Private Tour
Treasures of Istanbul: Hagia Sophia Private Tour
Overview
Available languages
2 hours 30 minutes
Mobile ticket
To truly experience a city, you must deep dive into its culture, and there's no better cultural tradition to explore in Istanbul than the Hagia Sophia.
On this private tour, get a cultural awakening as you learn more about Hagia Sophia and why it's such a unique part of the city's character. Learn from its history to the present influence that still lingers in Istanbul as you visit the German Fountain, Little Hagia Sophia and more. Thanks to this cultural experience, you'll be able to see Istanbul from a different perspective - the way the locals live it every day!
Withlocals Treasures of Istanbul Tour™ is one of Withlocals' signature tours available in major cities worldwide. We work with passionate local guides who earn a fair fee. We support local economies by only offering local products and preventing over-tourism with only small non-intrusive groups. Our tours are carbon-neutral and away from the standard tourist routes.
Additional Info
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque
Hagia Sophia Skip the line to the majestic Hagia Sophia and enjoy the contrasts within Mini Mosque Time to visit a very endearing yet smaller and lesser known mosque Lunch Break Your local friend will recommend their FAVORITE place for lunch Pastry Makers Pick up a delicious baklava at a local pastry shop Local Hideout Head to where the locals go for a caj tea and relax at the end of an informative day Time to say Goodbye! Take home with you all the local insights and memories from Istanbul!
What‘s Included
Private Tour
Local Guide
This tour is carbon neutral
Hotel pickup and drop-off
Options
Private Tour
Reviews
23 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Explored Istanbul with the best guide
MelinaDeviSeeam,,Jan 19, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00My experience has been seamless and customised according to my requirements. I had a long transit between my flights and booked this experience to see the main sites around Istanbul. Gülce organised the best transfer. Gülce was very friendly and kind which made my experience enjoyable. She even showed me some extra places like the Grand Bazaar and we had dinner at a nice restaurant by the Bosphorus which had the most delicious dishes. She knew how to time the visits well and advised on the best way to navigate through Istanbul traffic. Unfortunately the weather was really cold and windy, but I will be back again and enjoy Istanbul better next time. Thanks a lot Gülce for everything.
Highly recommended - Esra is the best guide
Yasir A,,Dec 31, 2024
- Review from Viator
5.00Esra is one of the best guides I have ever met and I have travelled the world and met many. She personalized the experience and was very flexible to accommodate delays due to my flight situation. She communicated days in advance, right up to the minute we met.
Our guide, Gülce, was...
David T,,Dec 23, 2024
- Review from Viator
5.00Our guide, Gülce, was amazing! She was so kind and informative and really kept our tour moving. She was also wonderful with regards to safety and fun.
Sweet and knowledgeable
Katrine R,,Oct 29, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Gülce lead my little group of three, me and two teenagers, with a steady hand through Hagia Sofia and surroundings, and then on a little food tour in Karaköy. She is a knowledgeable and patient tour guide that shares many good tips and insights about what to do in today’s Istanbul and all the history that is attached to the monuments we were seeing. She comes highly recommended!
Istanbul - Hagia Sophia and Basilica Cistern tour with Oguz
W853OOmichaelv,,Oct 17, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00My wife and I were on a short city trip in Istanbul, staying in a hotel with view on the Hagia Sofia. We decided to pick Oguz to show us around. It appeared to be a very nice tour. Oguz is very friendly and knowledgeable and explained the whole history of the building, while showing us interesting places and spots within the mosque. He shares his stories with lots of enthusiasm, which makes it very entertaining. After the tour there was still some time left, which we didn't waste as he took us as well to the Basilica Cistern. Thanks for the nice time, Oguz!
Great private tour
Esra Y,,Aug 19, 2024
- Review from Viator
5.00Ibrahim did a terrific job explaining everything about the history of Hagia Sophia, and the surrounding areas. He was very kind and polite and took good care of me and my son during the tour.
Unforgettable
825susanq,,Aug 2, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Abdullah was so knowledgeable about the Aya Sofya & Istanbul as a whole. Abdullah has a relaxed, friendly manner with a playful sense of humour and he was attentive to our interests across the walking tour. It was our first morning in Istanbul and our time with Abdullah was a wonderful introduction to the city. Highly recommend
Unique and peaceful tour
905nareshn,,Jul 30, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I took this tour a few hours before flying out of Istanbul. This was a wonderful and peaceful way to spend the last morning. The tour was informative and peaceful, at my pace.
Interesting tour with very friendly and likable guide
momuwi,,Apr 27, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We really liked our time with Emre. He was nice, knew many details and interesting information. He did e great job. In the end he offered us to skip the line for the Basilika, just because he gad time. Thank you, Emre!
Absolutely wonderful
Linda S,,Apr 12, 2024
- Review from Viator
5.00Loved it. Tolga was very knowledgeable and answered any questions we had. So far the highlight of our trip
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