- Tour code
TURADV03
- Start
Istanbul
- End
Istanbul
- Min. age
16 years old
- Group size
Max 6-16 travellers
- Trip style
Classic
- Trip pace
Active
- Language
English
Few cities pack as much into a few square miles as Istanbul. On this short trip you'll see Hagia Sophia, head down into the columned Basilica Cistern and take in the Byzantine floor mosaics of the Mosaic Museum, then explore quieter corners like the Hippodrome and the Little Hagia Sophia Mosque.
Food ties it all together. Your first evening is a street-food walk through the Old City, and a later day brings a guided food walk through Taksim and Karaköy with Turkish coffee, baklava, profiteroles and a generous mezze lunch, before a ferry ride across the Bosphorus to Kadıköy.
Evenings out and a small, welcoming group of up to 16 make it an easy city break, whether you come solo or with a friend, and your Soca Islands Host is with you throughout.
Why This Journey
Three nights is short, so this trip is built to make each one count. You stay in the Old City, walk to the Byzantine and Ottoman sights rather than queueing for coaches, and let a local guide show you how Istanbul actually eats, from street snacks to a long mezze table.
Crossing to Kadıköy on the ferry gives you the Asian side of the city too, so in four days you see both shores of the Bosphorus. It works well as a long weekend on its own, or as the first stop before more time in Türkiye.
Where You'll Stay
Istanbul (3 nights): Hotel Amira Istanbul, a boutique hotel in Sultanahmet steps from the Little Hagia Sophia Mosque and a short walk from Hagia Sophia and the Basilica Cistern. Proposed accommodation (or similar), subject to confirmation. Prices are based on two people sharing a double room with two beds.
Getting There
International Flights Not Included. International airfare to and from the destination is not included in the package price. Travelers are responsible for arranging their own flights and ensuring their arrival and departure align with the trip itinerary. Fly into and out of Istanbul Airport (IST); arrival and departure airport transfers are included. Please share your confirmed flight details with Soca Islands so we can coordinate applicable arrival and departure arrangements.
What you will see and do
Hagia Sophia, the Basilica Cistern and Byzantine mosaics
A food walk: Turkish coffee, baklava, profiteroles and mezze
Street-food dinner in the Old City after dark
What's included
All activities mentioned on the itinerary
Accommodations in double rooms
Experienced Soca Islands Host with you throughout the trip
One farewell group activity when possible
Max 16 travellers per group
Arrival and departure airport transfers
Group transportation
What's excluded
- International flights (travelers arrange their own)
- Travel insurance (required; proof of cover must be provided)
- Meals not listed in the itinerary
- Optional activities (hammam, Day 4 full-day excursion) and personal expenses
- Single room supplement (single rooms on request, subject to availability)
- Extra hotel nights before or after the trip
Group itinerary
Arrive whenever suits you; your arrival transfer brings you to the hotel in Sultanahmet, and the rest of the day is yours to settle in.
In the evening, meet your Soca Islands Host and the rest of the group, then set off on foot through the Old Town, tasting the city's best-loved street snacks as the lights come on around the mosques.
Start with Hagia Sophia, then go looking for what most visitors miss: the underground Roman and Byzantine remains of the Basilica Cistern, the floor mosaics of the Mosaic Museum, the old Hippodrome and the graceful Little Hagia Sophia Mosque.
In the evening, a traditional hammam is an optional way to unwind.
A local guide leads a food walk through Taksim Square and Karaköy, two of the city's liveliest districts, with baklava, profiteroles and Turkish coffee along the way. A big mezze lunch follows.
Then board a ferry across the Bosphorus to Kadıköy on the Asian shore and see Istanbul from the other side, with the Old City skyline across the water.
The trip wraps up today, so you can leave at any time; your departure transfer takes you to Istanbul Airport (IST).
If you're staying on, an optional full-day excursion covers the old city walls, Roman mosaics and frescoes, the historic Jewish quarter and a cruise on the Bosphorus.
