Full-Day Private Guided Cultural Tour of Istanbul
Description
These private tours would offer you the comfort of unique culture experience. If you want to stay away from crowded groups, to avoid long entrance queues, we invite you to live the best of your Istanbul experience with a private tour.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Discover the captivating charm of Sultanahmet, the historic heart of Istanbul. Immerse yourself in the rich tapestry of history, culture, and architectural wonders that define this vibrant district. Explore the iconic Sultanahmet Square, surrounded by architectural marvels like the awe-inspiring Hagia Sophia, the majestic Blue Mosque, and the ancient Roman Hippodrome. Wander through the narrow cobblestone streets, lined with charming cafes, artisanal shops, and local bazaars. Indulge in the flavors of Turkish cuisine and delight in the warm hospitality of the locals. Immerse yourself in the captivating ambiance of Sultanahmet, where the ancient and the modern blend seamlessly to create an unforgettable experience.
Sultanahmet Camii as known as Blue Mosque is one of the most magnificent buildings in Turkey. The building is not just a mosque, it is also a social life complex. Its name comes from blue Iznik tiles covered interior of the mosque.
Hagia Sophia is the most famous building in Istanbul. Hagia Sophia, the largest church built by the Eastern Roman Empire in Istanbul, was built three times in the same place. Hagia Sophia served as a cathedral as the capital's largest church where rulers were crowned throughout the Eastern Roman Empire.
After the conquest of Istanbul in 1453, the construction of Topkapi Palace, which was started in 1460 at the request of Fatih Sultan Mehmet, was completed in 1478. Topkapı Palace, with all its additional buildings, was expanded with the added structures until the 19th century. CLOSED ON TUESDAY.
The Grand Bazaar, which was founded in 1461, resembles a giant scale labyrinth thanks to its aesthetic design. The historical shopping area with nearly 60 streets and more than 3600 shops covers a total area of 30,700 square meters. Closed on Sunday.
You will see 4 amazing monuments in the ancient Hippodrome which was the center of Byzantine civic life; Egyptian Obelisk, The German Fountain of Wilhelm II, Serpentine Column and Column of Constantine.
The Basilica Cistern, an ancient underground water reservoir in Istanbul, features stunning columns and a mysterious ambiance, reflecting the city's rich history and architectural brilliance. A must-visit marvel.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
All guests will be picked from their hotels, and public transportation will be used as a start of city experience.
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Tour guides don't have skip-the-line priority in Hagia Sophia. You may need to wait in the security line, in order to avoid queues we suggest departing at 8:30am or 9:00am.
- Topkapi Palace is closed on Tuesdays can be replaced with alternatives.
- Grand Bazaar is closed on Sundays can be replaced with alternatives.
- Skip the line service is not available for active mosques - there is a queue for the entrance.
Reviews(313)
the guide was really knowledgeable and informative and knew a lot of history. however I felt a bit manipulated to buy stuff eg instead of making sure I took a head scarf with me either by text or when he met me, he took me to a very expensive place. also lunch was a very expensive restaurant, where he ordered more food than I did, as well as soft drinks for himself, without mentioning that I was expected to pay for his lunch. it also wasn't clear what was included, like tickets, and so all in all the cost me about 3x more than the cost of the actual tour.
Seyma is a very knowledgeable tour guide, we learned so much from her. She has great insights to everything in Istanbul, which allowed for lesser visited but equally amazing spots like a cistern that wasn’t crowded. I’m so glad we booked this tour!
We had a great day with Cosken! He took us to all the major sites and was very knowledgable. It was our first time in Istanbul and we loved the city and the people. Cosken was fun and we enjoyed our day with him.
Thank you very much for your wonderful review and for choosing IstanbulsTours for your first visit to Istanbul. We are delighted to hear that you had such a great day exploring the city with Cosken as your Guide. It is fantastic to know that you were able to visit the major historical and cultural sites while learning about the rich heritage that makes Istanbul one of the world’s most fascinating destinations. Cosken’s knowledge, enthusiasm, and friendly personality help create memorable Travel experiences, and we are pleased that he made your day both informative and enjoyable. We are especially happy that your first impression of Istanbul was so positive and that you enjoyed not only the city’s iconic landmarks but also the warmth and hospitality of its people. At IstanbulsTours, our goal is to help guests experience the true spirit of Istanbul through personalized tours led by passionate local guides. Thank you again for your kind recommendation. We hope to welcome you back to Istanbul in the future for another unforgettable adventure with IstanbulsTours. The IstanbulsTours Team
Our tour guide was great! She tailored our full day tour of Istanbul to all of the sites that we wanted, suggesting that we consider reordering them to maximize the time we had at each. It was money well spent.
