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Istanbul, Turkey

Once serving as the capital of the Ottoman and Byzantine Empires, Istanbul today offers impressive architecture, historic sites, dining, shopping, nightlife and exotic atmosphere. Spend time in the Old City to explore renowned places, like the Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque and Topkapi Palace.

  • Date
    Nov 02
  • Depart
    8:00 AM

    Excursion Highlights

    Filter Excursions

    Tour Type
    Activity Level
    Duration
    As shore excursions to be offered in this port are not yet confirmed, below is a list of those previously offered. We make every effort to have excursions finalized at least 210 days prior to sailing, and often earlier. Please check back regularly.
      • 7.5 Hours
      • Moderate Activity
      • #
        IST-001
      • See signature attractions that have defined Istanbul over the centuries.
      • Browse the extraordinary collections of art in the Chora Museum and Hagia Sophia.
      • Pass the remains of the 3rd-century Hippodrome, which could hold 100,000 spectators.
      • Behold a sprawling 6th-century underground cistern that is dramatically illuminated.
      • Spend free time shopping the Grand Bazaar, which has more than 5,000 shops.
      • 8.0 Hours
      • Moderate Activity
      • #
        IST-004
      • Tour key landmarks included in Istanbul’s UNESCO World Heritage site designation.
      • Visit the 17th-century Blue Mosque, which features six minarets and an interior showcasing 21,000 blue-green Iznik tiles.
      • See the remains of the hippodrome, popular for sporting events during Constantinople’s heyday.
      • View breathtaking Hagia Sophia, which many historians consider the 8th Wonder of the World.
      • Explore gorgeous Topkapi Palace, the long-time residence of Ottoman sultans.
      • Relish a tasty buffet lunch at a chic hotel before appreciating free time at the famed Grand Bazaar.
      • 4.25 Hours
      • Light Activity
      • #
        IST-005
      • Consider the privileged life of a Sultan as you tour spectacular Istanbul palace.
      • Explore the mid-19th-century Dolmabahçe Palace, a blend of several European architectural styles.
      • Admire Dolmabahçe Palace’s paintings, silk carpets, parquet floors and 4 ½-ton crystal chandelier.
      • See the bedchambers of the sultan and his ornately carved alabaster bathroom.
      • Savor tea in the breathtaking Four Seasons Hotel, which overlooks the cobalt Bosphorus.
      • 4.5 Hours
      • Moderate Activity
      • #
        IST-007
      • Visit the enchanting Zeyrek Mosque
      • Survey Bible-themed mosaics and frescoes at the Chora Museum, once a Greek Orthodox church.
      • Wander the bustling Spice Market, which brims with spices, dried fruits and myriad locally produced products.
      • 3.5 Hours
      • Moderate Activity
      • #
        IST-009
      • Visit the inviting Sadberk Hanim Museum, a private museum located in a restored seaside villa.
      • Survey the museum’s intriguing displays of Ottoman, Anatolian and Islamic art and antiquities.
      • Cruise the glittering Bosphorus, sighting mosques, palaces and mansions on the European and Asian sides.
      • Sail past the Rumelihisari, a stately 15th-century medieval fortress.
      • 3.5 Hours
      • Seated
      • #
        IST-010
      • Cross the first suspension bridge built across the glittering Bosphorus, which divides Europe from Asia.
      • Marvel at the myriad architectural influences found in the city’s churches, synagogues, mosques and houses.
      • Take in landmarks included in Istanbul’s UNESCO World Heritage site designation.
      • Discover an astonishing amount of merchandise available at over 4,000 shops in the Grand Bazaar.
      • 3.5 Hours
      • Light Activity
      • #
        IST-013
      • Drive through Istanbul in the evening, when it will be dramatically illuminated.
      • Behold both the Blue Mosque and the Hagia Sophia from Sultanahmet Square.
      • Dine on Turkish cuisine at a seafood restaurant in the bustling Kumkapi quarter.
      • 4.5 Hours
      • Light Activity
      • #
        IST-016
      • Journey to the Asian side of Istanbul across the world’s fifth-longest suspension bridge.
      • Tour the luxurious 19th-century Beylerbeyi Palace, a 26-room royal residence designed by a sultan.
      • Take in the palace’s elaborate decoration, impressive Islamic artwork, royal stables and panoramic Bosphorus vistas.
      • View the Beylerbeyi Mosque.
