Discover Istanbul

New

5 Days Excluding Flights From

0 Days from

£ 949

Culture

Activity Level

Easy

Comfort Level

Classic

Ways to Travel :

Guided Group

Activity :

Culture

Group Size :

5 - 16

Ages :

16+

Trip Code :

ATX

Carbon Footprint :

37.8kg CO2e per person per day

The treasures of Istanbul shine even brighter when you explore them with a tour leader who knows their secrets

Straddling two continents and hundreds of years of history, Istanbul is a dizzying, dazzling city packed with rich culture, sumptuous food and some of the world’s great monuments. It’d take a lifetime to explore, but you can get straight to its soul on this compact adventure. Our expert local tour leader will show you the things others miss and introduce you to the people who are as integral to the city as the grand mosques, spice markets and stretching Bosphorus strait.

Highlights

Immerse yourself in the wonders of Istanbul with the guidance of a local tour leader
Enjoy expert insight as you marvel at the great landmarks left by empires past
Meet the vendors as you explore the Grand Bazaar and fragrant spice markets
Experience the buzz of the cafes and shops around the Galata Tower area
Cruise between Europe and Asia on a boat ride along the Bosphorus

Key Information

Accommodation: 4 Classic nights (hotels)
Mainly travel by public transport, including the tram and metro
Group normally 5 to 16, plus leader. Minimum age: 16

Countries visited: Turkey

What's Included

All breakfasts, one dinner
All accommodation
All transport and listed activities
Tour leader throughout
Group arrival and departure transfers available

What's Not Included

Travel insurance
Single accommodation (available on request)
Visas or vaccinations

Sustainability and Impact

As a certified B Corp, we’re on a mission to improve our social and environmental impact across all our adventures.

We do this through our innovative Thriving Nature, Thriving People plan.

This ‘nature positive’ approach is designed to help nature and communities thrive in harmony through practical solutions, such as reducing carbon and waste on our trips, supporting conservation projects through the Exodus Adventure Travels Foundation, and rewilding 100 square metres for every Exodus traveller.

TRIP

ATX - Discover Istanbul

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Trip Notes

Click on the button below for detailed Trip Notes containing all the particulars about this trip, including kit lists and practical information.

Note: these can vary by departure; you can check out the specific Trip Notes for your chosen adventure on the dates & prices page.

View Trip Notes

For flights call us on 0203 733 5948 or enquire when booking online

Regional flights available

Competitive flight prices

Specialist Flight Support

ATOL protected

Itinerary

Arrive in the transcontinental city of Istanbul, an enthralling cultural powerhouse packed with history, architecture and incredible cuisine.

You’ll get to know its twists, turns and architectural triumphs over the following few days, so tonight you can settle into your hotel and, if you have time after your flight, enjoy some solo exploration.

Want more time in Istanbul? Secure pre-tour hotel nights through your sales representative.

Say merhaba to your tour leader and fellow travellers this morning, when we gather as a group for the first time to get to know each other and learn more about the adventures ahead.

Then we join our tour leader on an exploration of the Old City, a great introduction to the rich history of Istanbul.

Our tour takes us to some of the great city landmarks, starting at Topkapı Palace. It was the administrative palace of the Ottoman empire between the 15th and 19th century, where sultans and their court lived and governed in an opulent setting.

We also visit the Basilica Cistern, a vast subterranean chamber built in the sixth century with 336 marble columns, atmospheric lighting, and the legendary Medusa heads.

Continue to the neighbouring Hagia Sophia, admiring its immense dome, serenity and fine Byzantine mosaics, before visiting the nearby Blue Mosque (or Sultan Ahmet Mosque). Finally, we stroll around the Ancient Hippodrome, the setting of chariot races and centre of Byzantine civil life.

After a busy day, enjoy a Turkish feast for dinner, a great chance to get to know each other a little better in a relaxed setting.

Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner

Today is dedicated to the Ottoman empire. Our tour starts at the Suleymaniye Mosque, which was built between 1550 and 1557 by Mimar Sinan, known as the greatest Ottoman architect of the classical period. It’s a masterpiece with four minarets rising from each corner of the courtyard; inside, the mihrab (a praying niche showing the direction to Mecca) and mimber (pulpit) are made of finely carved white marble, and there are fine stained-glass windows.

Continue to the Grand Bazaar, the largest covered market in the world – a labyrinth of streets and passages with more than 4,000 shops.

We then hop on a boat to cruise down the Bosphorus, the strait that separates Europe and Asia. On either side of the water stands two medieval Ottoman castles, while the shores offer a delightful mixture of past and present, grand splendour and simple beauty.

Meals included: Breakfast

Immerse yourself in the grandeur of Istanbul today. After breakfast, we take the tram to the 19^th-century Dolmabahce Palace. Its scenic spot on the waterfront is matched by the impressive architecture, which blends baroque, neoclassical and rococo styles.

