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Istanbul

Piles of colourful spices in a Turkish market

The decorated domed roof of an Istanbul mosque

Decorated doorway in the Topkapi Palace in Istanbul

City breaks

From £489 - 6 nights

Guided City Break in Istanbul

Holiday reference: ISLCL

Print guided holiday itinerary information

Each day our experienced leader will lead you on a sightseeing walk of Istanbul, exploring the different areas of the city. Although you should expect to spend most of the day sightseeing by foot, trams, buses and boats will also be used during the programme.

Highlights of the sightseeing programme include:

Aya Sofia

This former Byzantine church and Ottoman mosque is now a museum and one of the greatest surviving examples of Byzantine architecture.

Blue Mosque

Built to rival the neighbouring Aya Sofia, this mosque has a spectacular high ceiling lined with around 20,000 blue tiles.

Topkapi Palace

Home to the Ottoman Sultans and Centre State Administration for 380 years, this extensive complex includes a series of courtyards and a harem.

Grand Bazaar

One of the largest covered markets in the world, the Grand Bazaar has over 5000 shops arranged along 60 covered streets offering a variety of goods from carpets and gold to clothes and jewellery.

Boat trip

Divided by the mighty Bosphorus, Istanbul is the perfect place to enjoy a boat trip and to glean an insight into local life.

Museum of Turkish and Islamic Art

Housed in a former palace, this museum displays a wealth of Islamic calligraphy, tiles and rugs, and also has the richest carpet collection in the world.

Admission Fees

Admission fees are not included in the cost of the holiday. As a general guide, you should allow around 120TL, although reductions on admission costs are often available for students and senior citizens.

Local Transport

During this City Break the sightseeing programme will involve the use of trams, buses and boats. Your leader will provide further information on arrival in Istanbul.

In the Evenings

This holiday is sold on a bed and breakfast basis. However, your leader will make arrangements at local restaurants should members of the group wish to eat together.
You will find that most guests enjoy dining together but the choice is yours. If you do choose to dine independently, your leader will be happy to offer suggestions and advice.