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Offered languages
- English
- Spanish
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
Meeting and pickup
If you'd like to use public transportation, Sultanahmet tram stop is the closest station - just 1-minute walking distance away.
Itinerary
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1Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque
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.
1 hour • Admission ticket not included -
2Blue Mosque
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.
1 hour • Admission ticket free -
3TopkapI Palace
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.
1 hour • Admission ticket not included -
4Hippodrome
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.
1 hour • Admission ticket free -
5Grand Bazaar
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.
1 hour • Admission ticket free
Additional info
- 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.
Additional info
- 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.
Tags
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Cancellation Policy
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
- This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
Rating
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
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