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Byzantium Spirit of Istanbul

1 Review 5.00 out of 5 stars Based on 1 traveler reviews collected by Cool Shore Excursions and TripAdvisor |
Recommended by 100% of reviewers
100% of reviewers gave this experience a rating of 4 or higher.
| Istanbul, Turkey
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from $246 per person

Lowest Price Guarantee
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Don't miss out!
On average, this is booked 20 (0) days in advance.
4 hours (approx.)
Hotel pickup offered
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English
and 11 more
French, German, Italian, Spanish, Greek, Dutch, Arabic, Russian, Japanese, Turkish, Chinese Traditional
Instant confirmation

Overview

Today we feel the spirit of Byzantium of Istanbul. Our first visit is to the natural naval harbour of the Byzantines named “the Golden Horn” because of its hornlike shape and the golden reflection of the glittering waves under the sunshine when viewed from the hilltops. Visit the Patriarchate at Fener which has been the seat of Orthodox Christianity since Constantine The Great’s declaration of Christianity as the religion of the Roman Empire. Church of Panagia of Blachernae, the best known and most celebrated shrine of the Holy Virgin Mary and famed for its “Hagiasma” (holy water) and “Hagion Lousma” (sacred bath). The Anemas Dungeons (seen from outside, The Tekfur Palace, the only surviving Pavillion of the Blachernae Palace and the next stop on this tour is the amazing Church of St. Savior in Chora (Kariye Museum), originally a Byzantine monastery with exquisite mosaics and frescoes portraying scenes from the Bible. The Byzantine city walls will be in our list today. Join us!

What's Included

  • Snacks
  • Bottled water
  • Private transportation
  • Gratuities
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Meeting and Pickup

Pickup point
Pickup details

- Hand sanitizers and masks will be available for the best hygiene practice. - Please be ready and waiting in your hotel lobby 15 minutes prior to your scheduled pick-up time and let the lobby staff know that you are expecting a tour guide. - Comfortable shoes are advised - Wheelchair users must inform our agent whether guest(s) is/are fully dependent on the chair or partly able to walk or move. - Cruise port pickups from Yenikapi Port and Topkapi International Cruise Port are included in the tour price. - Airport picks up and transfers are also available at extra charge. Please contact us for further information.

What To Expect

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Our secure website provides real-time availability, instant confirmation, and free, no-hassle cancellations up to 24 hours before your tour begins.
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Golden Horn (pass by)

This horn-shaped estuary divides European Istanbul. One of the best natural harbours in the world, the Byzantine and Ottoman navies and commercial shipping interests were centered here. Today, lovely parks and promenades line the shores where the setting sun dyes the water a golden colour. At Fener and Balat, neighbourhoods midway up the Golden Horn, whole streets of old wooden houses, churches, and synagogues date from Byzantine and Ottoman times. The Orthodox Patriarchy besides here at Fener. Eyup, a little further up, reflects the Ottoman style of architecture. Cemeteries sprinkled with dark cypress trees cover the hillsides. Many pilgrims come to the tomb of Eyup in the hope that their prayers will be granted. The Pierre Loti Cafe, atop the hill overlooking the shrine is a wonderful place to enjoy the tranquillity of the view. Istanbul is an international art and cultural centre.
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Patriarchate Of Constantinople

The seat of world Orthodoxy and home to the 270th successor of the Apostle Andrew is a surprisingly humble complex of buildings in the Golden Horn neighborhood of Fener. The 17th-century Church of St. George's magnificent gold-leaf altar bears important icons, and relics of major saints rest in the cathedral's narthex. Since the fall of the Ottomans, the Greek population of Istanbul has largely emigrated, so today the church is more of a symbolic center for the Ecumenical Patriarchate than anything else. But the spiritual leader of the world's 300 million Orthodox, Bartholomew I, continues to hold services here, and Orthodox Christians from Greece and across Eastern Europe stream through the church as pilgrims. Stop for a rest in the pleasant garden full of friendly cats.
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45 minutes Admission Ticket Included

Vlaherna Meryem Ana Church (pass by)

In 450, Empress Aelia Pulcheria started to build a church near a fountain of holy water situated outside the walls of Theodosius II at the foot of the sixth hill of Constantinople. After her death, in 453, the shrine was completed by her husband, Emperor Marcian. Emperor Leo I erected near the church two other buildings: a parekklesion, named Ayía Sorós, since it hosted the holy mantle and robe of the Virgin brought from Palestine in 473, and the ´Ayion Loúsma ("sacred bath") edifice, which enclosed the fountain. The importance assumed by the whole complex encouraged the Emperors to lodge in the surroundings and to build there the nucleus of what would in later centuries become the imperial palace of Blachernae. During the first quarter of the 6th century, Emperors Justin I and Justinian I restored and enlarged the church. The name of Blachernae may come from the old name of Romanians (Vlach, Blac, etc.) and from a small colony of Vlachs.
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Tekfur Sarayi (pass by)

