Inside Istanbul Half Day Walking Tour

Tour Starting: 08.30am & Tour Starting: 13.30pm This half day tour will introduce you to the delights of Old Istanbul. ‘Get lost’ in the backstreets with a local guide. Our guide will meet you at your hotel and bring you to the Hippodrome. This area was mainly used in Roman Times for chariot races. Wander around and look at the Obelisk of Theodosius brought from Egypt in the fourth century. From there we will walk past the Blue Mosque and head for Divan Yolu (Road to the Imperial Council in English). We’ll head up Divanyolu passing the famous Pudding Shop on the right. This was the meeting point for many hippies on the road to Kathmandu in the seventies .We’ll continue on to the Grand Bazaar with its maze of lanes. If you are a Bibliophile like me you’ll love the Old Book Bazaar, one of the oldest markets in Istanbul. Are you in need of some quiet time after the frenzy of the Grand Bazaar? You’ll find it in Suleymaniye Mosque with its original Turkish baths. Your guide will tell you about the architect Sinan and Suleyman the Magnificent whose name is honoured in the name of the Mosque. You can listen to further tales while having a cup of tea in a tea shop whilst admiring the views of Istanbul below. Rustem Pasa Mosque is the ‘Blue Mosque’ of the Old Town .It is a lovely small mosque featuring beautiful Iznik tiles and giving the Mosque its blue colour. We’ll wind up this half day tour in the Spice Bazaar with its aroma of coffee and spices. Your guide can give you some ‘inside tips’ on local restaurants and attractions before you head back to your hotel.