Istanbul City Break
Four nights in the Old City with Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, the Grand Bazaar and a Bosphorus cruise — direct flights from Tanzania.
From
$690$780 / person
“Nataka kuelekea Istanbul”
Istanbul
Where Europe meets Asia
Discover Istanbul
Istanbul straddles two continents across the Bosphorus strait, and its skyline of domes and minarets tells the story of the Byzantine and Ottoman empires that ruled from here. In the old city of Sultanahmet, Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque face each other across a garden, with Topkapı Palace and the underground Basilica Cistern a short walk away.
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It’s a city of bazaars, rooftop terraces, ferry rides and unforgettable food — and Turkish Airlines flies direct from Dar es Salaam, Zanzibar and Kilimanjaro. Add Cappadocia for a sunrise balloon flight over its fairy chimneys.
Perfect for
Ready-made trips
Istanbul trips
Flights from Dar es Salaam can be added to any trip. Reserve with a deposit, or save for it with elekea Kibubu.
Istanbul & Cappadocia
Four nights in Istanbul and two in a Cappadocia cave hotel, with the option of a sunrise balloon flight over the fairy chimneys.
From
$1,390 / person
Want it your way?
Tell us your dates, budget and who’s travelling. We’ll design a Istanbul trip just for you.
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See & do
The best of Istanbul
Must-see
- Hagia SophiaBuilt in 537 AD as a cathedral, now a mosque — one of the world’s great buildings.
- Topkapı PalaceThe Ottoman sultans’ palace, with its treasury and harem.
- CappadociaCave hotels, underground cities and the famous balloon flights.
Things to do
- 01Sultanahmet walking tourHagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, the Hippodrome and the Basilica Cistern with an expert guide.
- 02Bosphorus cruiseSail between Europe and Asia past palaces, fortresses and waterfront mansions.
- 03Grand Bazaar & Spice BazaarOver 4,000 shops of carpets, lamps, Turkish delight and spices.
- 04Balloon over CappadociaFloat above the fairy chimneys at sunrise with a hundred other balloons.
- 05Turkish bathRelax in a historic hammam with a traditional scrub and foam massage.
When to go
Best time to visit
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Novnow
Dec
Best months Possible, but not ideal
April to June and September to November — pleasant temperatures for walking and clear skies for Cappadocia balloon flights.
Climate. Hot summers (28–30°C) and cool, damp winters (5–10°C), with occasional snow.
Travel info
Good to know
DARIstanbul
Turkish Airlines flies direct to Istanbul Airport (IST) from Dar es Salaam, Zanzibar and Kilimanjaro. Cappadocia is a 75-minute domestic flight.
- Nearest airport
- Istanbul Airport (IST)
- Currency
- Turkish lira (TRY); cards widely accepted
- Languages
- Turkish; English in tourist areas
- Time zone
- Turkey Time (UTC+3)
- Visa
- Many nationalities can get a Turkish e-Visa online in minutes; some are visa-exempt. Our team checks the rules for your passport and can handle the application for you.
- Good to know
- Women should carry a scarf to cover their hair when visiting mosques.
Questions
Before you go to Istanbul
Is Cappadocia worth adding?
Absolutely. Two nights in a cave hotel with a sunrise balloon flight is a highlight of any Türkiye trip.
Is Istanbul good for shopping?
Yes — from the historic bazaars to modern malls, with great prices on textiles, leather and homeware.
Ready for Istanbul?
Book a ready-made trip in minutes, or let our team in Dar es Salaam shape one around you.