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Home > Istanbul > Private Tour: Istanbul in One Day Sightseeing Tour including Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia and Topkapi P
Private Tour: Istanbul in One Day Sightseeing Tour including Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia and Topkapi P
USD $113.00

Private Tour: Istanbul in One Day Sightseeing Tour including Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia and Topkapi P

Istanbul, Turkey

Take a hassle-free tour of Istanbul's most famous attractions with your own private guide to lead the way. You'll enjoy personalized attention on your private tour of magical Istanbul and its signature sights: the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, and Topkapi Palace.

On this tour you will visit the following historic sites:

Blue Mosque:
Just across from the Hippodrome, the Sultan Ahmet Mosque (also known as the Blue Mosque) is a superb creation in the classical Ottoman style. The mosque has six towering minarets and 260 windows illuminating its vast main chamber, which is decorated with more than 20,000 Iznik tiles.

Hagia Sophia:
One of the finest and largest architectural works of art in the world, this former basilica and mosque is now the Saint Sophia Museum. Many historians have nominated it as the 8th wonder of the world. Take a moment to linger here to admire the fine Byzantine mosaics.

Underground Cistern or Nakkas Cistern:
The Basilica Cistern (Yerebatan Sarayı), is the largest of several hundred ancient cisterns that lie beneath the city of Istanbul. The cistern, located 500 feet (150m) southwest of the Hagia Sophia on the historical peninsula of Sarayburnu, was built in the 6th century during the reign of Byzantine Emperor Justinian I.

Topkapi Palace:
The largest and oldest palace in the world, Topkapi is the crown jewel of the Ottoman Empire. With its treasury and exotic buildings overlooking the Golden Horn, your visit to Topkapi promises to be a truly fascinating experience. (Closed on Tuesdays; will be replaced with Istanbul Archaeology Museum)

Hippodrome and Obelisk:
The Hippodrome was once the heart of Constantinople’s political and sporting life, and the scene of games and riots through 500 years of Ottoman history. Today it is a city park called the Horse Grounds (At Meydanı) because of its function in Ottoman times. The Hippodrome includes the 3500-year-old Egyptian granite Obelisk, brought to Constantinople by Emperor Theodosius in 390 AD.

Grand Bazaar:
In operation since the 14th century, the Grand Bazaar is one of the world's largest covered markets, with 58 streets and over 4,000 shops. The bazaar is specially known for its jewelry, leather, pottery, spices and carpets. (Closed on Sundays; additional time will be spent at the other locations.)


*On Mondays from (October 20, 2015) when Hagia Sophia is closed, this visit will be replaced with a similar museum.

USD $113.00
Traveler Reviews
Review by:   AnilahQ,    May 2018 Review: 5 star rating: Highly Recommended
Fantastic tour! Had a couple of people with me who had never been to Istanbul and this tour was just the right thing for us all. Highly recommended to anyone new to Istanbul or who love visiting this city.
 

Review by:   Stefanie R,    April 2018 Review: 5 star rating: Highly Recommended
This trip was AMAZING! Omar was the absolute best. He answered any and all of our questions about culture, sites, etc. We had 2 kids ages 14 and 16 with us and he kept their attention the entire time. We saw everything in one day that was on our list plus a to of stuff we would never ave known about. I highly recommend this tour to anyone!!!
 

Review by:   John B,    January 2018 Review: 5 star rating: Highly Recommended
A wonderful way to see the city and get to know the local customs. A great guide that knew his history but was able to judge when you had had enough. He gave us a lot of useful information that helped enhance the rest of our stay.
 

Review by:   ANILAH Q,    October 2017 Review: 5 star rating: Highly Recommended
Recently visited Istanbul and had most amazing experience. Our tour guide 'Sevilay' was brilliant. Informative and full of knowledge. She made the whole experience memorable. This private tour was perfect for first time visiting the city. We managed to see all important historical sites in just a few hours. Highly recommend this tour for visitors regardless of how many times you have been.
 

Review by:   Susan,    October 2017 Review: 5 star rating: Highly Recommended
Great tour
 

Review by:   AnilahQ,    October 2017 Review: 5 star rating: Highly Recommended
Recently visited Istanbul and had most amazing experience. Our tour guide 'Sevilay' was brilliant. Informative and full of knowledge. She made the whole experience memorable. This private tour was perfect for first time visiting the city. We managed to see all important historical sites in just a few hours. Highly recommend this tour for visitors regardless of how many times you have been.
 

