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Istanbul Landmarks: Grand Bazaar & Topkapi Tour
5.0
12 Ratings
Fatih
Explore the rich history of Istanbul on a tour that delves into the Byzantine and Ottoman heritage. Visit iconic cultural monuments and experience the opulence of the Topkapi Palace Harem.
Explore the rich history of Istanbul on a tour that delves into the Byzantine and Ottoman heritage. Visit iconic cultural monuments and experience the opulence of the Topkapi Palace Harem.
Duration:
4 hours
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
- Topkapi Palace - Embark on an incredible journey through time with a visit to the Topkapi Palace, the heart of the Ottoman Empire for nearly four centuries. This magnificent palace was the center of government and the residence of the monarch, who ruled the kingdom with supreme authority. Visitors will also have the opportunity to explore the…
- Topkapi Palace - Embark on an incredible journey through time with a visit to the Topkapi Palace, the heart of the Ottoman Empire for nearly four centuries. This magnificent palace was the center of government and the residence of the monarch, who ruled the kingdom with supreme authority. Visitors will also have the opportunity to explore the Harem section, where the monarch’s large family and numerous servants lived in lavish luxury. Don’t miss this unique chance to experience the splendor and magnificence of the Ottoman Empire’s most iconic landmark.
- Basilica Cistern - Following the exploration of Topkapi Palace, the tour continues to the Basilica Cistern, the largest of several hundred ancient cisterns beneath Istanbul, dating back to the 6th-century Byzantine era.
- Kapali Carsi - The adventure concludes at the Grand Bazaar, the largest covered market in the world, offering an exciting shopping experience. This is an extraordinary journey that should not be missed!
What's Included
- Private tour
- Professional guide
- Entrance fees to the museums
- Private tour
- Professional guide
- Entrance fees to the museums
What's Not Included
- Gratuities
- Lunch
- Private transportation
- Gratuities
- Lunch
- Private transportation
Additional Information
This exclusive experience is crafted for travelers eager to discover Istanbul’s key historical landmarks in a seamless, well-paced, and personalized manner.
100% Private and Adaptable: As a completely private tour, it offers a more relaxed and intimate experience compared to typical group tours.
Accompanied by a licensed local guide, participants will…
This exclusive experience is crafted for travelers eager to discover Istanbul’s key historical landmarks in a seamless, well-paced, and personalized manner.
100% Private and Adaptable: As a completely private tour, it offers a more relaxed and intimate experience compared to typical group tours.
Accompanied by a licensed local guide, participants will explore Topkapi Palace and the Harem, the Basilica Cistern, and the Grand Bazaar, gaining insightful historical and cultural context throughout the journey.
No Surprise Shopping Stops: The Grand Bazaar is included as part of the cultural and historical exploration, not as a shopping destination. There are no unexpected shopping stops, though the guide is happy to provide recommendations if advice is sought on ceramics, tiles, textiles, or other local goods.
The itinerary is organized efficiently to maximize your time. Please be aware that all visitors must adhere to standard entry procedures and any necessary security checks.
- This tour does NOT include a visit to the Hagia Sophia and The Blue Mosque or any mosque.
- This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- All visitors must still follow normal entry procedures and any required security checks
Location
House of Medusa Restaurant
Yerebatan Caddesi
Your tour guide will meet you at the House of Medusa restaurant in Sultanahmet, close to the exit gate of the Basilica Cistern.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
5.0
(12 Ratings)
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368gerryb
Jun 17, 2025
A great tour with a great guide! - We booked our tour through our hotel before we arrived and can say that we were not disappointed with the experience. Our guide, Kenan, was polite, courteous and very careful to understand our requirements from the tour, to make sure that he delivered against them.
His in depth knowledge of Istanbul made for an interesting tour and his English was excellent and so was his sense of humour.
I would not hesitate to recommend this company to anyone visiting Istanbul, based on our experience.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Daydream48042234881
Jan 13, 2024
The true essence of Istanbul. - We embarked on a remarkable guided tour of Istanbul’s old city, exploring Topkapi Palace and Harem, Blue Mosque, Basilica Cistern, and the Grand Bazaar. Our guide, Furkan, was a true expert on the city, museums, and the best shops in the bazaar. He even took us to a charming little restaurant for lunch, where we savored delicious family–style food that we wouldn’t have discovered on our own.