Accommodations
Here's a glimpse of the hotels we selected for this adventure.
Hotel Amira Istanbul
A boutique hotel on a quiet lane in Sultanahmet, in the historic peninsula of Istanbul. The Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia and the Hippodrome are a short walk uphill, and the Little Hagia Sophia neighborhood around it has small cafés and local restaurants.
Rooms are decorated with Ottoman-inspired textiles and woodwork, and the rooftop terrace looks over the Sea of Marmara. Staff are known for their personal service, which makes it an easy base for arriving and departing on different flights.
Rooms are 25 m² (269 ft²).
Hotel websiteRooms
- Included
Shared double
Shared with the person you book with, or a fellow traveller of the same sex.
- Extra cost
Single room
A room to yourself, subject to availability.
You choose your room when you book.
Tour FAQS
Fly into and out of Istanbul Airport (IST).
Proposed accommodation is Hotel Amira Istanbul in Sultanahmet (3 nights), or similar, subject to confirmation.
International Flights Not Included. International airfare to and from the destination is not included in the package price. Travelers are responsible for arranging their own flights and ensuring their arrival and departure align with the trip itinerary. Please share your confirmed flight details with Soca Islands so we can coordinate applicable arrival and departure arrangements.
Yes. Arrival and departure airport transfers are included. Please share your confirmed flight details with Soca Islands so we can coordinate applicable arrival and departure arrangements.
The trip includes 3 breakfasts, 1 lunch and 1 dinner, as described in the itinerary. Other meals are at your own cost.
Extra nights can be requested, subject to hotel availability; contact our Customer Experience team for a quote.
There are no scheduled activities on the final day, so feel free to book your departure at your own convenience.
We recommend arriving before 3 pm on Day 1 to make it in time for the welcome event. But don’t worry no matter when you land, we’ll have an airport transfer ready for you.
Please Refer to your government’s travel advice or consult your local consulate. Remember, passport and visa requirements can change, so make sure to stay updated.
Excluding alcohol, we suggest budgeting around USD $40.00 per day for extras.
While we’re not medical professionals, we want to help you prepare for a safe and healthy adventure. Here are some tips:
- Consult with a healthcare professional: Schedule an appointment with your travel nurse or doctor at least eight weeks before your adventure to get any necessary vaccines or medications.
- Up-to-date medical advice:
- US residents: Check the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.
- UK residents: Visit the NHS Fit For Travel website.
- Australian residents: Refer to the Smart Traveler Health website.
3. Government travel advice:
- US residents: Consult the US Department of State Travel Advice.
- UK residents: Check the FCDO Travel Advice.
- Australian residents: Visit the Smart Traveler website.
4. Medication tips: If you take prescription medication, bring enough to last the entire trip, plus a few extra days in case of delays. Carry a copy of your prescription in case you need to visit a clinic abroad.
We hope this helps you prepare for a safe and enjoyable adventure.
Please keep in mind that our itinerary, activities, and hotels might change. These adjustments could happen with little notice due to factors like availability, weather conditions, seasonal shifts, or other circumstances beyond our control. Rest assured, we always aim to minimise any impact on your experience. Occasionally, we may tweak the itinerary to try out fresh ideas and keep the adventure exciting.
We believe solo travelers shouldn’t have to pay extra to explore the world. That’s why our group trips are designed around shared accommodation and do not include a single supplement. Solo travelers joining our group trips are paired in twin or multi-share rooms with another traveler of the same sex for the duration of the trip.
Some of our Independent trips are structured differently. For these itineraries, solo travelers will need to book at the single occupancy rate.
Tips are not included in the cost of this tour. Remember, tipping is entirely at your discretion and based on what you feel comfortable with.
Would you like to learn more or customise our Classic Istanbul Mini Adventure trip?
Have questions about accommodations, accessibility, group preferences, or dietary needs? Complete the form below and our team will get back to you shortly.
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