Istanbul Old City Highlights: Private Walking Tour

5.0 (94 reviews) Istanbul, Turkey
  1. Home
  2. Activities
  3. Istanbul
Duration4h - 6h
Free cancellationFull refund up to 24 hours before
Instant confirmationYour booking is confirmed right away
TicketMobile or paper ticket accepted
LanguagesEnglish
Private tourOnly your group will participate
Pickup offeredSee the meeting and pickup details below

Overview

Explore Istanbul’s Old City with a private licensed guide dedicated to your group. Discover the stories behind its iconic landmarks at a pace that suits you, with time for questions, photos, and breaks.

Shape your route with your guide around the places that interest you most. Suggested highlights include the Hippodrome, Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, Basilica Cistern, and Grand Bazaar. Your interests and the available time help determine the final itinerary.

Choose which ticketed attractions, if any, you would like to enter. Admission tickets are not included and are paid separately only for the attractions you choose to enter.

From Byzantine monuments to Ottoman architecture, your guide connects the sights with the people and events that shaped Istanbul, making your walk a personal and engaging introduction to the city.

What's included

  • Private Licensed Tour Guide Exclusively For Your Group
  • (Use of public transportation depends on the location of your accommodation and your preference.)
  • Lunch
  • Admission tickets (optional). Pay only for the attractions you choose to enter.
  • Gratuity (suggested)

What to expect

  1. Hippodrome
    20m
    Explore the Hippodrome, once the center of Byzantine chariot racing and public life. Discover the Obelisk of Theodosius, the Serpent Column, and the Walled Obelisk as your guide explains their history and significance.
  2. Blue Mosque
    25m
    Visit the Blue Mosque, one of Istanbul’s most iconic landmarks. Admire its decorative tiles, grand dome, and elegant calligraphy as your guide explains the mosque’s history, architecture, and place in the city’s religious life.
  3. Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque
    45m · Admission ticket not included
    Discover Hagia Sophia as your guide explains its history and significance across the Byzantine and Ottoman eras. Learn about its remarkable architecture and changing role over the centuries.
  4. TopkapI Palace
    2h · Admission ticket not included
    Discover Topkapi Palace, once home to Ottoman sultans and the center of imperial power. Learn about palace life and the history of the Ottoman court with your private guide.
  5. Basilica Cistern
    30m · Admission ticket not included
    Discover the Basilica Cistern, an underground reservoir showcasing Byzantine engineering. Admire its rows of columns and softly lit atmosphere as your guide explains its history and role in supplying water to the city.
  6. Grand Bazaar
    45m
    Immerse Yourself in Tradition.
    Explore one of the world’s oldest and largest covered markets, with over 4,000 shops spread across 61 streets. Discover an incredible variety of goods, from exquisite jewelry and handcrafted ceramics to luxurious textiles and aromatic spices, enjoy tastings of Turkish delights, teas, and other local delicacies as you wander through the bazaar.

Meeting and pickup

Meeting point

German Fountain

End point
End point
Pickup details

Your guide will meet you at your hotel, Galataport cruise port, or one of the designated meeting points. Depending on your location, you will travel together to the Old City on foot, by metro, or by taxi. Transportation costs are not included.

Additional information

  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • On Sundays, when the Grand Bazaar is closed, the Spice Bazaar can be visited instead.
  • Topkapi Palace is closed on Tuesdays.
  • For tours starting after noon, some sites may not be visited due to closing times.
  • The duration of the tour may vary depending on crowds, your walking pace, and the attractions you choose to visit.

Cancellation policy

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

Reviews

5.0 (94)
From
$90.00 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.
Operated by Istanbul Untold Tours · Booked through Viator
More activities in Istanbul
From
$90.00 per person
Check availability