This trip generates 20 kg of CO2-e per person per day. Learn more about our climate commitment.
Istanbul Independent Short Break




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Experience Istanbul over a couple days on a Short Break Adventure
Get a true taste of Istanbul – a city forging itself as the world’s most spectacular intersection of cultures, cuisine and continents. Embark on a three-day Independent Short Break to get an essential Istanbul experience, whether you’re adding it onto an exisiting trip or taking a weekend away. Explore the Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Hippodrome and Grand Bazaar. You’ll also get under the skin of the place, eating with a local family, sharing tea and nargile (shisha) and finding hidden spots away from the tourist eye.
5.0
25 reviewsStart: Istanbul, Turkey
End: Istanbul, Turkey
- Duration
- 3 days
- Group size
- 1 to 12
- Minimum age
- 15 years old
- Style
- Original
- Theme
Our themes categorise trips based on a common interest or activity, while showcasing the highlights of a destination.
- Independent - Short Breaks
- Physical rating
Indicates how physically exerting a trip is, and how fit you will need to be to enjoy it. More info on physical ratings
Why you'll love this trip
- Take a guided tour through the Hagia Sophia and learn the hidden tales of this magnificent one-of-a-kind monument with a local expert.
- Get lost in the labyrinth of the Grand Bazaar, passing by the myriad traders who sell their wares in this expansive space. How good are your haggling skills?
- Join a home cooking experience, discovering some simple local food with your hosts and spending some time in a tea house – just like the locals do!
- Gain a close insight into the lives of past Sultans at Topkapi Palace.
- Enjoy the hustle and bustle of the great city of Istanbul and rub shoulders with the locals.
Itinerary
Hosgeldinz! Welcome to Istanbul, the only city in the world to straddle two continents. It’s no surprise that this vast metropolis is home to a mix of different cultures and traditions, blending the influences of both east and west. Your Short Break Adventure starts with a welcome meeting at 5 pm, then you’ll immediately head out for some truly amazing street food. Wander through the streets in the Sultanahmet District and head to a local hangout to enjoy the views of the Marmara Sea. Later, continue to a local tea house for a drink and to partake in some nargile (also known as a waterpipe, shisha or hookah) smoking.
- Hotel (1 night)
- Dinner
- Istanbul - Blue Mosque Visit - Free
- Istanbul - Bosphorus Boat Cruise (Public Boat) - TRY640
- Istanbul - Turkish Hamam (inc. massage) - EUR100
- Istanbul - Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts - EUR17
- Istanbul - Galata Tower - EUR30
- Istanbul - Archaeology Museum - EUR15
This morning, head out on the Istanbul Conquered Urban Adventure. Begin with a dose of Hagia Sophia. This masterpiece of Byzantine architecture stands tall and proud in downtown Istanbul, holding more than 1500 years of Turkish history. This site has lived its long life as a church, a mosque and now as a museum, and you may even recognise it from movies like From Russia With Love or Taken 2. Head across the plaza to the Sultan Ahmet I’s Blue Mosque – one of the most striking sights in Istanbul, with its blue-tiled walls, 260 windows and six minarets. After checking out the ancient Hippodrome, take a break at a hidden café nearby for lunch, cracking jokes with the locals and learning about daily life in Istanbul. Visit Topkapi Palace, which overlooks the mighty Bosphorus Strait and gives an insight into the stories of the sultans who lived here. Head over to the Grand Bazaar to explore some of the 3000 shops and maybe stop for a true Turkish coffee along the way. Tonight you’re free, so maybe head to a harbourside seafood restaurant for dinner.
- Hotel (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Istanbul - Hagia Sophia
- Istanbul - Grand Bazaar
- Istanbul - Istanbul Conquered Urban Adventure
- Istanbul - Topkapi Palace
Your mini adventure will come to end after breakfast this morning, however that doesn’t mean your journey has to come to an end! If you’d like to continue soaking up all that Istanbul has to offer, why not spend an extra night or two here? If you wish to do so, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time to organise additional accommodation.
