Taste of Istanbul
Experience Overview
Get a true taste of Istanbul – a city forging itself as the world’s most spectacular intersection of cultures, cuisine and continents. Embark on a three-day Short Break Adventure to get an essential Istanbul experience, whether you’re adding it onto an exisiting trip or taking a weekend away. Explore the Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Hippodrome and Grand Bazaar. You’ll also get under the skin of the place, eating with a local family, sharing tea and nargile (shisha) and finding hidden spots away from the tourist eye.
Highlights
- Take a guided tour through the Hagia Sophia and learn the hidden tales of this magnificent one-of-a-kind monument with a local expert.
- Get lost in the labyrinth of the Grand Bazaar, passing by the myriad traders who sell their wares in this expansive space. How good are your haggling skills?
- Join a home cooking experience, discovering some simple local food with your hosts and spending some time in a tea house – just like the locals do!
- Gain a close insight into the lives of past Sultans at Topkapi Palace.
- Enjoy the hustle and bustle of the great city of Istanbul and rub shoulders with the locals.
Trip Details
Product Code: 1815
Tour Type:
Accommodation: Moderate
Transport: Local Transport
Guide Language: English
Tour Operator:
Intrepid Travel
Supplier Code: ERZI
Starts: Istanbul, Turkey
Finishes: Istanbul, Turkey
Duration: 3 days
Departures: Guaranteed
Physical Rating:
Light
Includes
Meals: Breakfasts (2), Lunch (1), Dinner (1)Accommodation: Hotel (2 nights)
Price
Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD $1,470 ($490 /day)
Itinerary
Hosgeldinz! Welcome to Istanbul, the only city in the world to straddle two continents. It’s no surprise that this vast metropolis is home to a mix of different cultures and traditions, blending the influences of both east and west. Your Short Break Adventure starts with a welcome meeting at 5 pm, then you’ll immediately head out for some truly amazing street food. Wander through the streets in the Sultanahmet District and head to a local hangout to enjoy the views of the Marmara Sea. Later, continue to a local tea house for a drink and to partake in some nargile (also known as a waterpipe, shisha or hookah) smoking.
Optional Activities:
- Istanbul - Blue Mosque Visit - Free
- Istanbul - Bosphorus Boat Cruise (Public Boat) (200 TRY)
- Istanbul - Turkish Hamam (inc. massage) (100 EUR)
- Istanbul - Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts (17 EUR)
- Istanbul - Galata Tower (30 EUR)
- Istanbul - Archaeology Museum (15 EUR)
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
This morning, head out on the Istanbul Conquered Urban Adventure. Begin with a dose of Hagia Sophia. This masterpiece of Byzantine architecture stands tall and proud in downtown Istanbul, holding more than 1500 years of Turkish history. This site has lived its long life as a church, a mosque and now as a museum, and you may even recognise it from movies like From Russia With Love or Taken 2. Head across the plaza to the Sultan Ahmet I’s Blue Mosque – one of the most striking sights in Istanbul, with its blue-tiled walls, 260 windows and six minarets. After checking out the ancient Hippodrome, take a break at a hidden café nearby for lunch, cracking jokes with the locals and learning about daily life in Istanbul. Visit Topkapi Palace, which overlooks the mighty Bosphorus Strait and gives an insight into the stories of the sultans who lived here. Head over to the Grand Bazaar to explore some of the 3000 shops and maybe stop for a true Turkish coffee along the way. Tonight you’re free, so maybe head to a harbourside seafood restaurant for dinner.
Included Activities:
- Istanbul - Hagia Sophia
- Istanbul - Grand Bazaar
- Istanbul - Istanbul Conquered Urban Adventure
- Istanbul - Topkapi Palace
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
Your mini adventure will come to end after breakfast this morning, however that doesn’t mean your journey has to come to an end! If you’d like to continue soaking up all that Istanbul has to offer, why not spend an extra night or two here? If you wish to do so, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time to organise additional accommodation.
Similar Tours
Tour Operator
Intrepid Travel
Intrepid Travel is a global adventure travel company, dedicated to providing sustainable, experience-rich travel opportunities. They’ve been the leader in ethical, small-group travel since 1989 - taking people around the world for more than 30 years. They’re the world’s largest travel B Corporation - dedicated to being the best travel company for the world. In 2002, they established The Intrepid Foundation so their travellers could make a lasting impact on the communities they had visited. Although Intrepid Travel absorbs all administrative costs of The Intrepid Foundation, they are separate legal entities, allowing The Intrepid Foundation to grow independently. Intrepid Travel is made up of a collection of tour operator brands and 28 destination management companies all united by one vision: To change the way we all see the world.
