Istanbul Small-Group Tour Including Dolmabahce Palace and Luxury Transport

Start your tour with a pickup from your European-side hotel in Istanbul by luxury Mercedes minivan. Settle back in air-conditioned comfort as your guide talks to you about Istanbul’s rich history — from Byzantine and Ottoman eras to the current day — on the way to your first stop.

Hop out of your minivan at Dolmabahçe Palace and head inside to explore. The grandiose building was one of the last Ottoman Empire palaces to be built, and its architectural style presents a medley of influences, blending opulent Ottoman and Neoclassical design. Learn about its history while walking amid chandeliers, marble and gilded furnishings.

After your tour of Dolmabahçe Palace, travel to the artsy neighborhood of Beyoğlu where the prestigious Istanbul Modern Art Museum awaits. Focusing on contemporary Turkish artwork, the museum covers two floors of a converted warehouse and is home to an array of temporary exhibitions as well as a cinema and arts library. Learn about the art, and admire highlights such as the permanent art history exhibition.

Then, head out on a walking tour around the Balat area, the cultural heart of Istanbul’s Jewish community. Stroll along the streets, and look out for the Ecumencial Orthodox Patriarchate, an intriguing church compound where the ceremonial head of the Greek Orthodox Church is based.

Leave Balat and travel to Rüstem Pasha Mosque, one of the city’s gems. Small yet spectacular, the mosque boasts an eye-catching interior with incredible tiles that adorn the walls and ceiling. After admiring the interiors, travel onward to Istanbul’s Spice Bazaar. Scout out the most interesting stalls to visit, hear bargaining tips, and then bid your guide a fond farewell as your tour finishes.