Cultural tours Private tour

PRIVATE GUIDED Exploration Tour of İstanbul Old City

Istanbul, Turkey · 7h · 1–15 people

Runs in English Japanese

  • Moderate
  • Suitable for strollers and prams
  • Public transport nearby

This is a private tour. When you book a date, your group has the tour to itself. Nobody else can join.

Your guide

Kerem Okur

Kuşadası, Turkey

With over 13 years of experience, Tour Altinkum Travel offers day tours, multi-day journeys, and shore excursions across Türkiye’s most popular destinations. We specialize …

Ask a question See Kerem Okur's profile

Discover Istanbul's UNESCO sites with a knowledgeable local guide on a private, flexible tour that allows you to customize the itinerary to your preferences at any time.

Highlights

  • Enjoy a full-day private walking tour of Sultanahmet with a professional guide dedicated to your party.
  • Customise your itinerary around your interests, from iconic landmarks and museums to colourful markets and atmospheric streets.
  • Uncover Istanbul’s history, architecture and everyday life through engaging stories and local insights
  • Discover authentic souvenirs and local dining spots with personalised recommendations from your guide.
  • Explore at your own pace, with time for photographs, questions and relaxing breaks, using the tram or metro for longer distances.
Experience Istanbul on your terms with a full-day private walking tour centered on the historic Sultanahmet district. Meet your professional guide at a designated location. Collaborate with your guide to design a personalized itinerary tailored to your interests, whether you wish to visit renowned landmarks, explore museums, stroll through vibrant markets, or savor local cuisine. Benefit from your guide’s in-depth knowledge as you hear engaging stories about Istanbul’s rich history, discover unique architectural features, and gain valuable insights into contemporary city life. Take the opportunity to shop for authentic souvenirs or dine at local restaurants recommended by your guide. Enjoy the flexibility to explore at your own pace, ask questions, take photographs, and pause for breaks without the constraints of a larger group. Wander through atmospheric streets and utilize the tram or metro for longer distances, ensuring a seamless experience free from traffic concerns. Whether your passion lies in history, culture, or discovering hidden gems, this private tour offers a personalized introduction to Istanbul tailored to your preferences.

What's included

  • Professional licensed tour guide
  • All sightseeings mentioned in the itinerary

Not included

  • Food and drinks (optional)
  • Admision Fees to the historical sites you would like to have interior visit
  • Personal Expenses

What to bring

  • Passport for childrens if any

Know before you go

  • Infant seats available
  • This is a private guided walking tour focusing on the historical sights in Istanbul’s Sultanahmet district.
  • The Grand Bazaar is closed on Sundays.
  • Topkapi Palace is closed on Tuesdays

Meeting point: German Fountain

The details of the guide wil be shared 1 day before the tour.

Open in maps

Cancellation policy: Free until 24 hours before: Full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start. After that, no refund.

Cancel within that window and you get your full deposit back. After it, you do not get your deposit back. If the guide cancels, you always get your deposit back.

Map of this tour's route, with 6 marked stops

What you'll do

  1. 1
    Hagia Sophia
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    Meaning Divine Wisdom, Hagia Sophia was the largest building on earth barring the Egyptian Pyramids or the Great Wall of China. Today's Hagia Sophia was built by Emperor Justinian in 537AD. It was the religious center of the city during the Byzantine period. It was used as a church for 916 years and as a mosque for 481 years, In 1934, by the order of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, it was converted into a museum and has since been open to visitors

  2. 2
    Topkapi Palace
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    As well as being the imperial residence of the Sultan, the palace was also the seat of government for the ottoman empire. It housed the ottoman sultans for nearly 400 years until the Dolmabahçe palace was built. In 1924 it was converted into a museum. Today it is famous with harem, royal treasury, and holy relics sections.

  3. 3
    Basilica Cistern
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    is the size of a cathedral; it is 143m long and 65m wide and can hold up to 80,000 cubic meters (or 17.5 million gallons) of water. There are 336 giant columns (mostly Ionic or Corinthian in style) supporting the structure in 12 rows of 28 columns.

  4. 4
    Blue Mosque
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    Built by the Ottoman Sultan Ahmet I in the year 1616, it is located opposite the Hagia Sophia. Blue mosque today is one of the most famous landmarks of the old city with its famous six minarets and magnificent dome. Although it is officially named Sultanahmet Mosque, the (nıck) name Blue Mosque was given to it by the visitors because of the amazing blue tiles decorating the interior walls.

  5. 5
    Hippodrome of Constantinople
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    Built by the Roman Emperor Septimus Severus in 203AD, during the Roman period hippodrome was the civil center for the people of the city where once 100,000 spectators could be held. Located in the heart of Sultanahmet surrounded by Blue mosque, Hagia Sophia and Topkapi palace, today it is home to The Egyptian Obelisk (Dikilitaş), The Serpentine Column(Burma sütun), The Constantine Column and German Fountain

  6. 6
    Grand Bazaar
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    With 18 entrances and more than 4000 shops, it is one of the greatest bazaars in the world. It was built between 1455-1461 by Sultan Mehmet the Conqueror. Today, shops selling the same kind of merchandise tend to be congregated in their own streets or inns as it was the original Ottoman system.

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180 USD / group · party of 2
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