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8-Day Istanbul Adventure: Exploring the Rich History and Vibrant Culture

ASRC ASRC

ASRC ASRC

3 Oct 2023

Embark on an unforgettable journey through Istanbul, Turkey, as you immerse yourself in the captivating blend of ancient history and modern charm. Discover iconic landmarks like the Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque, wander through majestic palaces, and explore the bustling bazaars. Join us on this 8-day adventure and create memories that will last a lifetime.

Trip to Istanbul

Day 1
+

$200

·

$ 7

VERSECA HOTEL

Depart from your stay 🏨

18 - 22 min

~

Directions

VERSECA HOTEL
7:30 AM - 7:30 AM
•
Free
7 - 10 min

~

Directions

Dolmabahçe Palace
Grand, domed sultan's palace, now a museum, including collections of art, calligraphy and carpets.
8:00 AM - 10:00 AM
•
$100
8 - 10 min

~

Directions

Dolmabahçe Mosque
Elegant, 19th-century, Ottoman-style mosque with Baroque & rococo-influenced decorative features.
10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
•
Free
Ağa Hamamı
12:00 PM - 2:00 PM
•
$100
VERSECA HOTEL
7:30 AM - 7:30 AM
•
Free
Day 2
+

$225

·

$ 5

VERSECA HOTEL

Depart from your stay 🏨

12 - 18 min

~

Directions

VERSECA HOTEL
7:30 AM - 7:30 AM
•
Free
6 - 9 min

~

Directions

German Fountain
Elaborately decorated fountain built in 1898 & adorned with mirrors & floral motifs.
8:00 AM - 8:30 AM
•
Free
33 - 40 min

~

Directions

Hagia Sophia
Iconic, storied mosque set within a vast, domed former Byzantine church with stained-glass windows.
9:00 AM - 10:30 AM
•
$75
33 - 40 min

~

Directions

Beylerbeyi Palace
This 19th-century palace with gardens was once a summer residence for Ottoman sultans.
11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
•
$50
8 - 11 min

~

Directions

Basilica Cistern
Huge underground Roman water source held up with 336 marble columns covering 9,800 sq. meters.
1:30 PM - 2:30 PM
•
$50
Cistern of Theodosius
This historical cistern, built 1600 years ago, offers beautiful columns, brick domes and arches.
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
•
$50
VERSECA HOTEL
7:30 AM - 7:30 AM
•
Free
Day 3
+

$50

·

$ 5

VERSECA HOTEL

Depart from your stay 🏨

10 - 15 min

~

Directions

VERSECA HOTEL
7:30 AM - 7:30 AM
•
Free
2 - 3 min

~

Directions

Serpent Column
Ancient Greek bronze column with missing serpent heads, made to commemorate a historic battle.
8:00 AM - 9:00 AM
•
Free
5 - 8 min

~

Directions

Sultanahmet Square
Public square with remnants of an ancient hippodrome, plus prominent & historic buildings.
9:30 AM - 10:30 AM
•
Free
11 - 16 min

~

Directions

The Blue Mosque
Well-known site, also known as the Blue Mosque, built in 1616 & containing its founder's tomb.
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
•
Free
23 - 28 min

~

Directions

Istanbul Archaeological Museums
Neoclassical museum showing the country's rich archaeological heritage within landscaped gardens.
12:30 PM - 2:00 PM
•
$50
21 - 26 min

~

Directions

Grand Mecidiye Mosque (Ortaköy Mosque)
Restored Baroque Revival mosque featuring windows designed to capture the Bosphorus' changing light.
2:30 PM - 3:30 PM
•
Free
Nuruosmaniye Mosque
Architecturally significant Ottoman mosque completed in 1755, featuring a huge dome & many windows.
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
•
Free
VERSECA HOTEL
7:30 AM - 7:30 AM
•
Free
Day 4
+

$125

·

$ 9

VERSECA HOTEL

Depart from your stay 🏨

6 - 9 min

~

Directions

VERSECA HOTEL
7:30 AM - 7:30 AM
•
Free
8 - 10 min

~

Directions

Little Hagia Sophia
Landmark domed mosque in a former 6th century Byzantine church with an Ottoman-style interior.
8:00 AM - 9:00 AM
•
Free
30 - 36 min

~

Directions

Topkapi Palace Museum
Huge, opulent 15th-century palace, occupied by sultans for 400 years, housing Ottoman treasures.
9:30 AM - 11:30 AM
•
$75
24 - 29 min

~

Directions

Maiden's Tower
Structure linked with legend & once used as a lighthouse, housing a small museum & a restaurant.
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
•
$50
Gülhane Park
Venerable, tranquil forested park featuring gardens, paths, a creek & a science museum.
1:30 PM - 2:30 PM
•
Free
VERSECA HOTEL
7:30 AM - 7:30 AM
•
Free
Day 5
+