After, take the funicular to the Taksim district, where we sample street food and stroll along Istiklal Street to admire its historic passages. Then, leave the bustling pedestrian street to explore the shops and restaurants of the Pera and Cihangir neighbourhoods.

Along the way, we see churches on Pera Street and the Galata Tower (entrance not included). Our travels take us across Galata Bridge, which spans the Golden Horn in the heart of Istanbul.

We then visit the Misir Carsısı (Spice Market) next to Yeni Mosque in Eminonu, an evocative marketplace of vivid spices whose scent fills the air.

Meals included: Breakfast

You’ve witnessed the grand landmarks of the Ottoman empire, explored the largest covered market in the world, and experienced the best of Istanbul; but now it’s time for the adventure to end and begin your return journey home.

Alternatively, if you’d like to extend your adventure, speak to your sales representative to discuss our large range of extension options, which could include joining our Walking in Cappadocia adventure.

Meals included: Breakfast

Essential Info

Is this trip for you?

This trip is rated Activity Level 1 (Easy). For more information on our trip gradings, visit our Activity Level Guidelines page. If you have any queries about the difficulty of the trip, please contact us.

Following a review of all our trips we have categorised this trip as generally not suitable for persons of reduced mobility. However if you are a regular traveller on such trips, please contact customer services to discuss the trip and your personal condition.

Joining Instructions

Key information

Hotel: Erboy Hotel, Hoca Paşa, Ebussuud Cd. No:18, 34110 Fatih/İstanbul
Phone: +90 212 513 37 50
Recommended arrival time: You can arrive at any time today
Airport: Istanbul Airport (IST)

Getting to the start hotel

We provide one group transfer from the airport to the hotel, which you can join at no extra cost, provided you can be at the airport before the transfer leaves. Speak to your sales representative for the transfer times or to arrange a private transfer.

Catching your return flight

There’s one group transfer to the airport, which you can join at no extra cost. Please speak to your sales representative for the time of the transfer. If the group transfer does not suit your flight time, speak to your sales representative to arrange an alternative.

Full joining instructions including local emergency numbers will be sent to you as part of our Final Joining Instructions. If you do not receive these at least a week before departure, or require them earlier please contact our office or your travel agent.

Vaccinations and Health

Turkey

There are no required vaccinations. However, recommended vaccinations include tetanus, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, rabies and typhoid. Please confirm with your doctor or travel clinic.

Visa

Turkey

Travellers from the UK, US, Canada and most EU states normally do not need a visa to enter Turkey. Visa requirements often change and it is your responsibility to obtain any required visas for this trip. Therefore, we recommend that you check with the nearest embassy or consulate of your chosen destination(s), including any countries you may be transiting or transferring through.

Some local governments provide guidance on what visas their citizens need. To help, we’ve gathered a selection of useful links below.

Australia: www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/europe/turkey
Canada: www.travel.gc.ca/destinations/turkiye
United Kingdom: www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/turkey/entry-requirements
USA: www.travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Turkey.html

Food & Drink

Allow about 12,500 Turkish liras (US$450) to cover meals not included. Your tour leader normally assists in organising group meals so you may benefit from better choice and prices. Lunches and dinners are normally taken in local restaurants, known as lokantas.

Weather

Temperatures in July and August can reach 40C (104F) during the day and Istanbul can be humid. During increased temperatures, activities are scheduled to be more comfortable in the earlier or later part of the day. Winter is a lot cooler with a high of 11C (52F).

TRIP

ATX - Discover Istanbul

Departure Date

Number Of Passengers*

Message*

To enquire about an existing booking click here

First Name *

Last Name *

Email *

Phone *

Keep me up to date with news and offers from Exodus by email.

Thank you for contacting Exodus Travels.

Find out more about how we use your data

Request a Brochure

Trip Notes

Click on the button below for detailed Trip Notes containing all the particulars about this trip, including kit lists and practical information.

Note: these can vary by departure; you can check out the specific Trip Notes for your chosen adventure on the dates & prices page.

View Trip Notes

Erboy Hotel

Our base for this adventure is the Erboy Hotel, a fixture in the city since 1987. Located in the Sirkeci district, it’s well-located for exploring Istanbul and just a 10-minute walk from Topkapi Palace and Hagia Sofia.

Inside, there are 84 modern rooms, a lobby café-bar and a terrace bar. There are also two restaurants: the rooftop Imbat restaurant and Paşazade, which serves Aegean-Mediterranean cuisine.

Tailor your trip: Extend your adventure by securing extra hotel nights before or after the main itinerary. Speak to your sales representative to book.

Private rooms: Like most tour operators, we pair solo passengers together in a room. If you’d prefer to have a private room, it’s normally possible to do this for a supplement. Speak to your sales representative to book.