Istanbul's Grand Bazaar, Spice Market & Turkish Hans Private TourPrivate Tour

Visit the colourful Grand Bazaar and Spice Market, and venture off the tourist trail to explore the local Turkish Hans, Ottoman structures built as urban hotels, stables, and wholesale marketplaces!
This experience is on request only. Please contact us for pricing.

Things to know

Duration:

4 hrs 30 mins

Categories:

Culture, First Time Visitor, Food and Drink, Local Experience, Markets

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

What's not included:

Food & drink (not included), Gratuities (optional), Private driver throughout the day. ( Only hotel pick-up and drop-off)
Meeting points: In front of the main gate to Istanbul university in Beyazit Square, Beyazıt, Ordu Cad., 34134 Fatih/İstanbul, Turkey

What makes this tour special

Explore the sights, sounds, and smells of Turkey's cultural heart on a walking tour with private transport which includes a fully guided tour. On your tour, you will:

On this tour, you will journey into the exotic world of Istanbul’s historic markets and bazaars. Your first stop will be the colourful Grand Bazaar, built by Mehmet the Conqueror in 1461, it expanded to eventually cover the vast labyrinthine treasure trove you see today. You will feel immersed in the ancient marketplace, exploring your way through narrow lanes to watch craftsmen and artists at work and stopping off for an obligatory cup of traditional Turkish tea. 
 
 As you wander the vast alleys of the Bazaar, your expert city guide will be happy to discuss the fascinating history of the area and the significance behind Istanbul’s strategic geographical position near the Bosphorus. Do not fear, your intrepid local guide will be able to direct you to the best-hidden gems the market has to offer.

 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.
 
 Your next stop will be at the famous Turkish Spice Market, where you will be able to peruse some of the best herbs and spices imported to Turkey from all over the world. This is sure to be a treat for the senses as you experience sights, sounds, and smells you are unlikely to have ever come across before. Bustling with energy, the delightful market streets will satisfy your intellectual curiosity, as well as satiate any hunger pangs!

What you'll see

Hagia Sophia
Grand Bazaar
Spice Bazaar
Turkish Han

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 <reservations@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 <reservations@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 <reservations@travelcurious.com> or call 1-212-710-1322 (US) or +44 20 3009 2392 (UK).
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