Private Tour
2-Day Private Istanbul: Old City + Food Tour (Tickets+Tastings)
Overview
Available languages
48 hours
Mobile ticket
Premium private experience with clearly listed inclusions and no surprise fees.
This is a true two-day private Istanbul experience: one day of the city’s iconic Old City masterpieces with Topkapi Palace and Hagia Sophia tickets included, followed by a second day dedicated to Istanbul’s food culture across two continents.
You get a licensed local guide, smart timing, and a flexible pace, plus a curated food route with breakfast and lunch tastings included.
We move like locals by ferry and tram to avoid traffic, and we keep the day focused on culture and flavor with zero shopping pressure and clear, upfront inclusions.
Additional Info
Public transportation options are available nearby
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
All costs are clearly itemized upfront, so there are no surprises. As a fully registered travel agency, we arrange your Topkapi Palace and Hagia Sophia tickets in advance, so you do not need to spend time purchasing tickets on site. Please note that mandatory security checks apply to all visitors and cannot be bypassed.
Please be aware that all visitors will undergo a security check at the museum, as this procedure is mandatory and cannot be bypassed.
A dress code is required to enter places of worship and selected museums. No shorts or sleeveless tops allowed. Knees and shoulders MUST be covered for both men and women. You may risk refused entry if you fail to comply with these dress requirements
This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate
We will customize the schedule based on the museum's operating hours and days.
Please note: the itinerary is subject to change, based on the location's availability and weather.
The Topkapi Palace is closed on Tuesdays. The Blue Mosque and The Hagia Sophia are closed to visitors until 14.30 on Fridays. The Grand Bazaar is closed on Sundays.
Cancellation Policy
All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
What To Expect
Private and Guided Old City Tour of Istanbul - Museums of Istanbul
The Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque, Istanbul
We will kick off the day at Hagia Sophia, a stunning architectural masterpiece encapsulating centuries of history.
TopkapI Palace
Next, we will visit Topkapi Palace, where you will uncover the opulence of the Ottoman sultans and enjoy breathtaking views of the Bosphorus.
Blue Mosque
Following this, we will head to the Blue Mosque via the Hippodrome, famous for its stunning blue tiles and six minarets.
Grand Bazaar
Our adventure will conclude at the Grand Bazaar, the largest covered market in the world, where you will dive into an exhilarating shopping experience.
Private and Guided Istanbul Food Tour - Taste Of Istanbul
Food and Drinks
BREAKFAST
Breakfast
The breakfast will include Turkish menemen, sucuklu omlet, kaymak, and honey.
LUNCH
Lunch
You can taste authentic Turkish Cuisines or kebabs.
Karakoy Rihtim
You will meet your guide at 8:30 AM, and our tour starts from Karakoy with a traditional Turkish breakfast, which includes menemen. sucuklu omelet, kaymak, and honey.
Tophane Meydan Cesmesi
Afterward, we’ll explore Tophane, indulge in a delightful cup of tea or coffee at a chic, trendy coffee house that elevates your experience, and sample some of the freshest baklava in Istanbul.
KadIkoy
Later, we’ll take a ferry from the European side to the Asian side to Kadikoy, which was formerly known as Kalkedon. In Kadikoy, you can enjoy authentic Turkish home-cooked dishes or delicious kebabs. After that, we will continue to the fish market, where you can try stuffed or fried mussels and kokorec.
Kadikoy Iskelesi
After enjoying these delicious treats, we will conclude the tour at the Kadikoy ferry station, making it easy for you to take a ferry back to your hotel. Additionally, there will be some delightful secret dishes to try. Please note that the itinerary may change based on the availability of locations and weather conditions.
What‘s Included
Lunch
Breakfast
Public transportation.
Entrance fees of Topkapi Palace and Hagia Sophia.
Lunch during the old city tour.
Options
PIWTMD1
Reviews
31 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Two Perfect Days in Istanbul with Guide Furkhan
kellymkits,,Feb 11, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had an incredible two-day tour in Istanbul with our guide, Furkhan, and we couldn’t have asked for a better experience. On the first day, we visited the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Basilica Cistern, and the Grand Bazaar. Furkhan brought each place to life with his deep knowledge of history and culture. He was very flexible with timing and always made sure we were comfortable and enjoying every moment. All entrance fees were included, so there were absolutely no hidden costs, which made the experience even more relaxed and enjoyable. The second day was the “Taste of Istanbul” food tour, starting with a traditional Turkish breakfast. This was definitely the highlight of our trip. We love Turkish food, and Furkhan took us to fantastic local spots where we tasted a wide variety of delicious dishes. From savory specialties to sweet treats, every stop was memorable. He didn’t just introduce us to amazing food—he shared stories and cultural insights that made each tasting even more meaningful. Furkhan was amazing throughout the two days and made us feel welcome and gave us a true taste of Istanbul.
Perfect 8 day trip to Turkey, highly recommend.
SilviaGeorges,,Jan 14, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our first trip to Turkey was an unforgettable adventure, spanning Istanbul, Ephesus, and Cappadocia over eight fantastic days, all thoughtfully put together by Can. Each of the three hotels was spotless, perfectly placed, and incredibly comfortable. The tour guides — Furkan in Istanbul, Emre in Ephesus, and Aylin in Cappadocia — were exceptional, full of knowledge and enthusiasm. The drivers were punctual and always careful, making the journey smooth and hassle-free. We were truly lucky to work with Can and his team, who went above and beyond mere bookings — they took the time to listen to our interests and tailored every detail. From our first email to the heartfelt goodbye, they were always available, making our trip truly memorable and seamless.
