International (US$) 
EU (€) 
Argentina (US$) 
Балканите (€) 
Brasil (US$) 
Κύπρος (€) 
Deutschland (€) 
España (€) 
France (€) 
Ελλάδα (€) 
United Kingdom (£) 
United States ($) 
Turkey (€)
Explore The Sunken Palace
The Blue Mosque is known the world over and is arguably the most iconic site in Istanbul (and there are many jostling for that accolade.) The stunning hand painted blue tiles adorning the interior lend it the name. But it is officially the Mosque of Sultan Ahmet, built on the orders of the 20-year-old Sultan Ahmet 1. His final resting place is inside.
The Blue Mosque is not the only treasure in the Sultanahmet district.
We cross the square to the Church of St Sophia – the Hagia Sophia. This is the enduring symbol of Constantinople, the historical name for Istanbul.
The Byzantine Church of the Holy Wisdom of God was the Orthodox cathedral of Constantinople. After the Ottoman conquest, the church became a mosque and then a museum in 1934.
From here we discover hidden Istanbul as we enter a whole new world beneath the city. The Cistern of Philoxenos or the ‘Sunken Palace’, the water reservoir of Emperor Justinian was constructed in 535AD.
There are 338 Doric, Ionian and Corinthian columns of marble, some 30 feet high. At the end of the chamber we will find two carved column bases featuring the head of Medusa, the winged creature of mythology with venomous snakes in place of hair. Above ground and below it, this is a fascinating glimpse into the past of a great city. A gentle walking tour is available for this itinerary – please contact us for more information.
Available on these itineraries
- All
- 7 Nights
- 19 Nights
Starting from
AU$679
7 Nights
Starting from
AU$1,889
7 Nights
Starting from
AU$3,199
19 Nights
Related Amazing excursions
excursion
Jerusalem & Betlehem
Learn More
excursion
Classic Cairo
Learn More
excursion
Ancient Ephesus and the Terrace Houses
Learn More
excursion
House of Virgin Mary & Ancient Ephesus
Learn MoreClassical Athens and its Monuments
Learn MoreThe Acropolis & The New Acropolis Museum
Learn More
excursion
Athens monuments and the Acropolis
Learn MoreAthens tour and the New Acropolis Museum
Learn More
excursion
Ancient Ephesus
Learn MoreHaifa City Tour
Learn MoreMasada/Dead Sea
Learn MoreNazareth & Galilee
Learn MoreHighlights of Alexandria
Learn MoreLandmarks of Alexandria
Learn MorePerge and Aspendos
Learn More
excursion
Antalya City Tour
Learn MoreThe crystal clear waters of Elounda and Spinalonga
Learn MoreCretan Jeep Safari
Learn MoreRiver Trekking Tour
Learn More
excursion
A Delectable Day in Crete
Learn MoreAncient Temple of Poseidon and Cape Sounion
Learn MoreIzmir City Tour
Learn More
excursion
Off the beaten track – 4×4 Adventure
Learn More
excursion
Classical Athens and its Monuments
Learn More
excursion
The Essence of Santorini
Learn More
excursion
Transfer to Sahara Beach
Learn More
excursion
Transfer to Perissa Beach
Learn More
excursion
Transfer to Ammoudara Beach
Learn MoreTransfer to Paradise Beach
Learn MoreTransfer to Kalafatis Beach
Learn More
Mykonos Magic
Learn More
excursion
Transfer to Tsambika beach
Learn More
excursion
Beauty of butterflies and Ancient Kameiros
Learn More
excursion
Capturing the true spirit of Chora
Learn More
excursion
Transfer to Agriolivadi beach
Learn More
excursion
Sacred Delos & Rhenia Island
Learn More
excursion
Adventure, spills and thrills at Adaland Water Park
Learn More
excursion
Greek wine and holy water: Philippi and beyond
Learn More
excursion
Kavala up close: walk through the ages
Learn More
excursion
Nestos River and the colours of Xanthi
Learn More
excursion
Knossos Palace & Cretan Landscapes
Learn More Thessaloniki Food on foot
Learn More Rich history of a famous Greek winery
Learn More A taste of wine and tradition
Learn More Music, myths and history
Learn More Pelion Spoon Sweets
Learn More Making pottery fit for the Gods
Learn More A delicious taste of ‘liquid gold’
Learn More Home cooking and hospitality in Mykonos
