Hagia Sophia, Balat Bosphorus cruise Blue Mosque Pierre Loti Hill
Traveler rating
4.4/5
Based on 123 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Hagia Sophia, Balat Bosphorus cruise Blue Mosque Pierre Loti Hill worth booking?
Hagia Sophia, Balat Bosphorus cruise Blue Mosque Pierre Loti Hill is a 7-hour experience in Istanbul, Turkey, from €55 per person. It scores 69 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 4.4/5 rating across 123 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 69 / 100
- Rating
- 4.4/5 (123)
- Duration
- 7 hours
- From
- €55 per person
Experience the best of Istanbul on a guided bus & cruise tour. Visit iconic landmarks, like Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, the vibrant Grand Bazaar, Balat and Old city. Enjoy a scenic Bosphorus cruise between the continents of Asia and Europe and cap off your adventure with a breathtaking cable car ride down Pierre Loti Hill.
What you get
About this experience
Experience the best of Istanbul on a guided bus & cruise tour. Visit iconic landmarks, like Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, the vibrant Grand Bazaar, Balat and Old city. Enjoy a scenic Bosphorus cruise between the continents of Asia and Europe and cap off your adventure with a breathtaking cable car ride down Pierre Loti Hill.
What's included
Included
- English-speaking tour guide
- Bosphorus Cruise Ticket
- Hotel pickup and drop-off (If option selected)
- The Blue Mosque Guided Visit
- Visit center of Balat
- Abu Ayyub al-Ansari Mosque & Tomb Guided Visit
- Hagia Sophia Guided Visit
- Pierre Loti Hill Cable car ticket
- Hippodrome Guided visit
Not included
- Admission fees
- Tips
- Lunch
What you'll see and do
Blue Mosque
The magnificent Blue Mosque, renowned for its 20,000 hand-painted blue Iznik tiles and six elegant minarets. Learn how this architectural masterpiece was commissioned by Sultan Ahmet I and stands as the last great mosque of the Classical Ottoman period.
30 minutes here
Hippodrome
The heart of ancient Constantinople at the Hippodrome, once the city’s vibrant social and sporting center. Admire historical monuments including the German Fountain of Wilhelm II, the Bronze Serpentine Column, the Obelisk of Theodosius and the Column of Constantine
30 minutes here
The Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque, Istanbul
Hagia Sophia, a 6th-century marvel built by Emperor Justinian as a Greek Orthodox church. Discover the building’s rich history as it transitioned from church to mosque and later into a museum—standing as the world’s largest church for nearly a millennium
45 minutes here · Admission not included
Grand Bazaar
Before reaching the Grand Bazaar, enjoy a brief stop at a local shop—an ideal opportunity to pick up authentic souvenirs and handcrafted goods. Then, gather in front of the Grand Bazaar’s main gate to hear fascinating insights about its rich history. Afterward, explore the Grand Bazaar at your own pace. Lose yourself in the vibrant atmosphere of the world’s oldest and largest covered market, with 65 bustling streets and over 4,000 shops offering everything from carpets and jewelry to spices, ceramics and more.
30 minutes here
Sultanahmet District
Free Time for Lunch
40 minutes here
Golden Horn
In the afternoon, board a comfortable coach for a scenic drive along the Golden Horn (We ll pass by without stopping) With your guide narrating the history, spot traditional wooden houses, historic churches, synagogues, mosques and remnants of the ancient Roman Wall.
20 minutes here
Pierre Loti
We ascent to the Pierre Loti Hill by bus. You can take a photo in this beautiful place with a perfect view of the Golden Horn. This hill got its name from the famous French novelist who lived in Istanbul for a while and wrote his novel "Aziyade"
40 minutes here
Istanbul Cable Car
We descent from Pierre Loti Hill by cable car.
3 minutes here · Admission included
Eyup Sultan Mosque
Visit the revered Eyüp Sultan Mosque and the tomb of Abu Ayyub al-Ansari, a close companion of Prophet Muhammad. Learn how this sacred site became the ceremonial location for the coronation of Ottoman sultans, where they were girded with the Sword of Osman at the start of their reigns.
30 minutes here
Balat
Continue your tour through the center of Balat, the Istanbul’s most colorful neighborhood. Once home to diverse communities including Ottoman Orthodox Greeks, Jews and Armenians, these districts reflect a rich cultural mosaic. Discover their most iconic landmarks, where centuries of history, religion and architecture come together in a unique atmosphere.
20 minutes here
Hazerbaba
Break for rest some minutes & Taste Turkish delight, apple tea etc
30 minutes here
Bosphorus Cruise Enjoy the historical sightseeing from the sea by seeing the Golden horn, Topkapı palace, Dolma Bahçe palace, The Hagia Sophia Mosque, Maiden’s tower, Galata tower, Blue mosque, Ortakoy mosque, and the two continents Europe and Asia with the two Bridges connecting them
90 minutes here · Admission included
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Istanbul
Front of Buhara 93 Restaurant
Hotel pickup
Pickup is available for selected locations. Pickup begins about 60 minutes before departure.
Ends at
Front of Buhara 93 Restaurant
Options you can book
T1F Without Hotel Pick-up
Duration: 7 hours: This option does not include Hotel pick-up & drop off
T1F With Hotel Pick-up
Duration: 7 hours: This option includes Hotel pick-up & drop off Pickup included
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Sat, Sun
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Aljazeera Tour
Know before you go
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Please dress appropriately when entering sacred sites. Participants are advised to wear long pants, a long-sleeved shirt. Please bring a scarf to cover head.
