Quick Details
Private Tour
Base price for 2 people
€ 175
Istanbul: Full Day Private Guided Tour for Iconic Landmarks
Join a full-day private walking tour of Istanbul with your expert local guide and experience the city’s iconic landmarks in Sultanahmet, the historic heart of the city. Enjoy the flexibility of a private tour and benefit from skip-the-line entry tickets available for purchase directly from your guide.
Start your journey at the stunning Blue Mosque, where you’ll discover the meaning behind its elegant minarets and dazzling blue tiles while learning about Islamic traditions in context.
Walk across the Hippodrome, once the center of Byzantine public life. Hear stories of chariot races, emperors, and the legendary obelisks that still stand today. See the German Fountain, a symbol of friendship between the Ottoman Empire and Germany.
Descend into the magical Basilica Cistern, famously nicknamed the “Subterranean Palace.” Wander through dimly lit columns and over water pathways until you reach the mysterious Medusa heads.
Step into the Hagia Sophia, one of the most significant buildings in history. Learn how it served as both a cathedral and a mosque, and admire the awe-inspiring dome and blend of Christian and Islamic elements.
Pause for lunch at a local favorite, then follow your guide into Topkapi Palace, once the lavish residence of Ottoman sultans. Walk through its courtyards and pavilions, and take in sweeping views over the Golden Horn.
Conclude your day at the Grand Bazaar, the world’s oldest covered market. Wander through its maze-like alleys filled with vibrant shops, handwoven carpets, fine jewelry, ceramics, and leather goods. Sip Turkish tea and take in the timeless rhythm of daily life.
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- Blue Mosque
- Sultanahmet Square
- Hippodrome of Constantinople
- German Fountain
- Basilica Cistern
- Hagia Sophia
- Lunch Break (at a local restaurant)
- Topkapi Palace
- Grand Bazaar
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- Visit Istanbul’s most iconic sites on a full-day private guided tour.
- Benefit from your guide’s priority access at skip-the-line admissions.
- Learn fascinating facts and stories from your expert local guide.
- Dive into Ottoman and Byzantine history at Istanbul’s top landmarks.
- Stroll through the Grand Bazaar and shop in its historic streets.
- Enjoy a well-planned private tour for a truly personalized experience.
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- Private tour with a professional local guide
- Option to customize the itinerary to your interests
- Skip-the-line tickets available for purchase on the day (Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, and the Basilica Cistern).
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- Lunch (can be purchased on the spot)
- Transport to the meeting point in Sultanahmet
- Entry/Admission – Topkapi Palace – 40 euro per person
- Entry/Admission – Basilica Cistern – 25 euro per person
- Entry/Admission – Hagia Sophia – 25 euro per person
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- The tour is not suitable for wheelchair users and people with reduced mobility.
- This tour is not suitable for strollers.
- Please note that women should be required to wear a headscarf when entering the mosque.
- Please note that both men and women should wear clothing that covers their shoulders and knees. Shorts, sleeveless tops, and other revealing attire are not permitted inside.
- You are not allowed to bring signs, symbols, banners, flags, documents, drawings, or any materials representing political, ideological, or religious beliefs inside the Hagia Sophia.
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- Expect long lines to enter the Hagia Sophia, especially during local holidays.
- Clients must arrive at the meeting point 15 minutes before the start of the tour. This is due to the timed entry of the tickets.
- Tips/gratuities (for your guide) are always appreciated.
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We meet at Ersoy Bufe. This is a small food kiosk just by the side of the Hippodrome in Sultanahmet Square. It is across the German Fountain. Your guide will be in front of the Ersoy Bufe with a sign that says, “Walks in Europe.” Here is the Google link