On this private tour of Istanbul, you'll have an exclusive guide to visit iconic sites such as the Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, and the Blue Mosque. What a complete tour!
Tour Options
During the booking process, you can choose a private tour of Istanbul of 4 or 8 hours:
4-Hour Tour
After picking you up at the designated time in the city center, we'll begin our Istanbul tour by visiting the Hagia Sophia, one of the city's most fascinating mosques. Originally an ancient Christian basilica, this structure has served various purposes over the years, including as an Orthodox church and a museum.
Next, the tour continues to the Basilica Cistern, one of the great underground water reservoirs from the Byzantine era; its forest of columns is sure to amaze you!
After learning about its history, we'll head to Topkapi Palace to discover how the sultans lived during the Ottoman Empire. We'll visit the main chambers, uncovering the mysteries and legends hidden within each one.
Finally, we'll conclude this 4-hour Istanbul tour by returning to the pickup point. Please note that, as this is a private tour, you can customize the itinerary to suit your tastes and preferences.
8-Hour Tour
On this tour, the itinerary is entirely up to you! For 8 hours, an English-speaking guide will be by your side as you take in the must-see sights of Istanbul.
If you're not sure where to start, we recommend kicking off the day at the majestic Topkapi Palace, the former residence of the Ottoman sultans, where we'll spend approximately 2.5 hours exploring its courtyards, imperial halls, and treasures. On Tuesdays, when it's closed, we'll swap it for the elegant Dolmabahçe Palace, which takes around 1.5 hours to visit.
From there, we can dive into the city's millennia of history with a visit to Hagia Sophia, one of the most iconic architectural works in the world. We'll continue to the Hippodrome of Constantinople, the former hub of social life in Roman times, and then on to the iconic Blue Mosque, famous for its tilework and graceful silhouette.
We'll take a break at lunchtime so you can refuel at your own expense. And if you'd rather change the order or add stops like the Grand Bazaar or some of the city's lesser-known corners, your guide will be happy to tailor the route to your interests. Your wish is their command!
Tour Options
You can book this tour with a private vehicle included or just a tour guide. If you prefer to book the tour without a car, which is the cheapest option, the tour is carried out on foot and by public transport. If you prefer to get around by private car, the tour includes a car and a professional chauffeur for 8 hours.
If you only want to tour the Sultanahmet district to see the historical part of the city and you are staying near this area, we recommend booking the option without a vehicle.
Transport Info
In addition to choosing between a 4-hour and an 8-hour tour, when making your reservation, you can also select whether you prefer a tour with just a guide or one that includes both a guide and transportation:
Tour + Guide
If you choose the guide-only option—which is much more economical—the tour will be conducted on foot and via public transport. We'll meet at the scheduled time at a central location in Istanbul, which will be specified on your booking confirmation.
Tour + Guide & Vehicle
If you choose the option with a vehicle, you'll have a private vehicle with a driver at your disposal for the entire day.
The tour includes pick-up from hotels in the following central Istanbul districts: Bayrampaşa, Beşiktaş, Beyoğlu, Eminönü, Eyüp, Fatih, Kağıthane, Şişli, and Zeytinburnu. If you are staying outside these areas, you will need to make your way to a meeting point in the city center; the location will be specified on your booking confirmaiton.