- Even though you'll skip the ticket lines, the security checks at the Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque are mandatory and cannot be bypassed.
- Hagia Sophia skip-the-line entrance ticket costs €25 and must be paid in cash.
- Morning part of this tour is walking tour
- The Grand Bazaar is closed on religious holidays and Sundays.
- This is a shared transfer with Minibus or Midibus and pick up could be early or late. For each hotel there is a fixed pick-up time. before the tour starts time
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 122 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
9 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
7 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Value for money
3 mentionsTravelers feel they got more than they paid for.
Food and drink
2 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Traveler reviews
122 verified traveler reviews for Hagia Sophia, Balat Bosphorus cruise Blue Mosque Pierre Loti Hill. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Full day highlights of Istanbul
Full day starting with the Hippodrome Vlue Mosque Hagia Sophia then minivan transport to Pierre Loti Hill then ride down the cable car then van ride to Balat then Bosphorus afternoon cruise. Great value for your money. My guide Baki was great.
via Viator
Fantastic Istanbul Tour Experience – Highly Recommended! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Fantastic Istanbul Tour Experience – Highly Recommended! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ I had an incredible time on this tour! The entire experience was seamless from start to finish. Our driver was right on time for hotel pick-up, making the start of the day completely stress-free. The tour guide was deeply knowledgeable, sharing fascinating historical insights and local stories while we drove along the Golden Horn coastline towards Pierre Loti Hill and Boat trip in the Bosphorus Both the guide and driver were so professional, friendly, and efficient throughout the journey. If you are looking for a smooth, well-organized, and enriching way to explore Istanbul, I highly recommend booking this tour!
via Tripadvisor
Tour Istanbul
Very good food, the guide explain well the places we were and amazing views
via Tripadvisor
Interesting and very informative
Our guide Baki was friendly, professional and very knowledgeable. He was able to answer all questions throughout the day. We visited some major sites in Istanbul. Really enjoyed.
via Tripadvisor
What a day in Istanbul!
We had a great day, the guide is fantastic!
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 7 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Sat, Sun
- Price range
- €55 to €65
- Hotel pickup
- Available for selected locations
- Booked in 30 days
- 43
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Who runs this experience
Operated by Aljazeera Tour, who run 3 experiences we rank across 1 city, with an average Outty Ranking of 62.1.
See everything Aljazeera Tour runsWhy this scores 69
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Hagia Sophia, Balat Bosphorus cruise Blue Mosque Pierre Loti Hill: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Istanbul.
How much does Hagia Sophia, Balat Bosphorus cruise Blue Mosque Pierre Loti Hill cost?
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Prices start at €55 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Istanbul usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Hagia Sophia, Balat Bosphorus cruise Blue Mosque Pierre Loti Hill take?
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Plan for about 7 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Istanbul is not rushed.
Is Hagia Sophia, Balat Bosphorus cruise Blue Mosque Pierre Loti Hill worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 69 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.4/5 across 123 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Istanbul, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Hagia Sophia, Balat Bosphorus cruise Blue Mosque Pierre Loti Hill?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Hagia Sophia, Balat Bosphorus cruise Blue Mosque Pierre Loti Hill suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 7-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Hagia Sophia, Balat Bosphorus cruise Blue Mosque Pierre Loti Hill?
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Around 43 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Istanbul can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Istanbul and add a light layer if any part of the 7-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Hagia Sophia, Balat Bosphorus cruise Blue Mosque Pierre Loti Hill start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Istanbul within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Istanbul?
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On Outty we rank every Istanbul experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Princes Islands Blue Journey from Old City Istanbul, Famous Istanbul Pub Crawl #1 Nightlife Experience, Best of Istanbul 1, 2 or 3-Day Private Guided Istanbul Tour. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Istanbul?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Istanbul?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
What is included in Hagia Sophia, Balat Bosphorus cruise Blue Mosque Pierre Loti Hill?
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Included: English-speaking tour guide; Bosphorus Cruise Ticket; Hotel pickup and drop-off (If option selected); The Blue Mosque Guided Visit; and Visit center of Balat. Not included: Admission fees; Tips; and Lunch. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Does Hagia Sophia, Balat Bosphorus cruise Blue Mosque Pierre Loti Hill include hotel pickup?
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Yes, pickup is offered, or you can meet at the start point instead from 742 listed pickup locations in and around Istanbul. Be ready about 60 minutes before the start time.
What languages is Hagia Sophia, Balat Bosphorus cruise Blue Mosque Pierre Loti Hill offered in?
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It runs in English. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Hagia Sophia, Balat Bosphorus cruise Blue Mosque Pierre Loti Hill?
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Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.
Is Hagia Sophia, Balat Bosphorus cruise Blue Mosque Pierre Loti Hill wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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The operator notes: Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller; and Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to Hagia Sophia, Balat Bosphorus cruise Blue Mosque Pierre Loti Hill if the weather is bad?
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This experience depends on good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.
What do travelers say about Hagia Sophia, Balat Bosphorus cruise Blue Mosque Pierre Loti Hill?
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Across 123 reviews averaging 4.4 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, knowledge and storytelling, value for money. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
What booking options are available for Hagia Sophia, Balat Bosphorus cruise Blue Mosque Pierre Loti Hill?
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There are 2 options to choose from, including T1F Without Hotel Pick-up, T1F With Hotel Pick-up. Prices and start times differ by option, so compare them on the booking screen.
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