Thank you very much for your kind review and for choosing IstanbulsTours for your full-day experience in Istanbul. We are delighted to hear that your Guide tailored the tour to match your interests and helped you make the most of your time in this incredible city. One of the greatest advantages of a private Travel experience is the flexibility to customize the itinerary according to each guest’s preferences. We are pleased that the suggested route adjustments allowed you to visit the sites you wanted while maximizing your time at each location. Our goal is always to create a smooth, enjoyable, and efficient tour experience that helps visitors discover the best of Istanbul without feeling rushed. Your feedback confirms the value of personalized guiding, local expertise, and thoughtful planning. We are thrilled that you felt the tour was money well spent and that your day in Istanbul was both memorable and rewarding. Thank you again for your trust and recommendation. We hope to welcome you back for another unforgettable adventure with IstanbulsTours. The IstanbulsTours Team
Ulku was an incredible guide- she sent text messages before our tour so we quickly located her the am of the tour. She was so knowledgeable about history, culture and architecture! We enjoyed every minute of a beautiful tour of Istanbul. She listened to our preferences and took us exactly where we wanted to go.
Thank you very much for your fantastic review and for choosing IstanbulsTours for your visit to Istanbul. We are delighted to hear that you had such a memorable experience with Ulku as your Guide. We believe that excellent communication before the tour is an important part of a smooth and enjoyable Travel experience, so we are pleased that Ulku’s messages helped you connect easily and start your day without any stress. It is also wonderful to know that her knowledge of Istanbul’s history, culture, and architecture enriched your journey through this remarkable city. At IstanbulsTours, we take pride in offering personalized tours that reflect our guests’ interests and preferences. We are thrilled that Ulku listened carefully to your wishes and created an itinerary that allowed you to explore exactly what you wanted to see. This flexibility is what makes a private Istanbul tour so rewarding and memorable. Thank you again for your kind recommendation and thoughtful feedback. We truly appreciate your support and hope to welcome you back to Istanbul for another unforgettable adventure with IstanbulsTours. The IstanbulsTours Team
Ozgurkaya was an excellent guide! Very knowledgeable and a good human being. He was very accommodating of our toddler and worked around our speed and needs. I would definitely recommend him for anyone looking for a guide to Istanbul
Thank you very much for your wonderful review and for choosing IstanbulsTours for your family’s visit to Istanbul. We are delighted to hear that you had such a positive experience with Ozgurkaya as your Guide and that he helped make your day both enjoyable and comfortable. At IstanbulsTours, we understand that every guest has different needs, especially when traveling with young children. That is why we are particularly happy to hear that Ozgurkaya was accommodating, patient, and flexible throughout the tour. Creating personalized Travel experiences that match each guest’s pace and interests is one of our highest priorities. It is also wonderful to know that his extensive knowledge of Istanbul’s history and culture enhanced your experience. A great guide does more than explain landmarks—they help visitors connect with the city, its stories, and its people. We are proud that Ozgurkaya’s professionalism, kindness, and expertise left such a positive impression on your family. Your recommendation means a great deal to us and helps future travelers feel confident when choosing a private tour in Istanbul. Thank you again for your kind words and trust in IstanbulsTours. We hope to welcome you and your family back to Istanbul for another memorable and enriching adventure in the future. The IstanbulsTours Team
If you are looking for a deep, immersive, and expertly guided experience in Istanbul, look no further than Beko. We booked a full-day private cultural tour with him yesterday, and it was hands-down the highlight of our time in the city. Beko is incredibly knowledgeable, engaging, and passionate about Istanbul’s rich history and culture. He seamlessly navigated us through the city's iconic landmarks and hidden gems, offering fascinating context that you simply can't get from a guidebook. Having a private guide allowed us to set a perfect pace, ask endless questions, and truly absorb the magic of Istanbul without feeling rushed. His professionalism, warmth, and tailoring of the day made the entire experience seamless and unforgettable. I highly recommend booking a tour with Beko—it is worth every star!
