Private Tour
Istanbul Essential : Private Guided Old City Tour
Overview
Available languages
Mobile ticket
This is the ultimate tour for first-time visitors to Istanbul. Visit the fascinating sights of Istanbul in this specially curated one or two-day tour that provides the perfect introduction to Istanbul.
This tour takes in Istanbul’s highlights and goes beyond them to show you the bustling energy of the city’s bazaars, streets and hidden spots.
Itinerary: Hagia Sophia-Basilica Cistern-Blue Mosque-Hippodrome-Grand Bazaar
• Customize the itinerary according to your personal interests and preferences
• Enjoy the private tour flexibility with a dedicated licensed tour guide
Additional Info
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Public transportation options are available nearby
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Specialized infant seats are available
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Grand Bazaar is closed on Sundays can be replaced with Spice Market.
This is a private tour. Your group will be the only one with the guide for all day.
Guests can customize the itinerary according to their personel interest.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque
The Hagia Sophia with its innovative architecture, rich history, religious significance and extraordinary characteristics has been fighting against time for centuries. Constructed three times in the same location, it is the world’s oldest and fastest-completed cathedral. With its breathtaking domes that look like hanging in the air, monolithic marble columns and unparalleled mosaics are one of the wonders of the world’s architectural history. The sheer dazzling beauty of the mosque with its magnificent play on space, light, and color provokes worship in the believer. *Reminding that as it's not a museum anymore, tour guides don't have skip-the-line priority. You may need to wait in the security line up to 1 hour.
Basilica Cistern
There are hundreds of ancient cisterns hidden underneath the streets and houses of Istanbul. Of the two that are open to the public, the Basilica Cistern (Yerebatan Sarnıcı) is the largest and Istanbul’s most unusual tourist attraction. Built-in 532 by Emperor Justinian, it was constructed using 336 columns, many of which were salvaged from ruined temples and feature finely carved capitals. Its symmetry and sheer grandeur of conception are quite breathtaking, and its cavernous depths make a great retreat on summer days.
What‘s Included
Pick-up by guide from central hotels or Galataport (on foot)
Licensed Professional Tour Guide
Gratuities
Museum entrance fees
Lunch
Transportation from/back to hotel and between sites
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Options
Private Guided Tour in English
Old City Tour: Hagia Sophia-Basilica Cistern-Blue Mosque-Hippodrome-Grand Bazaar
Reviews
13 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Istanbul with Zeynel
Khuram A,,Jun 29, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Zeynel Unsal was excellent. Well spoken, very knowledgeable, attentive to our needs and flexible. He did a great job walking us through all the major spots in just a half day. Highly highly recommend.
Malik is an incredible tour guide!
Denice C,,Jun 22, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00This is a fabulous tour to start to get familiar with the ancient city of Istanbul. I can’t say enough wonderful things about our guide, Malik. He was so incredibly knowledgeable and we felt like we had made a new friend!
Absolutely recommended professional guide/transport to visit Istanbul
Sbeonky,,Sep 5, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We have utilized Sayga Travel for a trip in Istanbul with friends and Our reference person was Cihan. Everything has been perfectly organized, from the airport transport to the tour of the city held by an experienced local guide (italian speaker). As we had little kids, Sayga also provided a minibus during the visit of the city. Chian is very nice and available h24 for any issue. In a nutshell, 100% recommended
Best experience with lovely people
Gysmd,,Jun 7, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Sayga has a hodophile young team who love to travel. They all are very interested, fun and care to make this “experience” not ordinary but memorable. What makes them different is that they make even extremely histroical and touristic routes entertaining with interesting information and some delicious surprises. They are reliable and kind, open and reachable whenever you need them. I’ve been to many Sayga tours and had the best time. I am looking forward to new ones.
A Magnificent Tour in Istanbul Old Town
harry e ashton,,Apr 13, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00First of all the booking and payment experience was easy and straightforward. Quick response time from Sayga Travel Tours, and level of communication we received was excellent. Our private guide Cengiz was awesome. He was very knowledgeable and everything he showed and told us was easy to understand. On top of that we had interesting conversations with him about the life in Istanbul and other topics covering food, transportation, housing, curent politics and international relations. I highly recommend the tours of Sayga Travel.
Excellent and informative well spent day!!!
klinti2023,,Apr 9, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Cihan’s warm welcome and excellent knowledge. We had a very interesting and fun tour. the sights was amazing and so diverse. Our experience in Istanbul was wonderful thanks to Sayga Travel K.Ingle
İstanbul Tour
601 remt,,Apr 6, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00My friends came to visit me from abroad. I chose this tour for surprise them. They loved it! A great experience for us. Thank you for everything...
Amazing tour!
papungk0rnk,,Feb 3, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Cihan is knowledgeable and passionate about the history and culture of this city, making the tour so much more enjoyable. He was very accommodating and made sure we were comfortable throughout the tour. If you have never experienced Istanbul and would like a friend to introduce you to this city, he is the one!!!
Amazing experience
kobirdoha,,Feb 3, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00As someone interested in history a city like Istanbul has a lot to offer. Cihan our guide does a tremendous job in not just understanding what his audience wants but at the same time help us outside of his work hours. Cihan was our scriptwriter on our visit to this fabled city. He blended in the elements of history of the city so well into our tour and I don't think I missed out on any hole in the wall restaurants nor did I miss out on the big touristy spots. If you're in Istanbul I highly recommend Cihan and his private tour.
Highly recommended tour
shenruiy2022,,Feb 2, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I had great experience with the tour. Highly recommended it! The tour guy is very responsible and nice.
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