      • 5.0 Hours
      • Light Activity
      • #
        IST-018
      • Take in several landmarks included in Istanbul’s UNESCO World Heritage site designation.
      • Visit the 17th-century Blue Mosque, which features six minarets and an interior showcasing 21,000 blue-green Iznik tiles.
      • See the remains of the hippodrome, popular for sporting events during Constantinople’s heyday.
      • View breathtaking Hagia Sophia, which many historians consider the 8th Wonder of the World.
      • Look up at Hagia Sophia’s soaring minarets, added in the 15th century after the Ottoman conquest.
      • Discover an astonishing amount of merchandise available at over 4,000 shops of the Grand Bazaar.
      • 4.5 Hours
      • Moderate Activity
      • #
        IST-019
      • Admire key landmarks included in Istanbul’s UNESCO World Heritage site designation.
      • Visit the Suleymaniye Mosque, which symbolizes the Ottoman Empire at its peak
      • Explore gorgeous Topkapi Palace, the long-time residence of Ottoman sultans.
      • Survey Topkapi Palace’s impressive fountains and ornate pavilions.
      • Wander the bustling Spice Market, which brims with spices, dried fruits and myriad locally produced products.
      • 7.0 Hours
      • Strenuous Activity
      • #
        IST-022
      • Explore lavish Dolmabahce Palace, the 19th-century home of the last Ottoman sultan.
      • Browse the art museum in the former residence of the crown princes.
      • Cruise the Bosphorus for a unique perspective of Istanbul from the water.
      • 4.5 Hours
      • Moderate Activity
      • #
        IST-023
      • Cruise the legendary Bosphorus Strait that forms the boundary between Europe and Asia.
      • Walk through Ortaköy, an architecturally rich district on the European side of Istanbul.
      • Browse the Kanlica district on the Asian side of Istanbul and sample its famed yoghurt.
      • 4.5 Hours
      • Strenuous Activity
      • #
        IST-024
      • Cruise the famed Golden Horn, a natural harbor named for its golden hue at sunset.
      • Meander through Balat, one of Istanbul’s oldest and most ethnically diverse districts.
      • Enjoy Balat’s vibrant, fashionable ambiance while admiring its colorful architecture.
      • 3.0 Hours
      • Light Activity
      • #
        IST-025
      • Enjoy a huge selection of mezes and kebaps that have become synonymous with Istanbul.
      • Delight in the highly social kebap culture that pervades the entire dining experience.
      • Ask the chef questions about how the mezes and kebaps are prepared and cooked.
      • 3.5 Hours
      • Light Activity
      • #
        IST-026
      • Enjoy traditional dishes that have been creatively prepared with an unconventional twist.
      • Savor a multi-sensory dining experience that goes far beyond the meal alone.
      • Recognize how Deraliye restaurant perfectly reflects the hip and creative Sultanahmet district.
      • 2.5 Hours
      • Moderate Activity
      • #
        IST-027
      • See Istanbul when it is most radiant by cruising the Bosphorus Strait at sunset.
      • Admire one landmark after another, each of which will be dramatically illuminated.
      • Pass waterfront mansions and hilltop mosques overlooking both banks of the Bosphorus.
      • Hear commentary that describes the cultural and historical importance of the attractions.
      • 6.0 Hours
      • Moderate Activity
      • #
        IST-028
      • Behold different aspects of Istanbul and come away with a complete picture of the city.
      • Browse the bustling Spice Market and watch artisans craft fine leather goods, with the opportunity to purchase a special piece to take home.
      • Gaze out over Istanbul while cruising the Bosphorus Strait that divides the city in two.
      • 4.5 Hours
      • Moderate Activity
      • #
        IST-029
      • Browse the bustling Spice Bazaar, an institution since the 17th century.
      • See an unimaginable amount of spices, fruits and other merchandise.
      • Sample street foods that best represent Turkish cuisine.
      • Enjoy a sweeping view of Istanbul while walking across the Golden Horn Bridge.
      • 6.5 Hours
      • Moderate Activity
      • #
        IST-1GT
      • Chef-Led tours are never more than 18 guests and always led by the chef instructor onboard.
      • View the 15th-century kitchen complex in Topkapi Palace.
      • Browse a market full of aromatic spices, roasted nuts and Turkish Delights.