- Breakfast
Inclusions and activities
Destinations
TurkeyMeals
2 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 1 dinner
Transport
Local Transport
Accommodation
Hotel (2 nights)
Included activities
- Istanbul - Hagia Sophia
- Istanbul - Grand Bazaar
- Istanbul - Istanbul Conquered Urban Adventure
- Istanbul - Topkapi Palace
Optional activities
- Istanbul - Blue Mosque Visit - Free
- Istanbul - Bosphorus Boat Cruise (Public Boat) - TRY640
- Istanbul - Turkish Hamam (inc. massage) - EUR100
- Istanbul - Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts - EUR17
- Istanbul - Galata Tower - EUR30
- Istanbul - Archaeology Museum - EUR15
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Before you book you should know
- On Independent Short Breaks, you maintain a good level of independence and freedom, with the added bonus of having the details sorted out for you. You’ll have lots of free time and you won’t be accompanied by a Trip Leader. This means that all included activities and tours will be run by different local Intrepid partners, and these may operate independently from each other. The included activities and transfers will operate on a join-in basis, which means that you could have your Adventure all to yourself, or others may join you along the way. If you would prefer to travel in a group with a dedicated Trip Leader, just get in touch with your booking agent and they will take you through some alternatives.
1. This Independent Short Break is a ‘join in’ group departure, which means you are not accompanied by an Intrepid group leader or local representative for the duration of the tour. This trip will run with a minimum of one person, so you may be joined by other travelers booked on the same date as you, or you may be on your own.
2. This trip starts with a welcome meeting at 5 pm on Day 1 in Istanbul.
3. This adventure includes a visit to the Grand Bazaar of Istanbul. The Bazaar is closed on Sunday should you choose a Saturday departure for this product your visit to the Grand Bazaar on day 2 will be substituted with the Spice Market.
Visa information is provided by Sherpa, a third-party. The "Add connection" feature shows transit visa requirements only and does not include full entry visa needs. Please note, additional service fees apply if you choose to purchase a visa through Sherpa.
Travel and visa requirements
The style of accommodation indicated in the day-to-day itinerary is a guideline only and may change. On some occasions, alternative arrangements may need to be made due to the lack of availability of rooms in our preferred accommodation. In these cases, we will use a similar standard of accommodation.
Throughout the trip, we request that our properties prepare rooms in time for our arrival, especially if we're arriving prior to normal check-in time. However, this isn't always possible which means we won't be able to check-in immediately on arrival at some hotels. Instead, we can store our luggage and explore our new destination or on some trips, have use of shared day rooms until all rooms are available.
Manesol Galata Hotel
Arap Cami, Billur Sk. No:1, 34421 Beyoğlu İstanbul
Istanbul
34421
TURKEY
Phone: +90 2122450000
Description
Manesol Galata Hotel is located in Karaköy, a happening harbourside area where modern cafes and stylish restaurants mix with small family owned businesses bringing a comfortable, local atmosphere to the neighborhood. Ottoman-era buildings with a splash of street art, some of the best coffee in the city and just a short 15 min walk to the historical peninsular make for an excellent base for your exploration of Istanbul. There is good access to public tram and ferry services.
Instructions
Intrepid can assist with pre-booking an arrival transfer from the airport - enquire with your agent. Please advise your flight arrival details, including which airport in Istanbul, at least 14 days prior to your departure.
There is two international airports servicing Istanbul. Istanbul Airport (IST) is 50kms/30miles northwest of central Istanbul, on the European side. Sabiha Gokcen Airport (SAW) is 50kms/30miles southeast of central Istanbul, on the Asian side. From either airport you can take a metered taxi to the joining point hotel. The taxi fare will cost approximately TRY 1500-2300.
We recommend screenshotting or printing the below details as Wi-Fi in both airports is unreliable.
If you cannot find your transfer representative, or if your flight is delayed, please call the number listed below in the ‘Problems and emergency contact information’ section.
Arriving at Istanbul Airport (IST)
If you have pre-booked an arrival transfer, you will be met outside the Arrivals Hall. After collecting your luggage, proceed through the Arrivals Hall and exit through Gate 9. On the left-hand side, you’ll see a transfer representative holding an Intrepid sign.
Due to airport regulations, drivers have to wait offsite so you will need to wait for a short period of time before they arrive at the pick-up area. Once the driver arrives, the transfer representative will escort you to meet the driver (two floors down).
The journey from the airport to the hotel will take approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour but can increase to 90 minutes or more during rush hour.
Arriving at Sabiha Gokcen Airport (SAW)
If you have pre-booked an arrival transfer, you will be met outside the Arrivals Hall. After collecting your luggage, proceed through the Arrivals Hall, exit, and cross the road between columns 9 and 10 to Simit Sarayi bakery. You’ll find a transfer representative holding an Intrepid sign.
Due to airport regulations, drivers have to wait offsite so you will need to wait for a short period of time before they arrive at the pick-up area.
The journey from the airport to the hotel will take approximately 60 to 90 minutes but can increase to 2 hours or more during rush hour.
Dates and prices
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