Istanbul Museum Pass 2026 – Save up to 35%

This tour covers iconic landmarks such as Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, Basilica Cistern, Grand Bazaar, Blue Mosque, and Hippodrome Square.

Standing for nearly 1,500 years, Hagia Sophia has served as a central place of worship for both Christianity and Islam. Once the heart of Orthodox Christianity and later the first mosque in Istanbul, it was built in just five years. For eight centuries, its dome—55.60 meters high and 31.87 meters wide—was the largest in the world. Here, religious icons from both faiths exist side by side. Roman emperors were crowned here, and sultans once addressed the public from within. This is the legendary Hagia Sophia.

Topkapi is considered the most significant museum in both Turkey and the Balkans. It’s a treasure trove of Ottoman history, art, and culture. Visitors can explore four expansive courtyards, the Audience Hall, Imperial Council Chamber, Historical Kitchens, Royal Stables, Treasury, lush gardens, and decorative pavilions. It’s the ultimate starting point for anyone interested in the Ottoman legacy.

Among Istanbul’s most iconic underground sites, the Basilica Cistern is famous for its atmospheric setting, 336 columns (each 9 meters tall), and two mysterious Medusa heads at the base of two pillars.

Situated in the heart of the old city, this is the most well-known mosque in Istanbul. Officially named the Sultanahmet Mosque, it gained the nickname "Blue Mosque" due to the blue Iznik tiles adorning its interior. The mosque was named after Sultan Ahmed, who commissioned its construction. The area, the mosque, and the sultan all share the name Sultanahmet.

Originally constructed in the 3rd century CE by Roman Emperor Septimius Severus and expanded by Constantine the Great, the Hippodrome was the center of social and political life in Byzantine Constantinople. It hosted chariot races and public events, standing as a symbol of the city's imperial grandeur. Today, its remains are part of Sultanahmet Square.