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Byzantine & Ottoman Istanbul
Istanbul, Bursa & Sapanca Tour – 5 Days
4 Nights Istanbul | Hagia Sophia & Hippodrome • Blue Mosque & Grand Bazaar • Bursa & Uludağ • Sapanca
From $499 per person
- Duration: 5 days / 4 nights
- Stay: Istanbul 4N · 4★ Old City hotel
- Meals: Daily breakfast · lunch not included
- Group: Shared or private · 1–9 travelers
- Guide: English-speaking guide
- Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 7 days
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Tour Overview
5-Day Istanbul Heritage Tour: Old City, Bursa and Sapanca
This 5-day Istanbul, Bursa and Sapanca tour keeps you in one 4★ hotel (or similar) in the Sultanahmet Old City area for all four nights, so you never repack. It starts in Istanbul with a private airport transfer from IST or SAW and has three touring days: the Old City, Bursa and Sapanca.
Day 2 covers Hagia Sophia, the Hippodrome with its Egyptian Obelisk, the Blue Mosque and the Grand Bazaar. Day 3 takes the ferry across the Marmara Sea to Bursa, the first Ottoman capital, and rides the Uludağ cable car; both tickets are included. Day 4 is a relaxed drive to Sapanca Lake, the forested Maşukiye valley and Mahmudiye.
It suits first-time visitors, couples, families and history lovers. Choose Shared (guided group tours on Days 2 and 3) or Private (your own vehicle and English-speaking guide); Day 4 is a private vehicle with driver and no guide. The price includes breakfast, airport transfers and the guide on Days 2 and 3; lunches, dinners and museum entrances are paid on-site, and international flights are not included. Plan more days with our 7-day Istanbul itinerary, read the Bursa day trip guide, or see all Istanbul tour packages.
Highlights
- Hagia Sophia, Hippodrome and Blue Mosque
- Grand Bazaar visit
- Ferry to Bursa, the first Ottoman capital
- Uludağ cable car included
- Sapanca Lake and Maşukiye valley
- One hotel for all four nights
Quick facts
- Best time to visit: April–May and September–early November.
- Hagia Sophia is seen from outside; entering is optional and paid on-site. The Grand Bazaar is closed on Sundays.
- Optional extras on request: Bosphorus dinner cruise, Topkapı Palace and Harem (closed Tuesdays), 5★ hotel upgrade.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
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Day 1Arrival in Istanbul & Hotel Check-in
An English-speaking assistant meets you at Istanbul Airport (IST) or Sabiha Gökçen (SAW), and a private transfer takes you to your 4★ hotel in the Sultanahmet Old City area (or similar), usually in 45 to 90 minutes. This is the hotel you keep for all four nights, so you unpack only once. After check-in, rest or take a first walk around Sultanahmet, where Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque stand close together. Dinner is not included. An evening Bosphorus dinner cruise with entertainment can be added as an optional upgrade; request a quote.
Overnight: Istanbul — 4★ hotel, Sultanahmet / Old City area (or similar)Transport: Private airport transfer (about 45–90 min, depending on airport and traffic)Tour: Shared or private (airport transfer is private in both options)Entrances: noneOptional: Optional Bosphorus dinner cruise with entertainment (extra cost, request a quote) -
Day 2Istanbul Old City: Hagia Sophia, Hippodrome, Blue Mosque & Grand Bazaar
After breakfast an English-speaking guide leads the full-day Old City tour, shared or private. Hagia Sophia, the 6th-century Byzantine cathedral, is seen from the outside; going in to the interior and upper gallery is optional and paid on-site. The Hippodrome Square follows, the site of the chariot-racing arena, with the Egyptian Obelisk. At the Blue Mosque, an early 17th-century Ottoman mosque, visits pause during prayer times. The day ends at the Grand Bazaar, which is closed on Sundays, when the Arasta Bazaar replaces it. You return to the hotel for the night.
Meals: BreakfastOvernight: Istanbul — 4★ hotel, Sultanahmet / Old City area (or similar)Transport: Full-day tour vehicle (shared group vehicle or private vehicle)Tour: Shared or privateEntrances: payable on-site (Hagia Sophia interior and upper gallery optional) -
Day 3Bursa Day Trip: Marmara Ferry & Uludağ Cable Car
After breakfast you cross the Sea of Marmara by ferry and continue to Bursa, the first Ottoman capital; the ferry ticket is included. The highlight is the cable car up Mount Uludağ, with panoramic views over the forests and the city; the ticket is included. Lunch at a local mountain restaurant is optional and not included. Back in Bursa you visit a Turkish delight or honey factory and have free time for shopping in the city centre. In the evening you return to Istanbul and spend the night at your Old City hotel.
