Combo: Topkapi Palace + Hagia Sophia + Blue Mosque Guided Tours with Skip-the-Line Tickets

Get access to 3 of Istanbul’s most sought-after attractions with this budget-friendly combo. Knowledgeable English-speaking guides will take you on a tour of Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia, and Blue Mosque. With 3 days in hand, this experience will be easy to fit in your vacation schedule.

Topkapi Palace

Skip-the-line access takes you straight past the seemingly endless lines and into the opulent interiors of Topkapi Palace. Your guide will regale you with tales from the time the palace used to be the residence of the Ottoman sultans. Of particular note are the lavish courtyards, as well as the relics dating back to 15th and 16th centuries including armors, weapons, and manuscripts.

Hagia Sophia

Originally built as a Christian basilica in the Byzantine era in the 6th century, Hagia Sophia served as an imperial mosque later during the Ottoman Empire. Today, it also functions as a museum and draws visitors from all over the world. The massive dome, mosaic artworks, and marble columns show the influence of both cultures.

If you see people attempting to push their thumbs into a column, no need to be confused. This is the “wishing column”, where it is a ritual to push your thumb inside a small orifice and rotate it 360 degrees. If you feel wetness on your finger, it is believed that your wish will come true.

Blue Mosque

Born out of the ambition of Sultan Ahmed I, this is undoubtedly one of the most awe-inspiring mosques in Turkey. The might of the imperial rule is made evident by the enormous dome supported by “elephant foot” pillars, along with over 20,000 ceramic tiles handcrafted by the finest craftsmen of the era. Features such as the high ceilings embellished with chandeliers, the walls with complex calligraphy and geometric patterns, make it hard to believe that the mosque was constructed in mere 7 years.