Caferağa Medresesi

Discover the wonderful history and fascinating culture of Istanbul with this afternoon tour. Explore iconic landmarks of the city like Topkapi Palace, Hagia Irene Church, Caferağa Medresseh. Take a stroll at Sogukcesme Street in the historic Sultanahmet neighborhood. The first stop will be the Topkapi Palace, also known as the Seraglio. Retrace the footsteps of Ottoman sultans, generals, and courtiers here. This museum, once the official residence of sultans, is filled with a jewel-filled imperial treasury. Next, continue to the outer courtyard of Topkapi Palace. Admire the stunning architecture of the Hagia Irene Church, with a 35-meter-high dome and peaked roofs on all 4 corners. Later, explore the Caferağa Medresseh, an educational institution built in 1559. Conclude the tour at Sogukcesme Street, a small street in Istanbul's Sultanahmet neighborhood filled with beautiful historic houses.

Start your tour of Istanbul at the Hagia Sophia Museum, often referred to as the 8th Wonder of the World. Wander through the building's interior, which has been converted into a museum, and admire its beautiful art pieces including several Byzantine mosaics. Next, head to the Blue Mosque and see the 20,000 magnificent blue-toned tiles that give the mosque its name.  Later, head to the Hippodrome of Constantinople, the former political center of the city, where you can learn more about the city's ancient history and see artifacts from the Constantinople era. Learn more about Turkish culture at the Caferağa Medresseh. In the Egyptian spice market, soak up the sights and smells of this bustling food market. During your cruise along the Bosphorus, admire the Dolmabahçe Palace, Beylerbeyi Palace, and the Ciragan Palace Kempinski. Stop for a traditional lunch of meatballs before continuing your cruise, taking in views of ancient wooden villas and bridges and other unique maritime landscapes.

In the heart of the “Old City” you will stumble upon: Hagia Sophia (Aya Sofya) is a UNESCO-listed museum that contains Ottoman and Byzantine works. From the Golden Age of Byzantine Empire, this once a Christian church is one of the most extraordinary buildings in the history of architecture. Listen to its history and examine the architecture together with a professional guide. Next stop is Topkapi Palace, the largest and oldest palace in the world to survive to our day and also was the primary residence of the Ottoman sultans for approximately 400 years. Then, make a visit to the Blue Mosque with six minarets, which was built at the bequest of Sultan Ahmet I, and is one of the best preserved and most significant examples of Ottoman architecture. Continue to Istanbul Hippodrome where chariot races were held. It was the center of Byzantium’s life for 1000 years and of Ottoman life for another 400 years and has been the scene of countless political dramas. Stop by Caferaga Medresesi, a cultural organization that teaches and promotes traditional Turkish handicrafts. The courtyard is home to the pleasant Caferağa Medresesi Çay Bahçesi tea garden. A small break for lunch in a local restaurant serving typical Turkish dishes will be served. The last stop of your journey is the Grand Bazaar, one of the oldest and largest covered markets in the world. Its numerous shops are bursting with everything you can imagine, from jewelry to silk clothing, and traditional copperware to exotic, Oriental imports and many more hidden gems.