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Guided Tours

Blue Mosque Guided Tour with Bosphorus Cruise

A tour guide giving information to tourists at the Blue Mosque
Blue Mosque Courtyard, Bosphorus
Interior of dome of Blue Mosque
Sightseeing Cruise Bosphorus

Embark on a guided tour of the Blue Mosque and a Bosphorus cruise with stunning views of landmarks like the Galata Tower and Dolmabahce Palace.

Highlights

  • Get lost in the blue Iznik tiles, the towering minarets, and the grand dome on this 1-hour tour of the Blue Mosque, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

  • With an expert guide at the helm, learn about the Quranic verses in the Great Tablets and interesting bits about the royal kiosk in the Blue Mosque.

  • Come aboard the Bosphorus Cruise to catch a glimpse of the conical roof of the Galata Tower and the gray towers of Dolmabahce Palace.

  • With an audio guide in your preferred language, understand details about each landmark like why gray marble was used to create Çırağan Palace, on the 90-minute cruise.

  • Fun fact: Barack Obama, Pope Benedict XVI, and Pope Francis have visited the Blue Mosque over the years.

Inclusions

  • 1-hour guided tour of Blue Mosque

  • English-speaking guide

  • 90-minute Bosphorus cruise

  • Audio guide in English, French, German, Italian, Polish, Russian, Spanish, Turkish, Arabic, and Chinese.

Exclusions

  • Tour guide for Bosphorus cruise

Cancellation policy

You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.

Reviews

3.4
17 ratings
5/5
6
4/5
2
3/5
4
2/5
2
1/5
3
  • United States
  • Spain
  • France
  • United Kingdom
  • Mexico
  • Switzerland
  • Poland
  • South Africa
  • Ireland
Guests from United States, Spain, France and over 9 countries have loved this experience
Elizabeth Turley

Elizabeth

3/5

Oct, 2024

Blue mosque was good but I had a combo ticket bought. The guide did not have the tickets for the cruise and I had difficulty getting them. Then cruise was bedlam. Could not hear the English guide as to what we were looking at. Total waste of time and money. Would definitely not recommend combo tour.
ELIA CESARONE

Elia

5/5

Nov, 2024

Bad experience inexperienced driving
View original review in Italian
Donna Deans

Donna

5/5

Nov, 2024

Great tour. And our guide was lovely
Humza Akbar

Humza

3/5

Sep, 2024

Overall the experience was good. It was clear our guide was knowledgable regarding the blue mosque.
Anka Johanna Jacobs

Anka

5/5

Aug, 2024

Our guide was very knowledgable and took his time. His English was perfect.

Step in one of Turkey’s majestic mosques

A trip to Istanbul is incomplete without stepping into the revered Blue Mosque. Built between 1609 and 1616 by Sultan Ahmet I, the Blue Mosque is the perfect example of Classic Ottoman architecture. With an expert guide for company, explore tulips and carnations on the 22,000 Iznik tiles, which gives it the blue hue associated with the mosque. Marvel at the six minarets and stained glass windows that help create a technicolor hue in the mosque. Don’t forget to check out the Royal Kiosk which contains a mihrab with 100 Qurans on a gilded lecter and the Great Tablets with Quranic verses and the names of the Caliphs.

A cruise with views of iconic landmarks

After the guided tour, hope on a 90-minute cruise on the Bosphorus Strait. Spot Istanbul’s classic landmarks such as the 15th-century, single-domed Topkapi Palace and the crystal blue waters of the Golden Horn, spanning the Ataturk, Halic, and Galata bridges. Make sure you don’t forget to take pictures with your loved ones as you cross these iconic structures to create lasting memories of this experience.

Itinerary

Bosphorus Cruise

  • Topkapi Palace

  • Golden Horn

  • Galata Tower

  • Dolmabahce Palace

  • Ciragan Palace

  • Ortaköy Mosque

  • Bosphorus Bridge

  • Beylerbeyi Palace

  • Üsküdar

  • Maiden Tower

  • Topkapi Palace

  • Hagia Sophia

  • Seaside Villas

What to bring

  • Bring along your scarf or a wrap to cover your head at the venue.

  • Pack your meds – better to be prepared, just in case they’re not available onsite.

  • Stay ahead of the game; download the audio app beforehand to dodge any network glitches at the location.

  • Don’t forget your trusty earphones for an immersive audio guide experience.

What's not allowed

  • Keep in mind tripods and food & beverages are not allowed on this experience. Pack wisely!

  • Strict dress code: Both men and women must cover their shoulders and knees, while women must also cover their hair. If you do not have anything to cover yourself, you can get scarves and wraps for free at the entrance. Wear loose-fitting clothes to adhere to the dress code of the mosque.

  • Shutterbugs, take note: Flash photography is a no-go inside the venue.

Accessibility

  • This experience is wheelchair accessible.

  • Ramps are available at the venue for easy access.

Additional Information

  • Facilities: Shoe Storage.

  • The mosque is closed for two hours at noon on Friday for the weekly sermon.

  • If you have a large bag or backpack, you can store it in the locker at Sirkeci station, which is a short walk from the mosque.

  • You can join the Bosphorus cruise on the same day or the next day at 12pm or 3pm. From April to October, you can also get on the cruise at 6pm to catch the sunset.

  • Your voucher will be emailed to you instantly.

  • Please arrive at the meeting point 15 mins before the scheduled time of your tour to avoid any delays.

  • Display the voucher on your mobile phone with a valid photo ID at the meeting point.

Meeting point

  • Meet your guide at Dsign Cafe.

  • Address: Binbirdirek, At Meydanı Cd No:10, 34093 Fatih/İstanbul, Türkiye.

  • Landmark: In front of the Turkish and Islamic Art Museum located on the Hippodrome, right next to Egyptian Obelisk.

Get directions to the meeting point

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