Full Day Guided Tour to Old City - Cultural Walking Tour of Istanbul
Duration
8 hour(s)
Languages
English
Skip the line
Included
Explore Istanbul’s historic heart with an expert art historian
Visit iconic sites including Hippodrome, Blue Mosque, and Hagia Sophia
Step into Topkapi Palace and stroll through the Grand Bazaar
Learn fascinating stories of sultans, emperors, and Byzantine history
€ 182.72
€ 168.10
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Child
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Enjoy unlimited changes and full refund options.
Exceptional flexibility
Free cancellation and unlimited rescheduling leads to total flexibility while you plan your travels
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Experience the timeless charm of Istanbul on a full-day tour that unveils the city’s most remarkable historic sites guided by an expert art historian. Begin your journey at Hippodrome Square, once the heart of Constantinople, where echoes of ancient chariot races and the roar of cheering crowds still seem to linger. From there, marvel at the majestic Blue Mosque, known for its stunning Ottoman architecture and intricate tile work that leaves every visitor in awe. Continue to Hagia Sophia, a masterpiece of Byzantine design, where soaring domes, exquisite mosaics, and towering minarets tell the story of centuries of religious and cultural history. Step into the opulent world of Topkapi Palace, once home to sultans and their courts, exploring grand halls, sacred relics, and lush courtyards that reveal the splendor of the Ottoman Empire.
The journey continues through the vibrant Grand Bazaar, a labyrinth of colors, scents, and textures, where centuries-old traditions of trade and craftsmanship are alive in the displays of carpets, handicrafts, and souvenirs. Along the way, you will also visit the Sultan Tombs, resting places of the city’s most influential rulers, each narrating a chapter of Istanbul’s rich past. Your knowledgeable guide will bring history to life with engaging stories, uncovering details that often go unnoticed by the casual visitor. This immersive tour blends architecture, culture, and the rhythms of everyday life, providing a comprehensive view of Istanbul’s heritage. By the end of the day, you will have walked in the footsteps of emperors, sultans, and artisans, gaining a deeper appreciation for the city’s extraordinary past and leaving with memories that capture the spirit and grandeur of Istanbul.
Lunch
Air-conditioned vehicle
Professional Tour Guide
Alcoholic Beverages
Museum Entrance Tickets
Gratuities
Comfortable walking shoes and clothing
Water bottle
Camera or smartphone
Sun protection recommended: hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen
Public transportation nearby
Not wheelchair accessible
We provide hotel pick - up and drop off services
Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Type in your hotel/accommodation to see how far the attraction or departure point is.
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Activity Provider: Bosphorus Tour by Velena Travel
Customer Reviews
Nathaniel
We had the BEST experience with our tour guide, Hakan! We had arrived in Istanbul very late the night before from another trip, and he was incredibly flexible and understanding with our start time the next morning. Throughout our full-day walking tour, he took us to so many of the major sites and shared an immense amount of knowledge and history with us at each location. His explanations were thoughtful, engaging, and really brought the city to life. He also gave excellent food recommendations — both our lunch and dinner spots were some of our favorite meals in Istanbul! He guided us through the Grand Bazaar and was so patient while we looked around and decided on purchases, never rushing us and always helping us find exactly what we were looking for. Hakan was knowledgeable, kind, and genuinely enjoyable to spend the day with. He went above and beyond to make our first day in Turkey memorable, and we truly could not have asked for a better guide. We would highly recommend him to anyone visiting Istanbul!
Chris
We were lucky enough to have Burak as our tour guide for the day when visiting Istanbul in September. Burak was very professional, took us around to all the attractions we wanted to see and worked around how we wanted to spend the day. Never short of an answer for all my questions about the history of and life in turkey. Best tour we've been on.
Maria
If you want to make the best of your time in Istanbul, this private tour is what I recommend. Hopefully you will be lucky enough to be assigned Burak Yulmaz who was one of the best tour guides we have ever had. From the get go, he asked what is our goal so he can make the experience the way we want. He met all our requests! He is very knowledgeable and shared very interesting information about the history and culture of Istanbul. Our number two goal was to take memorable pictures. He took as to all the great spots and took amazing pictures of us so we can remember the amazing places we visited. He also valued our time but yet moved at our pace while maximizing the most of our time to visit as many places during our visit. The ability to pass the long lines and him finding our way to take the pictures was in itself very worth the price. We also got to experience having kebab, Turkish tea, and Turkish coffee. I highly recommend asking for Burak to be your guide.
Landgrove
My tour guide, Umran, was incredibly knowledgeable and taught me a lot about the history of Istanbul. It was the perfect way to spend my one day in the city and I can't recommend Umran highly enough.
Mafalda
It was truly the best way to get to know the essentials of Istanbul in the short time I had. It was absolutely worthwhile, and I highly recommend it. Gülce is a warm, pleasant, and easygoing guide who knows exactly how to organize a day, sharing plenty of information in a fascinating way without ever making it feel heavy or boring. I had a wonderful time and only wish I had two or three more days to explore the city with her.
Lucia
Ali, unser Guide hat die Tour erlebnisreich und individuell (inkl. Teppich knüpfen und töpfern) gestaltet. Einfach empfehlenswert!
GetYourGuide
Unser Guide, Ali, war bestens vorbereitet. Er war sehr nett und hatte ein super Wissen über die Geschichte von Istanbul. Unbedingt zu empfehlen !!!
GetYourGuide
La guida è arrivata con un ora di ritardo rispetto all'orario di inizio del tour, e durante il giro si è perso ulteriore tempo perché siamo stati portati in un bazar di tappeti dove, tra venditore e guida, hanno cercato in tutti i modi di venderci la loro mercanzia.