Istanbul City Tour: Small Group, Guide & All Tickets Included
Description
Discover the timeless beauty and rich history of Istanbul with our Sultanahmet Tour, where we immerse you in the heart of the city's historic district. All tours have a maximum of 12 to 13 people.
Tour Options
Itinerary
The Hippodrome of Constantinople, now Istanbul, was an ancient chariot racing arena built in the 3rd century and later expanded. It was a major center of Byzantine public life, with notable remnants including the Egyptian Obelisk and the Serpentine Column. Our guide will provide detailed information to the guests here, offer some free time for photos, and then proceed to the next destination.
The Blue Mosque, or Sultan Ahmed Mosque, is an iconic Ottoman-era mosque in Istanbul, renowned for its striking blue tiles and six minarets. Completed in 1616, it remains a significant religious and historical landmark. Our guide will provide detailed information to the guests here, offer some free time for photos, and then proceed to the next destination.
The Basilica Cistern, also known as the Yerebatan Sarnıcı, is an ancient underground water storage facility in Istanbul. Built in the 6th century during the reign of Emperor Justinian I, it features 336 marble columns and can hold up to 80,000 cubic meters of water, serving as a crucial water source for the city during Byzantine times. Our guide will provide detailed information to the guests here, offer some free time for photos, and then proceed to the next destination.
In here to guest our going to see historical medrese serves as workshop for local calligraphy and Ebru(Paper marbling) etc... Also it is traditional school that you can have some tea, coffee break in the court yart. Located in Sultanahmet, Caferağa Medresesi was built in 1559 by Mimar Sinan. Originally an Ottoman school, it now serves as a cultural center showcasing traditional Turkish arts like calligraphy and ceramics. Its peaceful courtyard offers a quiet retreat in the heart of the city.
Located next to Topkapi Palace, Gülhane Park is one of Istanbul’s oldest and most beautiful parks. Once part of the palace gardens, it now welcomes visitors with peaceful walking paths, tall trees, and lovely views of the Bosphorus. Perfect for a relaxing stroll, the park is especially stunning in spring with its colorful tulip displays. You’ll also find the Museum of the History of Science and Technology in Islam inside the park grounds. A great spot to take a break from sightseeing and enjoy nature in the heart of the Old City. Guests will receive a 15-minute guided introduction, followed by free time to explore on their own.
In here our guests can follow our guide for some shopping and information about the bazaar. Also guests can have their own free time in here. Mısır Çarşısı (Spice Bazaar) is one of Istanbul’s most vibrant and historic marketplaces, located in the Eminönü district near the Galata Bridge. Built in the 17th century as part of the New Mosque complex, it was originally funded by taxes collected from Egypt—hence the name "Egyptian Bazaar." Famous for its colorful stalls filled with spices, dried fruits, herbal teas, sweets, and souvenirs, the bazaar offers a sensory journey through the flavors and aromas of Turkish culture. It’s a perfect spot to explore local tastes, shop for authentic products, and experience the bustling atmosphere of an Ottoman-era market still alive today.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reviews(42)
Taner was truly outstanding, allowing us to set the pace of our trip. While he had many plans, he was incredibly flexible to accommodate our group, which included some older travelers. He arranged a private Bosphorus boat tour that was absolutely breathtaking, giving us views of all the major sites. I highly recommend spending five days in Istanbul with Taner and a driver—he'll take you everywhere in comfort. My previous attempt to explore solo for work was a disaster, so I know firsthand that having a dedicated driver makes all the difference! Also if your looking for a Turkish rug you didn't think you needed he has great resources and they deliver!
Christine, ıt was amazing to share those days with you and the family. I am so so honored to hear all these. Thank you very much. Me and our team are always here for you!!
I always love Istanbul. My girlfriend and I took a short city tour. Our tour guide very professional and funny. We went to a nice restaurant for lunch. I recommend to everyone..
