Istanbul: Blue Mosque & Hagia Sophia Small-Group Tour with ticket

Duration2h 30m

Free cancellationFull refund up to 24 hours before

Instant confirmationYour booking is confirmed right away

TicketMobile or paper ticket accepted

LanguagesGerman, English

Group sizeUp to 15 travelers

Overview

This tour is designed as a complete introduction to Istanbul, combining the city’s most important monuments with clear historical context. Starting in Sultanahmet Square, your guide connects Byzantine and Ottoman history, helping you understand how Istanbul evolved from Constantinople into the city you see today.

With skip-the-line access and guided visits to Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque, you’ll explore both Christian and Islamic landmarks in one seamless experience.
The walk through the Hippodrome adds depth, revealing how public life once unfolded in the Byzantine capital. With a small group and expert guide, the focus is on understanding, not rushing—so each site feels meaningful rather than overwhelming.

Options

German Tour from Galataport

Small-Group Tour
Meeting point at Galataport: Choose this option if you are on a cruise ship and will meet your guide at Galataport Clock Tower Square.
Starting point:
Galataport Saat Kulesi Meydanı, Kılıçali Paşa, Gümrük Muhafaza Kısım Amirliği No:5, 34433 Beyoğlu/İstanbul, Türkiye

German Tour from Sultanahmet

Small-Group Tour
Meeting point is Sultanahmet: Choose this option to meet your guide at Ersoy Bufe kiosk in Sultanahmet Square (Old Town).
Starting point:
Ersoy Bufe, Binbirdirek, At Meydanı Cd No:40, 34122 Fatih/İstanbul, Türkiye

Larger Group up to 24 People

Shared group: Choose this option for an affordable price, offering a larger group capacity of up to 24 people.
Meeting point is Sultanahmet : You will meet your guide at Ersoy Bufe kiosk in Sultanahmet Square (Old Town)
Language of the tour: English
Starting point:
Ersoy Bufe, Binbirdirek, At Meydanı Cd No:40, 34122 Fatih/İstanbul, Türkiye

English Tour from Sultanahmet

Small-Group Tour
Meeting point is Sultanahmet: Choose this option to meet your guide at Ersoy Bufe kiosk in Sultanahmet Square (Old Town).
Starting point:
Ersoy Bufe, Binbirdirek, At Meydanı Cd No:40, 34122 Fatih/İstanbul, Türkiye

English Tour from Galataport

Small-Group Tour
Meeting point is Galataport: If you are on a cruise ship, choose this option to meet your guide at Galataport Clock Tower Square.
Starting point:
Galataport Saat Kulesi Meydanı, Kılıçali Paşa, Gümrük Muhafaza Kısım Amirliği No:5, 34433 Beyoğlu/İstanbul, Türkiye

What's included

2.5 hours walking tour at a relaxed pace
Starting from Galata Port (If this option is selected)
Small group tour for a more interactive experience
Expert guide for insider's knowledge of the city
Pre-reserved tickets for the Hagia Sophia
Guided tour for the Blue Mosque and the Hagia Sophia

Transport to the meeting spot

What to expect

Sultanahmet Square
15m · Admission ticket included

Check out Istanbul’s greatest monuments on this small-group walking tour. Meet your expert guide in Sultanahmet Square, the historic heart of the Old Town, where the tour begins with an introduction to the city’s layered history.

The experience includes skip-the-line tickets and expert guides, making it an ideal way to explore Istanbul’s most important sites.
Blue Mosque
1h · Admission ticket included

The Blue Mosque is the most visited monument in Istanbul, and the Sultanahmet neighborhood is named after this iconic structure. Marvel at this imperial Ottoman mosque, commissioned by Sultan Ahmed I and the last mosque built on such a grand scale.
Enjoy a comprehensive guided visit as your guide explains its architecture, symbolism, and role as an active place of worship.
Afterwards, take time to enjoy the spacious courtyard, offering beautiful views of daily life in modern Istanbul, and enjoy a gentle stroll through the surrounding neighborhood.
Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque
1h · Admission ticket included

Visit the Hagia Sophia with pre-reserved tickets and witness the most significant site of the Greek Orthodox tradition in Istanbul. Learn how it was converted into a mosque following the Ottoman conquest of Constantinople.
Inside, see elements of a church and a mosque standing side by side, from the vast basilica dome and towering minarets to mosaics, paintings, and marble columns. Discover how İznik tiles were added over time, how the remarkable Virgin Mary mosaic was created, and why Ottoman sultans were buried in the courtyard.
Hippodrome
15m

Walk the famous hippodrome of Constantinople. Learn about the obelisks that adorn the square.
Take a break between two major monuments for the best views and learn about the significance of the hippodrome during the Byzantine times of the city.

Meeting and pickup

Meeting point

CHOOSE THIS OPTION IF YOU ARE ON A CRUISE SHIP ONLY!
We will meet at Galataport Clock Tower Square, next to the clock tower. Your guide will be holding a sign that says "Walks In Europe."

Meeting point

We meet at Ersoy Bufe. This is a small food kiosk just by the side of the Hippodrome in Sultanahmet Square. It is across the German Fountain. Your guide will be in front of the Ersoy Bufe with a sign that says, “Walks in Europe.”

End point

CHOOSE THIS OPTION IF YOU ARE ON A CRUISE SHIP ONLY!
We will meet at Galataport Clock Tower Square, next to the clock tower. Your guide will be holding a sign that says "Walks In Europe."

End point

We meet at Ersoy Bufe. This is a small food kiosk just by the side of the Hippodrome in Sultanahmet Square. It is across the German Fountain. Your guide will be in front of the Ersoy Bufe with a sign that says, “Walks in Europe.”

Additional information

Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia are functioning mosques and they can be closed to visitors for any reason, even without pre-notice (for a high-level state visit, for example)
Istanbul has notoriously bad traffic. Give more time to get to the meeting spot than you may have planned
Tickets are timed and expire within 5 to 10 minutes.
I is not possible to join the tour after it has commenced.
Women are required to wear a headscarf when entering the mosque.
Both men and women should wear clothing that covers their shoulders and knees. Shorts, sleeveless tops, and other revealing attire are not permitted inside.
You are not allowed to bring signs, symbols, banners, flags, documents, drawings, or any materials representing political, ideological, or religious beliefs inside the Hagia Sophia.
Please note that the 'Starting from Galata Port' option is available only for cruise guests.
Please note that skip-the-line access is available for adults only. Children under the age of 7 do not benefit from this access.
Please note that children under 7 are not permitted on this tour.
Tips/gratuities (for your guide) are always appreciated.
Please note that Hagia Sophia is currently undergoing restoration, which may temporarily affect visibility in some areas. These works are carried out independently of the tour.

Cancellation policy

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

Reviews

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