Istanbul Half Day Private Old City Tour with Optional Tickets

Clients and the Guide in front of German Fountain

Duration3h - 4h

Free cancellationFull refund up to 24 hours before

Instant confirmationYour booking is confirmed right away

TicketMobile or paper ticket accepted

LanguagesEnglish, Spanish

Private tourOnly your group will participate

Pickup offeredSee the meeting and pickup details below

Overview

*Since Grand Bazaar is closed on Sundays, the visit will be switched to Spice Bazaar.
Explore best of Istanbul’s Old City on a half-day private tour including Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque. Discover the heart of the Byzantine and Ottoman empires with your licensed guide.
Begin in Sultanahmet Square and step inside the iconic Blue Mosque, famed for its six minarets and stunning blue tiles, then explore the magnificent Hagia Sophia, a masterpiece of Byzantine architecture that has stood as cathedral, mosque, and museum through the ages.
(On Fridays, Blue Mosque is closed until 13:45 because of Friday prayers. Tours departing at 09:00, the mosque will be explained by your guide from the outside.)
Visit unique Basilica Cistern and continue to the bustling Grand Bazaar, where your guide will introduce you to Turkish trade traditions and local artisans.
Your tour ends in Eminonu Square, with a view of the Galata Tower, leaving you with lasting impressions of Istanbul’s vibrant history.

Options

ENG Tour with Tickets Included

Walking Tour In Old Town: The suggested itinerary does not require transportation.

Hotel/port information needed: Guide will meet you at Galataport, your hotel or Airbnb if they are centrally located. (No transportation included.)

Hagia Sophia & Cistern Tickets
Pickup included

Tour Privado GUIA EN ESPANOL

Tour a pie por el casco antigu: El itinerario sugerido no requiere transporte.
Requiere información del hotel: El guía le esperará en Galataport, su hotel o Airbnb si está ubicado en el centro. (Transporte no incluido.)
Pickup included

Tour en Español con Entradas

Tour a pie por el casco antigu: El itinerario sugerido no requiere transporte.
Requiere información del hotel: El guía le esperará en Galataport, su hotel o Airbnb si está ubicado en el centro. (Transporte no incluido.)
Entradas Santa Sofía y Cistern
Pickup included

Private Tour ENGLISH GUIDE

Walking Tour In Old Town: The suggested itinerary does not require transportation.

Hotel/port information needed: Guide will meet you at Galataport, your hotel or Airbnb if they are centrally located. (No transportation included.)

Pickup included

What's included

Skip-the-Line Tickets: Your guide will arrange priority tickets (If option is selected)
Private Tour with a Licensed Professional Tour Guide

Entrance Tickets (If option is not selected)
Gratuities (Suggested)

What to expect

Hippodrome
30m

Begin your journey at the legendary Hippodrome of Constantinople, once the vibrant center of Byzantine public life. Discover how this grand arena served as both a cultural stage and a political battleground for centuries.

Marvel at the ancient Obelisk and the mysterious Serpent Column, two iconic relics of the past. As you explore their rich histories—from sacred rituals to imperial symbolism—uncover the timeless stories that continue to shape the soul of Istanbul’s historic heart.
Blue Mosque
45m

Take in the breathtaking beauty of the Blue Mosque, renowned for its six soaring minarets and the mesmerizing blue İznik tiles that adorn its interior. This architectural masterpiece blends grandeur and serenity, offering a glimpse into the artistic and spiritual legacy of Ottoman Istanbul.
The Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque, Istanbul
45m · Admission ticket not included

Step into the awe-inspiring Hagia Sophia, a masterpiece of Byzantine architecture that has stood at the crossroads of empires for over 1,500 years. With your guide, explore its magnificent domes, mosaics, and rich layers of history that reflect its transformation from cathedral to mosque to museum—and now, once again, a place of worship.
Basilica Cistern
45m · Admission ticket not included

The Basilica Cistern is an atmospheric underground reservoir from Byzantine Constantinople, famous for its forest of marble columns, dim lighting, and haunting reflections in shallow water.
Grand Bazaar
1h

Wander through the vibrant maze of the Grand Bazaar, one of the world’s oldest and largest covered markets, as you uncover the rich tapestry of Turkish trade, craftsmanship, and centuries-old traditions woven into every corner.
Eminonu Square
Pass by

End the tour in Eminönü meydanı with a view of the distinctive Galata Tower.

Meeting and pickup

Meeting point

Your guide will contact you beforehand to introduce him/her.
He/she will have a nameboard to meet you.

End point

The tour concludes in Eminonu Square unless private van option is selected.

Pickup details

*If van service is not booked your guide will pick you up ONLY at centrally located hotels or Galataport ON FOOT. The meeting point will be the German Fountain if the hotel is not centrally located.

*If private van service is booked, we pick up from all central hotels, please note that there will be a surcharge if your hotel is outside the city center or on the Asian Side.

Additional information

Wheelchair accessible
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Specialized infant seats are available
Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Cancellation policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Reviews

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