Istanbul Half-Day Private Old City Tour & Hagia Sophia Fast-Track
Description
*Since Grand Bazaar is closed on Sundays, the visit will be switched to Spice Bazaar. Explore best of Istanbul’s Old City on a half-day private tour including Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque. Discover the heart of the Byzantine and Ottoman empires with your licensed guide. Begin in Sultanahmet Square and step inside the iconic Blue Mosque, famed for its six minarets and stunning blue tiles, then explore the magnificent Hagia Sophia, a masterpiece of Byzantine architecture that has stood as cathedral, mosque, and museum through the ages. Visit unique Basilica Cistern and continue to the bustling Grand Bazaar, where your guide will introduce you to Turkish trade traditions and local artisans. *For the tours on Sundays, take in the rich scents and colors of the Spice Market, a sensory haven of spices and delights. Your tour ends in Eminönü Square, with a view of the Galata Tower—leaving you with lasting impressions of Istanbul’s vibrant history and culture.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Begin your journey at the legendary Hippodrome of Constantinople, once the vibrant center of Byzantine public life. Discover how this grand arena served as both a cultural stage and a political battleground for centuries. Marvel at the ancient Obelisk and the mysterious Serpent Column, two iconic relics of the past. As you explore their rich histories—from sacred rituals to imperial symbolism—uncover the timeless stories that continue to shape the soul of Istanbul’s historic heart.
Take in the breathtaking beauty of the Blue Mosque, renowned for its six soaring minarets and the mesmerizing blue İznik tiles that adorn its interior. This architectural masterpiece blends grandeur and serenity, offering a glimpse into the artistic and spiritual legacy of Ottoman Istanbul.
Step into the awe-inspiring Hagia Sophia, a masterpiece of Byzantine architecture that has stood at the crossroads of empires for over 1,500 years. With your guide, explore its magnificent domes, mosaics, and rich layers of history that reflect its transformation from cathedral to mosque to museum—and now, once again, a place of worship.
The Basilica Cistern is an atmospheric underground reservoir from Byzantine Constantinople, famous for its forest of marble columns, dim lighting, and haunting reflections in shallow water.
Wander through the vibrant maze of the Grand Bazaar, one of the world’s oldest and largest covered markets, as you uncover the rich tapestry of Turkish trade, craftsmanship, and centuries-old traditions woven into every corner.
End the tour in Eminönü meydanı with a view of the distinctive Galata Tower.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
*If van service is not booked your guide will pick you up ONLY at centrally located hotels or Galataport ON FOOT. The meeting point will be the German Fountain if the hotel is not centrally located. *If private van service is booked, we pick up from all central hotels, please note that there will be a surcharge if your hotel is outside the city center or on the Asian Side.
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reviews(5)
This was an informative, comfortable and enjoyable experience. We are familiar with Istanbul (and one member of the party is Turkish), but were visiting with friends who were visiting for the first time, and we wanted to have a day where we were led around and things were explained (in part so that we would not have to be the tour guides the whole trip). This half day trip was a good combination of the educational, the fun and the easy since the van took us to places that would have been hard and time consuming to get to on our own. I appreciate the knowledge of our guide, Tarik, and his flexibility in shaping an itinerary that was interesting to us and did not repeat things we had already done. We also appreciated being able to change the day and time of our guide when we realized we had a scheduling conflict and the fact that they were able to pick us up and drop us off at our hotel. Whether you have an itinerary in mind or need to rely on the service to recommend what to see and do, I strongly recommend this service as an orientation to the city.
I can't say enough wonderful things about our tour guide, Volkan, today! He was so knowledgeable about the history of everything we saw today. He had the best plan for seeing Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, Blue Mosque, and the hippodrome to try to avoid the crowds. We never had to wait in line with him. Having someone explain the importance of these old and historical sites was invaluable to us. He is so easy going and willing to adapt the tour to your wishes. He knew I was interested in the tile work so he took us to a pottery store where we saw a pot throwing demo and I was able to purchase some beautiful pieces. He was welcoming and personable and made the tour fun. You could tell he was experienced and loved helping his guests learn about Istanbul and its rich history. Truly outstanding tour day and worth every penny!
Kemal was a wonderful guide that gave insightful interpretation and anecdotes. He gave us great food recommendations as well!
A great way to see a few of the sights of Istanbul. Our guide Kemal was very informative and helpful. I came away with a better understanding of Istanbul.
My wife, Sister and Brother in law had a fantastic half day tour of Istanbul. Our tour guide, Mustafa was excellent. He explained in detail the history of the various landmarks and tailored our tour based on our feedback to ensure we had the best experience possible. This tour is a must, be sure to ask for Mustafa!!
