Cultural tours Private tour

Skip-The-Line: Secret Treasures of Istanbul PRIVATE TOUR w/Lunch

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

Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace with Harem Section, Basilica Cistern, Blue Mosque, Hippodrome and Grand Bazaar. Guiding in your own language, Pick up service provided

Highlights

  • Explore Topkapi Palace and its Harem Section, uncovering the stories of Ottoman sultans and their imperial household.
  • Admire Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque, discovering their remarkable architecture and rich cultural heritage.
  • Descend into the atmospheric Basilica Cistern, where ancient columns rise above the water.
  • Relive history at the Hippodrome and browse colourful stalls filled with traditional crafts at the Grand Bazaar.
  • Enjoy a private guided experience with lunch included, with personalised attention and time to explore your interests.
Discover Istanbul’s extraordinary heritage on a private guided tour combining its most celebrated landmarks with an included lunch. With a guide dedicated to your party, enjoy a personal journey through centuries of history, with time to ask questions, admire architectural details and capture memorable photographs. Begin with Hagia Sophia, where magnificent architecture reflects the city’s rich Byzantine and Ottoman past. Continue to Topkapi Palace, the former residence of the Ottoman sultans, and explore its impressive courtyards. Your visit also includes the Harem Section, offering a fascinating glimpse into the private world of the imperial household. Descend into the atmospheric Basilica Cistern, where rows of ancient columns rise above the water in a remarkable underground setting. Admire the elegant domes and intricate tilework of the Blue Mosque, then discover the Hippodrome, once the setting for spectacular chariot races and public gatherings. Take a relaxing break for your included lunch before exploring the bustling passageways of the Grand Bazaar. Browse colourful displays of jewellery, textiles, ceramics and traditional crafts as your guide introduces you to the character of this historic marketplace. Combining grand palaces, sacred landmarks and everyday culture, this private experience offers a captivating introduction to the heart of old Istanbul.

What's included

  • Professional licenced tour Guide
  • All sightseeing mentioned in the itinerary
  • Lunch in the local restaurant
  • Pick Up from Hotels and Istanbul Port

Not included

  • Admission fees to attractions
  • Tip to the Guide (optional)
  • Personal Expenses
  • Beverages with meal

What to bring

  • Passport for chilrens if any

Know before you go

  • Infant seats available
  • Bring your passport
  • Not wheelchair accessible
  • Not suitable for pets
  • Infants must not sit on laps
  • Entry fees to Topkapi Palace (55 USD), Hagia Sophia (30 USD), Basilica Cister (45 USD) are excluded
  • Your guide will have skıp-the-line tıckets, so you will skip long ticket lines
  • Free entry for kids 8yr and below (take passport for children if any)
  • Topkapi Palace is closed on Tuesdays
  • Grand Bazaar is closed on Sundays
  • Pick-up times will be updated according to your cruise arrival times. (for cruise guests)

Pickup: Anywhere within 3.0 km of Pick up provided from Besiktas, Taksim Hotels.. You agree the place with your guide after booking.

Please reachout the local provıder on whatsapp & via email to reconfırm your private tour pick up time

Drop-off: The tour ends in Grand Bazaar

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 7 marked stops

What you'll do

  1. 1
    Hagia Sophia
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    One of the greatest marvels of architecture,Hagia Sophia was founded as a basilica in the 6th century. Built by the order of Byzantine Emperor Justinianus, St Sophia was the largest cathedral in the world for nearly a thousand years;it is considered the masterpiece of Byzantine architecture.

  2. 2
    Topkapi Palace
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    This extra ordinarary and full of secrets,palace was the residance of the Imperial Ottoman Sultans and center of the Ottoman Ampire for nearly 400 yeras.The building is a typcial example of Ottoman architecture and the rooms exhibits rich collections of porcelains, robes, weapons, shields, armours, Ottoman miniatures, Islamic calligraphic manuscripts as well as Ottoman treasures and jewellery

  3. 3
    Harem of Topkapi palace
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    Visit Harem of the Ottoman Sultans in Topkapi Palace

  4. 4
    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.

  5. 5
    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.

  6. 6
    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.

  7. 7
    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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150 USD / person · party of 2
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