Private Tour
Must See in Istanbul: Private Full-Day Experience & Local Lunch
Overview
Available languages
9 hours
Mobile ticket
Either I conquer Istanbul or Istanbul conquers me. – Fatih Sultan Mehmet – the conqueror. Journey in the footsteps of the city’s most famous ruler and conquer Istanbul in just a day. This is the ultimate all-in-one introduction to the sites everyone must-see in Istanbul, with a locals-know twist. Visit Turkey’s iconic UNESCO-listed historic spots such as the jaw-dropping Hagia Sophia, the beautiful Blue Mosque, and the pretty, tree-lined ancient Hippodrome, and learn how Istanbul has stood strong through the centuries. Eat a tasty Turkish lunch with locals at a hidden restaurant, then listen to stories of how generations of sultans lived at the grand Topkapi Palace, overlooking the gorgeous Bosphorus Strait. Finish it all off with a backstreet tour and some good-natured haggling with local artisans in the Grand Bazaar.
Additional Info
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
For your Intrepid Urban Adventures trip you will be in a private tour just for you and your group. Max size of the group is 12 customers
You will pick up some responsible travel tips that will help you to be a greener traveller while you’re in the city
This tour can cater to vegetarians, vegans, gluten free customers. For any specific dietary request, we need to know 24 h before the tour start time.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque
Start your private Istanbul tour with a dose of awe at Justinian the Great’s Hagia Sophia. This masterpiece of Byzantine architecture stands tall and proud in downtown Istanbul, holding within its walls more than 1,500 years of Turkish history. This mind-bogglingly beautiful site is also somewhat of a chameleon — it has lived its long life as a church, a mosque, and now as a museum. It’s also a movie star: anyone who’s seen From Russia with Love will feel a bit like James Bond when they step inside.
Blue Mosque
You’ll then head just across the street to the jewel in the Istanbul crown. Sultan Ahmet I’s Blue Mosque is one of the most striking sights in Istanbul, with its iconic blue-tiled walls (the tiles number in the tens of thousands!), 260 windows, and six minarets. Don’t forget to ask your guide the significance of those six spires.
What‘s Included
Take in the majestic Blue Mosque (admission is free)
Join Local Licensed English-speaking guide
Visit the mesmerising ancient site of Hagia Sophia (admission is free)
Haggle with local vendors at Grand Bazaar
Enjoy a tasty Turkish lunch with locals in a hidden restaurant
Stop at the spine of ancient Hippodrome (admission is free)
Get tips on what else to see, do and eat during your stay
Listen to stories of sultans at Topkapi Palace (entrance fee included - except for the Harem))
Hotel pickup and drop-off
Additional food and drinks
Options
Highlights of Istanbul Private
Private Tour: Departure at 8:30 am
Reviews
10 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
We had an amazing guide Erif
696michaelv,,Oct 3, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our guide Erif was amazing It was our first visit to Istanbul and she was really helpful and patient with us enhancing our enjoyment of the the major sites of Istanbul Erif brought the Topkapi Palace alive for us and we learnt so much from her We had a wonderful day
Istanbul conquered
Karyn and Simon T,,Jun 14, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Great day out and excellent way to hit all the must see sights. Or guide Kaan was super flexible knowledgeable and the day was informative and interesting. Great local lunch too
Super day with Yaz
Mat1lda,,Jul 23, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Superb day tour with guide Yaz. He was very informative and gave us tons of information. Well worth it, a great day out that packs a lot in
Istanbul Tour in the hands of an expert
DIANA C,,Jul 4, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Arif was well-informed, personable, and patient. He was considerate of individual requests. We could not have asked for a better guide.
Must-do tour to see all the best sites of Istanbul with a great guide
melmair,,Jun 10, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Fabulous day with Berivan in Istanbul! She was so knowledgeable and passionate about her city that it was a joy to learn from her. Loved seeing key sites like Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque and Topkapi Palace. She spent extra time with us to ensure we saw the Grand Bazar and Spice Bazar, along with a memorable ice cream experience and coffee fortune telling. Highly recommend this experience for an intro to Istanbul.
Good experience with Arif
Flavia M,,May 11, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We made a city tour in Istanbul with Arif Rakici and everything was well set up. He led us through the city showing the most important places and giving us a good explanation. He took care of us with good suggestions on what to do, what to eat, where to go, finding the cheapest way possible. He also bought a special dessert for everyone after lunch :) Thank you for this great time together!
Picnic on two contenets
417jost,,Sep 24, 2022
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Best serviced tour I've ever been on.. had my own guide as I was the only person on the excursion. Loved it! Ekrem, my guide was wonderful more like a friend you could go shopping with. We went into the bizar and tasted some local foods. Did a litle picnici shop and hung with the locals. Then to the ferry to the Asian side and had our little picnic and talked history, politics and lifestyle he was amazing.
Learning-filled adventure with local insight
parkerchs,,Mar 20, 2019
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The first thing I do when visiting a city is taking a tour to check off the must-dos and see which areas to come back to. This tour did exactly that, and a whole lot more! Our guide, Ataham, is incredibly knowledgeable and knows numerous historical details! Ataham is well-versed in Pre-Roman, Byzantine, ottoman and Turkish history, so we were able to really understand the history of the city. He also has a great understanding of architecture, providing great context on the many Mosques. The tour is packed, but well worth the time. Highly recommended!!
Intrepid Travel's Urban Adventures can't be beat!
Rustybones,,Apr 4, 2018
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I have gone on Urban Adventures all around the world and have loved all of them, especially this one! The guide was deeply knowledgable, passionate and passionate about the sites. He was also excellent conversation throughout the day :) I love that the tours are small groups so your experience feels unique and special.
An Excellent Overview of Istanbul
EricCohen,,Mar 19, 2018
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Tolga was an excellent guide. Knowledgeable, personable and willing to adjust the tour to suit the participants. The walk was at a good pace and I finished the tour with an excellent understanding of the main sites in Istanbul, including identifying areas I wanted to come back to on my own. The lunch was at a local place I never would have found on my own.
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Operated by Intrepid Urban Adventures - Turkey