In Business Since 1989
Reviews
Marlene - Traveled, March 2024
Our Taste of Istanbul Tour was absolutely amazing. Our guide Unsol was enthusiastic and knowledgeable and made our time in Istanbul very special. We had two days in Istanbul after finishing another Intrepid tour in Spain, Portugal and Morocco before joining this Istanbul toùr. We then stayed on for two days after the tour and Unsol made some excellent suggestions for additional activities, which we really enjoyed. This tour also gave us an opportunity to have a break before our long trip home to Australia. Highly recommended.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 04/01/2024
Alejandro - Traveled, January 2024
Alp, my tour guide, was amazing!!! Great energy, and knowledge about city landmarks and history. He went out of his way more than once to show me even more places and experiences than what was included in the tour, beyond his duties, and spending his personal time to make sure I saw as much as possible of Istanbul. Definitely a great tour to get a taste of this iconic city.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 01/30/2024
Andrew - Traveled, January 2024
A fantastic taste of Istanbul and Turkey. We did as a stop off on way home from intrepid two week Morocco trip( also excellent) Omer our guide was fantastic giving taste of rich history through to everyday life into such a rich city and country. Highly recommend.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 02/17/2024
Regula - Traveled, December 2024
Thanks to the excellent guide I learned more in a day than I would've in a week on my own!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 01/05/2024
Katherine - Traveled, November 2023
Almost everything we did on this tour you could organize yourself. However if you are visiting for a short time it is ideal. The selected hotel is in a great location for exploring on your own and with good restaurants nearby. Having an excellent private guide (Omer) is also very beneficial. He shared so much historical and factual information about the sites, Istanbul, and life in Turkey in general. The tour allows for a unique opportunity to have dinner in a private home. I would recommend the tour.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/30/2023
Jessica - Traveled, October 2023
Excellent introduction to Istanbul, taking in the main attractions. I would recommend leaving time day before/after to also visit basicila Cistern and museums
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/30/2023
Lesley - Traveled, September 2023
Absolutely superb trip! Istanbul far exceeded my expectations. It's a fascinating and unique blend of East and West and Past and Present. We were lucky to effectively have a private tour as there were just two of us on our trip. Our guide Omer was excellent! He was very knowledgeable, highly professional, friendly and approachable. His passion for history was evident but he also pointed out so many interesting things about local life in Istanbul and we felt able to ask him anything - including lots of questions about the local cats! The evening meal with a family was a highlight of the trip as well as that first glimpse inside the Hagia Sophia. I can't praise Omer enough, a very pleasant young man and an asset to Intrepid. I highly recommend this trip
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/26/2023
Allan - Traveled, September 2023
Awesome way to see & appreciate with enthusiastic knowledgeable young keen guide the sights of Istanbul
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/21/2023
Annabel - Traveled, July 2023
We thoroughly enjoyed our tour and would highly recommend it. We were shown all the great spots and learnt so much about the history of Istanbul and Turkey. Our tour guide, Sona, was awesome. My daughters really enjoyed too. We got so much out of it. It was the high light of our holiday. Thanks Sona :)
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 08/08/2023
Keith - Traveled, July 2023
We had our expectations exceeded. Our guide was brilliant. He was informative friendly and caring, particularly with my wife when she started to tire a little. The itinerary was well organised and very entertaining. I cannot overstate how much I enjoyed my experience with Intrepid.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 07/10/2023
Tamara - Traveled, July 2023
5 Stars +, Clear communication when planning the trip and no problems amending things even up to a week before our trip. Guide was amazing and was integral to our enjoyment of the trip. Intrepid delivered what they promised. Can't recommend them highly enough.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 07/07/2023
Timothy - Traveled, July 2023
Istanbul - Amazing Trip!. Best way to spend a few days in the city of 2 continents. I had previously come from Greece on an Intrepid tour, and it was a super cool way to end off my vacation. Highly Recommend! Mosque's were amazing. A Bucket List Adventure for sure!!! Turkish people are friendly and welcome to travellers!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 07/12/2023
Wills - Traveled, June 2023
An amazing way to see Istanbul in a short time. Extremely well organised yet flexible to our needs. Intrepid really does offer the best guides and tours!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 06/29/2023
Andrew - Traveled, June 2023
The short trip to Istanbul was a revelation and an inspiration to return for more adventures
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 06/30/2023
Brenda - Traveled, May 2023
Istanbul is magical. The culture and the history are so interesting, and the setting is so glorious, that you can't help but be intoxicated by it. The guide was impressive -- so knowledgable about all aspects of Turkey. The tour is packed in terms of sightseeing. I would recommend arriving a few days early to experience it all.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 06/04/2023
RICHARD - Traveled, March 2023
Intrepid is by far the best tour company I have booked with. From the size of the groups to the responsible and balanced itineraries, you see what you wanted to see but in a setting that feels so much better than a big impersonal tour
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 03/31/2023
John - Traveled, September 2022
We absolutely loved our brief taste of Istanbul tour with our exceptional guide, Kivanc! We saw all the most important landmarks and even had a chance for a street food tour in a neighborhood where the locals eat. We felt safe and cared for throughout our tour and even after the tour was complete! Thank you!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/08/2022
Ana - Traveled, June 2022
This is a fantastic intro to Istanbul if you only have a short time. Home cooked Istanbul didn’t happen due to Covid but my guide Firat took me on a delicious walking food tour of the neighborhood. The Hagia Sophia is a mosque now which does affect the experience but still worth a visit. I’d recommend adding the Sulemaniye mosque as the Blue Mosque is (still!) under reconstruction and also Galata Tower for the beautiful views. Firat my guide was excellent and went out of his way to make sure I had a fantastic time.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 06/10/2022
Sunny - Traveled, May 2022
I HIGHLY recommend Istanbul to everyone! Our guide was the perfect balance of knowledge and fun and made everything so easy.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 05/21/2022
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