5 Best Istanbul City Tour Packages You Can Consider To Take When You Are Vacationing In Turkey

The Istanbul city tour package is the answer to how we can explore this city further. We just need to determine the most suitable time for us to travel, be it a full-day tour, half tour, or even 2-3 days visiting the best places in Istanbul. There are many choices of Istanbul city tour packages that we can choose from.

Istanbul is one of the important cities in Turkey, which in its journey has witnessed the history of how this city became one of the places where world civilization began.

Before you look at the choices of Istanbul city tour packages, it’s good if you can refresh your view of how Istanbul is, its history, and other interesting stories from this city.

By knowing the story behind this city, your Istanbul city tour will get an even more immersive experience.

If the earth were a single state, Istanbul would be its capital.

That’s how Napoleon Bonaparte quotes this city.

Of course, there are many reasons why he could give that quote.

Istanbul was once known as Constantinople and Byzantium.

In the past, Istanbul was very strategically located on the Silk Road. A route where at that time many people used to trade, thus making Istanbul an economic, cultural, and historical center.

Istanbul was also the imperial capital for the Romans, Byzantines, and Ottomans.

Currently, the location of Istanbul is still very strategic. This city is unique because it has two sides of the city, namely the Asian side and the European side.

Surely you can now imagine, from how few stories about Istanbul are, of course, this city has a lot of interesting tourist places that are very worth visiting.

Keep reading this article, until, in the end, you will understand how the recommended Istanbul city tour packages here are indeed the best choices that you can use to explore one of these big cities in Turkey.

The best places you can consider visiting with Istanbul city tour packages.

If you know there is an area or city in which it turns out that it consists of two continents, of course, you can already imagine how many interesting places can be visited there.

Istanbul is home to a lot of history and culture. Of course, this is what makes Istanbul a very worthy place to be explored more deeply.

You can find a tour of the old city of Istanbul by visiting the walled neighborhood of Sultanahmet. Here you can see many historical buildings such as:

• Hagia Sophia. A magnificent building that has been around since the sixth century, complete with impressive mosaics and a large dome that covers the space of this building. Hagia Sophia currently serves as a mosque for Muslims in Istanbul.
• Topkapi Palace. Inside you will be able to see luxurious interiors from time immemorial, and there are also many relics of Islam and Christianity.
• Blue Mosque. A building of worship for Muslims who were previously built because they wanted to rival the Hagia Sophia. This mosque also stores many historical stories, starting from how this mosque was built, its architecture, until the founder and the architecture were buried in this Blue Mosque complex.
• Basilica Cistern. Also known as the “Subterranean Cistern” or “Subterranean Palace”, is a large place consisting of several hundred ancient cisterns under the city of Istanbul. The exact location is 150 meters (490 feet) southwest of the Hagia Sophia. The Basilica Cistern was built in the 6th century during the reign of the Byzantine Emperor Justinian I.
• And there are many more historical places that can be visited in Istanbul.

You can continue the Istanbul city tour again by using the Bosphorus Cruise. The Bosphorus Strait is the waters in Istanbul Turkey which is also a sign of the separation of the continents of Europe and Asia. From here later you can get a unique experience watching the beauty of the edge of the Golden Horn.

Still, about places that contain local history and culture, you can continue your Istanbul city tour by visiting the Grand Bazaar, the largest ancient market in the world, and the Spice Bazaar, wherein this market you can find many of the richest aromas in the world.

You can take the Istanbul city tour for a full day, half a day, or even you can spend 2-3 days exploring Istanbul more.

You will find some of the best Istanbul city tour package recommendations in the next section of this article.

If you have a longer time in Turkey, you may then consider continuing your Istanbul city tour to other popular areas in Turkey such as Cappadocia, visiting the Ancient City of Greco-Roman Ephesus, natural hot springs in Pamukkale (Cotton Castle), even to World War I sites on the Gallipoli Peninsula. And there are many more places that you can visit.

TRAVEL TIPS.
One way to have a pleasant traveling experience is to know in advance the season when you are going to vacation in Turkey.
>> Find the answer here: The best time to vacation in Turkey.

Some reviews of the best Istanbul city tour packages in Turkey.

Above you already know why Istanbul is the right city to explore.

