Istanbul History Tour: Explore Byzantine Heritage

Immerse yourself in Istanbul’s captivating history on our meticulously crafted historic city tour. Explore iconic landmarks and discover the city’s Byzantine and Ottoman heritage.

Duration: 8 hours
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • Hagia Sophia Mosque - Constructed by Emperor Justinian in the sixth century, the Hagia Sophia Mosque holds significant importance in both Christian and Islamic traditions. Following the Ottoman conquest, the bells, altar, and sacrificial vessels were removed, and many mosaics were covered to transform the church into a mosque.
  • Hippodrome -…
What's Included
  • Fast Track Ticket Available to skip the huge queue
  • Discover rich tradition of Turkish handicrafts through unique art & shopping experiences in GORDES
  • Professional Tour Guide
  • Public Transportation Fees
  • Soft Drinks
What's Not Included
  • Entry Fees
  • Private transportation
  • Foods & Drinks
Additional Information

Experience the captivating history of Istanbul with our meticulously crafted historic city tour. Delve into the past as you visit Istanbul’s most renowned landmarks, each a testament to the city’s extraordinary heritage.
From the awe-inspiring Hagia Sophia, showcasing Byzantine magnificence, to the vibrant Grand Bazaar, where the tapestry of Istanbul’s…

Location
Olea Travel
Muhterem Efendi Sokak
Cancellation Policy

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

Customer Ratings
4.9
(114 Ratings)
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Mom_to_e-n-d
Feb 20, 2026
Knowledgeable yet easy to understand - Omar was the best guide ever! He was very knowledgeable and yet succinct in telling us the history of Istanbul and the different tourist sites. He also gave us interesting tidbits on various local customs. We really appreciate how well he spoke and how it was simplified so we can have a good understanding.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Gavin_c
Feb 19, 2026
Day out in Istanbul - Good day out, interesting tour with lots of history, Nazan is a great guide, beautiful sites around the city
Review provided by Viator
Alangi4376kp
Jan 15, 2026
Great overview of Istanbul sights - Nazan was an excellent tour guide. She was very knowledgeable and listened and adjusted our various stops to our preferences.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Andrew_m
Jan 7, 2026
Hasan met us at our hotel... - Hasan met us at our hotel near Sultanahmet and went to the main sightseeing spots. Great to have local knowledge, history and cultural discussions. Hasan was patient with us as the four of us had different expectations and pace. We did not feel rushed. Hasan was able to bypass the main queues due to his tourism badge which was fantastic. Also good knowledge about to expect and what to focus on during our tour. This was excellent. Thank you again.
Review provided by Viator
Gerard_p
Jan 7, 2026
Fantastic tour one of the best I’ve been on - Omar was my tour guide, he was very knowledgeable about everywhere that we visited, I learned so much about the history of the city and Turkey. The tour is exactly what I was looking for and I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a personal touch.
Review provided by Viator
Tea_n
Jan 1, 2026
Worthwhile - Informative walkabout in historical central Istanbul tailored to our requests . Visited all major sites with exception of Topkapi Palace as it is closed on Tuesdays.
Review provided by Viator
Martha_s
Jan 1, 2026
Great guide. Very... - Great guide. Very knowledgeable and friendly. Enjoyed all the sites, Hagia Sofia was under so much construction that not much to see.
Review provided by Viator
Emily_d
Dec 30, 2025
The Greatest Tour Guide in the WORLD!! - Billur was the single greatest tour guide my husband and I have ever used... so much so, when we would run into other tour guides throughout the city while we were on our tour, not only would Billur receive the biggest hugs and hellos, the guides would hug us too, and tell us we had the "Princess of all Istanbul Tour Guides" in our midst! Our day in Istanbul was vibrant, endlessly fascinating, perfectly planned, and full of knowledge. We felt like we covered every corner we could, and Billur even stayed overtime with us to show the nuances between Turkish delights in the Grand Bazaar. She made sure no stone was left unturned, and no fact left unmentioned. If we needed extra time at a site, or wanted to take a few extra photos, she was quick to jump into place and help make it happen. Billur went above and beyond in all aspects of our tour day, and even followed up to be certain we were set up for success for the rest of our trip in Turkey. We cannot rave about Billur and this tour in Istanbul highly enough!!!
Review provided by Viator
Nicole_a
Dec 25, 2025
Fantastic day - We enjoyed a fantastic day with Berkant. He was a great company and was very knowledgeable. We highly recommend his services.
Review provided by Viator
Mercedes_a
Dec 4, 2025
Excellent guide - Umit has been an excellent guide. Polite, friendly and a very good professional. He took us to the best places and there was a great organization of the day.
Review provided by Viator
From $180 (Per Group)
up to 15 guests
1 - Traveler
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).