Full-Day Best of Istanbul Private Old City Tour

5.0 (15 reviews) Istanbul, Turkey
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Duration7h 15m
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

Overview

Experience Istanbul’s essential Old City highlights on a private full-day walking tour designed especially for first-time visitors. Explore Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, the Hippodrome and the Grand Bazaar with a licensed private guide who brings the city’s Byzantine, Ottoman and modern layers together through engaging stories and historical insight.

Walk through a cityscape shaped by imperial mosques, palace courtyards, ancient monuments, covered market streets and living traditions that continue in the heart of the historic peninsula. With a private and flexible route, you can experience Istanbul’s rich atmosphere at your own pace, guided clearly throughout the day and away from the rush of crowded group tours.

What's included

  • Professional Licensed Guide
  • Private Tour
  • Lunch
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off + Private transportation.
  • Museum fees (Hagia Sophia and Topkapı Palace)
  • Gratuity (suggested)

What to expect

  1. Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque
    1h · Admission ticket not included
    Step inside Hagia Sophia, one of Istanbul’s most extraordinary landmarks, where Byzantine imperial grandeur blends with the spiritual atmosphere of Ottoman mosque tradition in the heart of the Old City.
  2. Blue Mosque
    1h
    Blue Mosque is one of the most beautiful works of the Ottoman era in terms of aesthetic beauty and architecture. Here you will discover famous blue tiles and learn about İslam and Islamic art and listen to the most interesting stories about Blue Mosque from your guide.
  3. TopkapI Palace
    1h · Admission ticket not included
    Topkapi Palace, which became an inspiration for lots of artists and became subject to operas, is a wonderful example from the Ottoman era. It was the main seat of Ottoman sultans and also the main center of "Game of Thrones", brutal rivalries, and intrigues. Discover the former residence of Ottoman sultans, with imperial courtyards, treasury collections and sweeping views over the Bosphorus and Golden Horn.
  4. Hippodrome
    1h
    Walk through the ancient ceremonial center of Constantinople and see monuments that connect Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman history. As a historical site, Hippodrome is an important place where you can see The Obelisk from Egypt, Serpent Column, German Fountain, and walled column.
  5. Grand Bazaar
    1h
    End the day in the Grand Bazaar, one of the world’s oldest and most atmospheric covered markets. Step into a centuries-old world of vaulted passages, historic shops and living merchant traditions, where generations of craftsmen and traders have shaped Istanbul’s commercial culture. Famous not only for its authenticity and vibrant atmosphere but also for appearing in internationally known films, the bazaar offers a memorable final stop with time to explore carpets, jewelry, leather goods, ceramics, spices, souvenirs and traditional Turkish crafts.

Meeting and pickup

Meeting point

If you'd like to use public transportation, Sultanahmet tram stop is the closest station - just 1-minute walking distance away.

End point

If you'd like to use public transportation, Sultanahmet tram stop is the closest station - just 1-minute walking distance away.

Additional information

  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
  • Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
  • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Please note that Topkapi Palace is closed on Tuesdays. If you book the tour for a Tuesday, your guide will adjust the route and replace Topkapi Palace with another major Old City site, such as the Istanbul Archaeological Museums, the Turkish and Islamic Arts Museum, or the Basilica Cistern, depending on opening hours and availability.
  • Please note that Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque are usually open to visitors on Fridays after the Friday prayer, generally after 2:00 PM. Your guide will adjust the itinerary order accordingly to make the best use of the day.
  • Please note that the Grand Bazaar is closed on Sundays. If you book the tour for a Sunday, your guide will adjust the route and replace the Grand Bazaar with the Spice Bazaar, where you can experience another historic market atmosphere with spices, sweets, teas, souvenirs and traditional local products.
  • This is a walking tour, you will not need a vehicle during the tour.

Cancellation policy

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

Reviews

5.0 (15)
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$125.00 per person
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Operated by Apopedia Travel · Booked through Viator
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