Byzantine Heritage Tour of Istanbul

Hagia Sophia (Aya Sofya), Great Palace Mosaic Museum, Underground Cistern, Chora Church and City Walls

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$96/from
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Private Tour Skip the line 7 Hours

Byzantine Heritage in Istanbul

The Byzantine Heritage Tour takes you to the most important Byzantine sites in Istanbul. Be thrilled at the Hippodrome of Constantinople. Astonished by the city’s Byzantine heritage hidden under a restaurant. Overcome by the Byzantine mosaics in the Great Palace Museum. Adrift in the Basilica Cistern. Dazzled by the Hagia Sophia. Bowled over by the Chora Church. Conquered by the City Walls.

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WHAT TO EXPECT?

  • History enthusiasts
  • Scholars and academicians
  • If you are coming back to Istanbul after some time,
  • Expats and students in the city,
  • To acquire a good understanding of the Byzantine heritage in Istanbul
  • Gain an understanding of Byzantine architectural styles
  • Learn about important symbols and themes in Byzantine mosaics
  • An introduction to the rich history of Istanbul, to help you decide which tour to take next
  • Professional Guiding Service
  • Admission Fees for the museums
  • Skip the ticket line
  • Pick-up & drop-off to your hotel (*)

To give our guests more option and flexibility for lunch, we do not include in our prices.

  • Lunch
  • Personal expenses
Want to see these sights with an expert?
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Tour Itinerary & Highlights

Discover the legacy of the Byzantine Empire at its heart.

The Hippodrome of Constantinople
We visit the Hippodrome of Constantinople on our Best of Istanbul tour. Listen to your guide and feel the excitement and danger of chariot racing. Learn about the early Roman history of the city. Hear the stories behind the Egyptian Obelisk and the Serpentine Column.
Great Palace Mosaic Museum
Istanbul’s Byzantine heritage is recorded in beautiful mosaics. Our Byzantine Heritage tour shows you where these mosaics were originally housed. In the Great Palace Mosaic Museum your guide will give you an insight into everyday Byzantine life.
Underground (Basilica) Cistern
On the Best of Istanbul tour we enter the magnificent Topkapi Palace. A series of courtyards and halls contain fabulous displays of precious jewels and important religious artefacts. The public rooms of the palace are a worthy backdrop to the splendour and intrigue of the Harem.
Hagia Sophia (Aya Sofya Museum)
We visit the Hagia Sophia, originally built in 537 AD, later served as a Greek Orthodox Church. When Fatih Sultan Mehmet conquered the city in 1453 AD, it became a mosque. In 1935 it was converted to a museum. The interior, with its enormous dome, delights with glorious mosaics, galleries and suspended Islamic pendants.
Chora Church (Kariye Museum)
The Chora Church (The Church of St. Savoir in Countryside) is located close to the Thedosian Walls, an area which was considered as “countryside” during the Byzantine era. The Chora Church Museum hosts fascinating insight in to Byzantine Mosaic art at its climax.
City Walls of Constantinople
We explore the Byzantine-era city walls on the outskirts of the city. They date back to the first half of the 5th century AD. Originally they went from the Sea of Marmara all the way to the Golden Horn.

Private Tour Prices and Additional Info

Dynamic pricing is the reduction of the price per person when the number of people in your party increases. The more people in your group – the less you pay per person.

1 adult $280

2 adults $350 >> $175 per person

3 adults $414 >> $138 per person

4 adults $560 >> $140 per person*

5 adults $630>> $126 per person

6 adults $696 >> $116 per person

7 adults $763 >> $109 per person

8 adults $832 >> $104 per person

9 adults $891 >> $99 per person

10 adults $960 >> $96 per person

* For groups more than 3 people we use a private van. For groups with 3 or less participants we use commercial taxis to give better price.

** For larger groups please contact us.

To book this tour please choose your desired day from the calendar below and continue with the booking steps. Our booking system will take you to the secure payment gateway provided by PayU.

There is a set deposit amount of $75 for any group size. Your booking will be confirmed after the deposit payment. The balance is to be paid 15 days before the start of the tour(s).

You may cancel your tour reservation up to 72 hours before the planned start of the tour. No cancellation charge is incurred within the allowed deadline. Please read our cancellation policy: “Booking Terms“.

This tour is organized within the legal scope of the Turkish Law concerning Travel Agencies And The Association Of Travel Agencies (TURSAB) numbered 1618, and Vocational Tour Guides Law numbered 6326.

What do our guests say about us?

Read our Tripadvisor reviews

  •   My husband and I had the best possible experience touring Istanbul with Osman. We had seen the major historic sites previously so this time we wanted to see local neighborhoods.... read more

    mateo420
    2/27/2020

  •   Cihan is a seasoned guide with a thorough knowledge of Istanbul history. In 3 days I saw the best of Istanbul - and he took me to a lot... read more

    JaneSNewYork
    11/13/2019

  •   Four of us had an amazing, informative day with our guide Cihan Sevil on 10/8/2019. Despite some rain and wind, we saw the key historical sites and learned very... read more

    K W
    10/15/2019

  •   We could not ask for a better, more knowledgeable and considerate guide. Cihan is extraordinary. He will not only fill you in on all of the history that you... read more

    lackadai
    7/16/2019

  •   I spent two days with Cihan in Istanbul on the heels of a long business trip to Turkey. After sitting down with him for tea to start the first... read more

    VolguusZildrohar
    7/04/2019

Book This Experience Now

Please use the calendar below to book this Istanbul experience

 

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