      • Savor a traditional, multi-course Turkish lunch at a popular Istanbul restaurant
      • Enjoy authentic Turkish Baklava before returning to the ship
      • 4.0 Hours
      • Strenuous Activity
      • #
        IST-GL1
      • Observe a harmonious neighborhood where different ethnicities live side by side.
      • Admire the serenity of Cengelkoy, another well-known highly civil neighborhood.
      • Sample a style of Turkish yoghurt in a town synonymous with it.
      • 4.0 Hours
      • Strenuous Activity
      • #
        IST-GL2
      • Wander through historical Ottoman inns where foreign and local merchants stayed.
      • Learn how the trade system worked during the Ottoman period and how it has changed.
      • Ride the subway along a route that was constructed nearly 150 years ago.
      • See the extraordinary neoclassical and art nouveau architecture in the Beyoglu district.
      • 6.5 Hours
      • Strenuous Activity
      • #
        IST-GL3
      • Take a ferry across the Golden Horn, one of the primary inlets of the Bosphorus.
      • Explore the creative, gentrified neighborhood of Moda and pause for a cup of coffee.
      • Meander through the hip neighborhood of Kadikoy and enjoy a traditional lunch.
      • 4.0 Hours
      • Light Activity
      • #
        IST-C04
      • Travel in a private vehicle reserved for your party only.
      • Follow your own itinerary and visit only attractions you choose.
      • Proceed at whatever pace is most comfortable.
      • Rely on your personal driver and guide for assistance.
      • 8.0 Hours
      • Light Activity
      • #
        IST-C08
      • Travel in a private vehicle reserved for your party only.
      • Follow your own itinerary and visit only attractions you choose.
      • Proceed at whatever pace is most comfortable.
      • Rely on your personal driver and guide for assistance.
      • 6.0 Hours
      • Moderate Activity
      • #
        IST-CM1
      • Take inspiring selfies at the most photogenic attractions in Istanbul.
      • Follow tips from your selfie tutor to ensure the very best pictures.
      • Learn the historical significance of the locales while enjoying their dramatic settings.
      • Behold the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque and 3rd-century Hippodrome.
      • Visit Galata Bridge, which spans the Golden Horn, an inlet of the Bosphorus Strait.
      • li>Sample a selection of local delicacies.
      • 4.0 Hours
      • Light Activity
      • #
        IST-M04
      • Travel in a private vehicle reserved for your party only.
      • Follow your own itinerary and visit only attractions you choose.
      • Proceed at whatever pace is most comfortable.
      • Rely on your personal driver and guide for assistance.
      • 8.0 Hours
      • Light Activity
      • #
        IST-M08
      • Travel in a private vehicle reserved for your party only.
      • Follow your own itinerary and visit only attractions you choose.
      • Proceed at whatever pace is most comfortable.
      • Rely on your personal driver and guide for assistance.
      • 0.0 Hours
      • Light Activity
      • #
        IST-STT

      To ensure that your shoreside experiences are as convenient and enjoyable as possible, we are delighted to offer a complimentary shuttle between your ship and the city center in every port where the ship is not docked within walking distance of the city center. This service runs continuously, aligning perfectly with your ship’s in-port schedule. Best of all, there’s no need to reserve your seat in advance. Simply make your way to the designated stop to board your shuttle, and you’ll be whisked away to the heart of the city. Additional information and schedules can be obtained by visiting the onboard Destination Services Desk during your voyage.

      • 4.0 Hours
      • Light Activity
      • #
        IST-V04
      • Travel in a private vehicle reserved for your party only.
      • Follow your own itinerary and visit only attractions you choose.
      • Proceed at whatever pace is most comfortable.
      • Rely on your personal driver and guide for assistance.
      • 8.0 Hours
      • Light Activity
      • #
        IST-V08
      • Travel in a private vehicle reserved for your party only.
      • Follow your own itinerary and visit only attractions you choose.
      • Proceed at whatever pace is most comfortable.
      • Rely on your personal driver and guide for assistance.
      • 0.0 Hours
      • Light Activity
      • #
        SPO-IST

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