Istanbul Grand Discovery: 7-Day Heritage & Bosphorus Tour
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Accommodation
4-Star Hotel -
Best Season
Autumn & Summer Guide
Guided Language
English Meals
Breakfast & Touring-Day Lunches Tour Availability
Available Flexible Stay Options
Destination Routes
Overview
A carefully curated 7-day discovery of Istanbul — where Byzantine grandeur, Ottoman splendour and Bosphorus panoramas unfold day by day. Designed for travellers seeking authentic culture, comfort and effortless organisation from arrival to departure, this journey brings together the city's most iconic landmarks with two rewarding day trips beyond the historic peninsula.
We begin at the heart of the old city, where Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque face one another across Sultanahmet Square, followed by the Hippodrome, the Grand Covered Bazaar and Topkapı Palace. From there, the journey moves onto the water with a private Bosphorus cruise past Rumeli Fortress, continuing to Dolmabahçe Palace and panoramic Çamlıca Hill — standing between two continents in a single day.
Two full-day excursions round out the experience: a ferry crossing to the car-free Princes' Islands for an eco-friendly electric-car tour of Büyükada, and a day trip to Bursa, the first Ottoman capital, home to the Grand Mosque and the Green Tomb. Back in Istanbul, a walking tour through Taksim and İstiklal Street descends via Galata Tower to the mystical Basilica Cistern, with an optional Whirling Dervishes ceremony in the evening.
Why choose this tour?
Every detail is handled for you — private airport transfers, an English-speaking guide across all five touring days, and lunches included on every excursion. You simply arrive and enjoy the city.Key Highlights:
- 5 Full-Day Guided Tours: Expert-led sightseeing across Istanbul's most iconic landmarks.
- Private Bosphorus Cruise: Sail past Rumeli Fortress with lunch included.
- Princes' Islands Escape: A car-free island of pine forests and Belle Époque mansions.
- Bursa Day Trip: Discover the Grand Mosque and Green Tomb of the first Ottoman capital.
Highlights
- ✅ Hagia Sophia & the Blue Mosque
- ✅ Topkapı Palace & the Grand Covered Bazaar
- ✅ Private Bosphorus Cruise & Dolmabahçe Palace
- ✅ Princes' Islands (Büyükada)
- ✅ Bursa – The First Ottoman Capital
- ✅ Basilica Cistern & Galata Tower
Tour Plan
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Day 1: Arrival in Istanbul
Arrival at Istanbul Airport, where our English-speaking representative meets you for a private transfer to your hotel. Check in and enjoy free time to relax — optionally stroll through Taksim and İstiklal Street, moments from the hotel.
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Day 2: Byzantine & Ottoman Relics
Morning visit to Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque, the icons of two empires facing one another across Sultanahmet Square. Afternoon at the Hippodrome and the Grand Covered Bazaar, followed by Topkapı Palace and the Hagia Irene Museum, with lunch included.
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Day 3: Bosphorus Cruise & Two Continents
Morning walk through the Golden Horn, the historic Byzantine City Walls and the Spice Bazaar. Afternoon private Bosphorus cruise past Rumeli Fortress with lunch included, then Dolmabahçe Palace, the Bosphorus Bridge and panoramic Çamlıca Hill — standing between two continents in a single day.
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Day 4: Princes' Islands
Ferry to Büyükada, the largest and greenest of the Princes' Islands, a car-free haven of pine forests and Belle Époque mansions. Eco-friendly electric-car tour of the island with a seaside lunch, and free time for shopping before returning to Istanbul.
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Day 5: Green Bursa Day Trip
Full-day excursion to Bursa, the first Ottoman capital — the Grand Mosque (Ulu Cami), the Green Tomb and Green Mosque, and the historic silk market, with lunch included en route. Return transfer to Istanbul in the evening.
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Day 6: Walking Tour & Underground Cistern
Morning at Taksim Square and the lively İstiklal Street, descending via the historic Galata Tower and Galata Bridge. Afternoon fish lunch beneath the bridge, Sirkeci Train Station, the mystical Basilica (Yerebatan) Cistern and the Grand Covered Bazaar. Optional evening: a Whirling Dervishes Sema ceremony.
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Day 7: Departure
Breakfast at the hotel and free time until your private transfer to Istanbul Airport for your international flight home.
Inclusions
- 6 nights' accommodation, Bed & Breakfast basis
- Private arrival and departure airport transfers
- 5 full-day guided sightseeing tours with English-speaking guide
- Lunches on all touring days
- Entrance fees to all sites and museums listed in the itinerary
- All applicable local taxes
Exclusions
- International flights to/from Turkey
- Turkish entry visa / e-Visa fees
- Travel & health insurance
- Personal expenses, beverages and gratuities
- Optional experiences, unless booked in advance
- Any service not listed under Inclusions
Frequently Asked Questions
The Bosphorus cruise on Day 3 is a private sailing included in your package, with lunch served on board as you pass Rumeli Fortress and the Bosphorus Bridge.
Yes. This itinerary is designed to work comfortably for solo travellers, with single-room accommodation and private airport transfers included as standard.
You'll stay at a 4-star hotel in the Taksim area (or similar) for all 6 nights, on a Bed & Breakfast basis.
Visa requirements depend on your nationality. Many travellers can obtain a Turkish e-Visa online before departure; some nationalities travel visa-free for short stays. Let us know your nationality and we'll confirm exactly what you need.
Yes — both are available as optional experiences, bookable in advance or locally during your stay. Ask our team for current rates when you book.
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