The Palace of the Porphyrogenitus, known in Turkish as the Tekfur Sarayı ("Palace of the Sovereign"), is a late 13th-century Byzantine palace in the north-western part of the old city of Constantinople (Istanbul). An annex of the greater palace complex of Blachernae, it is the best-preserved of the three Byzantine palaces to survive in the city (together with the ruins of the Boukoleon Palace; and the ruins of the Great Palace of Constantinople with its surviving substructures, retrieved mosaics and standing Magnaura section), and one of the few relatively intact examples of late Byzantine secular architecture in the world. The Palace was constructed during the late 13th or early 14th centuries as part of the Blachernae palace complex, where the Theodosian Walls join with the later walls of the suburb of Blachernae. The palace appears at first glance to be named after the 10th-century emperor Constantine VII Porphyrogenitus.
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Chora Museum

(Good news! After many years of restoration Chora is back!)After the Istanbul conquest, the church became a mosque in the 16th century, and after a series of restorations, it became a museum in 1958. The Chora Museum, a former orthodox church, has one of Istanbul's most beautiful interiors. The Chora Church is considered one of the finest remaining examples of Byzantine Architecture and serves as a museum on the European side of Istanbul in Edirnekapi district of Fatih. Today, in the beautiful neighbourhood of Wood Hotels and cafes, this wonderful museum attracts thousands of believers..
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45 minutes Admission Ticket Included

Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque

The Basilica of St. Sophia, now called the Ayasofya Museum, is unquestionably one of the finest buildings of all time. Built by Constantine the Great and reconstructed by Justinian in the 6th century, its immense dome rises 55 meters above the ground and its diameter spans 31 meters. You should linger here to absorb the building's majestic serenity and to admire the fine Byzantine mosaics. (Open every day except Monday).
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45 minutes Admission Ticket Included

The Walls of Istanbul (pass by)

One of the main examples in military architecture is the 6,650 metres in city walls of Theodosius II, with its second line of defences in 447. City Walls are one of the largest projects of the Ancient Period and are situated on the western frontier of the Historic Peninsula, from Golden Horn to the Marmara Sea in the north-south direction. The walls are of high quality with their scale, nature, construction techniques and materials. Their construction was launched at the beginning of the 5th century under the reigns of Emperor Theodosius II. The Byzantine city walls surrounded the acropolis of Byzantium with 22 kilometres of fortification including 96 towers and 9 main gates.
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Additional Info

  • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller

Frequently Asked Questions (7)

Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Byzantium Spirit of Istanbul?

A: You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund. For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (+03). Read more Apr 2025

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.

Still have questions?

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Activity code: C-107032P37

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Reviews

5.00
1 reviews

Average 5.00 out of 5 stars based on 1 traveler reviews collected by Cool Shore Excursions and partner sites such as Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor

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Don't miss out!
On average, this is booked 20 (0) days in advance.
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Frequently Asked Questions (7)

Activity name

The answers provided below were previously given in response to questions from Cool Shore Excursions customers.

Filter by:

Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Byzantium Spirit of Istanbul?
A:
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.
  • For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.
  • If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
  • Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.
  • Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (+03).
Apr 2025
Q: What's included in the price?
A:
The following is included:
  • Snacks.
  • Bottled water.
  • Private transportation.
  • WiFi on board.
  • Air-conditioned vehicle.
  • Fuel surcharge.
  • Parking Fees.
The following is NOT included:
  • Gratuities.
Apr 2025
Q: What is the minimum age for this tour?
A:

The minimum age to participate is 1..

Apr 2025
Q: My date is not available in the calendar, I am just checking to see if it is available?
A:

If a date or time is not listed on the calendar, it’s sold out or unavailable for another reason. Support cannot assist further if a date or time is not on the calendar.

If you find a date and time that works for you, book it NOW because things always sell out at this time of year.

Apr 2025
Q: Is this an accessible tour?
A:

Accessibility information for the Byzantium Spirit of Istanbul is as follows:

  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
  • All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Apr 2025
Q: Where is the meeting point for this activity?
A:

Detailed check-in instructions – including meeting point address, Google map, and parking information – for Byzantium Spirit of Istanbul will be included in your confirmation email from Cool Shore Excursions. Please be sure to double and triple check your email address is correct at checkout so this important email makes its way to you!

 

 

Mar 2024
Q: How long does a refund take to reach my card, and can I get it faster?
A:

Once your refund is processed, it usually shows on your card statement within 5–10 business days. The exact timing depends on your bank or card issuer.

Want it sooner? When you cancel, choose Receive a refund to my wallet instead. The credit is in your Wallet straight away and is applied automatically at checkout on your next booking when you’re signed in with the same email. You can see your balance any time in My Wallet.

If you paid part of your booking with Wallet credit, that part always goes back to your Wallet. Trip protection isn’t refundable.

Oct 2026

What's Included

Activity name

  • Snacks
  • Bottled water
  • Private transportation
  • WiFi on board
  • Air-conditioned vehicle
  • Fuel surcharge
  • Parking Fees
  • Gratuities

Additional Info

Activity name

  • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
  • All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
  • Specialized infant seats are available

Report Product Issue

Activity name