$50

·

$ 13

VERSECA HOTEL

Depart from your stay 🏨

8 - 10 min

~

Directions

VERSECA HOTEL
7:30 AM - 7:30 AM
•
Free
8 - 10 min

~

Directions

Hagia Irene
Byzantine, former Orthodox church dating from the 4th century, open as a museum.
8:00 AM - 9:00 AM
•
$50
14 - 17 min

~

Directions

Galata Bridge
Bustling bridge across the Golden Horn with pedestrian walkways & street vendors, with cafes below.
9:30 AM - 10:00 AM
•
Free
16 - 20 min

~

Directions

Yıldız Park
Suburban public park with cafes & a hilltop museum in an Ottoman palace dating from the 1880s.
10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
•
Free
4 - 6 min

~

Directions

Çiçek Pasajı
Historic passageway between 2 streets, featuring ornate architecture, shops & cafes.
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
•
Free
11 - 14 min

~

Directions

Church of St. Anthony of Padua
1:30 PM - 2:30 PM
•
Free
10 - 15 min

~

Directions

Fatih Mosque
Huge hilltop mosque rebuilt in the 1700s, with 4 semi-domes around a central dome, plus 2 minarets.
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
•
Free
The Aqueduct of Valens
Remains of a monumental aqueduct built by the Romans in the 4th century & spanning a busy boulevard.
4:30 PM - 5:30 PM
•
Free
VERSECA HOTEL
7:30 AM - 7:30 AM
•
Free
Day 6
+

$50

·

$ 7

VERSECA HOTEL

Depart from your stay 🏨

10 - 12 min

~

Directions

VERSECA HOTEL
7:30 AM - 7:30 AM
•
Free
4 - 6 min

~

Directions

Rustem Pasha Mosque
Ottoman mosque from the 16th century decorated with a wide range of floral & geometric tile designs.
8:00 AM - 9:00 AM
•
Free
16 - 23 min

~

Directions

Yeni Cami Mosque
Prominent mosque dating from the 17th century, featuring iconic domes & a dramatic interior.
9:30 AM - 10:30 AM
•
Free
14 - 17 min

~

Directions

Galata Tower
Restored 14th-century tower and former prison overlooking the Bosphorus with a top-floor restaurant.
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
•
$50
14 - 17 min

~

Directions

Eyüp Sultan Mosque
A friend of the prophet Muhammad is thought to be buried at this 15-century mosque rebuilt in 1800.
12:30 PM - 1:30 PM
•
Free
13 - 20 min

~

Directions

Suleymaniye Mosque
Ornate 16th-century mosque with gardens, plus a terrace with views over the Golden Horn.
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
•
Free
Beyazit Square
Large public square featuring the main gate to Istanbul University, a big mosque & street vendors.
3:30 PM - 4:30 PM
•
Free
VERSECA HOTEL
7:30 AM - 7:30 AM
•
Free
Day 7
+

$0

·

$ 5

VERSECA HOTEL

Depart from your stay 🏨

12 - 15 min

~

Directions

VERSECA HOTEL
7:30 AM - 7:30 AM
•
Free
11 - 14 min

~

Directions

Mihrimah Sultan Mosque
Imposing, 16th-century mosque complex designed by Mimar Sinan, with 4 corner towers & tall minaret.
8:00 AM - 9:00 AM
•
Free
12 - 17 min

~

Directions

Egyptian Bazaar
Covered, 17th-century market known as the Egyptian Bazaar, with spice, food & textile shops.
9:30 AM - 11:00 AM
•
Free
Grand Bazaar
Historic sprawling network of indoor souks & market streets peddling leather, jewelry & gifts.
11:30 AM - 2:30 PM
•
Free
VERSECA HOTEL
7:30 AM - 7:30 AM
•
Free
Day 8
+

$25

·

$ 9

VERSECA HOTEL

Depart from your stay 🏨

31 - 38 min

~

Directions

VERSECA HOTEL
7:30 AM - 7:30 AM
•
Free
41 - 50 min

~

Directions

İBB Emirgan Korusu
Lush public park featuring an array of plants, 2 ponds, jogging paths & play equipment for kids.
8:00 AM - 10:00 AM
•
Free
34 - 41 min

~

Directions

Yavuz Sultan Selim Bridge
This bridge over the Bosporus strait for rail & motor vehicle transit is one of the world's tallest.
10:30 AM - 11:00 AM
•
Free
Rumeli Fortress
Hilltop 15th-century fortress with multiple towers, walking paths & water views.
11:30 AM - 12:30 PM
•
$25
VERSECA HOTEL
7:30 AM - 7:30 AM
•
Free

Budget breakdown: $780 In total

Activities & Food:$725
Transport:$55