Private Old Istanbul City Walking Tour

Next, stop at the Hippodrome, the sporting and social centre of old Constantinople. Your guide will show you details that remain from the original structure; it includes an obelisk and carved columns, and explain the role that chariot races played in eastern Roman life.

It's a short walk to the Basilica Cistern, another fantastic piece of Byzantine architecture, an underground reservoir constructed to store water from the Valens Aqueduct. Lit by flickering lights reflected in dark pools, it's eerie and mysterious, particularly with its Medusa head columns. With a visit to the Topkapi Palace, you will discover the world of the Ottoman sultans where these rulers lived for ages. Be surprised when you visit the Treasury, it features the emerald-and-gold Topkapi Dagger and the 86-carat 'Spoonmaker's Diamond'.

Shop at the Grand Bazaar, only a 20-minute walk from the Topkapi Palace, with its many stores divided into 64 streets. During the Ottoman period, this was not only a market, but also a bank, a stock exchange, and a place for slave auctions. Shop here for typical souvenirs, such as carpets, brassware, and leather goods, and your guide will be happy to assist.