complimentary refreshments, including fruit and homemade lemonade.

Maximize your time in Turkey—and get up close with one of its most famous UNESCO World Heritage sites—on this full-day small-group tour to Izmir and Ephesus. This comprehensive tour includes plane tickets, hotel pickup and drop-off, lunch, and a guide. Visit ancient Ephesus, The Virgin Mary's House, The Temple of Artemis, and more (entrance fees excluded).

Guarantee your spot at an evening of non-stop entertainment by prebooking your ticket for the Rhythm of the Dance show at the Hodjapasha Culture Center in Istanbul. Feel the electric rhythms of Turkey as you enjoy shimmying belly dancers, harem dances, folklore performances, and dazzling costumes, accompanied by live music and 360-degree video projections.

Relax on this full-day tour to the Princes’ Islands, including a scenic ferry cruise across the Sea of Marmara. Enjoy a fresh seasonal lunch served on the boat and free time on Büyükada to explore historic mansions, rent bicycles or electric vehicles, swim in summer, or shop for souvenirs. On your return to Istanbul, admire views of Topkapi Palace and Kiz Kulesi with a brief shopping stop before hotel drop-off.

Enjoy stunning views of historic Istanbul from the water during this 2-hour boat tour down the Bosphorus. Cover many of the city’s top attractions from the scenic strait, passing highlights like Galata Tower, Dolmabahce and Topkapi palaces, and Rumeli Fortress. You’ll also head to Asia and back, with a stop on Istanbul’s Anatolian side and free time to explore on your own.

Take in the highlights of Istanbul and maximize your time with skip-the-line entrance at the most popular attractions. Enjoy guided visits to the Hagia Sophia Museum and the Blue Mosque; browse the stalls at the Grand Bazaar and Spice Bazaar; and tuck into tasty Turkish cuisine at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, discover Istanbul’s European and Asian sides on a Bosphorus sightseeing cruise.