1 - MOSQUE OF SULTAN SULEYMAN (SULEYMANIYE MOSQUE): Mosque was built by the famous architect Sinan in 1550 - 1557 years on the orders of Sultan Suleiman the Lawgiver. The height of the dome of the mosque is 53 meters and a diameter of 26.5 meters. The mosque is located in the historic city, near Vefa. The four minarets of the mosque meant that Sultan Suleiman Padishah was fourth after the conquest of Istanbul. In the neighboring mausoleums resting himself Sultan Suleyman and his wife Hjurrem Sultan (Roskolana).
2 - THE TOMB OF SULTAN SULEYMAN (10TH EMPEROR OF OTTOMAN EMPIRE): The Mausoleum of Sultan Suleyman is located in religious complex in the Süleymaniye Mosque. Sultan Suleiman ruled the empire for forty-six years and died of natural causes in 1566. Vizier Mehmed Pasha Sokollu ordered to mummify the deceased Sultan Suleyman in order to preserve the body. Today, the body of Sultan Suleiman is kept in a mausoleum, built by architect Sinan, next to the mausoleum of Sultan's wife - Hjurrem Sultan (Roxelana).
3 - THE TOMB OF HJURREM SULTAN ROXELANA (WIFE OF SULTAN SULEYMAN): Mausoleum of Sultan Haseki Hjurrem (Roxelana) is located within the Süleymaniye Mosque. Young slavic concubine won the heart of Sultan Suleiman contrary to the traditions and became the wife of the sultan. Hjurrem Sultan died April 15, 1558 at the age of fifty. The mausoleum was built by the architect Sinan one year after her death. During construction the tomb was kept inside the mosque.
4 - GRAND BAZAAR 1461, ONE OF THE OLDEST HISTORICAL COVERED MARKETS: Covered Bazaar, Covered Market, Kapali Charshi, or as also we know Grand Bazaar is one of the largest covered markets in the world, located in the historic part of Istanbul. The area of the buildings is 30 700 square meters, where there are more than 4,000 shops in 66 streets. Grand Bazaar was built in 1453 during the reign of Sultan Mehmed II, just after the conquest of Constantinople. The Grand Bazaar has 18 gates, among them the most important is the gateway Nuruosmaniye and Beyazit Gate.
5 - HISTORICAL ISTANBUL TRADE CENTER (EMINONU DISTRICT): District Eminonu is located on the peninsula in the historic part of Istanbul, where Bosphorus connects to the Sea of Marmara. There is also the Golden Horn nearby. Eminonu during the tenure of Constantinople by Venetians played an important role, where they developed their own waterfront and built ports. In the days of the Ottoman Empire, Eminonu was an important commercial and industrial center, which was controlled from the Topkapi Palace. In Eminonu area there are such attractions such as the New Mosque, the Egyptian market and the Galata Bridge.
6 - EMINONU ''NEW MOSQUE'': New Mosque, also known as Valide Sultan Mosque is located in the historic district of Eminonu, in the old part of the city. The construction of mosque was started in 1597 by order of Safiye Sultan, the wife of Sultan Murad III. The architect of the mosque was Davud Aga, a pupil of the architect Mimar Sinan. After the death of Davud Aga, construction was continued by architect Dalgich Ahmet Aga. Construction of the mosque was completed in 1663. The new mosque is decorated with 66 domes and two minarets. The mosque has five gates, some of which come to the front yard of the mosque.
7 - EGIPTIAN BAZAAR: Egyptian Bazaar is located in the old part of Istanbul, in the historic industrial and commercial district of Eminonu. The bazaar was built in 1664 for the purpose of financing the construction of the New Mosque. It is the second largest market in Istanbul, after the Grand Bazaar. Egyptian Bazaar was built in the shape of an inverted letter T and has 6 gates. There are about 80 stores, which are mainly sell sweets, herbs, spices and milk products. Egyptian Bazaar got its name because the bulk herbs and spices were shipped here from India through Egypt.