İstanbul is a really beautiful city, we are happy that you enjoyed all. See you again. Thank you so much for the review!
what a lovely tour with my sweety we had. Some delicious lockel foods in with sultan ahmet and also historical places ı highly recommend this tour.
Big thanks, food is always good here. Hope to see you soon again.
Taner - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Of all the tours that I have booked through Viator, this one might have been my favorite. The tour guide Taner was warm and welcoming and perfect for this job!! He is also an English translator, so his storytelling and dialect were spot on. The amount of time we spent at each location was just enough and the walking distance between each location was also easy to manage. He took the time to set up good photo shots for me and knew the best angles! 🤩 Taner was a helpful partner through the Spice Bazaar, and even took the time to walk me to the ferry and make sure that I got on it right for the first time! I am a solo 50+ female traveler from the US. Sign up for this one and absolutely ask for Taner!
Thank you very much for this amazing review. We are so glad that you enjoyed the day with Taner. Hope to see you soon!!
Tanner was awesome! Would recommend him to any and everyone I know going to Istanbul- he was super knowledgeable on every landmark we went to and had great recommendations. We even had dinner with him and he taught us so much about turkey. Not to mention there are the sweetest cats everywhere which is always a plus! This experience makes me regret not staying longer
Thank you so much! I really enjoyed spending the day with you and sharing a great meal together. I’m so glad you loved Istanbul (and its cats! 🐾). Hope to see you back here again soon!
We had an amazing experience touring Istanbul. Our guide Tanner helped us plan the day to maximize seeing the most notable places, including Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Basilica Cistern, Grand Bazar, Spice Bazaar, and Gulhane Park. Tanner is very knowledgeable on the rich history of Turkey and the political and cultural significance of each site we went to, which made the day both informative and fun. We wrapped up by going to a Hamam (Turkish Bath) and then a traditional Turkish dinner at a local restaurant on the roof top over looking the Bosphorus. If you want an amazing adventure in Istanbul, I highly recommend Tanner as your guide!
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! I’m really happy to hear you enjoyed exploring Istanbul and its history with me. It was a pleasure spending the day together and sharing the beauty of this city. Hope to see you again for another adventure in Turkey!
Fantastic experience! Started our day at 13:00 and met our Guide Tanner, who was immensely knowledgeable, friendly, and helpful. He planned out a route based on our preferences, guided us with efficiency and took care of our tram and snack tickets. Not having to deal with many of the logistics of travel and focus on enjoying the sights and experiences while learning about the history and culture of the places we visited was excellent. We squeezed as much as we could into a single day, and it was plentiful without feeling rushed in the slightest. Very relaxed and comfortable tour, while the city felt as if it was in a chaotic frenzy as the people run from place to place. The football game being nearby on the same day definitely contributed to the fervor in the air, and only added to the fun. 11/10 experience.
Thank you so much for this wonderful review! I’m really happy you enjoyed the day and felt relaxed while exploring the city’s energy. It was a pleasure guiding you—hope to see you again for more Istanbul adventures!
Our visit to the Cisterns with Taner was absolutely wonderful. He made the experience come alive with his stories, deep knowledge, and passion for Istanbul’s history. Taner explained every detail in such an engaging way that we could truly imagine the past beneath the city. The visit was smooth, fun, and full of fascinating insights.
Thank you very much for this beautiful comment. We are so glad that you enjoyed the tour. If you will ever come to this city, let us know porfis…
Deniz was a fantastic guide, knowledgeable and warm. He brought the history to life at every stop, especially the Blue Mosque and Basilica Cistern. A wonderful and memorable experience! Big thanks also that he waited for us little bit for the photos sometimes :)
Thank you! We're so happy you enjoyed the tour with Deniz. Hope to see you again!
Taner was a great guide. Extremely knowledgeable and took us to a great restaurant for lunch. We ended the tour feeling much more connected with the country and culture!
Thank you for your comment. We're glad you had a wonderful trip. We wish you a pleasant holiday.