Review by:   Nicole R,    August 2017 Review: 5 star rating: Highly Recommended
Very informative guide went at good pace for 80 year old Mother. Very kind
 

Review by:   Barbara S,    January 2017 Review: 5 star rating: Highly Recommended
Excellent tour!
 

Review by:   Olihereonviator,    January 2017 Review: 2 star rating: It was OK, but could have been better
Could be better.. felt like should come without guide to see the places again
 

Review by:   Chris,    July 2016 Review: 5 star rating: Highly Recommended
The private guide was lovely, knowledgable, and a delight to spend the day. When its just you and the guide you learn so much more, and actually get to know a person and their life.
 

Review by:   Ivan H,    June 2016 Review: 4 star rating: Recommended
Tour was amazing, guide Sevilah Tokmak was friendly, and expert of Istanbul history. Whole tour was in relaxed atmosphere. Only one recommendation, skip shopping marketing, if not requested so, upfront. Visit of hyper expensive carpet store was not necessary.
 

Review by:   Patricia H,    June 2016 Review: 5 star rating: Highly Recommended
The guide, vehicle and detail were all extraordinary - not to be missed
 

Review by:   Susan G,    June 2016 Review: 5 star rating: Highly Recommended
Our guide Tibet, was absolutely outstanding. She was extremely knowledgeable about each of the sites and knew so much about the history of Istanbul. She was charming, and by the end of the day we felt we had a new friend. My husband and I highly recommend this tour and our guide. We were picked up right on time at our hotel and had a marvelous day.
 

Review by:   Warren W,    June 2016 Review: 2 star rating: It was OK, but could have been better
Would have given it 5 stars except very angry at the 'cultural' stop at rug sellers where we were aggressively strong armed to buy rugs. Guide basically sat back and let the shake down unfold. Left very bad impression after what would have been a perfect tour.
 

Review by:   David N,    June 2016 Review: 5 star rating: Highly Recommended
What a great way to see this fabulous city. You definitely need more than one day. Our tour guide, Omer Boran, from Neon Travel was fabulous. A seasoned guide you adjusted the day to get you ahead of the cruise ship tours. He was very knowledgeable, very articulate, and gave us time to see the artifacts at our own pace. Would definitely recommend this tour and guide.
 

Review by:   Francisco A,    June 2016 Review: 5 star rating: Highly Recommended
The local company was very reliable, they pick us up in a new Mercedes Benz Luxury van for Us only, just on time, great driver. we pick up our tour guide Mrs. Gulay Gunay, close to our first destination place, from the beginning she was a wonderful lady, she show us very energetic with great knowledge of the history I have a pretty good knowledge of history too, answer all questions take us pictures, show us the best angles to take ours, also help my wife with the camera and her I pad. thanks to her our travel was so wonderful that we insist and granted in second private tour with her the next day. I can recommend this tour company any time in Istanbul, and in specialty my guide Mrs. Gulay Gunay.
 

Review by:   Donald A D,    May 2016 Review: 5 star rating: Highly Recommended
What a wonderful way to start our trip to turkey. This one day tour of Istanbul takes in all the stops that a traveler wants to see. Our guide-Gulay Gunay was the best guide we have ever had and my husband and I are world travelers. Thank you
 

Review by:   Michael I,    January 2016 Review: 5 star rating: Highly Recommended
Great tour. We were able to go to front of line and was able to get most of highlights in one day.
 

Review by:   Anneke,    January 2016 Review: 5 star rating: Highly Recommended
I can highly recommend the private sightseeing tour in Istanbul. Luck also did play a crucial part in our day as there was snow on the day of our tour, which transformed Istanbul into a winter wonderland for the day. _br/_ Our tour guide Ilker Ulus was very knowledgable and friendly and took us to see all the relevant tourist attractions such as the Blue Mosque, the Hagia Sophia and the Topikapi Palace. What was great about this tour however was the fact that we were also shown lesser known attractions such as the Cisterns- where a scene from the James Bond movie From Russia With Love was filmed and a private pottery demonstration in a family owned shop that has been around for generations. _br/_ We we're also treated to a lovely three course Turkish meal- this was one of the highlights of the day. Ilker also took us to the Spice Market in town and introduced us to some of his local friends that have one of the finest establishments in the market. We bought some of the best Turkish Delight we had ever had as well as other Turkish delicacies ask Ilker to recommend some treats!.
 

