Istanbul Ottoman Relics Half-Day Tour: Topkapi Palace and the Mosque of Soleman the Magnificent

Istanbul, Turkey

Your four-hour afternoon tour begins at spectacular Topkapi Palace, for centuries the main residence of the Ottoman sultans. The palace features delightful Ottoman architecture, exquisite tile work, the mysteries of the harem, outdoor pools and gardens, and spectacular views of the Bosphorus. You will also see some of the most famous national treasures of Turkey such as the Imperial Armory, the Imperial Treasury including the treasury jewels and the stunning collection of chinese ceramics.

Your tour continues with a visit to the Mosque of Soleman the Magnificent, the biggest and the most exquisite Ottoman mosques in Istanbul, which sheer size and beauty will leave you overwhelmed. If for religious reasons the Mosque of Soleman the Magnificent is closed you the tour will take you one of the jewels of Ottoman culture - the Rustem Pahsa Mosque. It is known for its vivid display of Iznic tiles on the walls that are sure to amaze any visitor.

USD $48.75

Review by: sinha.sangita	January 2012
This is surely not a popular tour and I could guess why so.

Review by: HANNA L	November 2011
Very interesting. Unfortunately very crowded. Difficult to see anything and no time for the harem because of the waits. Not the tours fault. It is what it is.

Review by: Paul C, United Kingdom	June 2010
Enjoyed this trip and the guide was very good as he had a lot of knowledge about the Topkapi Palace, however, we did not stay for very long at the other site, Mosque of Soleman. I thought the tour was too short, it should have gone on for another hour. However, overall it was good and I recommend the guide.

Review by: Maria M, Ireland	April 2010
I was very disappointed with this trip.Firstly it was nearly an hour late starting. Then we were brought to a very small Mosque for about ten minutes. Then on to the Palace were the guide told us where the different things were,gave us nearly no information and told to go off and do our own thing and meet back at the bus at 4. The whole tour took about 2 hours.The guide a nice person but not much good as a guide. Very bad value for money.

Review by: Margaret F, Ireland	January 2010
Myself and my husband were the only 2 on the tour and our guide was wonderful! Very informative and a lovely friendly fellow. The palace was wonderful, and we visited the Blue Mosque instead of The Mosque of Soleman, as it was closed on the day. After the tour ended our guide offered to walk us through Taksim Square. It was really enjoyable! I would definitely recommend the tour for value for money, excellent tour guide and transportation provided.

Review by: Rory M, Ireland	October 2008
Really good. Had a guide, a Merc minibus and driver just for the two of us. Our "half day tour" was from 1pm to about 7pm and even then the guide was in no hurry home. In the end we felt guilty had to tell him to go on home! He was really excellent. Much better than the Ship organized tours which are twice the price, shorter and much less personal.

Review by: Desmond T, Canada	July 2008
It was a good tour with a fantastic guide. However, the half day tour actually did not include Grand Bazaar and we ended up walking to the Blue Mosque ourselves. The problem was that those attractions were only included in the whole day trip.

Review by: Laurie L, United Kingdom	March 2008
We joined what was a full day tour. Took a large tour bus to a different mosque than the blue mosque. We got about a 10 minute explanation about that mosque. Then took a bus to Tokapi palace got another 10 minute talk and were sent to explore by ourselves. Then we were dropped off at the Grand Bazaar without any info at all. We would have gotten more doing it ourselves. Very disappointed.

Review by: Anonymous, United States of America	November 2007
We had to meet another group to combine coaches which wasted a lot of time. We didn't even visit the bazaar.

Review by: Ronald P, United States of America	October 2007
We were picked up at the hotel and taken to the ship after the tour with our luggage. Our tour guide was well informed and communicated very well.

Review by: Marsha P, United States of America	September 2007
Our guide was extremely knowledgeable. Superb!

Review by: Richard P, United States of America	September 2007
This tour was truly exceptional. The guide was very knowledgeable, especially concerning the history of the area and the religions involved. The tour added a historical carpet museum that was not on the list of places to be visited that was very interesting. Of course, there was the obligatory visit to the guide's favorite jewelry and carpet shop, but that was accomplished in a very low key manner. Pickup at the port and drop-off at our hotel after the tour for us and all our baggage was effortlessly accomplished. This tour was much cheaper and a much smaller group than one offered by the cruise line.

Review by: Richard K, United States of America	August 2006
Very competent and interesting guide. Excellent tour. I would recommend it highly.

Review by: Anonymous	August 2006
Very competent and interesting guide. Excellent tour. I would recommend it highly.