Visit Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque and the Roman-era Hippodrome. Also discover Topkapi Palace, where Ottoman sultans held their court and shop for souvenirs at the legendary Grand Bazaar.

About this activity

Free cancellation: Cancel up to 24 hours in advance to receive a full refund
Covid-19 precautions: Special health and safety measures apply. Learn more
Reserve now & pay later: Keep your travel plans flexible—book your spot and pay nothing today. Learn more
Duration 7 hours: Check availability to see starting times.
Skip the line through express security check
Live tour guide: English
Pickup included: Pickup from all hotels in Sultanahmet, Sirkeci, Beyazıt, Aksaray and Taksim areas.

Highlights

Visit 1500-year-old Hagia Sophia
Explore the Blue Mosque, one of the best-preserved examples of Ottoman architecture
Discover the Grand Bazaar, one of the most famous markets in the world

Full description

Your guide will collect you from your hotel around 8 AM in a climate-controlled vehicle to embark on a walking tour of Istanbul's Sultanahmet, the heart of the Old City and both Byzantine and Ottoman Empires. Your first stop is the 1500-year-old Hagia Sophia, with its grand, gilded dome: your guide will explain its rich heritage and history. Next, stroll to the Blue Mosque, with its six slender minarets. Built for Sultan Ahmet I in the seventeenth century, it's one of the best-preserved examples of Ottoman architecture. Continue to Istanbul's Hippodrome, once the site of epic chariot races, and also the center of Byzantine life for a thousand years. Your guide will explain the countless dramas that have unfolded on this site. Stop at the historic Caferaga Medresesi to learn about traditional handicrafts and music, before breaking for lunch at a local restaurant. Your next stop is Topkapi Palace, the home of the Ottoman sultans, their harem and their eunuchs for around 400 years. Finally, delve into the stalls and alleyways of the Grand Bazaar, one of the most famous markets in the world. Haggle for jewelry, leather, or carpets, or simply window shop. Your tour finishes at 5 PM in central Sultanahmet.

Includes

Museum and entrance tickets
Local expert guide
Local lunch

Drinks

Not suitable for

People with mobility impairments

Covid-19 precautions

Safety measures in place

All areas that customers touch are frequently cleaned
You must keep social distance while in vehicles
The number of visitors is limited to reduce crowds

Traveler requirements

You are required to bring and wear a mask

Important information

What to bring

Comfortable shoes

Not allowed

Luggage or large bags

Know before you go

Please note that the Sultan Ahmed Mosque (Blue Mosque) will be closed to visitors between March 1 2018 and May 15 2018 due to renovations.
Saint Sophia is open on Mondays between 01 April to 30 October
Topkapı Palace closed on Tuesday
Grand Bazaar closed on Sunday

Customer reviews

Overall rating

3.5 /5

based on 8 reviews

Review summary

Guide
2/5
Transportation
2/5
Value for money
4.2/5
Safety
4.6/5

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Must do of ıstanbul

Not only named small group real small group ı had. It was nice to walk around the historical sites of Istanbul witha local expert guide. The guide was very helpful in explaining about history. We had local famous restourant lınch where local people eat not a turistic place which was so nice. We had more enjoyable time and better answer to our questions because few people in the tour. Thank you very mıch

September 30, 2019

Yesterday (August 10, 2018) I did the full day tour of Istanbul and we found it highly recommended. They showed us the old city area, with all the explanations in English and the food and tickets to the tourist attractions were included. It was a very nice day despite the extreme heat.

August 11, 2019

A lot of information

detailed information - a little too much, as only small parts of it were noticed at the end of the day. Tour guide very nice and tried hard. It was also positive that the waiting times for the tickets were minimized. All in all an informative and nice day, if a bit exhausting - due to the abundance of information - the heat also contributed to the fact that everyone was tired at the end of the tour.

July 4, 2019

Istanbul: Small Group, Old City, Full Day Walking Tour

Istanbul: Small Group, Old City, Full Day Walking Tour

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Must do of ıstanbul

A lot of information