Experience the ultimate birthday celebration in Istanbul, a city where continents collide and history spans millennia. This bespoke 7-day journey is meticulously crafted to blend luxury, comfort, and deep cultural immersion. From the moment you arrive, you will be enveloped in the vibrant atmosphere of Turkey’s cultural capital, with fully guided private sightseeing. Whether you are seeking a grand celebration on the water or a quiet exploration of ancient landmarks, this itinerary provides the perfect balance of excitement and discovery.
Your journey features an exclusive private yacht cruise on the Bosphorus, complete with DJ entertainment, festive decorations, and a cake-cutting ceremony against the backdrop of illuminated palaces and bridges. Beyond the celebrations, you will delve into the heart of the Old City, visiting the historic Hippodrome and the iconic Blue Mosque and seeing the exteriors of Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace and the Basilica Cistern, whose interiors can be visited by paying the ticket at the door. These landmarks offer a profound look into the Byzantine and Ottoman legacies that define the city's unique architectural skyline.
The adventure continues with a visit to the charming Princes' Islands, where you can enjoy the serene beauty of Buyukada, and the models of Miniaturk, the largest miniature park in the world. Follow the Golden Horn past Balat and take in breathtaking panoramic views from the Pierre Loti Café overlooking the Golden Horn. With a free day that can include an optional visit to the Istanbul Aquarium, this tour ensures every moment is tailored to your interests, providing a seamless and memorable experience in one of the world's most enchanting destinations.
| Tour type | Private · multi-day tour |
|---|---|
| Duration | 7 Days 6 Nights |
| Price | From €2,002 per person |
| Departures | Every day |
| Guide | Licensed guide in your language |
| Stops | 12 |
| Entrance fees | Included |
| Booking | Instant request online, confirmation within 24 hours · TÜRSAB-licensed operator (A-5751) |
Your full program, day by day — click a day to see every stop.
You are met at Istanbul Airport and taken by private transfer to your hotel, with time to check in and rest. In the evening a welcome dinner awaits at a restaurant overlooking the Bosphorus, with live music to set the tone for the week. Overnight in Istanbul.
Celebrate your special day with a luxurious 2-hour private yacht cruise along the Bosphorus. After a convenient hotel pick-up, you will board your private vessel, decorated with balloons, "Happy Birthday" banners and table flowers, and greeted with a welcome drink. Sail between Europe and Asia while enjoying a DJ performance, a birthday cake cut against the Bosphorus panorama, soft drinks and your pre-selected dinner menu. Take in iconic sights from the water, including the Dolmabahce Palace, Ortakoy Mosque, the Bosphorus Bridge, Beylerbeyi Palace, and the Maiden’s Tower, before returning to your hotel.
After breakfast the guided city tour begins at the Hippodrome, the old chariot-racing ground where the Egyptian Obelisk of Theodosius stands beside the Serpentine Column and the Column of Constantine. Next is the Blue Mosque, named for the blue Iznik tiles of its interior, facing Hagia Sophia, the greatest surviving work of Byzantine architecture, which is viewed from outside. The tour also takes in the exteriors of Topkapi Palace, seat of the Ottoman sultans for four centuries, and the Basilica Cistern, the largest covered cistern in the city. Entry to Topkapi Palace and the Basilica Cistern is possible on payment of the ticket price at the door. Bring a scarf for the mosque visit. Dinner at a restaurant and overnight in Istanbul.
Today follows the Golden Horn. At Miniaturk, the largest miniature park in the world, 105 models at 1/25 scale show landmarks of Istanbul, Anatolia and former Ottoman lands, among them reconstructions of the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus and the Ephesus Temple of Artemis. The guide then takes you up to the Pierre Loti hill above the Eyup Sultan Cemetery, where the cafe named after the French writer looks out over the whole length of the Golden Horn. The rest of the evening is free. Overnight in Istanbul.
A cruise across the Sea of Marmara heads for the Princes' Islands, with Topkapi Palace, Leander's Tower and Uskudar seen from the water on the way. On Buyukada, the largest island, once a retreat of Byzantine princes and known for its pine woods and beaches, you tour the island by horse-drawn carriage before lunch at a fish restaurant. In summer there is the chance to enjoy the beach and optional water sports. Afterwards you are transferred back to your hotel. Overnight in Istanbul.
The day is free for your own plans. As an optional extra at additional cost, you can visit the Istanbul Sea Life Aquarium, with 29 themed tanks from the Mediterranean and Aegean, an 80-metre acrylic underwater tunnel and sharks, giant stingrays, piranhas and octopus; the optional visit starts at 09:30 and returns to the hotel around 16:00. Dinner and overnight in Istanbul.
After an open buffet breakfast you check out of the hotel and the tour ends. The departure airport transfer is not part of the package and can be arranged on request.
Handpicked 3-, 4- and 5-star hotels along your route. Choose your category — the price adapts.
Exact hotels are confirmed on booking based on availability and your chosen category; equivalent alternatives may be offered.
Istanbul → Princes' Islands → Istanbul
Modern, comfortable and fully-equipped vehicles — the same fleet we use on your tour.
👥 54 Seats
👥 37 Seats (2+1 VIP)
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👥 46 Seats
👥 37+2 Seats
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👥 35 Seats
👥 16+1 Seats
👥 16+1 Seats
👥 12+1 Seats
👥 6+1 Seats
Extra day tours you can add along your route — Istanbul, Princes' Islands.
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Other private and group tours that visit the same destination.
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Real, verified reviews from travellers who explored Turkey with us.
My husband and I chose Inca Tour for our honeymoon and we are so glad we did. The boutique hotel selection was beautiful and the Bosphorus dinner cruise was so romantic. Thank you for making our trip special!
It was important for us to have a guide who spoke Russian, and Ender was wonderful. He explained every detail at Dolmabahce Palace. The Princes Islands day trip was a beautiful break from the busy city.
Our guide Ender was incredibly knowledgeable about Turkish history. The hot-air balloon ride at sunrise in Cappadocia was the highlight of our trip. Everything was perfectly organized — from airport pick-up to the last d...
Ender was our Italian-speaking guide and we felt like family. He took us to local spots tourists never see. The hotel choice in Sultanahmet was perfect for walking everywhere.
10+ years later we still talk about our Cappadocia balloon ride and the Bosphorus sunset cruise. Some memories are timeless. Thank you Inca Tour!