Home / Europe, Turkey Tours / Culture & Historical
11 day(s)
Private
1-40 people
easy
Embark on an unforgettable 11-day journey from Istanbul to the Black Sea,
combining Türkiye’s most iconic cultural treasures with its lesser-known
coastal gems. This all-inclusive tour offers a perfect blend of history,
nature, architecture, and authentic local experiences.
Begin your adventure in Istanbul, discovering the world-famous Old City
landmarks such as Topkapı Palace, Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Basilica Cistern,
Grand Bazaar, and the scenic Bosphorus. Continue to the UNESCO-listed Ottoman
town of Safranbolu, the charming coastal gem Amasra, and the historic city of
Kastamonu.
Your journey then takes you deeper along the Black Sea coastline, visiting
the northernmost city Sinop, historically rich Samsun, and the cultural hub of
Trabzon. From the mystical Sümela Monastery to peaceful Uzungöl Lake,
traditional tea houses, Ottoman bazaars, breathtaking viewpoints, and lush
mountain landscapes, this tour offers an immersive experience filled with
beauty, tradition, and local flavor.
Perfect for culture lovers, nature travelers, photographers, and those
seeking an authentic, extended exploration of Türkiye.
Duration
11 day(s)
Max Group Size
1-40 people
Tour Code
THBSET11DIT
Departure Type
scheduled
Tour Category
Culture & Historical
Guiding Method
Fully guided
Operated In
Age Requirement
11 - 99

Istanbul
Istanbul
Upon your arrival at the airport, you will be greeted by one of our colleagues with a sign of Efendi Travel. He/she will accompany you to our vehicle and you will be transferred to your hotel. Accommodation in Istanbul.
(Breakfast at hotel, lunch on the tour)
You will be picked up from your hotel at around 09:00 for the Full-Day Walking
Tour. You will visit: Topkapi Palace, Basilica Cistern (Underground Water
Palace) and Roman Hippodrome. You may also visit the Harem in the palace which
is optional extra cost. Lunch break.
The afternoon part starts at around 13:00. You will see: St. Sophia Museum,
Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmet Mosque), Million Stone, Tomb of Sultan Mahmud and
ancient Ottoman cemetery and Cemberlitas (Burnt Column). The tour ends at
around 16:30 with free time in Grand Bazaar. You will be advised by your guide
to return to your hotel on your own. Accommodation in Istanbul.
(Breakfast at hotel, lunch on the tour)
Pick up time is about 08.30 from the hotel. You will visit : Golden Horn ( from
the bus ), Spice Bazaar (Egyptian Bazaar) and then have a boat cruise on
Bosphorus. You will also view Imperial gardens of Royal Yildiz Palace, Çiragan
Palace Hotel Kempinski and Beylerbeyi Palace during the tour. After lunch, you
will drive to the Asian Side of Istanbul, and you will have a unique chance to
step from one continent (Europe) to another (Asian) side in 2 minutes using the
Bosphorus Bridge. The first stop is Beylerbeyi Palace which is the summer
residence of Ottoman Sultans with its original furniture and magnificent
gardens with Harem. The next stop is
Camlica Hill which is the highest natural point in Istanbul. At the top of it you can rest and admire the
magnificent panorama of Istanbul and Bosphorus from the beautiful gardens,
landscaped in traditional style. After the tour, your guide will drop you off
at your hotel at around 18:00. Accommodation in Istanbul.
(Breakfast at hotel, lunch on the tour)
You will be picked up from your hotel at around 07:00 and start driving for
Safranbolu, which takes around 4 hours’ journey, stopping on the way for
breakfast and when needed. You will arrive at around 11:30, and you will have a
half-day tour around the town of Safranbolu, which gets its name from the
saffron flowers cultivated here (only cultivation area in Turkey), an important
trading center and caravanserai in the old east-west trade route and famous for
its Ottoman houses still standing to date. You will go up to Hidirlik Hill to
get a good view of the town. Then you will go down and visit Kaymakamlar
Museum, in which you can get information about the history of the town and the
structure and architecture of the Ottoman Houses of Safranbolu. Then you will
walk through the town, seeing the Clock Tower, Old Ottoman Prison, Grand
Mosque, handicraft bazaars of the town, and visit Cinci Han Caravanserai
(serves as events venue, hotel and café today) and the Cinci Turkish Bath,
where you can have the Turkish Bath experience if you would like (use of the
bath is at your own expense). After the tour, you will check into your hotel.
Accommodation in Safranbolu.
(Breakfast at hotel, lunch on the tour)
After breakfast, you will depart from your hotel and drive to Amasra, named
after a Persian princess Amastris in 12th century B.C., one of the most
beautiful towns on Black Sea coast. Before arriving to Amasra you will visit
Kuskayasi (Bird Rock) monument and see the beautiful Amasra from the Bakacak
Hill. This is one of the oldest settlements in Anatolia. In the course of
history, the town passed through Pontic, Roman and Genoese hands. Then Sultan
Mehmed the Conqueror seized it in 1460. The largest church was converted into a
mosque, and Amasra became one of the most beautiful Ottoman towns. Upon arrival
to Amasra, walk from Kucuk Liman to Boztepe Island. En route see Direkli kaya,
Kemere bridge and Sormagir (Amasra) castle. In Boztepe, you will visit Fatih
Mosque and see Rabbit Island. We will take photo break before checking into
your hotel. Accommodation in Amasra.
