8 hour(s)
English
Included
Discover the historic Hippodrome and its ancient monuments
Admire the iconic architecture of the Blue Mosque
Visit the opulent Topkapi Palace, home of Ottoman sultans
Step inside Hagia Irene, a hidden gem of Byzantine heritage
€ 0
€ 0.00
Free cancellation and unlimited rescheduling leads to total flexibility while you plan your travels
Lowest Price Guarantee — no other provider offers this tour for less
Step into the heart of Istanbul's history with a journey through the city's most iconic landmarks. Begin at the ancient Hippodrome, once the vibrant center of sporting and political life in Constantinople. Here, you'll find four striking monuments that speak to the city's layered past: the German Fountain of Wilhelm II, the Egyptian Obelisk, the Serpentine Column, and the Column of Constantine. This open-air museum offers a glimpse into the city's Roman and Byzantine legacy. Just steps away stands the Blue Mosque, also known as the Sultanahmet Mosque. Famous for its six minarets and grand domes, it represents the zenith of Ottoman architecture and spirituality, though it is currently undergoing renovation. Its ethereal ambiance and tile-covered interior remain unforgettable.
Across from the mosque is the majestic Hagia Sophia, one of the world's most extraordinary architectural wonders. Originally constructed as a cathedral in the 6th century under Emperor Justinian, it was later transformed into a mosque after the Ottoman conquest and eventually a museum in the early 20th century. Since 2020, it has resumed its role as a mosque, welcoming visitors from all walks of life to marvel at its vast domed ceiling, ancient mosaics, and immense spiritual significance. Next, visit the legendary Topkapi Palace, which served as the seat of the Ottoman Empire for centuries. This palatial complex houses fascinating collections—from sacred Islamic relics and imperial treasures to historic weapons and grand kitchens—offering a vivid portrayal of royal life in a bygone era.
Just nearby is Hagia Irene, one of the oldest Christian churches in Istanbul and second in scale only to Hagia Sophia. Its peaceful ambiance and rich acoustics make it a beloved venue for classical concerts and a symbol of early Byzantine faith. Complete your tour with a stroll through the vibrant Grand Bazaar, a centuries-old marketplace that still thrives with energy and color. As one of the largest and most atmospheric covered markets in the world, it’s the perfect place to shop for Turkish carpets, gold jewelry, handmade ceramics, and sweet delights like Turkish delight. With every step, you're immersed deeper into the rich tapestry of Istanbul’s timeless charm.
Hotel Pick Up & Drop Off
Fully Air-Conditioned Vehicle
Professional Licensed Tour Guide
Lunch
Personal Expenses
Gratuities for Guide and Driver
Topkapı Palace and Hagia Sophia entrances
Comfortable walking shoes
Water bottle
Public transportation nearby
Not wheelchair accessible
A valid passport is required
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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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!
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.
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.
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.
Ceren with Guided Istanbul Tours was an outstanding guide for our trip to Istanbul! She was knowledgeable and kept just the right pace. She went above and beyond in her service and was super friendly and kind. We saw all the important sites in just 2 days and learned a ton of interesting information. We highly recommend Ceren and Guided Istanbul Tours.
