Our tour starts with DOLMABAHÇE PALACE, The last residence of the Ottoman Sultans with 285 rooms and 43 large salons. Famous with the great collection of European antiquity, furniture and 4.5 ton chandelier.

UNDERGROUND WATER CISTERN (YEREBATAN SARAYI- BASILICA CISTERN) - the largest underground cistern, built in the 6th century AD in the reign of Byzantine emperor Justinian. Famous for its Medusa head column base.
THE CHURCH OF SAINT CHORA MUSEUM (KARIYE CAMII - SAINT SAVIOR IN CHORA). After Saint Sophia, this church is the most interesting Byzantine church is the city. This is not due to the building itself, pretty as it is, but because of the superb mosaics and frescoes that it contains, a magnificent heritage of Byzantine art that has no equal in the world.

MUSEUM OF ISLAMIC AND TURKISH ART. This museum has the finest collection of calligraphic works, tiles, brass and bronze objects as well as carpets from the different period of Islamic dynasties. It is housed in the old palace of Ibrahim Pasa built in the 16th century.

THE ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM. This museum has one of the world's richest collections of Greco-Roman antiquities, including an extraordinary collection of sarcophagi. The most famous work of art in the museum is ALEXANDER SARCOPHAGUS.

SOKOLLU MEHMET PASA MOSQUE. This mosque is the most beautiful of the smaller mosques in Istanbul, a minor masterpiece by Sinan built in the 16th century.

THE CHURCH OF SERGIUS AND BACCHUS (THE MOSQUE OF LITTLE HAGHIA SOPHIA). One of the most beautiful and historic of the surviving Byzantine churches in the city built in 527 AD.

 
Tour strength: Moderate activity.  The tour lasts about 8 hours.

Best time to visit: Tuesday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday 

DOLMABAHÇE Palace Museum is closed on Mondays and Thursdays. The Church of Saint Chora Museum is closed on Wednesdays. The Archaeological Museum and Islamic Art Museum are closed on Mondays.