Istanbul Old and Modern City Tour with Bosphorus Cruise

Duration10h

Free cancellationFull refund up to 24 hours before

Instant confirmationYour booking is confirmed right away

TicketMobile or paper ticket accepted

LanguagesEnglish

Group sizeUp to 25 travelers

Pickup offeredSee the meeting and pickup details below

Overview

This tour offers a perfect balance of Istanbul’s old and modern sides in one full day, designed for travelers who want to experience the city comfortably and efficiently.
Unlike standard city tours, it combines historic landmarks, lively neighborhoods, colorful streets, and a relaxing Bosphorus cruise with lunch included in a single itinerary.

With hotel pickup and drop-off, a licensed professional guide, and a well-paced, stress-free schedule, guests enjoy the city without rushing.
The combination of walking, vehicle transportation, and cruising allows you to discover Istanbul from both land and sea, creating a truly complete experience.

This tour is especially ideal for first-time visitors, travelers with limited time, and those who want to see the best of Istanbul in one day.

What's included

Professional licensed English-speaking tour guide
Bosphorus & Golden Horn boat cruise
Full-day Old & Modern Istanbul guided tour
Hotel pickup and drop-off from centrally located Istanbul hotels
Lunch on the boat

Drinks
Personal expenses

What to expect

Yedikule (Castle of the Seven Towers)
1h · Admission ticket included

Visit the historic Yedikule Fortress, part of the ancient Walls of Constantinople. Our guide will explain its Byzantine and Ottoman history, including its role as a fortress, treasury, and prison.
Galata Tower
1h · Admission ticket not included

Explore the lively Galata district on a guided walking tour. Learn about the history of the Galata Tower area and enjoy panoramic city views from the surroundings.
Entrance to Galata Tower is optional; admission tickets are not included and must be paid individually by guests.
Galata Mevlevi Museum
1h · Admission ticket not included

See the historic Galata Mevlevi Lodge from the outside and learn about the Whirling Dervish tradition and Mevlevi culture from your guide.
Entrance to the lodge is optional, and if guests wish to enter, ticket fees are paid individually and are not included in the tour price.
1h

Visit St. Anthony of Padua Church, the largest Catholic church in Istanbul, located on Istiklal Street. Free time to explore the interior.
Fener & Balat
1h

Walk through the colorful streets of Balat and Fener, famous for historic houses, churches, synagogues, cafés, and multicultural heritage.
Golden Horn
1h · Admission ticket included

Enjoy lunch onboard while cruising along the Golden Horn. A relaxing break with city views from the water.
Dolmabahce Palace
Pass by

See Dolmabahçe Palace from the Bosphorus during the cruise and learn about the Ottoman Empire’s last royal palace.
Pass by

Pass by the iconic Ortaköy Mosque and enjoy photo opportunities from the boat.
Rumeli Fortress
Pass by

View Rumeli Fortress from the Bosphorus and hear its strategic importance during the Ottoman conquest of Constantinople.
Beylerbeyi Palace
Pass by

See Beylerbeyi Palace on the Asian side of Istanbul from the boat and learn about its Ottoman history.
KIz Kulesi
Pass by

Pass by the famous Maiden’s Tower and hear the legends and history behind one of Istanbul’s most iconic landmarks.
Istanbul
1h

At the end of the tour, guests are transferred back to their centrally located hotels in Istanbul. The tour concludes with a comfortable and safe hotel drop-off.

Meeting and pickup

Meeting point

Please be ready at 08:30 AM at Sultanahmet Old City Travel Agency.
This is our office location.

Please arrive 10 minutes earlier to ensure a smooth start.
Our staff will be waiting in front of the office to welcome you.

End point

Please be ready at 08:30 AM at Sultanahmet Old City Travel Agency.
This is our office location.

Please arrive 10 minutes earlier to ensure a smooth start.
Our staff will be waiting in front of the office to welcome you.

Pickup details

Pick-up is available only from hotels located in the following areas:
Istanbul City Center Hotels, Sultanahmet, Aksaray, Laleli, Grand Bazaar, Sirkeci, Karakoy, Taksim, Beyoglu, Fatih, Eminonu, Cankurtaran, Sisli, Kadırga, Kumkapi, Beyazit.

Please note:
Pick-up service is not available from the Asian (Anatolian) side of Istanbul.
Guests staying on the Asian side are kindly requested to meet at a designated meeting point in the European side city center.

Make sure to be ready at your hotel lobby 10 minutes before the scheduled pick-up time.

The exact pick-up time will be confirmed after booking.

Additional information

Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Public transportation options are available nearby
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Cancellation policy

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