Private Tour
No HIDDEN COSTS : Private 1,5 Day Istanbul Tour for Cruisers
Overview
Available languages
48 hours
Mobile ticket
Welcome to Istanbul, where Europe and Asia meets. Your private guide will meet with you at Istanbul cruise port.
First day tour starts at 12.15 to 19.00 and the second day tour starts at 08.15 to 12.00 Visit highlights of Istanbul with your private guide including: Hippodrome Square, Topkapi Palace with Harem, Blue Mosque, St. Sophia, Grand Bazaar first day. Cistern, Suleymaniye Mosque and Spice market second day
Additional Info
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
During religious holidays the Spice market and Grand Bazaar will be closed. Arasta bazaar will be visited instead
Grand Bazaar is closed on Sundays, Spice market will be visited instead
In the event of any museum closures, an alternative similar museum will be visited
Not recommended for participants with walking difficulties
Bare shoulders are not permitted in holy places of worship such as churches, monasteries, mosques and synagogues.
Shoes are not permitted in mosques
In the event of any museum closures, an alternative similar museum will be visited. On Tuesdays : Topkapi Palace replaced by Underground Cistern, On Sundays: Grand Bazaar will be replaced by Spice Market. Grand Bazaar will be replaced by Arasta Bazaar when closed. On Fridays: Blue Mosque is open from 15.00 to 16.30
Update for St. Sophia interior visit : Live guiding is not allowed in St. Sophia after the 15th January 2024. Guests have to have their smart phones and headphones during their visit. If guests do not have a headphone, they can buy at the entrance at the cost of 3,5-USD The system is similar to audio guide system. Guests who does not have smart phones will follow the signs and the given informations on the signs .
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
7 Hours Old city tour
Your Private tour guide will meet with you at Istanbul cruise port with YOUR NAME sign. Meeting time will be given during your confirmation. ( 30 minutes after your cruise docks )
Hippodrome
Drive to old city. Our tour starts with Hippodrome Square where used to take place for chariot races and the Byzantine riots during Roman & Byzantine period.
Blue Mosque
Only a short walk away, reaches Blue Mosque, has its fame from its beautiful blue Iznik tiles.
TopkapI Palace
We will continue walking to Topkapi Palace, was not only the residence of the Ottoman sultans, but also the administrative and educational center of the state. It was constructed between 1460 and 1478 by Sultan Mehmed II, the conqueror of Constantinople. We will visit the Topkapi Palace including weapons section. Harem section is included
Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque
Only a short walk away, reaches Hagia Sophia built in 532 AD by Roman Emperor Justinian I. Update for St. Sophia interior visit : Live guiding is not allowed in St. Sophia after the 15th January 2024. Guests have to have their smart phones and headphones during their visit. If guests do not have a headphone, they can buy at the entrance at the cost of 3,5-USD The system is similar to audio guide system. Guests who does not have smart phones will follow the signs and the given informations on the signs .
Grand Bazaar
After that, we will visit Grand Bazaar where is one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world, with more than 58 covered streets and over 1,200 shops which attract between 250,000 and 400,000 visitors daily. Opened in 1461, it is well known for its jewelry, pottery, spice, and carpet shops.
Galata Koprusu
Drive back to the port through Galata Bridge and Golden Horn. Back to cruise
4 Hours 2nd Day Tour
Basilica Cistern
08:15 a.m. You will be met by your tour guide at Istanbul Port . Drive to Underground Cistern which was the largest covered water reservoir in Istanbul, built by Justinian I. When Underground cistern is closed we will visit Binbirdirek Cistern
Misir Carsisi (Spice Market)
Than having free time in Spice Bazaar (Egyptian Bazaar): The air here is filled with the enticing aromas of cinnamon, caraway, saffron, mint, thyme and every other conceivable herb and spice.
Suleymaniye Mosque
Our last stop is Suleymaniye Mosque to visit
Drive back to the port The end of our services.
What‘s Included
Transportation with brand new air-conditioned minivan/minibus.
GUARANTEED On Time Return to PORT
Entrance FEES to all listed sites ( Our guide will have pre-paid tickets )
Private tour for your family and Friends only
Professional tour guide
Food and drinks
Tips
Options
1,5 day Private Tour
Pickup included
Reviews
4 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Amazing Istanbul Tour
Shirley D,,Oct 24, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had a private tour of Istanbul and our tour guide was Mustafa. Mustafa did an amazing job of taking us to all the wonderful sited in Istanbul. His knowledge of Istanbul and each of the sites was great. We learned so much history from him. Mustafa knew all the right times for us to visit the sites and avail the long times so that made it so easy. His English was very easy to understand, he actually lived in the US and also was a former English Teacher. We highly recommend Mustafa and Curio Tours and would definitely use them again.
Fabulous. Professional. We saw so much and saved so much time.
evvlabs,,Sep 1, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We toured for two days with others from our cruise ship, which we met online. Our guide, Typhun, met us at the ship each day. He had the tram tickets and the tickets to each place we visited. This saved so much time not sitting in traffic and waiting in ticket lines in the hot sun. He was so informative, professional and geared the tour to the needs and interests of our group. He had a great sense of humor and was patient. It is crazy not to tour with Curio and to try to do it on your own when you have a limited time. I would tour again with Typhun in a heartbeat! We saw the hippodrome, blue mosque, Hagia Sophia, Grand Bazaar, Basilica Cistern, and Spice Bazaar. If we had done this on our own it would have taken at least three days. We had a fabulous time.
Fabulous Experience in Istanbul!
janinemR4258VQ,,Jul 4, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our guide, Layla, was absolutely amazing! She was incredibly friendly, knowledgeable, and engaging—we loved every moment learning from her. Layla was exceptionally well organized, getting us into each location smoothly and without waiting in the regular queues. She shared fascinating insights and always knew the perfect spots for our photos. Highlights of our trip included the private Bosphorus cruise, the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, and the Underground Cistern. We also thoroughly enjoyed exploring the Grand Bazaar and Spice Market. Our 1.5 days with Layla were truly unforgettable!
A remarkable time in Istanbul
donnabP2512AE,,Jun 26, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had a great day and an half with Tayfun! We saw and learned so much history and culture! Tayfun was attentive and charming making our tour experience memorable! We highly recommend this tour!
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