Istanbul Old City Tour: A Day Exploring Historical Landmarks & Turkish Handicrafts

Explore Istanbul’s historical landmarks and immerse yourself in Turkish handicrafts on this captivating Old City tour. Visit the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, and the Grand Bazaar for an unforgettable day of discovery.

Duration: 8 hours
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • Hippodrome - The Hippodrome of Constantinople was a circus that was the sporting and social centre of Constantinople, capital of the Byzantine Empire. Today it is a square named Sultanahmet Meydanı in the Turkish city of Istanbul, with a few fragments of the original structure surviving.
What's Included
  • Lunch
  • In-vehicle air conditioning
  • Tour Guide
  • All Fees and Taxes Except Hagia Sophia museum
What's Not Included
  • Entrance fees
Additional Information

This tour is an essential experience in Istanbul. The day begins at the Roman Hippodrome, where the Romans and Byzantines held chariot races. The next stop is the Blue Mosque, renowned for being the only mosque with six minarets, along with its surroundings. Following this, visitors will see the German Fountain, a gift from Kaiser Wilhelm II, and hear…

Location
Hippodrome
Binbirdirek, Sultan Ahmet ParkI No:2,
Cancellation Policy

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

Customer Ratings
4.8
(68 Ratings)
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Mohammedq998
Feb 4, 2026
A Perfect Day Exploring Old City Istanbul - This tour covered all the must-see spots in one day. The peaceful atmosphere of the Blue Mosque was unforgettable. Hagia Sophia stood out with its unique blend of cultures and history. Topkapi Palace offered amazing views and incredible collections. A very well-planned and memorable day.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Tonyb97644
Dec 15, 2025
Perfect Day Filled With History & Culture - Fantastic tour from beginning to end. The Blue Mosque was gorgeous, Hagia Sophia felt like stepping into centuries of history at once, and Topkapi Palace had amazing views overlooking the Bosphorus. Our guide made everything even more enjoyable with all the stories and facts.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Halil
Dec 1, 2025
Best Way to See Istanbul’s Highlights - This tour was extremely well-organized. The Blue Mosque looked magnificent, especially with its intricate interior. Hagia Sophia was a masterpiece full of history. Topkapi Palace was packed with interesting stories—so much to see in one place. Highly recommended!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
N4556sam
Nov 25, 2025
Wonderful Full-Day Tour of Istanbul - Such a fantastic way to explore Istanbul’s top attractions in a single day. The Blue Mosque stood out with its beautiful blue tiles and peaceful atmosphere. Hagia Sophia was a highlight, where the mix of cultures and history really stands out. Topkapi Palace offered so much to see—treasures, courtyards, and amazing views over the Bosphorus. A memorable day from start to finish!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
In_b
Oct 30, 2025
Turkey Tours Planners... - Turkey Tours Planners Company operator was very responsive whenever we contacted him. He made sure we were well taken care of prior to get pick up by a tour bus driver. A tour guide was very knowledgeable about the old city. Overall we all had a good tour.
Review provided by Viator
Jet62268600261
Oct 25, 2025
Truly Enriching Experience - I joined the city tour alone and felt very comfortable throughout. The group was friendly, and the guide was professional and knowledgeable. Istanbul historical site are breathtaking, and I learned so much about Ottoman and Byzantine history.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Amanda_k
Jun 10, 2025
Comprehensive , informative day in Istanbul - Comprehensive and informative tour - great way to experience the key historic sites in Istanbul . The tour operator communicated well with us, despite some confusion with our pickup location . Offered options for free time to take photos and explore.
Review provided by Viator
Xavier4586
Oct 18, 2024
A great time - From the iconic Blue Mosque to the mysterious Basilica Cistern, each stop was more impressive than the last. The guide was fantastic, and the lunch at a local spot was delicious. A must-do for anyone visiting Istanbul!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Dylan1588
Oct 18, 2024
This tour is perfect - We visited historic places like Hagia Sophia, the Hippodrome, and the Grand Bazaar. The guide made everything interesting and gave us plenty of time to explore on our own.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Leila_s
Jul 3, 2025
The tour was supposed to... - The tour was supposed to be 7-8 hours. It ended up being almost 10 hours. This tour is sold as a tour by bus/walking but The only time we used the bus was to pick up and drop off from the hotel. The tour guy was walking very fast and didn’t wait for travelers walking at a slowest pace. We also went around circles around Hagia Sophia. The tour started at the blue mosque and then Hagia Sophia, and at the end, we had to go back because some people went inside Hagia Sophia to pray. We didn’t know this. They also brought us to leather market and that wasn’t part of the itinerary.
Review provided by Viator
From $200
up to 7 guests
1 - Adult
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).