Spend a delightful day on a private tour that takes you to some of the most interesting sites in the heart of Istanbul. See the Blue Mosque, Basilica Cistern, Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, and explore the vibrant Grand Bazaar.

About this activity

Free cancellation: Cancel up to 24 hours in advance to receive a full refund
Covid-19 precautions: Special health and safety measures apply. Learn more
Mobile ticketing: Use your phone or print your voucher
Duration 7 hours: Check availability to see starting times.
Skip the ticket line
Instant confirmation
Live tour guide: English, German, French, Spanish, Italian
Pickup included: Your guide will pick you up from your central hotel on foot.
Private group

The experience

See Blue Mosque and admire beautiful blue tiles
Visit Hagia Sophia with its mosaics and largest dome
Experience the visually stimulating Grand Bazaar
Visit the exhibitions and kiosks in Topkapi Palace
See the horse racing track of Romans, the Hippodrome square
Visit the ancient water storage museum, Basilica Cistern

Full description

Meet your private guide at your hotel to being your tour. Marvel at the iconic tiles and minarets of the Blue Mosque, built in the 1600s for Sultan Ahmet. Feast your eyes on the mosaics of the Hagia Sophia and discover a stunning and seamless blend of Christian and Islamic influences. Amble through the world's largest (and oldest) covered market on a tour of the Grand Bazaar and see the Basilica Cistern, an underground water storage. Travel back further to the Byzantine Empire, when the city was known as “Constantinople” at the Hippodrome and its 4 monuments; the Fountain Of Wilhelm II, the Obelisk Of Theodosius, the Serpentine Column, and the Column Of Constantine. Go to Topkapı Palace to see the last Imperial residence of the Ottoman sultans, and the seat of the Parliament.

Includes

Fully licensed private guide
Pickup on foot from centrally located hotels

Hotel drop off
Entrance tickets to museums
Lunch

Covid-19 precautions

Safety measures in place

All areas that customers touch are frequently cleaned
You must keep social distance while in vehicles
The number of visitors is limited to reduce crowds

Traveler requirements

You are required to bring and wear a mask
You will receive a mandatory temperature check

Prepare for the activity

Important information

Know before you go

The Grand Bazaar is closed on Sundays
Topkapi Palace is closed on Tuesdays
The Blue Mosque is being renovated until end of 2020 so some parts of the ceiling might be temporarily covered

Customer reviews

Overall rating

4.7 /5

based on 32 reviews

Review summary

Guide
4.5/5
Transportation
3/5
Value for money
4.5/5
Safety
5/5

Sort by:

Our day trip with Ayla was an experience. Very good German tour guide with in-depth knowledge of history and safe local knowledge. Ayla responded to our requests, even if it exceeded the time limit, and also gave us a good insight into the everyday life of Istanbul. If we had had more time, we would have liked to spend another interesting day with her. Thanks Ayla

November 2, 2019

A very nice travel companion with humor and good contacts! Because of the closure at the mosque on Tuesday we did an additional Bosphorus tour! Because she had contacts we could even sit in the cab! In the end we invited them to dinner because of their great tour! If you take German ask for an Ayla !!!

October 22, 2019

My wife and I hired Caner recently for a day-long private tour of some of Istabul’s most important sights, and we were so happy that we did! Caner is one of the best guides we’ve ever had – he is warm and friendly, his English is excellent, and his knowledge of Istabul’s history is incredible! He clearly loves the work that he does, and his enthusiasm is infectious. (He even takes great pictures!) Most of all, we were so appreciative of how he went out of his way to make sure that the day was as comfortable as possible for my wife, who is pregnant. We highly recommend doing this tour with Caner!

September 22, 2019

Istanbul: Full-Day Private Guided Tour

Istanbul: Full-Day Private Guided Tour

About this activity

Experience

Select participants and date

Prepare for the activity

Overall rating

Review summary

Sort by:

Traveler type:

Star rating:

Organized by