Private Guided Tour: Discovering Istanbul
Description
This private tour of Istanbul's old town district is a wonderful mix of history and culture, enriched by an expert tour guide.
Tour Options
Itinerary
After your guide picks you up from your accommodations, the tour will open with the magnificent Hippodrome, once the site of chariot races during the Roman and Byzantine times. See the ancient monuments which stand here to this day, such as the Obelisk of the Theodosius, the Serpentine Column, and the Column of Constantine.
Then, visit the most photographed site in Istanbul, the Blue Mosque. Famous for its beautiful courtyard and impressive minarets, the mosque gets its nickname from the splendid blue tiles that cover its interior walls.
Next, visit Topkapi Palace, home to the Sultans of the Ottoman Empire. Today, Topkapi Palace is a spectacular museum that houses the Muslim world’s holiest relics, including the cloak and sword of the Prophet Mohammed.
Break for lunch, then continue to the Hagia Sophia, one of the world's architectural gems. An ancient basilica dating back to the 4th century, the Hagia Sophia stood as the Cathedral of Constantinople for over a thousand years before being converted into a mosque in 1453, it serves as a museum today.
Spend time in Istanbul's famous Grand Bazaar, the largest and the oldest covered marketplace in the world, where you may find all kinds of gifts, leather, clothing, rugs (carpets), antiques, and jewelry in an authentic Oriental atmosphere. Experience the sights, sounds, and aromas. At the end of the tour, you will be transferred back to your hotel or cruise port.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
Pickup / drop off service is provided from / to centrally located hotels at European side of Istanbul
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- A minimum of 2 people per booking is required
- Due to the COVID-19 Virus the itinerary may change as some attractions may be closed.
- Dolmabahce is closed on Mondays.
- Grand Bazaar is closed on Sundays.
- Topkapi Palace is closed on Tuesdays.
- This is a walking tour.
Reviews(12)
Fabulous tour guide. Loved our day with Renan. She was so knowledgable and passionate about Istanbul and all its history. We enjoyed meeting her and learning so much
Our guide Renan provided us with a fascinating experience of traditional Istanbul. Giving us not only the sights … but also explanations of the culture, history and living in this amazing city
The private Istanbul City Tour is a wonderful experience, to immerse yourself in the history and interact with the people of Turkey. Our tour guide made us feel very welcome and has over 20 years of experience. We were taken to see more than we expected, going to individual shops and went to see how ceramics are made from clay. I highly recommend this tour as one of the best, thanks to our guide Nazan for liking after us. Especially taking care of my wife with some mobility issues on the day. Thank you again Naz Best regards Harry and Sue xx
Dear Harry and Sue, Thank you very much for your wonderful and thoughtful review. We are truly delighted to hear that you enjoyed your Private Istanbul City Tour and that it allowed you to immerse yourselves in the history and local culture of Turkey. It is especially heartwarming to know that your guide Nazan made you feel so welcome and took such good care of you throughout the day, particularly in assisting your wife with mobility concerns. We will be sure to share your kind words with Nazan; feedback like yours means a great deal to our team. Thank you once again for your recommendation. We would be more than happy to welcome you back in the future.
We had a fabulous day with our guide Efe. What a wonderful city! Efe showed us all the sites, tailored the trip to our needs and made the day fantastic. A wonderful way to introduce yourself to Istambul. Thanks Efe!
Full day. Lots of good info. Sheref Aral was very professional and patient. We were on a private tour, just 2 of us with Sheref. Nice to bypass long lines with skip the lines access.
The tour was very disappointing. The tour guide (Shahnaz) did not provide much explanation; and most of the time was on her phone and left us wondering by ourselves.
Thank you for reaching out and sharing your feedback. We are very sorry to hear about your disappointing experience; however, after reviewing our records, we would like to inform you that we do not have a tour guide named Shahnaz on our team, nor has she worked on any of our tours. It is possible that your booking may have been with a different operator, and we recommend double-checking the tour provider name listed in your Viator confirmation to ensure the feedback reaches the correct company. Nonetheless, we understand how frustrating a negative experience can be during travel, and we hope your upcoming adventures are much more enjoyable. If there’s anything else we can assist you with, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
Our guide Sait was amazing - great personality, fantastic knowledge, fun, adaptable, and excellent English. We learned much, had lots of fun, and came home with a head full of new visions and memories.
Thank you so much for your wonderful feedback! We’re delighted to hear that you had such a memorable experience with Sait. His knowledge, energy, and ability to adapt truly make him a standout guide, and we’re so happy he helped create such meaningful memories for you. It’s our greatest joy to know you returned home with not only new knowledge but also unforgettable moments. We hope to welcome you back to Turkey again soon! Warm regards, Melisa
Great value for independent tour with knowledgeable and friendly tour guide. We visited old town and bazaars.
Dear Deborah, Thank you for your kind words! It was our pleasure to giving service to you We’re delighted that you enjoyed the tour and appreciate your recommendation. We would love to welcome you again in the future! Warmest Regards.
Baris was excellent with 20 years tour guide experience, taking us on an informative easy paced tour around Istanbul.
Hello Dear Jojn, We are profoundly grateful for your exquisite review. It brings us immense joy to know that Baris, with his illustrious 20 years of tour guiding expertise, was able to curate an enlightening and serenely paced exploration of Istanbul for you. Your generous words are deeply appreciated, and we are elated that your experience with us was memorable and enriching. Thank you ever so much for entrusting us with your journey. Warmest Regadrs.
It was an amazing experience. The staff were very friendly and the staff were very friendly. I highly recommend visiting such a wonderful city with this agency. Thank you so much for everything
Hola estimado Julio! Muchas gracias por sus comentarios. Los comentarios son muy importantes para nosotros, porque nos motivan a mejorar cada vez mas.
