Private Half-Day Tour: Istanbul Ottoman Splendour - Topkapi and Suleymaniye Mosque

Istanbul, Turkey

Your four-hour personalized 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, outdoor pools and gardens, and spectacular views of the Bosphorus. You will also get the chance to see some of the most famous national treasures of Turkey such as the Imperial Armory, the Imperial Treasure including the treasury jewels and the stunning collection of chinese ceramics.

Your tour continues with a visit to the Suleymaniye Mosque, the largest mosque in Istanbul, built in the 1550s. With its four minarets and cluster of domes, the beautiful mosque dominates the skyline and is a city symbol.

Please note, the Suleymaniye Mosque is currently undergoing restoration work. Until further notice is given, your tour will visit the Rusta Pasa Mosque instead.

Review by: SHEILA C	October 2010
Our guide was pleasant and easy to understand. We went first to Suleymaniye Mosque only to discover it has been closed for reconstruction for 2 years!! We walked around outside, looked at the restaurants as well as the graveyard and then went to Topkapi. After Topkapi we went to a carpet/jewelry showroom. Although there was no real pressure to purchase I felt that I did not get my money's worth. Why weren't we taken to the Blue Mosque as a substitute. Why have a mosque on a tour that is closed. We also would have liked to get more of a sense of what the city was like. Our tour ended a half an hour early, and we really only saw one real place of interest. We did not get our money's worth on this four hour tour..

Review by: Jay J	July 2009
Very much enjoyed our guide & tour. Would have liked to have the harem rooms included at Topkapi Palace instead of the Grand Bazaar, which we ended up doing on our own.