Meals: BreakfastOvernight: Istanbul — 4★ hotel, Sultanahmet / Old City area (or similar)Transport: Ferry across the Sea of Marmara, then drive to Bursa and back (shared group vehicle or private vehicle)Tour: Shared or privateEntrances: Ferry and Uludağ cable car included -
Day 4Sapanca Lake, Maşukiye & Mahmudiye
After breakfast you leave on a full-day excursion east of Istanbul in a private vehicle with a driver; no guide accompanies this day in either option. Sapanca Lake is a freshwater lake among wooded hills, and nearby Maşukiye is a forested valley popular for walks, while Mahmudiye lies on the same route. Time is allowed for shopping, and lunch at a local restaurant is optional and not included. You return to Istanbul later in the day and spend your last night at the hotel.
Meals: BreakfastOvernight: Istanbul — 4★ hotel, Sultanahmet / Old City area (or similar)Transport: Full-day private vehicle with driver (no guide)Tour: Private vehicle with driver in both options (no guide)Entrances: none -
Day 5Departure Transfer
Have breakfast at the hotel and check out. A private transfer takes you to Istanbul Airport (IST) or Sabiha Gökçen (SAW) for your return flight; please share your flight time in advance so the pick-up can be planned around the traffic. If you have time before the transfer, a last walk through Sultanahmet is easy from the hotel. Breakfast at the hotel is included on this last morning too. Keep your passport and travel documents at hand. International flights are not part of the tour, and our services end at the airport.
Meals: BreakfastOvernight: —Transport: Private airport transfer (about 45–90 min, depending on airport and traffic)Tour: Shared or private (airport transfer is private in both options)Entrances: none
Places Along the Route
Hagia Sophia
For nearly a thousand years one of the great churches of Christendom, Hagia Sophia was dedicated in 537 and later served as an Ottoman mosque. Its floating dome and golden mosaics are the starting point of Byzantine Istanbul.
Hippodrome
This was the sporting and political heart of Constantinople, where chariot races and imperial celebrations drew huge crowds. The Egyptian Obelisk, brought from Karnak, and other ancient monuments still line the former track.
Blue Mosque
Completed in 1616 beside Hagia Sophia, the mosque is known for its cascade of domes, six minarets and the blue and white tiles of its interior. Visits pause during prayer times.
Grand Bazaar
A covered market of vaulted passages that has traded since the 15th century. Jewellers, carpet dealers, leather workers and lamp makers fill its lanes, and tea sellers weave between the stalls.
Mount Uludağ
The mountain behind Bursa is covered with pine and beech forest and doubles as a ski resort in winter. The cable car climbs from the city edge to a panoramic view over the forests and the plain.
Sapanca Lake
A freshwater lake set among wooded hills east of Istanbul. Its calm shoreline, lakeside cafes and green surroundings give a quiet contrast to the busy historic centre.
Maşukiye
A forested valley with a stream, shaded paths and riverside restaurants, popular with Istanbul families for short walks and a long lunch. It is reached on the same route as Sapanca Lake.
Why Choose This Istanbul Heritage Tour?
One Sultanahmet hotel for all four nights, and three different touring days from it: the Old City on foot, Bursa across the Marmara by ferry, and a private drive to Sapanca Lake.
- Unpack only once — The same 4★ Old City hotel (or similar) serves all four nights, with daily breakfast and private airport transfers from IST or SAW with a meet and greet.
- The Old City in one guided day — Day 2 covers Hagia Sophia (seen from outside, interior optional), the Hippodrome and the Blue Mosque, parts of the UNESCO-listed Historic Areas of Istanbul, then the Grand Bazaar.
- Bursa with the cable car — Day 3 crosses the Sea of Marmara by ferry to Bursa, the first Ottoman capital, and the Uludağ cable car climbs above the city; both tickets are included.
- A green day by the lake — Day 4 is a private vehicle with a driver, no guide, to Sapanca Lake, the forested Maşukiye valley and Mahmudiye, a slower pace after two busy days.
- Shared or Private — Shared means guided group tours with an English-speaking guide on Days 2 and 3; Private gives you your own vehicle and guide on those two days.
- Licensed local agency — TÜRSAB A-group licence #18154, Istanbul-based, rated 5.0 on Google (15 reviews), free cancellation up to 7 days before the start date.
