The very mention of Istanbul should conjure images of minarets on the horizon, the cry of the birds flying over the Bosphorous, right down to the aromatic, noisy streets, where modern Istanbul sits hand in hand with the ancient sites of the city. Istanbul has been a thriving city for centuries, the streets seem to welcome the visitor into its plethora of sounds and sights that fill the senses. A whole world away from the tourist resort of Bodrum, Istanbul is akin to a vast open air theme park that you will never tire of travelling to.
However, unlike any theme park in the world, Istanbul offers you some of the most famous and beautiful architecture imaginable, with its rich history and tales of conquering Sultans, it is impossible not to be caught up in its magical web. This is a place to which you will want to return time and time again.
In 2024, price of Day Tour from Bodrum to Istanbul is 200 € for adults, free for children at and under 2 years old.
| Type | Age | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Adult | 12 years and older | €200 |
| Child | 3 — 11 years old | €200 |
| Infant | 0 — 3 years old | Free |
This is a very early morning pickup from your Bodrum hotel. You will be taken, via comfortable transport, to the airport where your professional guide for the day will greet you. From there you will make the one hour flight to Istanbul. On arrival at the airport in Istanbul (it really is that quick and easy) you will travel into the city, by air conditioned tour coach.
Your first stop will be the famous Sultan Ahmet Square, home to the Blue Mosque, the Hippodrome and Hagia Sophia Mosque.
The Blue Mosque is your first visit. Your guide will take you through this beautiful building, known for the blue tiles that adorn the inner walls and give you all the information required to fully appreciate this architectural wonder.
Just outside the Blue Mosque is the ancient Hippodrome. You can still, to this day, make out the shape of this ancient meeting point of Byzantine emperors. The original Palace, which was attached to the Hippodrome, was dismantled by the Ottoman Turks who took the city in the 15th century. This entire area is built over a warren of antique streets and buildings, most of which you will never see on your tour.
Your guide will show you the German fountains, with their bright golden mosaics before giving you some free time in Sultan Ahmet Square, to browse or shop, or simply take a light lunch at one of the nearby restaurants. During your free time you could also visit the Hagia Sophia Mosque, once a Christian cathedral, but reclaimed and adapted as a Mosque. Of equal beauty to the Blue Mosque, this is also well worth a visit. Once your free time in Sultan Ahmet comes to an end, your guide will take you to the Topkapi Palace.
This was the home of Sultans since the 15th century, a magnificent palace built as a home and a seat of local government, to replace the palace dismantled and destroyed after the seige of Istanbul. This is no disappointment with its sumptuous decor and warren of large halls and rooms, all with that magnificent backdrop of Istanbul from the terraces.
Still in the Sultan Ahmet area and, as if all of this isn’t enough, your next stop will be the Spice Bazaar! Sometimes known as the Egyptian Bazaar, this is an ancient and still functioning market place. Pictures of the Bazaar have adorned magazines for almost a hundred years, but nothing can prepare you for the aromatic herbs and spices that invade your senses in this antique venue. Here you will have free time to explore and maybe purchase those precious spices that turn the ordinary fare into a treat of ‘Turkish Delight’.
As your day is coming to a close you will have a little free time, in which you can take a meal in the amazing ambience of Sultan Ahmet square or, if you are wishing to see a little of Istanbul from the waterline, take an evening cruise along Sultan Ahmet, and take the time to relax.
You will finally return to the airport and commence your homebound journey back to Bodrum,left under the spell of Istanbul and its spellbinding ambience.
