Taste of Istanbul - 3 Days
Who is this trip for
Age range
15 - 99Start / End
- Istanbul
- Istanbul
Physical rating
Group size
1 - 12Meals included
4Highlights
- Enjoy the hustle and bustle of the great city of Istanbul and rub shoulders with the locals.
- Gain a close insight into the lives of past Sultans at Topkapi Palace.
- 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!
- 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?
- 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.
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Summary
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.
Itinerary
Day 1
Istanbul
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.
Day 2
Istanbul
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.
Day 3
Istanbul
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.
What's Included
Accommodation
Hotel (2 nights)
Meals
Breakfasts: 2, Lunches: 1, Dinners: 1
Vegetarian options are available on all meals throughout the adventure.
Vegetarian options availableLocal Guide
GuidedThis adventure is led by a local guide throughout. The main language of this adventure is English. Please contact us for other languages available.
Wifi
Wifi is available during the adventure. In some areas and / or accommodation / transport Wifi may be free.
Dates & Prices
Aug 25
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- Save 2%Tue 19 Aug 2025 > Thu 21 Aug 20256+ spaces of 12 left£513Best offer£502
- Save 2%Wed 20 Aug 2025 > Fri 22 Aug 20256+ spaces of 12 left£513Best offer£502
- Save 2%Thu 21 Aug 2025 > Sat 23 Aug 20256+ spaces of 12 left£513Best offer£502
- Save 2%Fri 22 Aug 2025 > Sun 24 Aug 20256+ spaces of 12 left£513Best offer£502
Customer reviews & ratings
Our guide Busra showed us the highlights of Instanbul and shared her very extensive knowledge with us. Even though we covered a lot of ground we never felt rushed. We especially enjoyed our dinner with a local family and our tour of the Topkapi Palace.
Marilyn Nov, 2024 VerifiedTaste of Istanbul was an amazing trip and well worth it. We got to experience a local home dinner, all the big tourist attractions in Istanbul and taught so much about the History. Yagiz has so much local knowledge and organised everything for us so we could to these big tourist attractions and the busiest part of the city but still felt calm and relaxed throughout and able to take in the atmosphere as he had organised it so well
Anastasia Oct, 2024 Verified
Essential trip information
Our Important Notes and Packing List cover all essentials, from necessary equipment to inclusions, ensuring you're fully equipped and informed for this extraordinary adventure and more.
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