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

Bespoke local tours handcrafted for you by our global travel specialists

Professional Guides

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

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FAQ

QWill there be other people on the tour or is it just us?
AAll of our tours are 100% private and exclusive, which means that it will just be you, your group and your guide on the tour.

Your tour will be completely tailored to your needs and we will make sure to find a guide that best suits your group.
QAre entrance tickets and transport included in the cost of the tour?
AIn the ‘Things to Know’ section at the top of this page you will find details of whatever entrance tickets and transport are included in the tour. If you have any questions about this, then you can either use the chat button in the bottom right hand corner, send an email to <team@travelcurious.com> or call 1-212-710-1322 (US) or +44 20 3009 2392 (UK).
QWhat is your cancellation policy?
AOn tours cancelled more than 48 hours before the scheduled departure time, we are happy to offer our customers a full refund - minus a 5% credit card fee and the cost of any tickets that have been purchased.

For tours cancelled less than 48 hours before the scheduled departure time, we are unfortunately unable to offer refunds. If you would like to reschedule a tour, this is usually possible if we are given enough notice, but we cannot guarantee the same guide.

Changes made to bookings may be subject to rebooking fees to cover the cost of tickets purchased, transport, guide rescheduling and administration.

To cancel or change your booking, please contact us at <team@travelcurious.com> or call 1-212-710-1322 (US) or +44 20 3009 2392 (UK).
QWho do I contact if I have any questions about this tour or if I want to make changes to my tour?
AAt Travel Curious, we provide a free concierge service to help you plan your time abroad and they will be able to answer any questions you may have about this tour or any other tours. We are normally able to customise or personalise tours to suit your needs.

Please do get in touch by either using the chat button in the bottom right hand corner, sending an email to <reservations@travelcurious.com> or calling 1-212-710-1322 (US) or +44 20 3009 2392 (UK).
QAm I able to book more than one tour?
AAbsolutely, you can book as many tours as you like! You can add them to your cart by clicking the ‘Book Now’ button or you can get in touch and we can put together an itinerary for you. To get in touch, you can either use the chat button in the bottom right hand corner, send an email to <team@travelcurious.com> or call 1-212-710-1322 (US) or +44 20 3009 2392 (UK).
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