Istanbul History: Explore Iconic Sites

Explore Istanbul’s iconic sites with a private guide: Hagia Sophia, Basilica Cistern, Topkapi Palace, and Grand Bazaar. Discover history, shop smart, and enjoy!

Duration: 6 hours
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • Hagia Sophia - Start your Istanbul journey with a guided tour of one of the world’s most remarkable landmarks—Hagia Sophia. Upon arrival, a local expert guide will greet you and share the captivating history of this architectural marvel.
    Inside, be prepared to be mesmerized by the towering dome, glistening mosaics, and ancient marble columns….
What's Included
  • Topkapi Palace Guided Tour with Harem
  • Basilica Cistern Guided Tour
  • Private Professional Licensed Tour Guide Fee
  • Vezirhan Caravanserai Guided Tour
  • Hagia Sophia Guided Tour
  • Grand Bazaar Guided Tour
What's Not Included
  • Hotel Pick-up and Drop-off Services
  • Entry fee of the Hagia Sophia (30 Eurs per person)
  • Entry fee of the Basilica Cistern (1500 Turkish Liras per person)
  • Entry fee of the Topkapi Palace (2400 Turkish Liras per person)
Additional Information

Join us for a serene and enlightening walking tour through some of Istanbul’s most renowned historical landmarks.
The tour commences in front of Hagia Sophia, where a private guide will unveil the captivating history and tales of this iconic monument. The journey then leads to the subterranean world of the Basilica Cistern, celebrated for its enigmatic…

Location
Fountain Sultan Ahmed III
It is in front of Tapkapi Palace where the entrance of Hagia Sophia for visitor.
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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Binotto64
Sep 17, 2025
Istanbul in one day - A full day together . Great knowledge of the city and it monuments , super flexible and adapdable to our needs . Very nice person .
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V7587lvalexg
Sep 16, 2025
Meet. Join the highlights, properly fast, without queues and with a guided tour professional. 100% - I was very lucky to find a guide, SINAN, who in addition to being very professional, punctual, knowledgeable about his work, is an excellent person. Very warm and close. Thank you for a great day of tourism educator and great companion
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Tim
Sep 14, 2025
Brilliant guide, knowledgeable and excellent English language skills. We are six men who have cycled to Istanbul from UK - Erdem is punctual, knowledgable and responsive to our questions. A full 5 star rating. Highly recommended Thank you :-)
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Y9345hurogerb
Sep 14, 2025
As above - Erdern was a brilliant guide and could answer all our convoluted questions. He made it very nitery for us all , lots of great facts and stories
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M1239oameghanr
Sep 14, 2025
Unforgettable Istanbul - Tugba was our guide and she was wonderful. Very knowledgeable of the history and area, hospitable and helpful with our future plans. I would recommend her to everyone visiting Istanbul.
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H3942qvalejandrar
Sep 13, 2025
Discovering the Historic Center of Istanbul and the secrets unknown to Latin Americans. - We traveled to Istanbul with the Eyewitness Enterprise of Huseyin Yaila, a man committed to high quality Tourism Service. We hire the excursion to the historic center of Istanbul, with a private guide. If you arrive in Istanbul, wanting to visit the most iconic places and need a guide who is fluent in the Catellano language, I recommend Sinan Bayram, a highly specialized and creative professional when it comes to recounting the history, myths and discoveries of ancient facts that keep these monumental beauties such as the great Hagia Sophia Mosque, (Ayasophia) that was the largest cathedral in the world for 1000 years, with its large central dome an engineering unparalleled for its time where crystal and Islamic elements are combined. The Blue Palace, built in the 17th century by Sultan Ahmed, dazzled me with the description of our guide Sinan, detailing the symbols and composition of the mosaics whose special color gives the name to this place. It was so important all the references he shared with us, it was like living a little bit of history in every story. With all this I want to tell you that if you like the story, after this guided tour you will love it much more and if you do not like it do not worry that Sinan will make it very entertaining for you too.
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Gerardo00000
Sep 13, 2025
Get to know the historical and spiritual heart of Istanbul in just 5 hours. Visualize Islam with the gaze of a believer - Sinan is a tour guide certified by the Ministry of Culture, but much more, he is a Person of great integrity, who knows his people and takes you into the culture, history and religion of the Turkish people, without fanaticism and with deep respect for multiculturalism. We came to the city, bringing preconceptions coined by centuries of Western religious and political propaganda. We leave with a sense of brotherhood with this hardworking, spiritual and culturally respectful people, thanks to Sinan’s knowledge and empathy. He is someone who lived in our country for a while, more precisely in Cordoba, Argentina (so if you are looking for a great guide from Istanbul, bring fernet and you will get the best). Rating: He doesn't like mate, if they forget weed, he gives away the one he has... St. Sophia (which has no such “saint”; ask Him what that name means), represents the iconic place par excellence, since it was in its time the Christian ecumenical Church (before Catholicism and the other variants of Christianity were born) The visit to the Blue Mosque was a special discovery. If you love history, art and culture, you can’t go through Istanbul without your guide.
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Alengomez
Sep 12, 2025
The best experience in Istanbul - Today's experience was fantastic, Nurseda is not only a professional but also and even more importantly, a person who with her charisma transmits confidence with her company.
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Kimmyfangirl
Sep 12, 2025
Special thanks to Erdem! - I had so much fun with Erdem! We gelled well together due to our shared love of history and the arts. Erdem is incredibly friendly and that is telling by the way the locals respect and love him too! He doesn’t hesitate to take you on side quests to places he thinks you’d love!This was my first time in Istanbul and it’s very unfortunate that it was for the day however when I do return i intend on getting him again even if it’s for a friendly lunch :)
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Paola
Sep 11, 2025
Excellent coverage of the important sights! Wonderful experience. - Erdem our guide was very knowledgeable and we saw the main sights as requested . All questions were answered and we felt very satisfied . Taken to a wonderful restaurant and saw how artigianal traditional ceramics were made. Overall fascinating walking tour . Thank you!
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From $29
up to 7 guests
1 - Adult
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).