Review by:   Md Golam Sarwar B,    January 2016 Review: 3 star rating: Worth doing
I'd taken the private tour since we were travelling with a baby and did not want to cause other people slowdown and we thought we needed a dedicated car. However, as the tour started in one place and almost all the activity centered around the Sultan Ahmet area, we really didn't need the dedicated car. The cost of the car was probably not required but since I did not know better, it was money wasted. The guide took us to the areas identified on the tour and accomodated our speed. All was good except for the visit to the Carpet shop in the end where we spent a lot more time than I would have anticipated and as such there was not much time left to go spend at the Grand Bazar. The guide was obviously tired and showed signs of annoyance when we were stopping at different shops in the Bazar. It was already past 5:30 so I let her go as she was not really helping with the shopping and was giving attitude and trying to rush us. If I was to do this next time, I'd probably try and arrange this differently by getting to an area by myself and using a guide to see the local sights of that area.
 

Review by:   Sheila O,    January 2016 Review: 5 star rating: Highly Recommended
If you want an in-depth, personal, well researched tour of Istanbul you have found the ideal company with passionate and charismatic guides!
 

Review by:   Randall I,    November 2015 Review: 5 star rating: Highly Recommended
The guide was fantastic. He was very professional and personable. It was one of the best tours we have ever experienced. Well worth the money.
 

Review by:   bmw123888,    November 2015 Review: 5 star rating: Highly Recommended
signed up for a 1 Day tour .. Tour guide assigned was a great Lady Ms Gulay Gunay._br/_ the Bosphorus cruise tour was fabulous.. lucky to have met with a sunny day..
 

Review by:   Denise O,    November 2015 Review: 5 star rating: Highly Recommended
Our experience on this tour with Hakin was fantastic. He was prompt, professional, knowledgeable and friendly. He answered all of our questions and was apleasure to be with for 2 days. I highly recommend Viator for private tours. The van was clean and 5 star!! Everything about our experience was perfect!
 

Review by:   Elise C,    November 2015 Review: 5 star rating: Highly Recommended
This was an excellent tour. We had a great day with our guide Hakan. He was excellent! Lovely day.
 

Review by:   MG B,    November 2015 Review: 5 star rating: Highly Recommended
Very good and the guide was very helpful_br/_ Lunch was very good
 

Review by:   Sally O,    November 2015 Review: 4 star rating: Recommended
The tour was well organised, educational and informative. I would definately recommend for seeing all the mail sites in one day. The lunch was average and we had a slightly hard sell carpet stop which we weren't expecting! If your guide suggests looking at some carpet weaving take it with a pinch of salt. It is interesting but they WILL try to make you buy a carpet! That's the only reason I didn't give the tour 5/5.
 

Review by:   Polly S,    October 2015 Review: 1 star rating: I do not recommend this
the sights were wonderful but our guide from neon travel ( hakan) left much to be desired. It seemed to us that he was not sharing a lot of information about the places we went to. Also we felt that he was more concerned about selling us a turkish carpet than helping us appreciate the sights!
 

Review by:   Andrew B,    October 2015 Review: 5 star rating: Highly Recommended
The guide did a great job on the tour despite the Islamic holiday. The only problem was that the guide was sent tp the wrong hotel.
 

Review by:   Mindynissen,    October 2015 Review: 5 star rating: Highly Recommended
Amazing adventure with a phenomenal guide named Borak. Luckily we were the only two who toured with him that day. Great because our cruise cancelled their tour due to security concerns. That meant without this availability we would have been in Istanbul on our own. Face it: questions answered, history shared and skipping long lines? Priceless!! thanks so much.
 

Review by:   Klaus K,    October 2015 Review: 4 star rating: Recommended
Good, but could have been better. I heard from others that went with Ergun Akkan from Fez Travel that they got much more info about the historic background about all the sites visited.
 

Review by:   ROBERT P,    October 2015 Review: 5 star rating: Highly Recommended
great trip our guide was exceptional we would use your co. again thank you
 

Review by:   Anthony Prowling,    September 2015 Review: 4 star rating: Recommended
It was great to be in a very small tour group. The only thing missing was the individual head sets as the guide spoke very gently and at times we could not her here clearly. Otherwise a great tour!
 

Review by:   Jian X,    September 2015 Review: 5 star rating: Highly Recommended
We had a excellent tour guide, he has fluent English and rich of Turkry history and knowledge.We has truly a wonderful one day trip in Istanbul. We highly recommmend Omar as the best local guide in Istanbul.
 

