Blue Mosque Guided Tour with Options

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Blue Mosque Guided Tour with Options

Discover the Blue Mosque on this sightseeing tour that includes a guided exploration of Istanbul's most iconic landmarks, such as the Hagia Sophia and the Basilica Cistern. Lasting approximately 4 hours, the tour offers audio guides in multiple languages including English, Turkish, German, French, Spanish, and Russian. Accessible to all visitors with wheelchair ramps available at key points, this tour covers Istanbul's historic heart, from Sultanahmet Square to the Grand Bazaar. Key features include visits to the Blue Mosque's vast marble courtyard and its six minarets, as well as a walk through the Hippodrome of Constantinople where ancient Obelisks stand tall. Tourists can expect to spend about 1 hour at each major site, ensuring ample time for exploration and photography. The tour is designed to provide an in-depth understanding of Istanbul's rich history and architectural marvels.

Visit Blue Mosque

Your tour stops at the Blue Mosque where you will explore one of Istanbul’s most stunning landmarks built between 1609 and 1616. Covering approximately 27,000 square feet with a height of 85 meters, the mosque features six minarets towering over the city skyline. Notable features include its vast marble courtyard measuring 43 x 47 meters, colossal columns nicknamed “elephant feet,” and intricate hand-drawn inscriptions by Ottoman calligraphers. Visitors can spend around an hour inside the mosque admiring these unique architectural elements. The Blue Mosque is renowned for being one of the few mosques in Istanbul with six minarets, a controversial addition at the time due to its perceived extravagance compared to other religious structures like the Hagia Sophia. This tour offers unparalleled access to all areas within the mosque, allowing guests to fully appreciate its historical and architectural significance.

Explore Basilica Cistern

At the Basilica Cistern, guests can marvel at one of Istanbul’s largest ancient water storage systems built in 532 AD. Spanning an area of approximately 107 x 64 meters and capable of holding over 80,000 cubic meters of water, this underground cistern is a remarkable feat of Byzantine engineering. Key features include the Medusa head column bases and the towering Corinthian columns that line its interior. Visitors typically spend around half an hour exploring the dimly lit chambers, often illuminated by soft lights reflecting off the water surface. The Basilica Cistern stands out as one of the largest surviving ancient cisterns in Istanbul, serving not only as a vital part of the city’s water supply system but also as a testament to the architectural prowess of Byzantine engineers.

Tour Highlights

• Walk straight into the Blue Mosque with a licensed guide
• 2-hour Old City walking tour past ancient Obelisks and Byzantine relics
• Audio guides in English, Turkish, German, French, Spanish, Russian, Arabic
• Enhance your journey with a Bosphorus cruise for skyline views
• Explore the Basilica Cistern to uncover its hidden Medusa heads
• 1-hour guided tour of Hagia Sophia to discover hidden frescoes and mosaics
• Access to all areas within the Blue Mosque including the vast marble courtyard
• Convenience including entrance fees, audio guides, and transportation between sites

Perfect for history enthusiasts, architecture buffs, and first-time visitors, this guided tour provides an immersive experience of Istanbul’s rich cultural heritage. The 4-hour format allows you to walk through the Hippodrome of Constantinople, explore the Basilica Cistern, and admire the Blue Mosque's intricate details, giving you a comprehensive understanding of Istanbul's historical landmarks.