Old Istanbul Gems Full Day Private Tour
- 8 hours
- Free cancellation up to 24h before
- Guided in English
- Instant confirmation
Highlights
Sultanahmet is where ancient empires converge. You’ll explore landmarks from the Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman eras, offering a rare chance to witness the seamless layers of history in one place. Hagia Sophia: A masterpiece that transitioned from a Byzantine cathedral to an Ottoman mosque and now a modern mosque, showcasing architectural genius and cultural harmony. Blue Mosque: Renowned for its six minarets and stunning blue İznik tiles, it's a masterpiece of Ottoman design. Topkapı Palace: The opulent home of sultans, filled with treasures and sacred relics. Hippodrome:This ancient social center hosted chariot races and political events, bringing the Roman and Byzantine past vividly to life. Grand Bazaar: One of the world’s oldest covered markets, offering an immersive shopping experience and a chance to witness Turkish craftsmanship firsthand.
Inclusions
What's included
- Professional guide
- Guaranteed to skip the long lines
What's not
- Drinks during lunch
- Tips / Gratuities
- All else not specifically mentioned in the inclusion section
- Lunch
- We can include entrance tickets for guests who wish. Guests can enter using a QR code, so there’s no need to wait in line at the ticket counter.
Itinerary
Explore the sprawling former residence of Ottoman sultans: wander through its four courtyards, visit the Imperial Treasury and gaze upon the Sacred Relics. Don’t miss the opulent Harem quarters and panoramic views over the Golden Horn.
Marvel at this 1,500‑year‑old masterpiece, once the world’s largest cathedral and later an imperial mosque. Admire its soaring dome, intricate mosaics and the seamless blend of Christian and Islamic art.
Once the social and sporting center of Constantinople, the ancient chariot‑racing stadium is now an open square dotted with monuments: the Obelisk of Theodosius, the Serpent Column and the German Fountain.
Stand beneath six elegant minarets and a cascade of domes in this living house of worship. Inside, over 20,000 hand‑painted İznik tiles in shades of blue lend the mosque its popular nickname.
Lose yourself in one of the world’s oldest and largest covered markets. Browse over 4,000 shops offering carpets, ceramics, jewelry, spices and souvenirs, and practice your haggling skills in the labyrinthine alleys.
Cancellation
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts, for a full refund.
Reviews
5.0
- 522
- 40
- 30
- 20
- 10
Ratings come from 22 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 offered, or you can meet at the starting point.
- Ticket type
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- Operated by
- BarefootPlus Travel
- 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
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
How it compares in Istanbul
- Its from-price is 67% above the median of the 3649 experiences we list in Istanbul.
- It is longer than most of them.
- By number of reviews it ranks 665 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).
Special offers in Istanbul
Was/now prices come from the operator, never from us.
