Istanbul Culture and History Tour: Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Bosphorus Cruise

Embark on a full day exploration of Istanbul’s old city, including visits to iconic landmarks like Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque. Enjoy a cruise on the Bosphorus and indulge in a delicious lunch. Skip the ticket queues and immerse yourself in the rich culture and history of Istanbul.

Duration: 7 hours
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • Hagia Sophia Mosque - Pick up from the hotel and join the group. We begin our tour with a visit to Hagia Sophia Museum, which is considered one of the Eight Wonders of the World, occupies a unique place in the history of architectures one of the rare works of this size and age that still survives.
  • Blue Mosque - Our next visit will be The…
What's Included
  • Boat Fee
  • Museum Tickets
  • Lunch
  • All Fees and Taxes
  • In-vehicle air conditioning
  • Professional Licensed Guiding
  • Pick up & Drop Off from centrally located hotels on the European Side
What's Not Included
  • Drinks
  • Gratuities (optional)
  • Please review the additional notes on your ticket for the appropriate dress code for mosque visits
Additional Information

Discover Istanbul’s rich Culture and history with our experienced guides. Skip the Museum Ticket Queues with your guide.
Visit Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Hippodrome, Brief Handicraft Presentation next to Grand Bazaar (Optional, guest may opt to explore the bazaar on their own), Spice Bazaar and take a Cruise on The Bosphorus, the strait that separates…

Location
Hagia Sophia Mosque
Sultan Ahmet, Ayasofya MeydanI No:1
Cancellation Policy

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

Customer Ratings
4.7
(218 Ratings)
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1 star
Robert_c
Oct 7, 2025
A must for first time visitors - This was a great full day tour that was very well paced and included a lot of major attractions with lunch just adding to the experience. Our guide Muzaffer was so knowledgeable and helpful and kept us on schedule. Pick up and drop off were spot on. Highly Recommended!
Review provided by Viator
Vickie_h
Oct 7, 2025
Istanbul tour - Shakir our tour guide was excellent! He was Informative and fun! We loved seeing the Haga Sophia, Blue mosque and Bosphorus sea scenic venues
Review provided by Viator
Dejennings57
Oct 7, 2025
Everything on time and... - Everything on time and very efficient a d friendly guides. An excellent lunch was provided at the restaurant and the owner went out of his way to ensure every guest was adequately provided for. It was a log but enjoyable day and highly recommended
Review provided by Viator
Bernadette_c
Sep 26, 2025
Mehmet was very... - Mehmet was very knowledgeable and full of personality. We saw and learned much more than would ever be possible on our own. The tour of the Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque and the cruise on the Bosphorus were well worth it. We could have skipped the lunch as there were many restaurants with better ambiance to choose from (the meal itself was delicious and plentiful).
Review provided by Viator
Nadia_m
Sep 6, 2025
Incredible tour and day! - It was an incredible experience! Our guide Ali, was very attentive and helpful. From an extensive knowledge that he shared with us and left us surrendered to Istanbul! My husband was years old and Ali asked our driver to buy a cake and surprised us at lunch. A lot of thanks for the wonderful day!
Review provided by Viator
Montgomery_j
Jul 22, 2025
Great tour! - The pick up was punctual. The guide was very savy and funny, he made really enjoyable. As in most tours, time is pressing to keep the schedule, but it's comforting going with someone who knows what to do, where to go and give you good advice. Beware of falling in the temptation of the Turkish ability to sell things in the stores.
Review provided by Viator
Baboa65
Jul 15, 2025
East and West can coexist - A real surprise, modern and ancient in perfect balance. Safe city. The Bosphorus that divides the western part from the fascinating eastern. So much history and so many sites in the city and beyond. So much to see. A wonderful light.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Mark_v
Jul 15, 2025
Our guide today was very... - Our guide today was very knowledgeable about all of the historical facts and dates for each stop. He also was flexible with time which we appreciated.
Review provided by Viator
Bart_p
Sep 16, 2025
Impressive tour and fun introduction to Istanbul - Nice imposing city, we had a great excursion. Good guide, much seen, Aya Sofia, Blue Mosque, Bosphorus and Spicy Bazaar. Guide spoke fine English and knew a lot, including about the history
Review provided by Viator
Tracy_k
Aug 15, 2025
Well-run tour with a small group, good pacing, and a knowledgeable guide. - The itinerary was efficient and covered the main highlights. However, I’d caution against shopping at the Grand Bazaar and Spice Bazaar during the tour. At the Grand Bazaar, I was short-changed—paid in euros, but the seller returned 20 TRY instead of 20 EUR while distracting me with conversation. At the Spice Bazaar, the shop our guide recommended charged 2.4x more for figs than nearby stalls. Though friendly and offering tea, it felt like a tourist trap. It was disappointing that the guide personally endorsed the shop. The price difference suggests a commission setup, which undermines the professionalism of an otherwise solid experience. Also worth noting: the same company offers a half-day tour for €54, which is better value. The full-day version only adds lunch, the Spice Bazaar, and a Bosphorus cruise—which you can easily do on your own for about 600 TRY (~€13).
Review provided by Viator
From $111
up to 15 guests
1 - Adult
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).