Istanbul Tour with Bosphorus Cruise and Dolmabahce Palace

Leave your central Istanbul hotel and travel around the Golden Horn – the inlet of the Bosphorus Strait that splits the city onto two continents. Pass through the Jewish quarter of Balat, seeing the distinctive Church Of St Stephen of the Bulgars – made entirely of cast iron – and admire the Byzantine Walls of Constantinople. Prepare for an assault on your senses as you walk through the Spice Bazaar (also known as the Egyptian Bazaar), admiring stalls pedaling spices, tapestries and just about everything under the sun!

Travel to the water’s edge and hop aboard the boat for your Bosphorus sightseeing cruise. Sit back and relax with your camera poised, ready to capture marble palaces sitting cheek-by-jowl with Ottoman-era wooden villas, as well as world-class attractions like Rumeli Fortress, Imperial Gardens of Royal Yildiz Palace and Bosphorus Bridge.

Step back onto dry land and (if time permits) visit one of the city’s leading leather showrooms to admire quality leatherwork for which Istanbul is famous. Take a breather over lunch at a traditional Turkish restaurant, and then head to Dolmabahçe Palace for your walking tour.

This unbelievably grand building was one of the last Ottoman Empire palaces to be built, and its resulting architectural style is a dazzling mish-mash of influences, blending opulent Ottoman and European Neoclassical architecture with Victorian furnishings. Marvel at the abundance of chandeliers, marble and glistening gilding while exploring with your guide, visiting highlights like the Medhal Hall, Crystal Staircase and the Secretariat’s Rooms.

After your palace tour, board your coach for a final look at the city. Cross Bosphorus Bridge and travel to either Çamlıca Hill or Yeditepe (depending on traffic conditions on the day) for a bird’s-eye view of the city.

Your tour finishes back at your central Istanbul hotel in the late afternoon.

Please note: Dolmabahçe Palace on Mondays & Thursdays will be replaced with Eyüp, Pierre Loti Coffee House and Miniatürk.