(Breakfast at hotel, lunch on the tour)
After breakfast, you will depart for Kastamonu, which takes around 3,5 hours’
drive. The city gets its name from the castle (Kastra) built around 10th cent
AD for Byzantine ruler Komnenos. Then Kastra Komnenos evolved into Kastamonu in
time. The traces of first settlements here date back to 50000 BC. Upon arrival,
you will visit the city Kastamonu Castle, the Clock Tower, see province
building, Mahmut Bey Mosque and have a walk through Ilgaz National Park in the
mountains. After your visit, you will return back to city center and check in
at your hotel. Accommodation in Sinop
(Breakfast at hotel, lunch on the tour)
In the morning, you will depart for Sinop and drive for about 2,5 hours.
Sinop is the most northern city of Turkey and it has the only natural harbor of
the country. The city gets its name from a woman called Sinope, who is not
clear where she was from (either Greek or Ancient Anatolian). As it was located
on a sea and land trade route, the city was prominent in Ancient history. Upon
arrival at the city, you will visit Pasha Bastions, Ethnographical
&Archeological Museums, Suleiman Pervane Madrasah, Alaeddin Mosque, Sinop
Castle and Sinop Prison (Turkish Alcatraz). After your visits, you will check
into your hotel. Accommodation in Sinop.
(Breakfast at hotel, lunch on the tour)
After breakfast, you will depart from your hotel and drive for Samsun for about
2,5 hours. Its name comes from its former Greek name, Amisos. It has changed
many times through history, controlled by Greeks, Pontus, Trebizond Kingdom,
Romans, Seljuks and Ottomans. The first settlements date back to Paleolithic
period (around 60000 BC). Samsun is also considered as the starting point of
Turkish Independence War. Upon arrival at Samsun, you will visit Archeology and
Ethnography Museums, Gazi Museum, Mater Dolorosa Church and The Republic
Square. After the tour, you will check into your hotel and stay overnight.
Accommodation in Samsun.
(Breakfast at hotel, lunch on the tour)
You will depart from your hotel in the morning and start driving for Trabzon,
through a journey of 5,5 hours. Upon arrival you will view Sumela Monastery
(from outside – currently under renovation), clings to a sheer cliff facing a
deep forest, relax beside a fast flowing stream at Altindere Valley National
Park, return to city center and visit Ayasofya Church, a 13th century church
and study extraordinary collection of byzantine frescoes, depart for Gulbahar
Hatun Mosque, Ataturk's Mansion (a picturesque hillside retreat) visit
Ortahisar Mosque (a Comneni cathedral in the old town) drive to Boztepe, enjoy
your tea with the panoramic view of the city. After the tour, you will be get
to your hotel and stay overnight. Accommodation in Trabzon.
(Breakfast at hotel, lunch on the tour)
Flight to Istanbul: You will depart from your hotel and start driving for
Uzungol through Surmene – a pretty village which is popular with its good
quality knives and we also visit the historical mansion of Memisaga Konagi.
There will be a short visit to one of the local tea producer factories en route
and we taste delicious and traditional Turkish tea. Around 13:00, we arrive at
Uzungol where you will have free time for your lunch, pastoral walks and
photograph opportunities. Uzungol – which is located in the middle of
mountains, was formed by a landslide having blocked the stream bed is known as
Uzungol and the town around was named after the lake. The houses of the village
called ‘Åžerah’, which are harmonious with the environment, complete the
beauty of the nature. At around 17:00, you will get on the vehicle and start
driving back to Trabzon, stopping for a short photo stop at Kiremitli Bridge.
Then you will arrive at Trabzon Airport and take an evening flight to Istanbul.
Upon your arrival, you will be greeted and transferred to your hotel.
Accommodation in Istanbul.
( Breakfast at Hotel )
Free time depends on your flight time. Private transfer to the Istanbul
Airport minimum 4 hours before flight hour.
Our tour will end with your airport transfer.
4 nights’ BB accommodation in Istanbul
1 night’s BB accommodation Safranbolu
1 night’s BB accommodation in Amasra
2 night’s BB accommodation in Sinop - Sinop Koru Otel or Similer
1 night’s BB accommodation in Samsun
1 night’s BB accommodation in Trabzon
Professional
English - speaking tour guides
10
open buffet breakfasts
9 local lunches at restaurants during to tours
All
Airport transfer mention in site the Itinerary
Transportation
in a fully air - conditioned, non - smoking coach
Guided
Istanbul Old City Tour
Guided
Bosphorus and Two Continents Tour
Guided
Safranbolu Trip
Guided
Amasra Trip
Guided
Kastamonu Trip
Guided
Sinop Tour
Guided
Samsun Tour
Guided
Trabzon Trip
Guided Surmene & Uzungol Tour
International flights
Trabzon-Istanbul flight tickets
Dinner
Personal expenses
Turkey entry visa
Tipping
Items of a personal nature such as alcoholic drinks, cold drinks, laundry
Any
others expenses which are not mentioned at the included section
Please Note: Domestic flight price for adult travelers is approximately: 80,00 Euros
for one way.
Please Note: Domestic flight price for
under 2 years old, approximately: 20,00 Euros as an insurance policy.