8 - TOUR ON THE BOSPHORUS BY PUBLIC FERRY BOAT OR INDIVIDUAL YACHT: Tour on the Bosphorus overlooking the shores of the European and Asian parts of Istanbul, where there are many attractions, palaces, mansions and ancient buildings. Starting first on the European side of the embankment, ferry or yacht sails under the first Bosphorus Bridge and reaches the second bridge Fatih Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror, then you return for the Asian side of Istanbul. Tour by public ferry takes about one and a half hours. If desired, you can order an individual yacht for this event.
9 - WALKING THROUGH THE GALATA BRIDGE, VIEW OF THE BOSPHORUS: The Galata Bridge was built in 1992 - 1994 by Turkish company called STFA. This is the fifth in a row a bridge across the Golden Horn. Prior to that, other bridges were built, the very first of which was built during the reign of Bezmialem Valide Sultan in 1845. The bridge is a two-tier structure on the lower floor is a walking area, and restaurants, and on the upper tier there is road for cars and tram lines, as well as pedestrians. The bridge is 484 meters length and its width is 42 meters.
10 - WALK THROUGH ''THE TUNNEL'' - THE SECOND SUBWAY IN WORLD WHICH WAS BUILT AFTER THE LONDON SUBWAY: "Tunnel" is one of the oldest subways in the world, which was built after the construction of the subway in London. In its construction it can be called a kind of subway funicular that connects the more modern part of the city Beyoglu district and the historic part of the Karakoy. This branch of the tunnel started to operate in 1875. Until 1910 to move the carriages of the tunnel horse power was used. In 1971 a massive reconstruction "tunnel" was made, during which the old wooden carriages were changed to more modern. The length of the metro line is just over five hundred meters.
11 - GALATA TOWER, 528 YEAR, VIEW IF THE GOLDEN HORN BAY: Galata Tower, located in the Galata district and one of the most important symbols of the city, was built in the year 528. On the hill of the tower offers a panoramic view of Istanbul, the Bosphorus and the Golden Horn. The tower was built on the orders of Emperor Anastasius, and is one of the oldest towers in the world. After the capture of the area by Genoa in 1348-1249 years on the top of hill they completed the tower construction, which was then called "The Tower of Jesus." The current name of the tower comes from the reign of Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror. In 1791 the tower was rebuilt, its height is 45 meters. In 1832, on top of the tower was built a viewing platform where attendants watched a case of fire or riot in the city. In 1964 - 1967 years the tower was restored. Then an elevator was built in the tower. Today, on the top floor of the tower there is a restaurant and observation deck, and the tower itself is a museum.
12 - WALKING IN ISTANBUL ARBAT - ISTIKLAL AVENUE: Istiklal Avenue, or as it is called Istanbul Arbat, is located in the Beyoglu district and is one of the most popular pedestrian street in Istanbul. The length of the streets is about half a kilometer. Street starts with the Taksim central square and ends at the entrance to the "Tunnel". On Istiklal Street there are various shops of most international brands, restaurants and cafes, both Turkish and European cuisine, churches and high schools. Down the street from Taksim Square to the "Tunnel" runs a retro tram. Also, here are the Consulate General of France, Greece, the Netherlands, Russia and others.
13 - TAKSIM SQUARE (THE CENTER OF ISTANBUL): Taksim Square - the central square of Istanbul. The area was built in the XVI century during the reign of Sultan Suleiman. In the central part of the square is a monument to the "Republic" which height is 12 meters, built in 1928. The monument symbolizes the army of liberators and the establishment of the Republic of Turkey. Taksim Square was used for the celebration of national holidays and significant days, organizing meetings. Taksim Square is also a popular meeting place for couples in love.
THIS EXCURSION IS ORGANIZED WITH A CAR
The average duration of excursion is from 6 to 8 hours (you can adjust the time as you wish).
The tour can be done every day.
What will be included in the tour price:
- English-speaking guide
What will not be included in the tour price:
- Entrance fees to all attractions and visited museums
- The cost of transport for excursions