Istanbul in 1,2 or 3 Day Private Guided Tour with Highlights and Hidden Gems
Istanbul in 1,2 or 3 Day Private Guided Tour with Highlights and Hidden Gems
Whether you are interested in history, architecture, culture or cuisine while exploring highlights or hidden gems of Istanbul our very well-made itinerary for 1,2 or 3 days private guided tour has you covered ! Istanbul: no other city on earth straddles two continents -Europe and Asia- and has been home to three great empires (Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman). We will discover Hagia Sophia, visit Topkapi Palace, stroll through Grand Bazaar and enjoy the beauty of Blue Mosque.
In a city like this, it's important to have an experienced local guide who can help you to navigate, all the while ensuring you the most personal experience possible. We will sometimes use a ferry and sometimes subway or tram to navigate through the city. Don't forget that the best way of exploring a new city is to use public transport or walking.• Skip-the-Line Access to the Museums• Well-Made Itinerary for 1,2 or 3 Days Private Guided Tour• Customize the itinerary according to your interest• Taste Local Food
Book This ExperienceA glimpse of the journey
Your Itinerary
A curated journey through the experience
Topkapi Palace
TOPKAPI PALACE, the former imperial residence from which the Great Ottoman Empire was ruled for nearly 400 years. Today a spectacular museum, it is famous for its collections of treasury of the Ottoman Royal Family. You will chase the memories of the sultans and the Ottoman Empire through 400 years of the most glorious victories, happiest moments, and mournful days.
2 hoursHagia Sophia Mosque
HAGIA SOPHIA is a 6th century church, a masterpiece of Byzantine architecture, welcomes you with its legends and mosaics. You will have a chance to touch the history of this church, a main attraction of the city since its construction.
1 hourBasilica Cistern
Basilica Cistern is the largest underground water reservoir from the Byzantine period. This 6th century underground cistern became famous with the Medusa heads on the inside.
20 minutesHippodrome
HIPODROME: The former center of sportive and political activities of Constantinople. You will be able to see the Obelisk from Egypt, Serpentine Column from Delphi and fountain of Willhelm II.
15 minutesGrand Bazaar
GRAND BAZAAR is both the oldest and the biggest covered bazaar in the world. Your guide will provide the history of the Bazaar as well as some helpful tips on navigating its more than 4000 shops.
30 minutesSuleymaniye Mosque
This mosque, constructed by the great Ottoman architect Sinan in 1557, is regarded as the most beautiful of all imperial mosques.
30 minutesBlue Mosque
BLUE MOSQUE, also known as the Sultanahment Mosque is one of the biggest mosques and principal adornments of the Istanbul skyline. It was built in the 17th century. Once inside the mosque, blue Iznik tiles and stained glass will surround you.
45 minutesMisir Carsisi (Spice Market)
This market is famous for Turkish delights and spices.
30 minutesBosphorus Strait
Bosphorus Cruise. Bosphorus is a unique natural water strait both sides of which filled in Palaces, Yalis ( old Ottoman Houses), historical mosques and many other buildings and many neighbourhoods with their own unique cultures.
1 hour 30 minutesRustem Pasha Mosque
Rustem Pasha is famous for the most beautiful examples of Ottoman Tile art pieces adorning it’s walls on the inside.
20 minutesKadikoy Carsisi
Kadikoy is probably the most vibrant and local district of Istanbul.
1 hour 30 minutesUskudar Pier
District in the Asian side of Istanbul.
10 minutesTaksim Square
Main square of Istanbul.
10 minutesDolmabahce Palace
This palace, constructed between 1843 and 1858 by Sultan I Abdulmecit, contains eclectic elements from the Baroque, Rococo, and Neoclassical styles, blended with traditional Ottoman architecture to create a new synthesis.
1 hour 30 minutesGalata Tower
We will see GALATA TOWER from outside.
5 minutesKarakoy
The commercial site of old Istanbul.
10 minutesBasilica Cistern
The largest underground water reservoir from the Byzantine time. This 6th century underground cistern became famous with the Medusa heads located in one corner of the cistern.
20 minutesIstiklal Caddesi
ISTIKLAL STREET is where locals like to hang out.The architecture of the buildings in that area will remind you of French style, and the street was once called Rue de Pera by it’s French residents.
1 hourBalat
BALAT is where you will enjoy the most authentic houses of Istanbul.
30 minutesBulgarian Orthodox Church
This is a unique church which is fully made of iron.
15 minutesFener Rum Patrikhanesi
This is the Petriarchate of the Orthodox.
15 minutesIncluded
- Private Tour
- Professional Tour Guide
- Local Taxes
Not Included
- Entrance fees to the museums
- Public Transport Fees
- Meal
- Gratitude (Suggested)
Good to Know
- Wheelchair accessible
- Stroller accessible
- Near public transportation
- Transportation is wheelchair accessible
- Surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Not recommended for travelers with back problems
- No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
- Topkapi Palace is closed on Tuesdays. Dolmabahce Palace will be visited instead.
- Grand Bazaar is closed on Sundays. Spice Market will be visited instead.
- Grand Bazaar and Spice Market will be closed in 2022 in the following dates; May 02/03/04-Ramadan Celebrations. July 09/10/11/12-Eid Celebrations. October 29-Republic Day.
- We have Kid-Friendly Tour Guides in our team.
- For the cruise passengers public transportation (tram) is strongly recommended due to heavy traffic in/around the old city. By the tram the old city takes only 10 minutes. Please book the tour accordingly
- Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
- If you book the tour with a private van, please beware that extra charges may apply if your hotel/apartment is located in the Asian Side or far from the city center.
- Face masks required for travelers in public areas
- Face masks required for guides in public areas
- Regularly sanitized high-traffic areas
- Transportation vehicles regularly sanitized
- Paid stay-at-home policy for staff with symptoms
- COVID-19 vaccination required for guides
- This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
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.