Your Hotels on This Tour
These are the hotels we use on this tour, so you know where you’ll stay and can explore them before you book. Your final hotel is confirmed with your booking; if a listed hotel is unavailable on your dates, we reserve another hotel of the same category (or similar). Standard hotels are included in the tour price; Comfort and Premium hotels are available as upgrades.
- Comfort
Ring Stone Bosphorus Hotel
Taksim / Pera, Beyoğlu (Istiklal Avenue) · Istanbul
- On Istiklal Avenue
- Next to the historic tram line
- Boutique hotel in Pera
Breakfast included
Upgrade · price on request
- Comfort
Midtown Hotel Istanbul
Taksim (Lamartin Cad.), Beyoğlu · Istanbul
- Walk to Taksim Square
- On-site restaurant & lounge cafe
- Meeting rooms
- 24-hour front desk
Breakfast included
Upgrade · price on request
- Comfort
Aloft by Marriott Istanbul Karakoy
Karaköy / Beyoğlu (Bankalar Caddesi) · Istanbul
- Loft-style rooms
- W XYZ bar
- Fitness studio
- Near Galata Tower & Galataport
Breakfast included
Upgrade · price on request
- Premium
Sura Hagia Sophia Hotel
Sultanahmet, Fatih · Istanbul
- Pool with Hagia Sophia view
- Spa & Turkish bath
- Terrace restaurant facing Hagia Sophia
- Rooms with Hagia Sophia view
Breakfast included
Upgrade · price on request
- Premium★★★★★
Rixos Pera Istanbul
Pera / Tepebaşı, Beyoğlu · Istanbul
- Anjana Spa & Turkish bath
- Vetiver Rooftop
- Walk to Taksim & Galata Tower
- On Meşrutiyet Avenue
Breakfast included
Upgrade · price on request
- Premium
Pera Palace Hotel
Tepebaşı / Pera, Beyoğlu · Istanbul
- Historic 1895 landmark hotel
- Spa
- Kubbeli Salon afternoon tea
- Atatürk Museum Room
Breakfast included
Upgrade · price on request
- Premium★★★★★
The Galata Istanbul Hotel - MGallery
Karaköy / Beyoğlu (Bankalar Caddesi) · Istanbul
- MGallery Roof Bar
- Historic Çeşme Hamam (1720s)
- Spa
- Restored historic han building
Breakfast included
Upgrade · price on request
- Standard
Ramada by Wyndham Istanbul Pera
Beyoğlu (Pera) · Istanbul
- Indoor & outdoor pools
- Spa with Turkish bath
- 24/7 restaurant
- Airport shuttle
Breakfast included
- Standard
Wyndham Istanbul Old City
Sultanahmet / Old City · Istanbul
- Heated indoor & outdoor pools
- Spa with Turkish bath
- In the heart of Sultanahmet
- Children's pool & play area
Breakfast included
- Standard
The Barbarossa Hotel
Kumkapı / Fatih (historic peninsula, near Sultanahmet) · Istanbul
Breakfast included
- Comfort
Daru Sultan Hotels Galata
Şişhane / Tünel-Galata, Beyoğlu · Istanbul
- Golden Horn view rooms
- Galata Tower view rooms
- 10-min walk to Galata Tower
- Galata & Asmalımescit cafés nearby
Breakfast included
Upgrade · price on request
What’s Included
Included
Excluded
Optional Upgrades
Add these to your request — we confirm availability and the final total before you pay.
Bosphorus dinner cruise with Turkish night show
An evening on the Bosphorus with dinner and a Turkish night show, watching the lit shores of Europe and Asia from the boat.
3.5 Hours · evening View tour →
Private tour upgrade
Switch from the shared small group to your own vehicle and guide, with a flexible start time and a slower pace.
Own vehicle + guide
Princes' Islands day trip
A ferry to Büyükada, where there are no ordinary cars, with an electric vehicle island tour and a seafood lunch.
10 Hours View tour →
5★ hotel upgrade
Ask for 5★ hotels instead of the standard 4★ hotels. We check availability and confirm the extra cost before you pay.
Subject to availabilityHave something else in mind? Ask us on WhatsApp
Tour Prices & Package Options
Cancellation Policy
- For a full refund, cancel up to 7 days before the start date.
- If you cancel less than 7 days before, the amount paid is non-refundable.
- Changes made less than 7 days before the start date cannot be accepted.
- If the tour is cancelled due to poor weather, you'll be offered a different date or a full refund.
