COX & KINGS

Istanbul: Byzantines and Ottomans (Specialist-led Tour)

Prices checked 26 October 2026 · Cox & Kings · Supplier snapshot; confirmation required.

Choose your departure & see monthly prices →

Istanbul, capital of the Ottoman and Byzantine empires, enjoyed more than four centuries of imperial patronage, resulting in one of the most dramatic skylines in the world. This comprehensive tour visits several of the city’s most exquisite mosques and palaces, including Topkapı Palace, the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sofia. Together with the energetic street life and vibrant bazaars, they make Istanbul one of Europe and Asia’s most alluring cities – as you will discover firsthand.

Plan this tour with Kat & Simon Morgan — Personal Travel Consultants at Hays Travel. Call 0800 0662 694 for help comparing dates, departure points and room options.

Tour highlights

Travel with an expert in Byzantine and Ottoman history and culture
Visit Topkapi Palace, a residence of Ottoman sultans for 400 years
Stay at a premium hotel in Istanbul’s historic centre for the duration of the tour
Take a ferry ride to the Princes’ Islands, famed for their gardens and villas

Further highlights

Tour gallery

abercrombie kent Istanbul: Byzantines and Ottomans (Specialist-led Tour)-1

abercrombie kent Istanbul: Byzantines and Ottomans (Specialist-led Tour)-2

abercrombie kent Istanbul: Byzantines and Ottomans (Specialist-led Tour)-3

abercrombie kent Istanbul: Byzantines and Ottomans (Specialist-led Tour)-4

abercrombie kent Istanbul: Byzantines and Ottomans (Specialist-led Tour)-5

Your itinerary

In supplier order. Some entries may cover multiple days; optional experiences are described by the supplier.

Sample itinerary. Choose a departure for its exact itinerary and hotel plan.

Day 1 — Fly to Istanbul

Fly from London Heathrow with Turkish Airlines. Transfer to your hotel and in the evening join the rest of your party for a welcome dinner.

Meals: dinner

Day 2 — Istanbul

Morning visit to Zoodochos Pigi (Silivri Kapi cemetery), the Church of Theotokos Kyriotissa (Kalenderhane Mosque), Suleymaniye Mosque complex, and the Turkish and Islamic Arts Museum. In the afternoon, continue to the Theodosian city walls at Edirne Kapi, the Porphyrogenitus Palace (Tekfur Sarayi), then conclude with a stop at the garden of the sacred shrine and spring, Ayazma Blachernae, dating back to 451 AD.

Meals: breakfast

Day 2.1 — Transfer: Istanbul to Princes’ Islands

Day 3 — The Princes’ Islands

Take the early-morning public ferry to the Princes’ Islands, a nine-island archipelago in the Sea of Marmara, passing Leander’s Tower, ancient Chalcedon and Antigone. Stop at Chalki to visit the Church of St Nikolaos and the Greek Orthodox seminary. Continue to the isle of Prinkipo for an optional visit to the Monastery of St George.

Meals: breakfast

Day 3.1 — Transfer: Princes’ Islands to Istanbul

Day 4 — Istanbul

Enjoy a morning tour of the Beyoglu district, known historically in Greek as Pera or “beyond” given the area lies across the water from the ancient centre of Constantinople. Visit the Galata Tower, which was famously garrisoned by Genoese troops during the capture of the city by the Ottomans in 1453 and dates from 1348. After a light street-food lunch, continue to the Crimea Memorial Church, built in the mid-19th century in memory of fallen British soldiers, where a special drinks reception has been arranged.

Meals: breakfast, lunch

Day 5 — Istanbul

Take a morning walking tour of Sultanahmet, including Topkapi Palace and the superb collections of the archaeological museum. In the afternoon, view the Hippodrome ruins, the Blue Mosque, the Great Palace Mosaic Museum, and the Church of Saints Sergius and Bacchus (Little Hagia Sophia Mosque). Conclude the day with a visit to the lively Grand Bazaar.

Meals: breakfast

Day 6 — Istanbul

Take a morning visit to the Church of St Saviour in Chora (Kariye Mosque), famous for its rich 14th-century mosaics and frescos. Continue to Theotokos Pammakaristos (Fethiye Mosque) for an external visit, and then to Theotokos Panaghiotissa (Mouchliotissa), the only Byzantine church still belonging to the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate. Walk through the historic Fener district to see the cast-iron Church of St Stephen of the Bulgars. In the afternoon, visit the Basilica Cistern (Sunken Palace) and conclude at the Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque. Finally, in the evening, enjoy a farewell dinner with your tour party in the historic Eminönü district.

Meals: breakfast, dinner

Day 7 — Fly to London

Morning walking tour of Beyazit, the Third Hill, and the old city centre. Fly from Istanbul to London Heathrow with Turkish Airlines.

Meals: breakfast

Your accommodation

Planned hotels or ships as published by Cox & Kings. Alternatives of a similar standard may be used. Hotel options are grouped as supplied and are not necessarily all included in one departure.

Royan Hotel Hagia Sophia

Set in the heart of Sultanahmet, just a short walk from the Hagia Sophia, Royan Hotel is a comfortable, 4-star property of 48 rooms and suites. A bar, lounge and restaurant are available on-site with numerous other choices within easy walking distance. All rooms are air conditioned and feature a television and safe.

