Combo Tour Review: Hagia Sophia, Basilica Cistern & Topkapi Palace

Alright, so you are thinking of visiting Istanbul and hitting some major historical spots, that’s fantastic! Specifically, maybe you have noticed the ‘Combo Hagia Sophia, Basilica Cistern & Topkapi Palace’ tour. Is that the greatest way to catch those unbelievable buildings? Let’s consider what this kind of tour typically involves and think through if it’s really worth your time and money.

What’s Included In The Package Tour?

Well, typically a combo tour gets you entry into these three places: the Hagia Sophia, the Basilica Cistern, and Topkapi Palace. Usually, too it may have a tour guide who shares tidbits about the past of each spot. You’ll likely get to skip some lines, and that can truly save a lot of your valuable time, especially in peak season. A tour can often run for about six to eight hours, at least. Just so you are aware, depending on which tour company is running this offer, lunch, so too maybe entry fees aren’t always covered.

Hagia Sophia: A Quick Look

Okay, so imagine standing right under this tremendous dome. Its previous life it was a church, later a mosque, now just think it’s a museum. What it truly looks like now, is a mix of Christian and Islamic influences which gives you quite a clear peek into Istanbul’s history. Just think that seeing the Byzantine mosaics is nearly magical, mostly because of how big and truly detailed they seem. That truly makes you ponder about all the talented people that came before. It can be somewhat crowded. Maybe you need a moment just to appreciate all of the history!

Basilica Cistern: An Underground Surprise

Alright, now you are heading underground, very mysterious! In the Basilica Cistern, you will find old water storage created way back in the sixth century. What is striking there, that visitors comment on time after time, are the Medusa heads which serve as bases for a couple of columns. They’re kind of eerie, and fascinating, almost as if they are watching you! The environment there is so damp and shadowy; so really don’t be too surprised if you see a fish swimming around!

Topkapi Palace: An Ottoman Dream

Moving away from that underground world to Topkapi Palace. What to think of here? Well it used to be where the Ottoman sultans called home, and seriously, it’s gigantic! In some respects, It’s not just one building; it’s more or less several courtyards, halls, and harems, too. Therefore plan to view fancy jewels, robes, and relics. So too enjoy the pretty views looking out over the Bosphorus. Plan to stroll all of the gardens. They give you some nice calm space outside, since the palace rooms might get crowded sometimes. When visiting Topkapi, very be sure that you check out the Harem, it gives you insights into the family lives and schemes of the Ottoman royals.

The Upsides And Downsides To The Package Tour

So, what exactly are the advantages? You will be seeing all those spots in a single shot. It’s often the most effective choice if you’re short on time, maybe you have a stopover of some sort, for example. That means line skipping. Just think, it will save you potentially a great amount of time throughout high season. Typically the guides really bring history alive. In this instance, a history class that’s, quite literally, more fun! But there are, naturally, downsides to remember as well.

Pace: A fast one for real. Visiting 3 of these large spots within a day means you may feel slightly hurried.
Crowds: Expect it. These spots will be hot ones, so you’re likely going to be in flocks of visitors.
Cost: Paying separately versus doing the combo can impact cost benefits, but perhaps a tour is worth it?

Should You Choose the Package or Visit Independently?

Okay so this really boils down to your travel type. Therefore consider, how you like doing things on your trips. If you cherish pacing yourself and lingering in one particular site, doing it independently may just suit you way more. If you really like structured itineraries, or if your timeline’s pretty limited, a combo is pretty practical. Traveling during busy periods? The combo just seems that more appealing for those line-skipping benefits. A good plan here is checking ticket costs to consider potential tour benefits when factoring cost versus time saved in line, too.

Tips to Consider for an Istanbul Visit

Therefore you may have the package option, great! But that’s not all you need to think about when visiting this awesome city. Just what to keep in mind during your visit:

Comfy shoes are what you need, it’s a necessity: You’ll be doing plenty of standing and walking, trust me.
Dress appropriately for religious places: Hagia Sophia functions being a religious area, this means just so you know, cover shoulders and knees. Consider modest clothes, since packing is crucial.
Hydrate, and protect against the sun: Particularly during summer, take that H20 to help deal, similarly to protecting your skin from UV.
Keep belongings close: Like your cities that have big tourism scenes, that’s pickpocketing. Just practice caution while in very busy spots to minimize risk.
Think through the best time to go: Go to Hagia Sophia at its opening time, too see much smaller lines of people.

Food Break Considerations

Likely you will work up quite the hunger throughout this trip. As I was saying, see if your tour includes lunch! If your tour does not, this should factor in when calculating the budget. As a matter of fact, find yourself eating at smaller neighborhood restaurants, maybe not the ones near tourist locations. Those can give more fair prices, a more true taste for the culture, or the area. Or in that case, you might get very high costs just to eat where you are currently located!

Wrapping Things Up

In fact, a combo tour including Hagia Sophia, Basilica Cistern, even Topkapi Palace is a cool approach to experience the wonders of Istanbul in case you’re pushed for time or savor guided trips. Just think through how quickly you’re okay with going through these places, the predicted amounts of other tourists, or whether having a local professional by your side helps you learn way more. Either plan might make seeing Istanbul’s amazing past awesome. What’s important is how to make sure you enjoy yourself most, in line with what you are looking for!

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