All-in-One Istanbul Highlights :Private Full Day Tour in Old City

Highlights

Inclusions

Itinerary

1. "Where Chariots Once Roared", Step into what was once the stadium of the ancient world! The Hippodrome was the social centre of Constantinople, where roaring crowds cheered on their favourite chariot teams. Today, you'll stroll through Sultanahmet Square, standing in the shadow of timeless monuments such as the Obelisk of Theodosius, the Serpent Column and the charming German Fountain.

   30 min

2. "A Sea of Tiles and Spiritual Peace", Get ready to be amazed by one of the most beautiful mosques in the world. With over 20,000 hand-painted Blue tiles and a spacious courtyard, the Blue Mosque is a masterpiece of Ottoman design. Feel the peaceful energy of this still active place of worship and learn why it was built to rival the grandeur of Hagia Sophia - just across the square!

   1 h

3. "Secrets of the Sultans", Enter the gates of power where Ottoman sultans ruled for centuries! Topkapı Palace is more than just a palace—it's an empire frozen in time. Wander through lush green courtyards and richly decorated rooms, peek into the mysterious Harem and discover sacred relics and imperial jewels.

   2 h

4. Hagia Sophia "The Dome That Changed the World", Welcome to Hagia Sophia, where architecture, religion and history come together in breathtaking harmony. Look up at the massive dome, a 6th-century engineering marvel, and marvel at the mosaics and calligraphy that whisper stories of Christianity and Islam. Your guide will explain how this legendary building has changed with each empire it has served.

   1 h

5. "The Underground Cathedral", It's cool, it's mysterious and it's under your feet. Dive into the Basilica Cistern, an ancient underground world with rows of marble columns rising from still water. Follow the soft echoes, spot the two Medusa heads and enjoy a few magical, otherworldly moments in Istanbul's best-kept secret.

   1 h

6. "Colorful Chaos You’ll Love to Explore", End your day in Istanbul's iconic Grand Bazaar, one of the oldest and largest covered markets in the world. Lose yourself in the maze of stalls selling colourful ceramics, Turkish delights, glowing lanterns and hand-made carpets. Your guide will give you expert advice on where to shop - and how to bargain like a local! (closed on sundays)

   2 h

Cancellation

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts, for a full refund.

Reviews

Ratings come from 26 reviews collected by our booking partner. They are travellers' own words, in the order they were written — never reordered to flatter the experience.

Know before you go

How it compares in Istanbul

• Its from-price is close to the median of the 3649 experiences we list in Istanbul.
• Its length is typical for the group.
• By number of reviews it ranks 607 of 3649.
• The operator lists free cancellation on it.

About Istanbul

Istanbul straddles Europe and Asia across the Bosphorus, with Byzantine and Ottoman monuments, busy bazaars and ferries crossing between continents.

The historic peninsula holds the greatest landmarks. Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque and the Hippodrome face each other in Sultanahmet, the Basilica Cistern lies beneath the streets, and Topkapı Palace spreads across the hill above the Golden Horn. A short walk away, the Grand Bazaar and the Spice Bazaar have traded for centuries, and Süleymaniye Mosque, built by the great Ottoman architect Sinan, crowns one of the city's seven hills.

Top-ranked sights in Istanbul: Dolmabahce Palace (Dolmabahce Sarayi), Bosphorus, Bosphorus Bridge (Bogazici Koprusu).

See all 3649 experiences in Istanbul