What’s included

Fully escorted by an English-speaking guide throughout as well as a specialist lecturer
Local transfers in air-conditioned vehicles
Guided excursions and entrance fees
Small Groups - Max 18 (Average 12)
4- star accommodation
Direct flights from London (regional connections available)
Porterage at hotels
6 breakfasts, 1 lunch and 2 dinners

Dates & prices

Indicative supplier snapshot. Confirm price, room basis and availability before booking. Monthly estimates deduct a £250 deposit per person for Europe or £395 elsewhere, then divide by whole monthly payments ending no later than 42 days before departure. Rounded to the nearest pound; final payment adjusted.

London and Manchester departures available. Published tour fares are indicative and not airport-specific; confirm your selected airport and quote with Kat & Simon.

20 published departure and room-basis records. Standard prices are per person sharing; solo fares are labelled separately. Sold-out records are shown for reference.

Departure	Departure point	Duration	Room basis	Price per person	Status
3 April 2027	London	7 days	Two sharing	~~Supplier price £2,695~~ £2,620 Save £75 pp · Book by 29 November 2026	Snapshot — confirm availability
3 April 2027	Manchester	7 days	Two sharing	~~Supplier price £2,695~~ £2,620 Save £75 pp · Book by 29 November 2026	Snapshot — confirm availability
12 June 2027	London	7 days	Two sharing	~~Supplier price £2,345~~ £2,295 Save £50 pp · Book by 29 November 2026	Snapshot — confirm availability
12 June 2027	Manchester	7 days	Two sharing	~~Supplier price £2,345~~ £2,295 Save £50 pp · Book by 29 November 2026	Snapshot — confirm availability
16 October 2027	London	7 days	Two sharing	~~Supplier price £2,545~~ £2,470 Save £75 pp · Book by 29 November 2026	Snapshot — confirm availability
16 October 2027	London	7 days	Solo	~~Supplier price £3,090~~ £3,015 Save £75 pp · Book by 29 November 2026	Snapshot — confirm availability
16 October 2027	Manchester	7 days	Two sharing	~~Supplier price £2,545~~ £2,470 Save £75 pp · Book by 29 November 2026	Snapshot — confirm availability
16 October 2027	Manchester	7 days	Solo	~~Supplier price £3,090~~ £3,015 Save £75 pp · Book by 29 November 2026	Snapshot — confirm availability
1 April 2028	London	7 days	Two sharing	~~Supplier price £3,095~~ £3,020 Save £75 pp · Book by 29 November 2026	Snapshot — confirm availability
1 April 2028	London	7 days	Solo	~~Supplier price £3,740~~ £3,640 Save £100 pp · Book by 29 November 2026	Snapshot — confirm availability
1 April 2028	Manchester	7 days	Two sharing	~~Supplier price £3,095~~ £3,020 Save £75 pp · Book by 29 November 2026	Snapshot — confirm availability
1 April 2028	Manchester	7 days	Solo	~~Supplier price £3,740~~ £3,640 Save £100 pp · Book by 29 November 2026	Snapshot — confirm availability
10 June 2028	London	7 days	Two sharing	~~Supplier price £2,745~~ £2,670 Save £75 pp · Book by 29 November 2026	Snapshot — confirm availability
10 June 2028	London	7 days	Solo	~~Supplier price £3,390~~ £3,290 Save £100 pp · Book by 29 November 2026	Snapshot — confirm availability
10 June 2028	Manchester	7 days	Two sharing	~~Supplier price £2,745~~ £2,670 Save £75 pp · Book by 29 November 2026	Snapshot — confirm availability
10 June 2028	Manchester	7 days	Solo	~~Supplier price £3,390~~ £3,290 Save £100 pp · Book by 29 November 2026	Snapshot — confirm availability
14 October 2028	London	7 days	Two sharing	~~Supplier price £2,795~~ £2,720 Save £75 pp · Book by 29 November 2026	Snapshot — confirm availability
14 October 2028	London	7 days	Solo	~~Supplier price £3,440~~ £3,340 Save £100 pp · Book by 29 November 2026	Snapshot — confirm availability
14 October 2028	Manchester	7 days	Two sharing	~~Supplier price £2,795~~ £2,720 Save £75 pp · Book by 29 November 2026	Snapshot — confirm availability
14 October 2028	Manchester	7 days	Solo	~~Supplier price £3,440~~ £3,340 Save £100 pp · Book by 29 November 2026	Snapshot — confirm availability

Supplier source ↗

Share with a friend

Booking this tour with Kat & Simon

How do I book?

Call 0800 0662 694 with your preferred dates, departure point and party details. We’ll confirm the current fare and availability before booking. This page does not reserve a place.

Can I spread the cost?

The date selector shows monthly estimates where eligible. Deposit and balance dates are shown alongside each option; ask us to confirm the payment arrangement for your booking.

Will my itinerary vary?

Check the itinerary for your selected departure. Hotels, order of visits and included experiences can vary; optional activities may cost extra.

Meet Kat & Simon and find out how we help