Full-Day Best of Istanbul Private Old City Tour
Overview
Available languages
7 hours 15 minutes
Mobile ticket
Experience Istanbul’s essential Old City highlights on a private full-day walking tour designed especially for first-time visitors. Explore Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, the Hippodrome and the Grand Bazaar with a licensed private guide who brings the city’s Byzantine, Ottoman and modern layers together through engaging stories and historical insight.
Walk through a cityscape shaped by imperial mosques, palace courtyards, ancient monuments, covered market streets and living traditions that continue in the heart of the historic peninsula. With a private and flexible route, you can experience Istanbul’s rich atmosphere at your own pace, guided clearly throughout the day and away from the rush of crowded group tours.
Additional Info
Public transportation options are available nearby
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Please note that Topkapi Palace is closed on Tuesdays. If you book the tour for a Tuesday, your guide will adjust the route and replace Topkapi Palace with another major Old City site, such as the Istanbul Archaeological Museums, the Turkish and Islamic Arts Museum, or the Basilica Cistern, depending on opening hours and availability.
Please note that Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque are usually open to visitors on Fridays after the Friday prayer, generally after 2:00 PM. Your guide will adjust the itinerary order accordingly to make the best use of the day.
Please note that the Grand Bazaar is closed on Sundays. If you book the tour for a Sunday, your guide will adjust the route and replace the Grand Bazaar with the Spice Bazaar, where you can experience another historic market atmosphere with spices, sweets, teas, souvenirs and traditional local products.
This is a walking tour, you will not need a vehicle during the tour.
What To Expect
Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque
Step inside Hagia Sophia, one of Istanbul’s most extraordinary landmarks, where Byzantine imperial grandeur blends with the spiritual atmosphere of Ottoman mosque tradition in the heart of the Old City.
Blue Mosque
Blue Mosque is one of the most beautiful works of the Ottoman era in terms of aesthetic beauty and architecture. Here you will discover famous blue tiles and learn about İslam and Islamic art and listen to the most interesting stories about Blue Mosque from your guide.
Options
Without Pickup
What‘s Included
Professional Licensed Guide
Private Tour
Lunch
Hotel pickup and drop-off + Private transportation.
Museum fees (Hagia Sophia and Topkapı Palace)
Gratuity (suggested)
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
15 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
2 days in Istanbul with the best guides
engelange,Nov 17, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had a wonderful 2 day tour with Apo and Ipek. They were very professional, guiding us in the city, explaining the history with passion and bringing us to good restaurants! They both adapted the tour to our requests and made sure to feed us with all relevant information. I can definitely recommend them!
A remarkable tour with Abdullah
309sercang,Aug 5, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Abdullah is the guide who explained all the hidden gems with full of secrets of the beautiful city Istanbul. We were a group comes from Vienna, Austria to see the historical and modern landmarks of Istanbul. Abdullah is an excellent guide he showed us everything, a perfect experience!
Exceptional Istanbul with an exceptional guidebook.This was a guidebook 100% to our taste
Karolina K,Aug 3, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Mega travel guide, Highly qualified guide, Super entertaining, exceptional.Also a very sympathetic guide
Apo is a legend - best tour guide experience of my life
Simon W,Jul 26, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I had SUCH a great time with Apo! He was great fun, tailored the tour to my preferences, and had a wicked sense of humour. We actually became good friends and he even invited me out for a dinner with his friends to a local restaurant with live music, this was the highlight of my trip. Thanks for everything Apo!
Turkey: An Incredible Experience!
484reginaj,Jul 20, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This was my first time in Turkey and it will certainly not be the last. Every delightful corner of Istanbul was stunning. But I have to say its beauty became even more solidified when I met Apo our tour guide. He is incredibly knowledgeable with more than ten years in the industry. I was in awe of the historical narrative he would tell. He made learning fun, easy and exciting which is rare. I enjoyed Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque, Bosphorus cruise, walking aimlessly through the streets, the cable car and so much more! I encourage you to choose Apo as your tour guide for your Istanbul exploration. He works so well with others, charismatic and has amazing taste in food selections! Every place he picked out was a culinary sensation. I cannot wait to go back and experience Turkey more and I hope you do too! 10 stars for Apo!
Amazing Tour
Maps826860,Jul 17, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00A group of us toured with Apo when we arrived in Istanbul. I didn’t know what to expect as we had never done a city tour on holidays before. Apo customized our tour to meet our needs and also helped arrange a hammam for us and a visit to a carpet atelier. He has a way of instantly connecting with you and it’s apparent as you walk around the city that most people he encounters feel the same connection. Istanbul was a more magical place with Apo. Definitely recommend!
An Unforgettable Day
bethmG855QY,Jul 17, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00My 22yo daughter and I did a private full day tour of the old town with Apo on our first day in Istanbul in June 2024. A friend had recommended him, as I was looking for someone knowledgeable about Turkish history who would also make the day interesting for my daughter. Apo certainly knew his history. He was engaging, easy going and wove the history of this incredible place in an interesting and informative way. He took us to a fabulous roof-top restaurant for lunch, ensuring our dietary requirements were met, and recommended places to visit that we had not considered. I look forward to meeting him again and would highly recommend his tours
Extraordinary person, made us spend an incredible day walking through Istanbul, knowing the most important thing.
Martha V,Jul 16, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We have recommended it to family and friends and everyone has been very happy with Abdulah. He is a great Guide. He knows very well the history of Istanbul and makes you have a very pleasant day.
Perfect day with a perfect guide !
guidenur,Jun 7, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had lucky to have Apo with us during our city tour in Istanbul. It was a real fun and We really enjoyed our day walking around the city along with his great knowledge and many stories he was telling. He is also expert for local food and drink. Highly recommend him. Thank you Apo !
Great experience
Excursion607969,Apr 14, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our tour was great , well planned out and personalized. We got to try new foods , see some history and even got to stop to do some shopping. I learned some great facts about turkey culture all while having fun. Please book for all your tour guide needs!
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