Our tour with Furkan was so exceptional that we decided to book another day tour, this time to see the Bosphorus and other lesser–known tourist sites in Istanbul. We highly recommend this tour to anyone visiting Istanbul, as it was a truly inspiring and eye–opening experience.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Arun22333444
Sep 11, 2023
A Marvellous Journey Through Old Istanbul - What an amazing my time my family and I had touring the marvellous old city of Istanbul. Furkan is a highly knowledgeable guide and evoked both the sensational culture and history of the mosques and monuments. Highly , highly recommend. Furkan was also super helpful with cultural and culinary recommendations.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
267daniak
Aug 11, 2023
One for the books - I cherished the personalized time spent with Darya. Not only did she create a comfortable environment for my 10-year-old daughter to freely ask questions, but she also had an in-depth knowledge of the bazaar, guiding us to all the hidden gems, unique shops, and must-see places! Beyond her remarkable expertise, I genuinely feel like I've made a new friend in Turkey due to the wonderful connection we shared and inside jokes lol. Our day together was nothing short of amazing!! And I wholeheartedly encourage others to partake in this experience... My heartfelt gratitude goes out to her for making it so memorable….
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Y6250sumonicag
May 23, 2023
Exciting days in Istambul - Spent 2 exciting days in Istambul guided by Furkan. He introduced us to the marvelous food, showed us the hidden shops and all the interesting places while telling stories about the history and culture of the citiy. Best guide!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Wwchdin
May 9, 2023
Amazing tours, exceeding expectations - My partner and I used Private Istanbul Walking Tours for both a food tour as well as a tour of Topkapi, Basilica Cistern and Grand Bazaar. And both were truly amazing.
Istanbul is amazing and there is so much to see, but having a private tour guide just elevates the experience to another level.
Furkan was our guide for both tours. He was extremely knowledgeable, as he has been doing this professionally for over 15 years. He is able to talk about history, culture, art of Turkey, you name it!
Furkan was very social, easy to talk and just an extremely nice person. We loved spending time with him.
Finally, the tours were customised to our timeline as well as our dietary requirements (achieving a food tour in Turkey without garlic and onion is quite a feat!)
Would recommend Private Istanbul Walking Tours without any hesitation, and we wouldn't look for anyone else if we're to visit Istanbul again.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Leslieabieraquan
Nov 18, 2022
Off the beaten path - My guide Derya first took me to Suleymaniye Mosque and told me the history of it. She offered to take my picture…she takes great pictures. I loved this tour coz it really is off the beaten path. She took me to where locals hang out while telling me the history of every place we went to. I had sensory overload but it was great!
Review provided by Viator
Susanblum
Nov 12, 2022
More than a tour! - We had a really great experience with Derya. She makes you feel like you're touring the city with a good friend, and made herself available to us throughout our stay. It was quite comforting knowing we had a local contact. For our tour, we visited all the iconic spots and even had a well-rounded sampling of local cuisine (thank you for introducing us to menemen!) Since our tour was on a national holiday, the Grand Bazaar was closed. Derya kindly returned for a second day to guide us through. Her knowledge of Turkish history, culture and politics made for a really informative experience and we so enjoyed talking with Derya as we walked. She also provided us with invaluable help on restaurants, hamams, and even purchasing a rug! We hope to visit this beautiful country again and will surely contact Derya!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Y3468ozkathyb
Jan 25, 2021
Exotic Istanbul and Beyond - Seeing the hidden aspects of Istanbul . . . in fact, my husband and I loved it so much in 2016, we returned in 2020. Whereas during the pandemic, we were unable to go to Derya's favorite tea house and enjoy a bit of apple-spiced hookhah, on this trip we focused more on small eateries, getting "lost" (not really) on small alleys and streets, local farmers market, and stopping frequently to enjoy another cai or a beautiful architectural feature or to make a purchase of spices, rugs, art. We even got to Tango in the cistern and a day trip to Gazientep.
Our guides were professional, efficient, flexible, sensitive to our desires, always on time if not early, and just plain fun. It felt like we were traveling with friends. We had solo time inter-mixed with guided time. When transportation was needed, it was in a top rate van. We loved the local forms of transport: ferry, funicular, trolley.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Thebugthattravels
Jan 9, 2020
Istanbul Delivers Again!! - It is my second trip to Istanbul in a year - it is my new favourite city. And both times I had the perfect guide at my side - Derya! Deeply knowledgeable and passionate about her city she is right there for the history, the big sites as well as the small, everything food, on or off the beaten path. For three days we had the best time. Having worked at the Grand Bazaar, she knows it like the back of her hand (and most of the people in it!!) - Derya is your indispensable guide to seeing the most interesting shops, shopping for the genuine article and negotiating the best deal. Even if you aren't planning to buy a carpet, let her take you to the shop in a former caravanserai managed by the same family for three generations. And if you have never been to a hamam ladies, let Derya arrange this sensational experience for you at a hamam dating back to the 15th century - you will not, I promise you, regret it!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
