Duration	→	Starts @ 09:00 Finishs @ 17:30
What to see	}	* Dolmabahce Palace * Pera Area * Cable Car to Pier Loti Hill * City Walls * Grand Bazaar

The fabled capital of three great empires - Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman, Istanbul is steeped in almost 3,000 years of history. The greatest concentration of landmarks is found in Istanbul's oldest district, Sultanahmet, an awe-inspiring expanse of leafy parks, Byzantine cathedrals, Greek statuary, bustling bazaars and imposing mosques with towering, slender minarets.

A little history of the sights

The Dolmabahce Palace, a blend of various European architectural styles, was built between 1843-1856 by Karabet Balyan, the court architect of Sultan Abdulmecid. The Ottoman sultans had many palaces in all ages, but the Topkapi was the official residence until the completion of the Dolmabahce Palace. The three-storied palace built on a symmetrical plan has 285 rooms and 43 halls. There is a 600 m long quay along the sea and two monumental gates, one of them very ornate, on the land side. Well-kept, beautiful gardens surround this seaside palace. In the middle, there is a large ballroom with a ceiling higher than the other sections. The entrance section of the palace was used for the receptions and meetings of the sultan, and the wing behind the ballroom used as the harem section.

Pera, So many old and handsome mansions, churches, old consulate buildings, shops, cafes and passages can also be seen dring the short walk. Also Çiçek Pasajı ( opened at 1876) which can be described as a miniature version of the famous Galleria in Milan whith historic pubs, winehouses and restaurants will be visited. The biggest Catholic Church of Istanbul, St. Antoine may be visited too.

Cable Car to Cafe Pierre Loti, Behind the Eyüp Mosque, at the top of the hill , is a small wooden building, typically oriental in its architecture, the cafe is named after the French writer Pierre Loti (1850-1923) famous with his love in Aziyade (lady from Harem).

City walls was built around 400AD by Emperor Theodosius II which is 6.5km(4miles) long. They exist of land walls and sea walls.The inner walls were 13m high,3-4m. thick and the outer walls were 8m. high and approximately 2m. thick and the height of 96 towers is ranging from 15 to 20m.10 gates lead into the city through walls.

Grand Covered Bazaar, Most attractive shopping center and biggest "souk" in the world with nearly 4000 shops selling antiques, jewelry, gold, carpets, leatherwear and souvenirs.