Private Tour
Best of Istanbul 1, 2 or 3-Day Private Guided Istanbul Tour
Overview
Available languages
Mobile ticket
Visit highlights of Istanbul with your private tour guide in 1, 2 or 3 days with a flexible itinerary.
Day 1 - Highlights of Topkapi Palace Museum, Byzantine Hippodrome / Sultanahmet Square, Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Grand Bazaar.
Day 2 - Bosphorus Cruise by Public Ferry, Dolmabahce Palace, Taksim Square, Istiklal Street, Cicek Passage, Galata Tower (from outside), Spice Market.
Day 3 - Suleymaniye Mosque, Fener and Balat Districts, St. Stephen Church (Iron Church), Pierre Lotti Panoramic Hill by Cable Car, Chora Church (or alternative sites).
Important Notes:
- Skip the line service is not available for active mosques - there is a queue for the entrance.
- If one of the mosques is not visited, Basilica Cistern will be visited as a replacement.
- For the tours that start later than 11 am, kindly note that you may have to skip one/a couple of sites as the sites are closed by 7 pm. Your guide will adjust the program according to your priorities.
Additional Info
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
If one of the mosques or museums is not visited, Basilica Cistern will be visited as a replacement.
On Fridays, Hagia Sophia and/or Blue Mosque will be visited in the afternoon.
Topkapi Palace is closed on Tuesdays can be replaced with alternatives such as Turkish And Islamic Arts Museum or Archaeological Museum or Basilica Cistern.
Grand Bazaar is closed on Sundays can be replaced with Spice Market.
Dolmabahce Palace is closed on Mondays. Due to museum regulations, live guide service is not available at Dolmabahce Palace.
For the tours that start later than 11 am, kindly note that you may have to skip one/a couple of sites as the sites are closed by 7 pm. Your guide will adjust the program according to your priorities.
Grand Bazaar and Spice Market is closed during Eid. (March 30, 31, April 1, June 6, 7, 8, 9 in 2025)
Openings of museums may be affected from National Holidays.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What‘s Included
Professional Licensed Guide
Private tour
Guide meets you at central hotels
Transportation (from/back to hotel, between sites unless van is booked)
Museum/Ferry/Cable Car Tickets
Lunch
Gratuity (suggested)
What To Expect
Sultanahmet District
Sultanahmet District
Hippodrome
Hippodrome Square / Atmeydanı Hippodrome; where the chariot races were held in the Roman Empire times, Egyptian Column from Byzantine Empire time and today German Fountain is the main cornerstone of the square of Ottoman Empire.
Options
2-Day Private Guided Tour
Duration: 7 hours: 2 Day Tour(7 hours each day)
2-Day Without Transportation: Day 1: Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, Grand Bazaar, Hippodrome.Day 2: Spice Market, Bosphorus Cruise, Dolmabahce Palace, Taksim Square, Istiklal Street.
Pickup included
1-Day Private Guide & Van Tour
Mercedes Vito/Sprinter
Pickup included
1-Day Private Guided Tour
Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace Museum, Blue Mosque, Hippodrome, Grand Bazaar. (No transportation included)
Duration: 7 hours: 1 Day Tour
Pickup included
3-Day Private Guided Tour
(No transportation included)
Duration: 7 hours: 3 Day Tour(7 hours each day)
Pickup included
Reviews
7,870 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Amazing time!
Ramona R,
Jul 6, 2025
- Viator
5.00We had an incredible walking tour of Istanbul with our guide, Umran. She was extremely knowledgeable, sharing fascinating history, cultural insights, and hidden gems throughout the city. Her passion for Istanbul truly brought the stories to life, and she made the whole experience both informative and memorable. Highly recommend this tour for anyone wanting to dive deeper into the rich history and charm of Istanbul!
Spending the day with Ilker Mert in Istanbul
Denise T,
Jul 5, 2025
- Viator
5.00I can't say enough about Ilker Mert as a tour guide. He was the best. We chose the one day and I think it was enough to get a general view of Turkey. We learned all about the people, culture, religion, and the country geographically. We ate at a Turkish restaurant--food was unbelievable, and my husband is extremely picky. We rode public transportation or walked to our stops. No need for a car. However, it is a lot of walking--wear comfortable shoes and plenty of water and raincoat. Nothing stops the tour. We have fantastic pictures to remember this trip. We went to the famous Bazaar Market, unfortunately I was a little overwhelmed and didn't buy anything. However, after telling Ilker we could leave (i wanted to go based on other reviews) he took me to a quieter section. There we tasted teas, spices, and other items like Turkish Delight (not my favorite). We spent way too much but were able to share with family when we returned home. Based on Ilker's tour information I would return to Istanbul and take a longer tour to learn more and go to other places. Ilker thank you for a wonderful day in Instanbul. Remember, if you come to America, particularly DMV (DC, MD, VA) give us a call, and we will drive down and spend some time with you. Again, thanks Ilker for everything!
Amazing
Kevin C,
Jul 5, 2025
- Viator
5.00It was a long day with lots of steps but you cannot compare a private tour with a local to anything else. If you want a sense of the history, city and people then this is a must.
Wonderful guide.
barbara K,
Jul 3, 2025
- Viator
5.00Knowledgeable and helpful throughout the day. Veered from the itinerary to meet our schedule and interests.
Worth Every Penny
Martha M,
Jul 3, 2025
- Viator
5.00What an incredible guide! She was kind, knowledgeable, and patient as we walked the sites of Istanbul. Highlights were too plentiful to mention. At my request we skipped the Grand Bazaar and finished with the Spice Bazaar. She even took me to a local lunch spot where Grand Bazaar workers eat lunch after prayer. Some of the best food I had on my trip through the Mediterranean.
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Operated by Guided Istanbul Tours