Review by:   robert l d,    September 2015 Review: 3 star rating: Worth doing
It was ok. We paid extra for private tour.....thought it would be better than with a group....felt pretty standard
 

Review by:   cynthia a,    September 2015 Review: 5 star rating: Highly Recommended
Wonderful tour. Our tour guide was ilker ulus. He is very personable and is English was very easy to understand. His knowledge of the the sights and local culture is excellent. It provided us with an in depth knowledge of istanbul that we could not have gotten on our own. I would highly recommend this tour and ilker as your tour guide while traveling in istanbul.
 

Review by:   Norm B,    September 2015 Review: 3 star rating: Worth doing
The tour of Istanbul was enjoyable and informative. The guide was very pleasant and knowledgeable. But I must say it was very overpriced._br/_ Norm B
 

Review by:   NAEEM Y,    August 2015 Review: 5 star rating: Highly Recommended
No doubt , perfect by all means. superb services in all aspects
 

Review by:   Sharon F,    August 2015 Review: 4 star rating: Recommended
Good Tour. Omar was very knowledgeable and friendly but not very chatty. Lunch was good and the pace was fine.
 

Review by:   Kurt W,    August 2015 Review: 5 star rating: Highly Recommended
Our guide Kahan was excellent! Every part of the tour was well taken care of and my family of four rellay enjoyed Istambul.
 

Review by:   victoria g,    August 2015 Review: 5 star rating: Highly Recommended
Our guide, Gokhan was the best. I would recommend him and Viator any time. Thanks for a great experience.
 

Review by:   Suzanne J,    August 2015 Review: 4 star rating: Recommended
Our tour guide was fantastic, very informative and accommidating. We went to all the typical places, which were interesting, and appreciated having a private guide so we could tailor the amount of time spent to what we were most interested in. Also, it was great to have in-depth conversations with our guide about the people and culture in Istanbul and Turkey, and learn more about current events in this part of the world. Lunch was good in a nice restaurant
 

Review by:   Lynne S,    July 2015 Review: 4 star rating: Recommended
There were 6 of us travelling together and our private tour was excellent. We were taken to the major attractions and a wonderful lunch was included in the price. The only downside was that we were taken into a rug shop which none of us were really interested in. Our last stop was at the Grand Bizarre where we were shown around before being taken back to our holiday. I would definitely recommend the tour but you need to make it clear if you are not interested in seeing the rugs as it was a waste of our time.
 

Review by:   John F,    July 2015 Review: 5 star rating: Highly Recommended
Tibet our guide was great!! We had a group of 8 and she explained everything for us, walked at a pace that all could follow and was very accommodating. Lunch was very good. Would definitely recommend this tour.
 

Review by:   Dick,    July 2015 Review: 1 star rating: I do not recommend this
VIATOR PRIVATE TOUR: Booking Reference No. BR.553595645 Wednesday June 10th, 2015
 

Review by:   Paullyn ChiuGee T,    June 2015 Review: 5 star rating: Highly Recommended
We are very pleased with the entire tour. The pick up vehicle was luxurious and the english speaking guide was very friendly and knowledgable. We have a wonderful day and the lunch was also very delicious especially the baklava. Thanks Viator! Keep up the quality
 

Review by:   DUNCAN BRIDEL B,    June 2015 Review: 5 star rating: Highly Recommended
Tibet, our guide was fantastic. She was at our hotel right on time, and gave us a memorable tour of the old section of Istanbul._br/_ Her commentary/descriptions etc were just right. Not too much to overwhelm us, but all the interesting information.
 

Review by:   Marcus B,    June 2015 Review: 5 star rating: Highly Recommended
A fabulous tour for Anyone visiting for the first time. Omar was so knowledgeable, the trip began on time and everything was brilliant
 

Review by:   Jeremy G,    June 2015 Review: 5 star rating: Highly Recommended
Ask for Umer Omar! Very knowledgeable and patient. He comfirms eveything for the next stop while you are ar the current one so there isnt a lot wasted time.
 

Review by:   Sandy Kay H,    June 2015 Review: 5 star rating: Highly Recommended
I loved how knowledgeable my guide was. She asked me questions in the beginning to tailor the tour around what information I wanted out of the tour. She did not rush through any of the buildings. Lunch was authentic Ottoman cuisine great food. I was impressed with the whole tour. I plan on returning to Turkey to spend more time exploring more of this wonderful city.
 

All Traveler Reviews...

USD $113.00
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