Best Time to Visit Istanbul
Spring (April–May) and autumn (September–early November) are the most comfortable seasons for this tour: mild temperatures suit a full day of walking through Sultanahmet, and the forests around Bursa and Sapanca are at their greenest or most colourful. Summer is warm and busy in the Old City, so an early start on Day 2 helps. Winter is cooler and quieter, and Mount Uludağ is a ski area, so the cable car ride can come with snowy views. The Grand Bazaar is closed on Sundays, in which case the Arasta Bazaar takes its place on Day 2.
Good to Know
Hagia Sophia and Prayer Times
Hagia Sophia is a working mosque. Going inside is optional and paid on-site, and visits are limited at prayer times and around Friday midday.
Closing Days
Topkapı Palace (an optional extra) is closed on Tuesdays and the Grand Bazaar on Sundays, when the Arasta Bazaar replaces it.
Day 4 Without a Guide
Day 4 is a private vehicle with a driver and no guide. Lunch at Maşukiye or Sapanca is your own choice and not included.
Pick-up Times
Your exact pick-up time is confirmed with you the day before each tour.
Hotel Check-in & Check-out
Standard hotel check-in is from 14:00 and check-out is until 12:00. Early check-in or late check-out depends on availability; ask us and we will request it.
Dietary Requirements
Halal and vegetarian options are available. Please tell us about any dietary needs when you book.
Cancellation Policy
- For a full refund, cancel up to 7 days before the start date.
- If you cancel less than 7 days before, the amount paid is non-refundable.
- Changes made less than 7 days before the start date cannot be accepted.
- If the tour is cancelled due to poor weather, you'll be offered a different date or a full refund.
Payment
Reserve now, pay later (no credit card required). A 30% deposit secures your booking after we confirm availability; the balance is due 15 days before the start date.
What guests say about TourQuaz
"Super und zuverlässige Organisation unseres Fimenausflugs. Zuverlässige Abholungen zu vereinbarten Zeiten und hilfreiche Tips beim Programm vor Ort.
Vielen Dank an das ganze Team. Jeder Zeit wieder!"
"Everything was very good specially the staff there
Special thanks to Mr. Emre for amazing efforts and support during all visit in istany"
"معاملة راقية تجربة تستحق الإشادة شكرا على حسن التعامل"
Istanbul Heritage Tour FAQ
You can choose. The Shared tour uses guided group tours with an English-speaking guide on Days 2 and 3, at $499 per person. The Private tour gives you your own vehicle and a private English-speaking guide on Days 2 and 3, at $1,269 per person for two travellers and $609 for six. Day 4 is a private vehicle with driver on both options, and airport transfers are private.
Prices start from $499 per person. The tour covers 4 nights in a 4★ Old City hotel (or similar) with daily breakfast, private airport transfers with meet and greet, the guided Old City and Bursa days, the Bursa ferry and Uludağ cable car, and a private vehicle with driver on Day 4. Lunches, dinners, drinks and museum entrances are not included.
No. An English-speaking guide is included on Day 2 (Old City tour) and Day 3 (Bursa and Uludağ). Day 4 to Sapanca, Maşukiye and Mahmudiye is a private vehicle with driver and no guide. On Day 1 you are met at the airport by an English-speaking assistant, and Day 5 is a transfer to the airport.
No. Museum and palace entrance fees are payable on-site. On Day 2 you see Hagia Sophia from the outside; entering the interior and upper gallery is optional and paid on-site. The Uludağ cable car ticket and the Bursa ferry are included.
An English-speaking assistant meets you at Istanbul Airport (IST) or Sabiha Gökçen (SAW), and a private transfer takes you to the hotel, usually in 45 to 90 minutes depending on the airport and traffic. Please share your flight times in advance so the pick-up can be planned.
Shoulders and knees should be covered and women should bring a scarf for their hair; comfortable walking shoes are recommended for the Old City day.
Yes. Extra nights, a 5★ hotel and optional upgrades such as the Bosphorus dinner cruise or Topkapı Palace can be arranged; request a quote on WhatsApp.
Yes. The Bursa day is a relaxed mix of a ferry crossing, a cable car ride up Mount Uludağ and free time in the city centre, so it suits most families. Children aged 0–2 travel free; children aged 3–7 get a 30% discount when sharing the room with adults.
Free cancellation: cancel up to 7 days before the start date for a full refund. Reserve now, pay later (no credit card required). A 30% deposit secures your booking after we confirm availability; the balance is due 15 days before the start date.
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