There are so many tourist attractions in Istanbul that used to be witnesses to the world’s important history.

Of the many tourist attractions, questions finally arise in the minds of tourists who plan to visit Istanbul.

” How to visit the many tourist spots while in Istanbul Turkey?

The question above that often arises in the mind of everyone who will vacation in Istanbul. They are confused about planning the Turkey travel itinerary.

Istanbul city tour packages are the right answer for travelers who don’t want to be too bothered by planning a vacation in Istanbul. Everything has been arranged by the tour provider. We just have to follow the program and enjoy the uniqueness and beauty of Istanbul.

We got some recommendations for this Istanbul city tour package from Viator, Tripadvisor’s largest tour and activity marketplace, based on ratings from travelers who have used these tour packages.

Disclosure:
We recommend services in this article. We are affiliates of these services, and we only choose products or services that we think are appropriate for this article. We will receive a commission if you make a purchase or upgrade through our link. There will be no additional fees for you.

Here are the recommended Istanbul city tour packages:

1. Small-Group Tour: Essential Istanbul.

This tour package is a full-day Istanbul city tour package, which focuses on the main tourist attractions in the old city in the Sultanahmet area.

With this Istanbul city tour package, you will get the opportunity to visit UNESCO World Heritage sites and historical buildings in Istanbul such as the stunning Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, and Hippodrome Square.

Still, in the same tour program, you will be invited to visit the Grand Bazaar and also other shops that provide various products such as textiles, perfumes, jewelry, spices, and many others.

With this Istanbul city tour package, you will be accompanied by an experienced and knowledgeable tour guide.

You will later join a small group, which is limited to a maximum of 10 participants. Not too many participants in one Istanbul city tour group will provide a more intimate experience.

The tour provider also provides pick-up and drop-off services to the hotel or at an agreed place.

During the tour, you will ride an air-conditioned minivan.

And you don’t have to worry about buying tickets to enter the tourist attractions, because this Istanbul city tour package is included with the entrance fees for the museums.

2. Full-Day: Classic Istanbul city tour including Blue Mosque, Hippodrome, Hagia Sophia, and Topkapi Palace.

This Istanbul city tour package from Viator is also one of the most frequently used by travelers from all over the world.

This tour package is a full day Istanbul city tour package, wherewith this tour package you can have the opportunity to visit historical places in the city while enjoying the amazing eternal view of Istanbul.

With this Istanbul city tour package, you will feel how the galloping of the horse’s hooves and the coachman once echoed in Hippodrome Square.

From Hippodrome Square, you will be taken to Hagia Sophia where here later you can enjoy beautiful Byzantine mosaics as well as see the tower of Hagia Sophia. This building was once a church, mosque, museum, and is currently re-functioning as a mosque.

Still, not too far from Hagia Sophia, you will visit the Blue Mosque. Here you will witness how this mosque became popular with the name Blue Mosque, by seeing firsthand the interior and the typical blue tiles of the mosque.

From the Blue Mosque, you will then be invited to visit Topkapi Palace. A palace that was once the place where the government of the Ottoman Empire was run. Here there is a museum in which there are important relics of the Islamic religion.

This Istanbul city tour package will end at the Grand Bazaar. The building which was once the largest market in the world, you will feel how local people trade, bargain, and explore the goods on offers such as handicrafts, carpets, and souvenirs.

In the afternoon, you will have lunch at one of the traditional restaurants in Istanbul Turkey.

With this Istanbul city tour package, you will join a small group, in the hope that you will be able to get a more personal experience.

If you are someone who likes history and culture, then this Istanbul city tour package is the right choice for you.

You don’t need to worry about where you will gather with other group members, because this Istanbul city tour package includes pick-up and drop-off services.

3. Best of Istanbul: 1, 2, or 3 Days Private Guided Tour.

Unlike the previous tour packages, this package is a private Istanbul city tour package.

During the tour in Istanbul, you will exclusively be accompanied by a private tour guide.

The advantage of this private Istanbul city tour package is that you can make travel plans flexibly, adjusting to your schedule.

With this private Istanbul city tour package, you will be invited to enjoy the magnificent works of Istanbul’s architecture, explore all the historical witnesses in Istanbul, and visit the eclectic market in this city.

