Call +44 (0) 1452 645649
One City, Two Continents, Three Giants & Countless Stories
Istanbul
4 nights
Fri 5th - Tue 9th February 2027
Price from £1,195
Few cities in the world can rival Istanbul for its history, architecture, cuisine and footballing passion. Straddling Europe and Asia, this extraordinary metropolis is home to some of the game's most iconic clubs and one of the most vibrant, passionate football cultures anywhere in the world. Over five unforgettable days, Aficionados Football Tours takes you beyond the stadiums to discover the stories that have shaped Turkish football. Experience the electric atmosphere of Fenerbahçe on matchday, uncover the rich heritage of Galatasaray and Beşiktaş, and gain a fascinating insight into football beyond the famous "Big Three". Along the way, we'll admire the architectural wonders of Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque, wander the bustling Grand Bazaar, savour authentic Turkish cuisine and discover how centuries of history have shaped one of the world's greatest football cities. Guided throughout by football historian and author John McManus, whose acclaimed book Welcome to Istanbul explores the city's unique football culture, this is far more than a football tour—it's an unforgettable journey through one of the world's most captivating cities.
Highlights
-
Watch Fenerbahçe v Samsonspor and experience the Turkish matchday atmosphere at the Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadium
-
Watch another match in the city of Istanbul (Kasimpaşa, Istanbulspor or Pendikspor)
-
Guided tours of the Galatasaray and Besiktas stadiums & museums
-
Two authentic group meals - a Turkish dinner and a kahvaltı (breakfast)
-
Guided tours of the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia and the Basilica Cistern
-
Insight provided by Turkish football expert and author of Welcome to Hell - John McManus
*The exact matches we attend will depend on the finalisation of the fixtures.
Itinerary*
Day 1
Arrive in Istanbul on Friday afternoon and settle into your hotel before joining your fellow travellers for a traditional Turkish welcome dinner. Over a wonderful evening of local cuisine and conversation, we begin to discover the story of this remarkable city — where Europe meets Asia and where football has become deeply connected to identity, culture and community. After dinner, our Turkish football expert John McManus will set the scene for the weekend ahead, exploring the origins of Turkish football, the unique rivalry between Istanbul’s great clubs and why this city has become one of the world’s most fascinating football destinations. His insight will provide the perfect introduction to the stadiums, supporters and stories we will discover throughout the tour.
Day 2
Our football journey begins by exploring the heritage of Galatasaray, one of Turkey’s most iconic sporting institutions. We visit the historic Galatasaray High School, birthplace of the club, before heading to RAMS Park for a stadium tour and museum visit. After viewing Galatasaray Island, we cross the Bosphorus into Asia for lunch in Kadıköy and time to explore its famous market district. Later, our expert Fenerbahçe guide introduces the club’s traditions and matchday culture before we experience the passion of Fenerbahçe v Samsunspor at Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadium.
Day 3
We begin Sunday with a traditional Turkish kahvaltı breakfast, a relaxed and social way to start the day. Our focus then turns to Beşiktaş, Istanbul’s oldest registered sporting club, founded in 1903. A guided tour of Tüpraş Stadium and the extensive club museum reveals the history, identity and traditions behind one of Turkey’s great football institutions. Later, we experience another side of Istanbul football with a match featuring a club outside the famous “Big Three”, offering a fascinating contrast in atmosphere and supporter culture.
Day 4
After three days immersed in football history, Monday reveals the remarkable heritage that makes Istanbul one of the world’s greatest cities. We begin at the ancient Hippodrome of Constantinople, a historic sporting arena that connects Istanbul’s past with its footballing present. Guided visits to the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia and the Basilica Cistern uncover the city’s Byzantine and Ottoman stories. We finish at the magnificent Grand Bazaar, a centre of trade and commerce since 1455, before enjoying a final evening celebrating the flavours of Turkish cuisine.
Day 5
After breakfast, our Istanbul football adventure comes to an end. Over four unforgettable days, we have crossed continents, explored historic landmarks, discovered the identities of Turkey’s greatest clubs and experienced the passion that makes Istanbul one of football’s truly unique destinations. Guests depart with memories of stadiums, supporters, food, culture and a deeper understanding of a city where football and history exist side by side.
*This is the intended itinerary and may change as it is subject to the finalisation of the fixtures.
Useful information
Prices
Price per person based on two people sharing a twin room £1,195.
Single supplement of £295
Deposit to secure your place £300
Balance will be due to be paid the 27th November 2026
Included in the price;
*4 star hotel for 4 nights including breakfast.
*All transport on tour - primarily public transport (tram, train & ferry) as this is quicker than travelling by minibus on the heavily congested roads in Istanbul
*Tour leader
*Football expert John McManus on tour throughout providing insight into the history and culture of football in Istanbul
*Passolig registration (required to attend football matches in Turkey)
*Tickets to watch Fenerbahçe v Samsunspor. Note tickets will be short sided and fans stand throughout the match.
*Tickets to another match in Istanbul. Possible fixtures include Kasimpaşa v Istanbul Başakşehir, or a Lig 1 match. Tickets will be long sided.
*Guided tour of the Besiktas stadium and tickets to the club museum
*Guided tour of the Galatasaray stadium and tickets to the club museum
*Guided tours of the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia and the Basilica Cistern
*Traditional Turkish welcome dinner
*Traditional Turkish kahvaltı breakfast
Hotel
We will be staying at the centrally located 4 star hotel. Breakfast will be included.
Flights
Flights are not included in the price.
Direct flights are available from most of the main airports in the UK however only the following flights arrive in Istanbul by the afternoon (others land later in the evening). We have the welcome dinner planned for the Friday evening or one of the two fixtures may even fall on the Friday evening once the schedule in finalised. If you prefer to fly from another airport and land in Istanbul the evening before that is perfectly fine however another night at the hotel would need to be arranged.
From London Heathrow
Friday 5th February - fly out of London Heathrow (LHR) at 07:00 and land in Istanbul (IST) at 13:55 with British Airways. Flight # BA676.
Return flight on Tuesday 9th February from Istanbul (IST) at 14:55, landing back in London Heathrow (LHR) at 16:20 with British Airways. Flight # BA677
These return flights are currently available for approximately £170 + luggage fee
From London Gatwick
Friday 5th February - fly out of London Gatwick (LGW) at 06:30 and land in Istanbul (IST) at 13:25 with Turkish Airlines. Flight # TK1930.
Return flight on Tuesday 9th February from Istanbul (IST) at 15:25, landing back in London Heathrow (LHR) at 16:30 with Turkish Airlines. Flight # TK1997
These return flights are currently available for approximately £200 + luggage fee
Tour dates and fixture finalisation
Whilst the 2026-2027 fixture lists for the Süper Lig and TFF 1. Lig have been released the exact day and kick-off times for each week are only released about 2-4 weeks before. Fenerbahçe usually play their home league games on a Saturday or Sunday evening but sometimes they can play on a Friday or Monday evening which is why we need to arrive in Istanbul by the Friday afternoon (no later than 3pm).
Minimum group number required
This tour requires a minimum of 8 people to run. As soon as this number is reached we will confirm the tour so you can then book your flights. In the unlikely even that we need to cancel the tour due to not reaching this number we would return your deposit.