Thank you very much for your incredible review and for choosing IstanbulsTours for your private cultural experience in Istanbul. We are truly honored to hear that your day with Beko was the highlight of your visit and that the tour exceeded your expectations. At IstanbulsTours, our goal is to create authentic and immersive Travel experiences that allow guests to connect with the history, culture, and spirit of Istanbul on a deeper level. We are delighted that Beko’s knowledge, enthusiasm, and passion for the city helped bring both the famous landmarks and hidden treasures of Istanbul to life. His ability to share fascinating stories and historical context is exactly what makes a private Guide experience so valuable. We are especially pleased that you enjoyed the flexibility of a private tour, allowing you to explore at your own pace, ask questions freely, and fully appreciate the city's remarkable heritage. Creating a personalized and seamless experience is one of the core values of IstanbulsTours, and it is wonderful to know that Beko’s professionalism and warm personality made such a lasting impression. Your recommendation means a great deal to our entire team. Thank you again for your thoughtful words and trust in IstanbulsTours. We look forward to welcoming you back to Istanbul for another unforgettable journey filled with history, culture, and unique local experiences. The IstanbulsTours Team
We had a fabulous day with Paulina. She met us at the port and then we had a private car drive us to the Old Town. We visited Hagia Sophia, the Cistern, a carpet store in a caravanserai, Blue Mosque and the Hippodrome. She took us to a great restaurant where we sampled yummy Turkish food. Paulina was an informative guide who was so easy to be with all day. We all feel like we made a new friend in Istanbul.
Thank you very much for your wonderful review and for choosing IstanbulsTours for your memorable day in Istanbul. We are delighted to hear that your experience with Paulina was so enjoyable and that your private tour created such special memories for your group. Starting from the port with a comfortable private car and exploring the highlights of Old Istanbul is a fantastic way to experience the city’s rich history and culture. We are happy that you enjoyed visiting iconic landmarks such as Hagia Sophia, the Basilica Cistern, the Blue Mosque, and the Hippodrome. Discovering a traditional carpet store inside a historic caravanserai also adds a unique cultural touch to any Travel experience in Istanbul. It is especially rewarding to know that Paulina made your day both informative and relaxing. A knowledgeable and friendly Guide can truly transform a tour into a personal connection with the city, and we are thrilled that you felt like you made a new friend in Istanbul. We are also pleased that you enjoyed authentic Turkish food during your tour. Thank you again for your kind recommendation and thoughtful words about IstanbulsTours. We hope to welcome you back to Istanbul again soon for another unforgettable journey. The IstanbulsTours Team
Our day with Sedat…….simply put, it was an incredible experience! We started at 8:30 am just outside where our cruise ship was at port, Galataport. Ended 9 hours later! Sedat is a human encyclopedia of Turkish history. We seen all the sites and with Sedat’s knowledge of each site, we were able to see everything within a timely manner and avoid the long lines for the most part. He found us a fantastic restaurant rooftop for lunch, with local Turkish food. So good! Due to the local holiday, The Grand Bazaar and the Spice Market was closed. We did walk thru a portion of it just to check it out. Be prepared for LOTS of people! The tram was quite the experience with so many humans getting on and off the tram. Unforgettable! A great day. One that we will remember for the rest of our days.
Thank you very much for your amazing and detailed review, and for choosing IstanbulsTours for your unforgettable day in Istanbul. We are truly delighted to hear that your experience with Sedat was so memorable from beginning to end. Starting your journey directly from Galataport and exploring Old Istanbul with a knowledgeable Guide is one of the best ways to experience the city’s rich culture and history. We are thrilled that Sedat’s deep understanding of Turkish history helped bring each site to life while also ensuring your day moved smoothly and efficiently. Avoiding long lines and making the most of your time is an important part of creating a high-quality Travel experience, especially in a city as vibrant and busy as Istanbul. We are also happy that you enjoyed the rooftop lunch and authentic Turkish cuisine. Local food, historic neighborhoods, and even the lively tram rides all contribute to the unique atmosphere of Istanbul. Although the Grand Bazaar and Spice Market were closed because of the holiday, we are glad you still had the chance to experience their incredible surroundings and energy. Your kind words mean a great deal to all of us at IstanbulsTours. We hope to welcome you back to Istanbul again for another unforgettable journey in the future. The IstanbulsTours Team
It was a great tour and our guide Naci was really a wealth of knowledge. Not just about the sites we visited but also about history and customs in general. Pity only five stars are available more would have been appropriate. Highly recommend this tour.
Thank you very much for your wonderful review and for choosing IstanbulsTours for your experience in Istanbul. We are truly delighted to hear that you had such a fantastic tour with Naci as your professional Guide. It is especially rewarding to know that Naci’s knowledge went beyond the famous landmarks and included the rich history, traditions, and customs that make Istanbul such a fascinating destination. At IstanbulsTours, we believe that a great Travel experience should not only show guests the city’s iconic attractions, but also help them understand the culture and daily life that give Istanbul its unique character. Your comment about wishing there were more than five stars means a great deal to our entire team. Feedback like yours motivates us to continue providing personalized, informative, and memorable tours for visitors from around the world. We are proud that Naci helped make your day both enjoyable and enriching. Thank you again for your strong recommendation and your kind words. We hope to welcome you back to Istanbul again soon for another unforgettable journey with IstanbulsTours. The IstanbulsTours Team
