Ticket Hall

Istanbul Old City Highlights Private Guided Skip the Line Tours

5.036 reviewsHagia Sophia (Ayasofya)

  • 8h 10m
  • Free cancellation up to 24h before
  • Guided in English
  • Instant confirmation

Highlights

Historical Istanbul Highlights Begin your day with a professional tour guide who will bring Istanbul’s rich history to life. Start at the grand Topkapi Palace, once home to Ottoman sultans, where you’ll explore its opulent rooms and the fascinating Harem. Next, visit the architectural marvel of Hagia Sophia, followed by the elegant Blue Mosque, famous for its striking blue tiles and six minarets. Walk through the historic Hippodrome, the ancient sporting arena of Byzantium, before descending into the mysterious Basilica Cistern, an underground wonder with atmospheric lighting and ancient columns. End your day wandering through the bustling Grand Bazaar, one of the world’s oldest and largest covered markets—perfect for shopping and soaking in the local culture.

Inclusions

What's included

  • Professional licensed local guide
  • Private minivan pickup and drop off service from Hotel/Port/Airbnb if chosen options
  • Private Tour

What's not

  • Breakfast-lunch-dinner and drinks
  • Gratuities
  • Ferry-Museum Tickets
  • Public transportations during the tour

Itinerary

  1. Embark on a personalized journey through Istanbul, tailored to your schedule and interests. Choose between a private guide only, Hotel, Airbnb or port pickup drop off by minivan or full day guide and minivan options. Your guide meets you at your centrally located hotel, allowing for flexible departure times and a fully customizable itinerary. Immerse in the UNESCO-listed Historic Areas, visiting landmarks like Hagia Sophia, TopKapi Palace, Basilica Cistern, Hippodrome, Extend your adventure with a Bosporus cruise and the Grand Bazaar. Your guide's insights deepen your connection with each site.

    Passes by

  2. The Blue Mosque is not only a religious site but also a masterpiece of art and architecture. Taking the time to explore its beauty and historical significance can be a highlight of your layover in Istanbul.

    30 min

  3. You will start to visit main attraction from Sultanahmet District.

    30 min

  4. Topkapi Palace: Founder by Fatih Sultan Mehmed Han at 1473. Topkapı Palace used almost 380 years as a Empire administrative centre and residential place of Ottoman Sultans and his families. 4000 People used to live insight. Now it is one of the biggest museum in Istanbul.

    1.5 h

  5. The oldest and most famous biggest antique mall of the World built around 4000 square meters land.There are lot of Turkish traditional shops insight as u can find hand made carpets,jewelleries ,antique stuffs ,silk products and spices shops.

    1 h

  6. Meaning of Hagia Sophia is holly wisdom Church.Built by Byzantium king I. Justinanus.Converted to a mosque during Ottoman time. Used as a museum almost 75 years nowadays using as a mosque. One of the most amazing architecture of Istanbul. Throughout its history, Hagia Sophia has been admired for its architectural beauty and the innovative engineering used in its construction. It is renowned for its massive dome, intricate mosaics, and historical significance, reflecting both Christian and Islamic heritage.

    30 min

  7. Basilica Cistern

    45 min

  8. Istanbul's historic areas are a UNESCO World Heritage site, offering a rich tapestry of cultural and architectural landmarks.

    Passes by

Cancellation

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

Reviews

5.0

  • 535
  • 41
  • 30
  • 20
  • 10

Ratings come from 36 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

Pickup
Pickup is included for everyone.
Ticket type
Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Operated by
Turkey Private Tours
  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
  • Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
  • All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels

How it compares in Istanbul

  • Its from-price is 41% 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 112 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).

See all 3649 experiences in Istanbul

Special offers in Istanbul

Was/now prices come from the operator, never from us.

Similar experiences

Hop-on hop-off in Istanbul

1 / 6

Three steps to add it

Plan with AIYour trip, day by day