Authentic, hassle free and no hidden cost.
AyshaJKHAN,,Dec 2, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Furkan guided my family and me over two days in Istanbul, delivering what was undoubtedly the best tour we had on our family trip through Europe. The tour was tailored to our interest and included entrance fees and transportation, so there were no last-minute surprises. Furkan's knowledge of Istanbul, its culture, history and gastronomy was impressive. We enjoyed delicious food and had an amazing time. It was worth every penny we pent, and we highly recommend him to anyone looking for an authentic experience in Istanbul.
Delightful, beautiful and delicious.
Z7640SDsilviar,,Nov 7, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We booked an exceptional two day tour, during our time in Istanbul with Furkan. The first day covered the Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Basilica Cistern, and the Grand Bazaar, while the second day featured a delightful combination of food tasting and a private yacht tour. Both days were absolutely incredible, Furkan's extensive knowledge, enthusiasm, and sense of humor made the experience truly unforgettable. Each day was perfectly tailored to our preferences and Istanbul has become one of our favorite cities thanks to these outstanding two days with Furkan.
Perfect two days exploring Istanbul.
Robert T,,Oct 13, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had an amazing two-day private guided tour in Istanbul with our wonderful guide, Furkan. He was punctual, polite, and very flexible throughout the tour. His knowledge and passion for the city made our experience unforgettable. Highly recommended for anyone looking for a personalized and professional tour of Istanbul.
Custom tours designed for cruise travelers.
kevinsR2090ST,,Sep 6, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The two days of customized food experiences and an old city tour of Istanbul with Furkan were the highlights of our two week Mediterranean cruise. On the first day, he met our group of six, which included young teenagers, at the Galataport cruise terminal for a walking food tour. The food was simply amazing and tailored to our preferences, accommodating our vegetarian daughter and food allergies. The second day included visits to the some of the city's most popular sites, such as Hagia Sophia, the Basilica Cistern, the Blue Mosques, and the Grand Bazaar. Since Furkan organized the tickets in advance, we didn't have to wait in lines for tickets and the security checks took just a couple of minutes. We had the best two days and highly recommend Furkan to anyone visiting Istanbul and Turkey.
Exceptional experience of Istanbul despite limited time
yeayunc,,Aug 9, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00My two boys (aged 14 and 12) and I had an exceptional experience with Derya on the “2 Days - Private and Guided Istanbul Old City Walk and Food Tours”. She made it possible for us to see and enjoy the very best of Istanbul in the 48 hours that we were in the city. With our limited time (and energy given that we arrived at 5:30am on our first day), touring with Derya was the perfect choice! She was an absolute pleasure, sharing Istanbul’s history and present day life with us in a relatable way, that even engaged my boys! Derya’s timing was impeccable, which allowed us to see the top historical sights while avoiding crowds, working around the closing times for prayer and building in respites from the summer heat. She made sure to take us through the harem at Topkapi Palace, which was of particular interest to me. She even went above and beyond to share restaurant recommendations, general tips and helped me secure a dinner reservation. If you’re hesitating, consider that the price of admission at all the sights are included. I’ve done the comparison vs. other options and going with Derya/Furkan’s company is a no-brainer!
A Feast for the Eyes and Belly
438sabihac,,May 23, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00My husband and I visited Istanbul for a few days and had the pleasure of being introduced to this fabulous city by Derya, our private guide. walking historian, and creative photographer. Derya’s talents are endless! She made us feel like family and was able to get us into Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, and Blue Mosque before the crowds of tour groups arrived. Her knowledge of the history of each place and what to focus on was invaluable. She also took us to vendors she personally knew and helped me negotiate the purchase of a designer bag, a box of delicious Turkish Delight and some spices at the Spice Market. In the food tour, we asked to eat like locals, so Derya took us to all of her favorite spots in the New City and the Asia side where the best of the best are made: Turkish breakfast, baklava, mussels, pickled veggies, and chicken kebabs, the food was all so flavorful! As a bonus, Derya caught on to my love of books, and was so sweet to sneak in some bookshops on our tour. I highly recommend Private Istanbul Walking Tours and look forward to exploring other parts of Turkey with them.
Amazing tour guide.
L3702LMabigailw,,May 11, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had a 48 hour stopover on our journey to Africa and experienced two extraordinary days with our guide, Furkan. On our first day, he introduced us to the enchanting highlights of the old city, and on the second, we embarked on a delightful culinary walk. Each moment was filled with laughter, joy, delicious food, rich history, and vibrant shopping. Furkan tailored our experiences to our desires, and in the bazaar, he was invaluable for our handmade crafts shopping. We’ve already begun dreaming about another trip to Istanbul and exploring more of Turkey with Furkan by our side. We wholeheartedly recommend him.
Friendly and flexible service.
aaronhE4524RO,,Apr 30, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We just got back from an incredible two-day adventure in Istanbul with our family, which includes three teenagers. Our tour guide Furkan and our driver Umit were absolutely fantastic. They were always on time, super knowledgeable and so friendly. They really went out of their way to tailor our experience to fit our group's need. Plus, Furkan has an eye for photography, which meant my daughters ended up with a ton of gorgeous phots. We visited some of the must-see spots in Istanbul, like stunning Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, Blue Mosque and the Grand Bazaar. But the real highlight was our second day when we went on an off-the-beaten-path food tour. It was definitely the best part of our entire family trip to Europe. We can't recommend Furkan and his company enough for anyone planning to visit Istanbul.
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Operated by Private Istanbul Walking Tours