Private Istanbul Byzantine & Ottoman Tour
- 2–4 hours
- Free cancellation up to 24h before
- 2 languages
- Instant confirmation
Highlights
Spend the day sightseeing in Istanbul with your local driver who will show you around. Admire popular attractions from the comfort of your own private car in a fully customizable tour. Your Welcomer will share historical facts and immerse you into the Turkish lifestyle. Explore the Historical Peninsula where the heart of the Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman Empire once beat. The name might have changed - Byzantium, Constantinople, Istanbul - but the beauty remains timeless. Marvel at magnificent buildings such as the Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, the Galata Tower, the Dolmabahçe Palace and unravel the past of the region. Finish off your tour admiring the view from the Bosphorus Bridge. Our drivers are not licensed to accompany you into the sights but are very knowledgeable of the places visited and will provide all the necessary historical information and their local perspective. At the end of the ride, your friendly driver will drop you off at your accommodation.
Inclusions
What's included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Fuel and Tolls
- Water
- WiFi on board
- Hotel or custom pickup and drop-off
- Professional English-speaking local driver/informal guide
- All taxes and handling charges
What's not
- Meals and beverages
- Tips and Gratuities
- Hagia Sophia (Ayasofya)
- Topkapi Palace (Topkapı Sarayı)
- Galata Tower (Galata Kulesi)
- Dolmabahçe Palace (Dolmabahçe Sarayı)
Itinerary
Or Sultan Ahmed Mosque is a still-functioning place of workship featuring stained glass windows with intricate designs and hand-painted blue tiles.
Οnce the centre of public life in Constantinople, the Hippodrome was the scene of ferocious chariot races. The Obelisk of Theodosius, the Serpentine Column and the Column of Constantine are located here.
The former Greek Orthodox Christian patriarchal cathedral dedicated to Holy Wisdom, later an Ottoman imperial mosque and now a museum.
An opulent complex of four courtyards, a harem, and a garden that served as the main residence and administrative headquarters of the Ottoman sultans.
Called Christea Turris by the Genoese — is a medieval stone tower in the Galata/Karaköy quarter of the city.
A 19th century, baroque-style building is one of the most glamorous palaces in the world. It was the administrative center of the late Ottoman Empire.
Known officially as the 15 July Martyrs Bridge, is one of the three bridges spanning the Bosphorus strait while connecting Europe and Asia.
Cancellation
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts, for a full refund.
Reviews
4.5
- 524
- 42
- 30
- 20
- 13
Ratings come from 29 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
- Welcome Pickups
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- For 1-3 people: A comfortable sedan will be assigned to your group.
- For 4-8 people: A spacious minivan will be assigned to your group.
- Each traveler is allowed a maximum of 1 suitcase and 1 carry-on bag. Oversized or excessive luggage (e.g. surfboards, golf clubs, or bikes) may be subject to restrictions—please inquire with the operator prior to travel to confirm if your excess luggage can be accommodated. Please note: If your group consists of 3 travelers and each person has large luggage, a minivan may be required for a comfortable fit. To ensure a minivan is assigned, please make the booking for 5 passengers.
- Throughout your ride, our drivers serve as informal local guides—sharing stories, history, and local tips at every stop. Please note that drivers are not permitted to enter museums or archaeological areas, but they’ll ensure you make the most of your visit with suggestions and background information before you explore on your own.
How it compares in Istanbul
- Its from-price is 43% below the median of the 3649 experiences we list in Istanbul.
- It is shorter than most of them.
- By number of reviews it ranks 566 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.
