Istanbul Highlights: Byzantine to Ottoman Wonders

Embark on a captivating journey through the ancient ruins and modern architecture of Istanbul. Immerse yourself in the vibrant tapestry of this unique city and indulge in its delectable cuisine. Join us on the Best of Istanbul tour and uncover the hidden gems of this mesmerizing destination.

Duration: 7 hours
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • Hagia Sophia Mosque - Originally constructed as a church in the 6th century, this iconic landmark was later transformed into a mosque during the Ottoman era. Today, it stands as a museum, celebrated for its magnificent dome, exquisite mosaics, and intricate architectural design.
  • Hippodrome - Once the heart of public life in Constantinople,…
What's Included
  • Professional Licensed Guide
  • Fast Track Ticket Available to skip the huge queue
  • Soft Drinks
  • Discover rich tradition of Turkish handicrafts through unique art & shopping experiences in GORDES
  • Public Transportation Fees
What's Not Included
  • Food & Drinks
  • Private VIP Vehicle
Additional Information

Discover the soul of Istanbul with our enthralling Best of Istanbul journey. This metropolis perfectly combines historical remnants with contemporary designs, stirring your senses with aromatic spices and refreshing coastal wind. Engross yourself in the dynamic mosaic of Istanbul’s distinctiveness.
Explore symbolic landmarks, varying from awe-inspiring…

Location
Sultanahmet
the customer will provide the information on where to pick up under the Sultanahmet, Alemdar then we will send you the tour guide there to pick you up.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
5.0
(52 Ratings)
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739narellet
May 8, 2026
Wonderful experience with a great tour guide - We had a wonderful full day walking tour (plus tram) with our delightful, fun, vibrant, friendly knowledgeable tour guide Zel! She gave in depth insights into the complicated history of Istanbul and Turkey generally. Zel kept us safe, looked after every aspect of the day and magically helped us skip the line at all ticketed venues. We saw the Blue Mosque, Topaki Palace, Hagia Sophia, Cisterns and Grand Bazaar but didn't feel rushed. Highly recommended!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Lukas
May 1, 2026
Great guide - We had Fatih as a guide. He was very kind and knowledgeable. 10/10 !
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Rooney-swindon
Apr 24, 2026
Book this before paying shipping prices!! - Suleyman was totally amazing. We had the best seven hours full of history, full of artistry, full of knowledge of the various religions that have ruled and shaped this beautiful city. It was really an exceptional tour. Suleyman is a great guide but what also made it special is the real care he took of us at every step. The communication from the tour operator prior to our trip was also excellent. Final note…. If you are on a cruise ship and don’t want to pay stupid prices for laundry, they will take you to somewhere you can drop it off and then you pick it up on the way back. Ours was 12 USD versus over 100 on the ship!!
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Michaellf5210ut
Apr 12, 2026
6 Hour Old City Tour with Lunch - My wife and I were visiting from Sweden and were very interested in exploring food and culture. The hotel arranged a 6 hour private tour with Zel and it was great. We covered the historic old part of Istanbul (Blue Mosque, Hagia Sofia, Basilica Cisterns, Grand Bazaar). She kept a great pace, was extremely knowledgeable about all the things we asked about. She was also well connected knowing vendors, other guides, ticket sales clerks and restauranteurs...this enabled a smooth and fast experience where we did not have to wait for anything really and we were confident in shopping. We capped it off with a long and large lunch where we learned a lot about local food.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Joaquinbt3742ap
Mar 14, 2026
Old city tour - Excellent tour! Zel was very nice, she personalized our tour and took us to amazing places. She gave us the full explanation of the old city, great food recomendations and the best attitude!
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433loreleip
Aug 7, 2025
Great private walking tour - Josh was an outstanding guide—extremely knowledgeable, personable, and professional. We did a private walking tour of the Sultanahmet district with him and couldn’t be happier with the experience. He helped us skip the long lines, tailored the pace and stops to our interests, shared fascinating insights into Turkish history, and even guided us through shopping at the Grand Bazaar. Would highly recommend!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
P3146cnjenb
Aug 2, 2025
Josh THE BEST tour guide in Istanbul - We booked our Old City trip through our hotel and it was flawless! Our guide, Josh his name for us since hard to say his Turkish name, was/is phenomenal. He was very educated in Turkish History and tailored the trip around my 14 year olds short attention span. He knew a lot of locals and was so fun to actually hang with. His English was excellent and genuinely wanted us to have a great time. I can’t say enough and would recommend him. My son and I were kinda bummed the day had to end because he was so personable and easy to ask questions to!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Nicksc2759df
Jul 3, 2025
Wonderful Experience in Istanbul! - This tour was fantastic. Our guide helped us to experience the history, culture and food, of Istanbul. I cannot recommend this tour enough!
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Juny890
Jun 26, 2025
Walking tour - We did the walking tour with Suleyman as our guide and we all really enjoyed it! I highly recommend a guide if you want to visit Topkapi Palace otherwise it would be hard to navigate since the palace was huge!!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
90martha
Feb 14, 2026
Highlights of Istanbul - Good way to see the highlights without the hassle of lines. Lots of walking and also traveled by subway. Friendly, knowledgeable guide.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
From $300
up to 5 guests
1 - Adult
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).