Available languages
4 hours 15 minutes
Mobile ticket
All tickets are included on this efficiently organized tour.
Benefit from priority admission to museums, allowing you to skip the lines and make the most of your time.
Explore the major highlights of historical Istanbul on a guided tour that takes you to the must-see attractions.
With an expert guide, step inside the magnificent Hagia Sophia and gain insights into its rich history.
Visit the Basilica Cistern where you can marvel at the unique upside-down Medusa heads.
Stroll through the impressive Topkapi Palace and learn about the Ottomans.
Benefit from convenient pickup at Galata Port or meeting point in Sultanahmet.
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Topkapi Palace is a vast complex with multiple sections open for visit. During our tour, we’ll visit the most magnificent masterpieces. However, if you wish to explore all sections at your leisure, we recommend allocating the afternoon to explore the rest of the Palace grounds.
Tickets are timed and expire within 5 to 10 minutes.
Please be advised that it is not possible to join the tour after it has commenced.
Women are required to wear a headscarf when entering the mosque.
Both men and women should wear clothing that covers their shoulders and knees. Shorts, sleeveless tops, and other revealing attire are not permitted inside.
Do not bring signs, symbols, banners, flags, documents, drawings, or any materials representing political, ideological, or religious beliefs inside the Hagia Sophia.
Tips/gratuities (for your guide) are always appreciated.
Please note that the 'Starting from Galata Port' option is available only for cruise guests.
Please note that children under 7 are not permitted on this tour.
Please note that skip-the-line access is available for adults only. Children under the age of 7 do not benefit from this access.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Headsets to hear the guide better
Professional expert guide for insider's knowledge
Small group tour for 4 hours at a relaxed pace
Pre-reserved tickets for the Harem
Pre-reserved ticket for Hagia Sophia
Pre-reserved tickets for the Basilica Cistern
Pre-reserved tickets for Topkapi Palace
Guided tour of the Harem inside Topkapi Palace
Sultanahmet District
Meet your expert guide and join your small-group walking tour in the heart of Istanbul's old town Sultanahmet to visit the Basilica Cistern, Hagia Sophia, and Topkapi Palace.
Basilica Cistern
Make the most of your time in Istanbul with a skip-the-line entry to the Basilica Cistern. Explore the famous Basilica Cistern and travel back in time on a tour led by a local guide. See the underground pillars and learn about Byzantine architecture. Walk on the wooden walkways over the water until the famous upside-down Medusa head.
Meeting point at Galataport: Choose this option if you are on a cruise ship and will meet your guide at Galataport Clock Tower Square
Small group tour
Language of the tour: German
Starting point:
Galataport Clock Tower Square, Kılıçali Paşa, Gümrük Muhafaza Kısım Amirliği No:5, 34433 Beyoğlu/İstanbul, Türkiye
Meeting point is Sultanahmet: Choose this option to meet your guide at Ersoy Bufe kiosk in Sultanahmet Square (Old Town)
Small group tour
Language of the tour: German
Starting point:
Ersoy Bufe, Binbirdirek, At Meydanı Cd No:40, 34122 Fatih/İstanbul, Türkiye
Shared group: Choose this option for an affordable price, offering a larger group capacity of up to 24 people.
Meeting point is Sultanahmet: You will meet your guide at Ersoy Bufe kiosk in Sultanahmet Square
Language of the tour: English
Starting point:
Ersoy Bufe, Binbirdirek, At Meydanı Cd No:40, 34122 Fatih/İstanbul, Türkiye
Meeting point is Sultanahmet: Choose this option to meet your guide at Ersoy Bufe kiosk in Sultanahmet Square (Old Town)
Small group tour
Language of the tour: English
Starting point:
Ersoy Bufe, Binbirdirek, At Meydanı Cd No:40, 34122 Fatih/İstanbul, Türkiye
Meeting point is Galataport: If you are on a cruise ship, choose this option to meet your guide at Galataport Clock Tower Square
Small group tour
Language of the tour: English
Starting point:
Galataport Clock Tower Square, Kılıçali Paşa, Gümrük Muhafaza Kısım Amirliği No:5, 34433 Beyoğlu/İstanbul, Türkiye
157 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Nicky M,
Sep 3, 2025
- Viator
We had an incredible day, our guide immersed us in every element of history, providing an incredible balance of education and time to explore
Matthias G,
Sep 2, 2025
- Viator
Mert was a great guide - knowledgeable but did not tell us to much. ;-) Visiting the Hagia Sophia, Basilica Cistern ant the Topkapi Palace including the harem we did not have to wait at any place - we just cut in before the the skip-the-line lines. ;-)
CynthiaLu O,
Sep 2, 2025
- Viator
MERT, our guide was excellent at covering three major sites within four hours in an organized interesting matter that also allowed us time at each site to explore. He introduced the information we needed to know took us around, then took questions so everyone could capture the information and then we All took time to look around personally he was very knowledgeable. Interesting and I would highly recommend doing this with him. He also is available for private specialty food tours, and other types of trips all around Turkey which sound very exciting.
Katie N,
Aug 30, 2025
- Viator
Mert was an amazing tour guide! With the prices of all the tickets, this tour is well worth it, plus Mert brought us to the front of every line so there was no waiting. Highly recommend!
Ryan T,
Aug 24, 2025
- Viator
Wonderful tour highlighting major parts of the city. The skip the line access was worth it alone, as there were long lines for most of the sites. The tour guide Furcan was knowledgeable and friendly. Would recommend!
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