Explore Istanbul’s old city on a sightseeing tour of all the main monuments on the European side, including the stunning Sultan Ahmet Mosque (Blue Mosque), one of the architectural highlights of the Turkish and Islamic worlds. Admire its 6 towering minarets and 260 windows that illuminate a vast main chamber decorated with more than 20,000 Iznik tiles.
Cross to the Hagia Sophia Museum, built in the 6th century by Emperor Justinian as one of the largest basilicas of the Christian world. Learn how it was converted to a mosque after the Ottoman conquest, and admire its Byzantine mosaics. Go to Topkapi Palace, the crown jewel of the Ottoman Empire. Finally, wander among the 4,000 shops of the Grand Bazaar, and haggle for souvenirs, such as jewelry, leather, pottery and carpets.