Istanbul Half-Day Private Tour : Blue Mosque, Hagia Sofia, Grand Bazaar & Spice MarketPrivate Tour

Immerse yourself in the fascinating history of Istanbul with a half-day tour, including visits to the Grand Bazaar, Blue Mosque, Hagia Sofia, and the spice market.
This experience is on request only. Please contact us for pricing.

Things to know

Duration:

4 hrs 30 mins

Categories:

Architecture, Culture, First Time Visitor, Layover, Local Experience, Markets, Off the beaten path, Photography

Private Tour:

You and our own professional guide. 100% exclusive

Transport Mode:

This tour includes private transport from your hotel or preferred location to the old town and returns to your hotel if requested

What's included:

A friendly, professional English-Speaking tour guide for your own private group, Hotel pickup and drop-off, Tastings in the Spice Market, Entrance to Hagia Sofia, Entrance to Blue Mosque

What's not included:

Food & drink (not included), Gratuities (optional), Private driver throughout the day. ( Only hotel pick-up and drop-off)
Meeting points: The obelisk of Theodosius, Binbirdirek, Sultanahmet, 34122 Fatih/İstanbul, Turkey

What makes this tour special

This whistle-stop tour of Istanbul's highlights is great for those who wish to cover a lot of ground in a short space of time. On your private tour with transport, you will:


Note: The Blue Mosque is a religious place of worship, so please dress respectfully. Shoulders and legs must be covered, and head coverings are available at the mosque entrance for free. You will also be given a bag at entry in which to put your shoes.

In this amazing half-day highlights tour of Istanbul, you will have the chance to be fully immersed in the history and culture of this great city. Your first stop will be the absolutely stunning Blue Mosque, the 17th-century triumph of Sultan Ahmet I, and one of the most beautiful buildings in Istanbul. Look out for the mosque's unique undulating exterior featuring myriad domes and six slender minarets. Gorgeous blue Iznik tiles adorn the interior, giving the building its unique name. 

Venturing forth to the Hagia Sophia, commissioned by the Byzantine emperor Justinian, consecrated as a church in 537, converted to a mosque by Mehmet the Conqueror in 1453, and finally promoted as a museum by Atatürk in 1935- you will find the exquisite artistry of Byzantine architecture and rich history of the region than this great temple.

As you enter the Hagia Sophia, you can not help but be awestruck by the utter beauty of the extraordinary architecture and the sense of the divine that will envelop you inside. The walls are covered with astonishing biblical images that miraculously have survived a tumultuous history. Do not feel overwhelmed, as your expert city guide will be talking you through the fascinating history of the building, as well as the significance of the iconography and art you will find there.

Your final stop will be at the colorful Grand Bazaar and Spice Market. You will feel immersed in the ancient marketplace, exploring your way down narrow lanes to watch craftsmen and artists at work, whilst stopping for an obligatory Turkish treat and cup of mint tea. 

What you'll see

Blue Mosque
Hagia Sophia
Grand Bazaar
Hippodrome of Constantinople
Spice Bazaar

Book with Travel Curious, an exceptional experience guaranteed

Flexible cancellation

Do not worry, we have you covered with our flexible cancellation terms.

Avoid the crowds

Travel like a VIP, avoid crowds, and unnecessary queues.

Authentic Experiences

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Professional Guides

All guides are handpicked, trained and licensed to ensure you are immersed in the local culture

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