Istanbul Essential : Private Guided Old City Tour
Istanbul Essential : Private Guided Old City Tour
This is the ultimate tour for first-time visitors to Istanbul. Visit the most fascinating sights of Istanbul in this specially curated one or two days tour that provides the perfect introduction to Istanbul.This tour takes in Istanbul’s highlights and goes beyond them to show you the bustling energy of the city’s bazaars, streets and hidden spots. Itinerary: Topkapi Palace-Hagia Sophia-Basilica Cistern-Blue Mosque-Hippodrome-Grand Bazaar• Customize the itinerary according to your personal interest and preferences• Enjoy the private tour flexibility with a dedicated licensed tour guide
Book This ExperienceA glimpse of the journey
Your Itinerary
A curated journey through the experience
Topkapi Palace
Topkapı Palace and Harem (Topkapı Sarayı) are likely to have more colorful stories than most of the world's museums put together. Sultans, courtiers, concubines and eunuchs lived and worked here between the 15th and 19th centuries when it was the court of the Ottoman empire. A visit to the palace's opulent pavilions, jewel-filled Treasury and sprawling Harem gives a fascinating glimpse into their lives.
1 hour 40 minutesHagia Sophia Mosque
*Reminding that as it's not a museum anymore, tour guides don't have skip-the-line priority. You may need to wait in the security line up to 1 hour.
1 hour 15 minutesBasilica Cistern
There are hundreds of ancient cisterns hidden underneath the streets and houses of Istanbul. Of the two that are open to the public, the Basilica Cistern (Yerebatan Sarnıcı) is the largest and Istanbul’s most unusual tourist attraction. Built-in 532 by Emperor Justinian, it was constructed using 336 columns, many of which were salvaged from ruined temples and feature finely carved capitals. Its symmetry and sheer grandeur of conception are quite breathtaking, and its cavernous depths make a great retreat on summer days.
1 hourBlue Mosque
Blue Mosque
30 minutesHippodrome
Hippodrome - German Fountain - Obelisk of Theodosius - Serpent Column - Walled Obelisk
45 minutesGrand Bazaar
Welcome to The Grand Bazaar, one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world, with 61 covered streets and over 4,000 shops, attracting more than 300,000 visitors daily. Sellers hawk their wares at the top of the voice, and everyone has their own technique to entice you in, the colors, lights, and sounds create an exotic and unique atmosphere. Get ready to experience it.
1 hour 15 minutesIncluded
- Licensed Professional Tour Guide
- Pick-up by guide from central hotels or Galataport (on foot)
Not Included
- Gratuities
- Museum entrance fees
- Lunch
- Transportation from/back to hotel and between sites (unless vehicle service is selected)
Good to Know
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Stroller accessible
- Near public transportation
- Infants must sit on laps
- Infant seats available
- Grand Bazaar is closed on Sundays can be replaced with Spice Market.
- Topkapi Palace is closed on Tuesdays, can be replaced with alternatives.
- Dolmabahce Palace is closed on Mondays, can be replaced with alternatives. Due to regulations live guide service is not available inside the palace.
- This is a private tour. Your group will be the only one with the guide for all day.
- Guests can customize the itinerary according to their personel interest.
- Most travelers can participate
- This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking, unless booked within 3 hours of travel. In this case confirmation will be received as soon as possible, subject to availability
Tickets & Cancellation
You can present either a paper or an electronic voucher for this activity.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start time of the experience.