Istanbul Uncovered
Istanbul, Turkey
From USD 37.50
Office phone number: Destination re-opening in April, 2021
Culture shock rating
Worried we’re going to shock your senses? Relax! We believe part of the fun of travel is immersing yourself in the destination and its culture, meeting the people, and learning what makes the place tick. We’ve got a wide range of tours with something for everybody. The cultural shock rating ranks how different the experience is from most Western cultures. But no matter the level, don’t worry, you’ll have a local, in-the-know guide with you every step of the way.
Low
Consider these tours your 101 intro to a place. Transportation might be private or a very comfortable public option, and the activities are usually visits to iconic sites and locations that are familiar to most Western cultures – but that will still give you fantastic insight into a destination.
Medium
Expect to rough it for parts of this tour, whether that’s on a packed public bus or in a local market off the tourist trail. There might be a few language barriers or unfamiliar cultural customs, and you’ll get an experience different from what you're used to at home.
High
You're out there in the global community! We’re going to take you down streets you’d rarely explore on your own, introduce you to local customs and languages, and take you for a ride in whatever transport is available. Get ready to take it as it comes, whatever comes. There might be a shock, but oh man, it’s worth it.
Physical rating
Worried our tours are too tough? Relax! From leisurely strolls to muscle-burning treks, we’ve got a wide range of tours with something for everybody. The physical grading gives you an idea of how much huffing and puffing you can expect on the tour.
Low
Slow and steady is all you need here. These tours have very limited physical activity, such as walking relatively flat streets, sites, or markets, and climbing in and out of the transport provided.
Medium
Not too hard, not too soft, these tours are just right! You can expect a bit of physical activity, but nothing overly challenging – perhaps walking up and down hills, riding a bike for up to 30 kilometers along mostly flat terrain, or jumping in a kayak for a gentle paddle on flat water.
High
Get ready for a workout! These tours are our most challenging and involve intense walking, hiking, kayaking, swimming, or bike riding. You could be making steep climbs by foot or pedal, or working your core in the water. We recommend you have a good level of fitness to join this tour.
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Tour snapshot
Istanbul is a beautiful city, but it pays to know where to look. Join this Istanbul tour to be shown the unmistakable icons as well as the hard-to-find secret spots that make Istanbul so captivating.
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Highlights
- Discover the secret haunts of locals in Sultanahmet and explore the backstreets and hidden gems
- Explore the labyrinth that is the Grand Bazaar
- Wander through the Sahaflar Carsisi (book bazaar), one of the oldest markets in Istanbul
- Explore the Suleymaniye Mosque with a local and gain insight into Islam
- Visit Rüstem Paşa Mosque, whose interior is covered in some of the most exquisite iznik tiles ever produced
- Be stunned by stellar views of Istanbul and hear tales of both Byzantine and Ottoman drama and intrigue.
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Schedule details
- Duration: 4 hours
- Meeting point:
Pudding Shop Lale Restaurant, Divanyolu Caddesi No.6 34400, Sultanahmet, Istanbul. The restaurant is located on the street where the tram lines runs through Sultanahmet, approximately a 3-minute walk from Sultanahmet tram stop.
- Find the exact meeting point with what3words:
- Starting time: 8.30 AM
- Ending point:
Spice Bazaar or Egyptian Bazaar in Eminönü Square. Your local guide can provide instructions on how to get back to your hotel, or you are free to continue your own personal exploration.
Language: English
Inclusions: Local English-speaking guide, tour of Sultanahmet, the Grand Bazaar, and Book Bazaar, tea at local tea house, visit to the Süleymaniye Mosque complex, visit to Rustem Pasa Mosque
Exclusions: Tips / gratuities for your local guide.
Get the most out of Istanbul in the company of an expert local guide. As we tour Istanbul, your guide will point out places to get the best local snacks and coffee, as well as show you the main points of interest along the way.
You'll start this Istanbul walking tour by exploring Istanbul’s ancient Hippodrome. Following this, we’ll make our way to Divanyolu, a historical thoroughfare originally mapped out by Emperor Constantine in the early 300s AD.
We’ll then wander through some of the backstreets of the Grand Bazaar, internationally known as the first-ever shopping mall and showcasing an incredible array of goods in its 4,000 shops (but we recommend you save your shopping for later when you have more time to explore at your leisure). We’ll also stop by the book bazaar, where the first printed book in Turkey was sold in 1729.
Your Istanbul tour will then take you to the magnificent Süleymaniye Külliyesi, where you’ll stop off at the original Turkish baths built as part of the mosque complex, and learn all about this ritual of times past. Your guide will give you a local insight into Islam before whisking you off to try Turkish tea in a tea house that has amazing views of the city.
We’ll then pay a visit to the small and stunning Rustem Pasa Mosque — a highlight for sure! The first octagonal plan mosque by the great Ottoman architect Mimar Sinan, the interior is covered with some of the most exquisite iznik tiles ever produced.
We’ll finish this Istanbul tour in the Spice Bazaar area, where your leader can direct you to a local lokanta (small restaurant) for lunch, or give you some more great Istanbul tips for you to make the most of the rest of your stay.
Following recent safety incidents we recommend that you check your government's advice for their latest information on travelling in Turkey before your departure and ensure that your travel insurance covers you for all areas of your itinerary. We have links to prominent government travel advisories and regular updates on issues affecting this trip on our Travel Alerts page - www.intrepidtravel.com/au/travel-alerts.
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Additional information
Inclusions: Local English-speaking guide, tour of Sultanahmet, the Grand Bazaar, and Book Bazaar, tea at local tea house, visit to the Süleymaniye Mosque complex, visit to Rustem Pasa Mosque
Exclusions: Tips / gratuities for your local guide.
Dress standard: Please be aware that the standard of dress through out Turkey is both conservative and modern. On this walking tour we visit a variety of mosques. To respect this and for your own comfort we recommend modest clothing. This means clothing that covers your shoulders and knees for both men and women. We would also request that women have their own scarf to cover their heads - these can easily be purchased in Istanbul. The weather in Istanbul is highly variable depending on the time of year. Winters range from freezing cold to extremely hot and humid in summer (June, July, and August).
Your Trip: This trip is offered on a "join-in" basis. Maximum group size is 12.
Confirmation of booking: If you have your voucher, your booking is confirmed. We'll see you at the start point. Get in touch if you have any concerns or require more information via the email address or phone number (business hours only) on your voucher. IMPORTANT note: The Blue Mosque in Istanbul will be closed between 1st March - 15th May for renovation. To compensate we will be visiting Sokollu Mehmet Pasha Mosque, which was built in 1572 (older than Blue Mosque) and location is here
Additional Information: Destination re-opening in April, 2020
Closure of sites: IMPORTANT note: The Blue Mosque in Istanbul will be closed between 1st March - 15th May for renovation. To compensate we will be visiting Sokollu Mehmet Pasha Mosque, which was built in 1572 (older than Blue Mosque) and location is here
Child Policy: This is a child-friendly tour. Children between the ages of 6 and 11 inclusively are permitted on this tour at the rate listed above. Please select ‘child’ above when booking. Children under the age of 6 are permitted to join this tour free of charge. Please inform us at the time of booking if you’ll be bringing a child under the age of 6. You can do so in the special request box on the checkout page.
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Local contact
Office phone number: Destination re-opening in April, 2021
Email address: info@istanbulurbanadventures.com
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