Learn More The secrets of Pelion cuisine
Learn More Hiking to the ultimate beauty of Oia
Learn More A kayak adventure discovering pirate coves
Learn More The beautiful art of mosaic making
Learn More Trek to the heart and soul of Milos
Learn More Milos food on foot
Learn More Sea Kayaking and the mesmerising Milos coastline
Learn More A Geological wonder 4×4 adventure
Learn More Limassol Omodos – Oenoyi Winery
Learn More Ancient Civilisations with an expert archaeologist
Learn More Thrill of the ride Buggy Safari
Learn More Whirling Dervishes & dinner
Learn More Turkish Baklava Making
Learn More Gents Anatolian well-being (Berber and Hammam)
Learn More Painting on Water: Turkish Ebru Art
Learn More Heraklion Food on foot
Learn More Athens Food on foot
Learn More
excursion
excursion
Jaffa & Tel Aviv
Learn More
excursion
Jerusalem & Betlehem
Learn More
excursion
Unesco Churches in Solea Region – 2 Churches
Learn More
excursion
Panoramic Limassol Curium
Learn More
excursion
PAPHOS, THE CITY OF UNESCO
Learn More
excursion
Experience the Tradition
Learn More
excursion
Curium, the Wine village of Omodos and Limassol
Learn More
excursion
Classic Cairo
Learn More
excursion
House of Virgin Mary & Ancient Ephesus
Learn More
excursion
Ancient Ephesus through the ages Hellenistic and Roman
Learn More
excursion
Ancient Ephesus and the Terrace Houses
Learn More
excursion
Ancient Ephesus & Miletus
Learn More
excursion
Turkish Baths
Learn More
excursion
Istanbul
Learn More
excursion
Ottoman Empire and Byzantine Legacy Tour
Learn MoreDiscover the Hidden Secrets of Sultan Ahmet Square
Learn More
excursion
Bosphorus Cruise and the Spice Market
Learn More
excursion
A Taste of Istanbul: Street Food Tour
Learn More
excursion
Ancient Pergamon
Learn More
excursion
LEGENDARY TROY & THE NEW TROY MUSEUM
Learn More
excursion
FULL DAY TRIP TO TROY & ASSOS
Learn More
excursion
Volos & Mt. Pelion
Learn More
excursion
The spectacular rocks & the ‘hanging’ Monasteries
Learn More
excursion
Legendary Moutzouris (Mountain Train Ride)
Learn More
excursion
Drink and Eat like a local
Learn More
excursion
Land of Alexander the Great
Learn More
excursion
The Royal Tombs of Vergina
Learn More
excursion
Panoramic Thessaloníki
Learn More
excursion
Veria (Berroia)
Learn More
excursion
Highlights of Thessaloniki
Learn More
excursion
Spectacular Oia Village perched on the caldera rim
Learn More
excursion
Cruise to Santorini’s islands & volcanoes
Learn More
excursion
Akrotiri Village Excavations
Learn More
excursion
Walking tour in the Medieval City of Rhodes
Learn More
excursion
Acropolis of Lindos and the Citadel of the Knights
Learn More
excursion
Philerimos church and the Palace of the Knights
Learn More
excursion
Traditional feast in Patmos
Learn More
excursion
Religious visit to St John’s Monastery – Grotto of Apocalypse
Learn More
excursion
Athens tour and the New Acropolis Museum
Learn More
excursion
Athens monuments and the Acropolis
Learn More
excursion
Corinth Canal, Ancient Corinth, Bema Of St. Paul
Learn More
excursion
Panoramic Athens and Corinth Canal Crossing
Learn More
excursion
The Acropolis & The New Acropolis Museum
Learn More
excursion
Experience the Cretan Countryside and Lifestyle
Learn More
excursion
Venetian Heraklion and the Unique Archaeological Museum
Learn More
excursion
Knossos Palace And The Archaeological Museum
Learn More
excursion
Minoan Palace of Knossos – 1st European Civilisation
Learn More
excursion
The Palace of Knossos & Cosmopolitan Heraklion
Learn More
excursion
KAVALA – Prophets, Legends and the heroes of Philippi
Learn More
excursion
Nostalgic Milos Cruise – Land & Sea
Learn More
excursion
Step Back In Time
Learn More
excursion
Step Back in Time – (Religious)
Learn More
excursion
The Amazing beaches Tour
Learn More
excursion
Cycladic Tastes (Food on Foot)
Learn More
excursion
Delos – Sacred island & Apollo Sanctuary
Learn More
excursion
Mykonian countryside tour with Chora and Little Venice
Learn More
excursion
Mykonian Dinner
Learn More
excursion
