Will there be other people on the tour or is it just us?

All 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.

Are entrance tickets and transport included in the cost of the tour?

In 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).

What is your cancellation policy?

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Who do I contact if I have any questions about this tour or if I want to make changes to my tour?

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Am I able to book more than one tour?

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Istanbul's Old City: Full-Day Private All Inclusive Highlights Tour

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This experience is on request only. Please contact us for pricing.

Things to know

Duration:

9 hrs

Categories:

Architecture, City Highlights, Culture, First Time Visitor, History

Private Tour:

You and our own professional guide. 100% exclusive

Transport Mode:

Driving tour: including a private vehicle throughout the tour

What's included:

A friendly, professional English-speaking tour guide for your own private group, Private vehicle and driver with hotel pickup/drop-off included, Topkapi Palace & Harem entrance tickets, Hagia Irene & Serefiye Cistern entrance tickets

What's not included:

Food & drink, Gratuities (optional)

Meeting points: Dervis Cafe & Restaurant Sultanahmet Mah, Kabasakal Cd. No:1 D:2, 34122 Fatih/ Istanbul - 3 Minutes away from Blue Mosque and 1 minute walk by Hagia Sofia.

What makes this tour special

With this full-day highlights tour of Istanbul, you will gain a culturally-rich experience of both European and Asian traditions. On your full-day tour, you will:

Enjoy the comforts of a private vehicle throughout the tour, including hotel pick-up and drop-off;
Enjoy the personalized attention of your private licensed guide;
Hear stories of the Ottoman sultans as you wander through the Topkapı Palace (tickets included);
Visit the recently renovated Harem section of the Topkapi Palace (tickets included);
Explore the Hagia Irene, a hidden gem in the outer courtyard of Topkapı Palace;
Learn about Istanbul's rich and exciting history at the Hippodrome of Constantinople;
Marvel at the elegance of the Sultan Ahmed Mosque (Blue Mosque), famed for its 6 minarets and beautiful blue decorative tiles;
Take in the grandeur of Hagia Sophia as you enjoy a fully guided tour of one of the most important Byzantine structures in the world;
Pause for a traditional Turkish lunch (not included in the price);
Descend beneath the city into the otherworldly Serefiye Cistern, the oldest building in the world with a 360° projection mapping system;
Expertly navigate through the Grand Bazaar and learn about Turkish trade and local traditions;
End the tour by the Galata Bridge with a magnificent view, or enjoy a private transfer back to your hotel or the preferred location.

In this full-day highlights tour of the great city of Istanbul, you will have the pleasure of visiting some of the most iconic attractions of the city, accompanied by your knowledgeable expert city guide. Starting with the Hippodrome of Constantinople, once used as an ancient Roman running and chariot racing track, and the epicenter of Byzantine life.

You will then head to the absolutely stunning Blue Mosque, one of the most beautiful buildings in Istanbul, which was the 17th-century triumph of Sultan Ahmet I. Look 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.

You will be pleased to pause for a delicious traditional Turkish lunch (not included in the price), after which you will be immersed in the fascinating history of Topkapi Palace. Extremely opulent, it was once the residence of countless Ottoman sultans from the 15th to the 19th century. Look for the palace's fabulous pavilions, unbelievable Treasury, and formal rooms, and don't miss the magnificent Harem rooms!

You will then venture underground to the awe-inspiring Serefiye Cistern, where you will learn about its impressive construction. It is the oldest building in the world with a 360° projection mapping system. Finishing off this once-in-a-lifetime tour, you will visit the colorful Grand Bazaar, which was built by Mehmet the Conqueror in 1461. Explore the narrow lanes to watch craftsmen and artists at work, whilst stopping for an obligatory cup of traditional Turkish tea. End the tour by the Galata Bridge with a magnificent view or enjoy a private transfer back to your hotel or the preferred location.

What you'll see

Hippodrome of Constantinople

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Flexible cancellation

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Professional Guides

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

Istanbul's Old City: Full-Day Private All Inclusive Highlights TourPrivate Tour