Byzantine Heritage Tour of Istanbul
- The Hippodrome of Constantinople
- Basilica Cistern (Underground Cistern)
- Hagia Sophia Museum
- Great Palace Mosaic Museum
- Kariye Museum
What to Expect?
- 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
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.
At the Hippodrome of Constantinople, listen to your guide and imagine scenes of thrilling and terrifying chariot races. Learn the stories behind the ancient Egyptian Obelisk and the Serpentine Column.
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.
We enter the Basilica Cistern, deep underground. It once supplied water to the whole city. Now it’s a strangely eerie space. Listen for an echo and see if you can count all the columns.
Have lunch at a restaurant recommended by your guide.
We visit the Hagia Sophia, with its enormous dome. Built in 537AD as a Greek Orthodox Church, it became a mosque in 1453 AD. That’s when Fatih Sultan Mehmet conquered the city. In 1935 it was converted into a museum. Today, this majestic work of Byzantine heritage is a visual delight. It’s filled with glorious mosaics, galleries and suspended Islamic pendants.
The Byzantine Heritage tour takes you to Chora Church. Also known as the Kariye Museum, it’s filled with magnificent 13th century AD mosaics. Look up as your guide explains the stories behind the Old Testament tales.
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.
From your hotel, port or airport
To your pick-up location
- Sun protection (or umbrella depending on the season/weather)
- Hat and sunglasses
- Camera
- Cash/credit cards
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Digital device storage cards and/or power bank
- Sea Pass card and photo identification (these are for cruise ship passangers)
- Professional, Licensed Guiding Services
- Admission Fees
- Skip the ticket line
- Lunch
- Personal Expenses
Dynamic Pricing:
Basically the dynamic pricing is the reduction of per person price when the number of people in your party increases. The more people in your group, the less you would pay person.
- 1 Adult - $200
- 2 Adults - $135 pp
- 3 Adults - $115 pp
- 4 Adults - $120 pp
- 5 Adults - $105 pp
- 6 Adults - $100 pp
- 7 - 9 Adults - $87 pp
- 10 - 12 Adults - $80 pp
Legal Notice:
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. Guiding without a license is illegal!
You may cancel your tour reservation up to 3 days before the planned start of the tour. No cancellation charge is issued within the allowed deadline. Please read our cancellation policy at “Booking Terms & Conditions“.