The personal tour guide that accompanies you will explain how Hagia Sophia traveled, how the Sultan Ahmet Mosque was finally nicknamed the Blue Mosque, the history of the Basilica Cistern, exploring Topkapi Palace to get an idea of ​​how the Ottoman Sultan lived there, to the experience of doing business in the ancient market of the Grand Bazaar.

If you like to explore Istanbul but in a more comfortable and private way, then it is highly recommended that you take this private Istanbul city tour package.

>> Read also: Private tours in Istanbul. A different way to enjoy Istanbul.

4. Bosphorus Full Day Tour: Bosphorus Cruise, Uskudar, and Dolmabahce Palace.

This Istanbul city tour package will give you a different impression and experience when compared to tour packages in general.

With this Istanbul city tour package, you will get a full day sightseeing experience on a relaxing Bosphorus Cruise, and witness the uniqueness of the Golden Horn and the Bosphorus Strait.

On the Bosphorus Cruise you will enjoy amazing views of bridges, forts, palaces, and mosques.

Accompanied by a personal guide, you will also be invited to visit Dolmabahce Palace and explore the colors and aromas of the Spice Bazaar which are very attractive.

Still in this Istanbul city tour package, you will also have the opportunity to visit the Rustem Pasha Mosque on Camlica Hill. In this place you will also see how the view of Istanbul with a broad horizon.

One of the unique activities that you can get from this Istanbul city tour package is that you will get the opportunity to enjoy a delicious three-course menu along the stunning coastline.

Do you like to enjoy activities in the water while on vacation? Then you can really consider using this Istanbul city tour package.

Still about sailing in the Bosphorus Strait, you can also get another experience, namely by enjoying sailing in the Bosphorus Strait at sunset on a luxury yacht.
>> You can get the info at the end of the following article: Private and luxury tours in Istanbul.

5. Big Bus Istanbul Hop-On Hop-Off.

As one of the largest cities in the world, hop on and off bus packages like this one seem to offer a very flexible way to explore Istanbul.

While you ride an open-top double-decker bus, you will certainly be able to enjoy the atmosphere of Istanbul in a different way.

This bus offers audio commentary, so that when you tour by bus in Istanbul, you still will not miss important information about the places you are going through.

With this bus you will get on and off at the designated stops, and then you will visit interesting tourist spots in Istanbul such as Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia, Egyptian Bazaar, and many other interesting places.

Your ticket is valid for 1, 2, or 3 days, and includes entrance tickets for several tourist attractions that have been determined.

If you want to explore Istanbul but with a schedule that you set yourself, then the choice of hop on and off tour packages by bus in Istanbul is the right choice for you.

With this Istanbul city tour package with bus, you can hop on and off as often as you want, on two choices of routes around the city of Istanbul.

Without compromising the essence of an Istanbul city tour package, you can take advantage of the audio commentary on the bus to get an informative and entertaining explanation.

List of recommended Istanbul city tour packages that you can consider using when you are on vacation in Turkey.

In this section you will be able to see a more complete selection of Istanbul city tour packages.

Apparently, every traveler has their own preferences in determining the Istanbul city tout package they will take. And this preference cannot be imposed between multiple travelers, as they have different needs or interests.

Not all travelers take Istanbul city tour packages to visit popular tourist spots. There are even some of them use tour packages to explore the typical food in Istanbul.

If you still want to explore Istanbul beyond the recommendations of the five packages above, then you can consider choosing from the following Istanbul city tour packages:

Conclusion.

In fact, everyone who comes to Istanbul must spend more than a day.

Not only because there are many tourist attractions in Istanbul, but it could also be because tourists want to visit tourist attractions that are close to Istanbul.

For example, in summer people will look for beaches close to Istanbul. Or during winter, people will look for ski resorts not far from Istanbul.

This condition makes the visitors then think, about how to make the best use of time in Istanbul.
And one of the answers is to use Istanbul city tour packages.

Of course, there are many choices of things to do in Istanbul.

Make sure you get a pleasant vacation experience in Istanbul by choosing a good Istanbul tour package.

Every traveler will definitely have their own preferences in determining the Istanbul city tour package according to the expectations they want.

Hopefully this article can be useful for you as a reference in determining your vacation itinerary and choosing Istanbul city tour packages.