Istanbul Customized Tour - Private
- 6 hours
- Free cancellation up to 24h before
- Guided in English
- Instant confirmation
Highlights
Please also check my Trip Advisor page, "Ali's Protravel & Tours," where we have received 289 five-star ratings and reviews. This cultural experience will be about 6 hours and will help you to explore the city with your private tour guide without any set tour plan.. You will have 6 hours time and a nice, compatible private guide who will be ready to take you to wherever you want. Historical sites for culture and history, or historical bazaars for shopping, or traditional restaurants serving typical Turkish restaurants. May be all in one tour... As you walk, you'll learn the history of this contemporary city and its ancient roots. Tour starts at 10am. at Sultanahmet and will end somewhere in the Old city area after 6 hours. No museum tickets or lunch or drink etc included. Everyday except for Sunday.
Inclusions
What's included
- Customizable tour plan
- About 6 hours of service of a quality, professional, local tour guide
- Private tour..only you and your private guide
What's not
- Food and drinks
- Gratuities
- Transportation to/from attractions
- Museum tickets
Itinerary
Welcome to Topkapi Palace, the home of the Ottoman sultans for over 400 years! As we explore, you’ll see amazing courtyards, beautiful tiles, and great views of the Bosphorus. We’ll visit the Harem, where the sultan’s family lived, and the Treasury, with its incredible jewels and famous Topkapi dagger. I’ll share stories about the sultans, point out hidden gems, and make sure you get a real feel for life in the palace. It’s not just a building—it’s a step back in time!
Discover the Basilica Cistern, a mesmerizing 6th-century underground reservoir built by the Byzantine Emperor Justinian, featuring atmospheric columns, mysterious Medusa heads, and a magical reflection of Istanbul’s ancient past.
Ayasofya, one of Istanbul’s most iconic landmarks! Once a church, then a mosque, then a museum and now a mosque again, it’s a place full of history. You’ll see its stunning domes, mosaics, and calligraphy, each telling a story of centuries past. I’ll share fascinating tales about emperors, sultans, and the secrets hidden in its walls. Walking here feels like stepping back in time—you’ll definitely want your camera ready! Ladies do not forget to bring a scarf.. IMPORTANT : Please note that Ayasofya has been under major restoration since November 2025. It is open, but scaffolding limits the interior view. You may choose to visit only the exterior and replace it with the Blue Mosque. Please let us know your preference before the tour.
Get ready to explore the Grand Bazaar, one of the world’s oldest and largest covered markets! With over 4,000 shops, you’ll find everything from handmade rugs and leather goods to jewelry, ceramics, and souvenirs. I’ll guide you through the maze of colorful streets, share tips for bargaining like a pro, and point out hidden gems that many visitors miss. It’s not just shopping—it’s an experience full of sights, smells, and stories! IMPORTANT: The Historical Grand Bazaar is closed on Sundays and during religious holidays. The Spice Bazaar is open 7 days a week. Carpet shopping We can also do optional carpet shopping if you’re interested—no pressure, just a chance to see some beautiful handmade rugs and learn a bit about them. If not interested in carpet shopping..the tour ends at the Grand Bazaar
Cancellation
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts, for a full refund.
Reviews
5.0
- 519
- 40
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- 20
- 10
Ratings come from 19 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
- Meeting point
- In front of Mc Donalds at Divanyolu caddesi No 15 Sultanahmet. The street where the tram passes in Sultanahmet. Coming by tram; get off at Sultanahmet and walk 3 minutes to the meeting point. Private hotel pick up and drop off with transportation available at an extra cost.. please contact.
- Pickup
- Everyone meets at the starting point; there is no pickup.
- Ticket type
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- Operated by
- Private tour guide Ali YALNIZ
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Not recommended for travelers with children
How it compares in Istanbul
- Its from-price is 25% below the median of the 530 city tours we list in Istanbul.
- Its length is typical for the group.
- By number of reviews it ranks 141 of 530.
- 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).
Special offers in Istanbul
Was/now prices come from the operator, never from us.
