Istanbul Kick Start Tour First Time Visitor Essentials

Istanbul, Turkey
Duration2h
Free cancellationFull refund up to 24 hours before
Instant confirmationYour booking is confirmed right away
TicketMobile or paper ticket accepted
LanguagesEnglish
Group sizeUp to 8 travelers

Overview

Just arrived in Istanbul? Start your trip on the right foot with the Istanbul Kick Start Tour — a friendly 2-hour walking orientation designed for first-time visitors. You’ll discover the heart of the historic peninsula while learning everything you need to navigate, enjoy, and understand this complex and beautiful city.

This is more than a walking tour — it’s your personal Istanbul briefing. Your local expert will share tips on transportation, customs, safety, language, and food, while giving you a brief historical overview of key landmarks like Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque (from the outside). By the end, you’ll feel like you belong here.

We finish the tour at the legendary Puding Shop (Lale Restaurant) — a 1960s traveler hub once loved by overland backpackers and Beat Generation writers — where you can rest, eat, and plan the rest of your journey with confidence.

What's included

  • Friendly local guide with insider tips
  • End-of-tour local advice over tea (optional)
  • Walking orientation with live Q&A
  • Overview of historical and modern Istanbul
  • City Map
  • Entrance to any monuments (exterior visit only)
  • Food or drinks at the Puding Shop
  • Transportation or public transit tickets
  • Gratuities (recommended)

What to expect

  1. Hippodrome
    Pass by
    Walk through the Hippodrome: Obelisks, Roman history
  2. Sultanahmet Square
    1h 30m
    Exterior views of the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia

    Orientation around Sultanahmet tram area and transport systems

    Walk through the local lanes and hidden corners
    Tour ends at the Puding Shop (Lale Restaurant) — time to relax or grab a bite!

Meeting and pickup

Meeting point

Go to the end of the Hippodrome and next to The Museum of Islamic Art.

End point

It is located on the tram line and opposite of the Tourism Information Office.

Additional information

  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
  • All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Cancellation policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
From
€50.00 per person
Check availability & book
  • Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts
  • Instant confirmation
  • You'll choose your date and travelers and pay on viator.com. Prices vary by date, group size and option.
More activities in Istanbul
From
€50.00 per person
Check availability