About this experience
The main ingredients of our excursion are the luxury of the Dolmabahce Palace, the legends of the Maiden's Tower, the scents of the eastern bazaar, and the charm of the antique streets of Kadikoy. By water, you will be transported from the European part of Istanbul to the Asian part, explore the bohemian district of the city with vibrant cafes, boutiques, and graffiti, and in the end, learn about the life of the sultan's palace and visit it on your own.
What to expect
The magnificent Dolmabahce Palace (external viewing)
At the end of the walk, we will be near the largest palace on the shore of the Bosphorus. Here you will immerse yourself in the life of the Ottoman sultans and historical events. I will tell you about it from the outside, and also give you tips on what to pay attention to inside: details of the interiors and architecture from the stone lace of the Treasury Gate to the gilding of the grand Ceremonial Hall. Then we will part ways, and you will explore Dolmabahce on your own.
Possible visit to the palace in a group of up to 10 people with a professional licensed guide. You will see all the splendor of the interior of the palace of the Ottoman sultans, hear a story about the people who once lived here, and the great events from the historical guide.
Bosphorus panoramas and the legend of the Maiden's Tower
In the first part of the tour, we will head to the Asian part of the city: crossing the majestic Bosphorus, you will see iconic sights from an interesting perspective and take in the view of the cityscape. Along the way, we will encounter the Maiden's Tower - another symbol of Istanbul, which stands on a tiny island in the middle of the strait. Together, we will explore why this place is famous and discuss the related legends.
Atmospheric Kadikoy
You will feel the spirit of Asian Istanbul on the streets of the Kadikoy district - lively, modern, stylish, but authentic. We will visit the local market, where they sell fish, fruits, Turkish pizza, stuffed mussels, and other flagship Turkish street food. We will pass by colorful storefronts of boutiques, cafes, and restaurants. We will admire the graffiti adorning many houses. And on the waterfront of the Moda district, we will enjoy the panorama of the Sea of Marmara and the Sultanahmet district.
Organizational details
How the tour goes
- Your tour will be conducted by one of the guides from our team
- The tour can be done in a Mercedes Vito car. Additional payment - 160 euro (prepayment - 40 euro).
- A walk on the Bosphorus is done on a city boat, where there will be other people. An individual walk is possible by prior request.
- Pay attention to the opening hours of the Dolmabahce Palace: it closes at 16:00, does not work on Mondays, as well as on January 1, May 1, during the first days of Ramadan Bayram and Kurban Bayram
Additional expenses
- Entrance tickets and public transport are paid separately
- Optionally, a visit with a licensed historical guide to the Dolmabahce Palace + harem + Painting Museum - 1050 lira/adults. The tour is designed for a group of up to 10 participants.
- At your request, we can take a break for Turkish coffee and lunch. Food and drinks are paid for separately.
