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Istanbul Old City: Private Historical Highlights
4.9
68 Ratings
Fatih
Uncover the culture and history of Istanbul on a 6-hour insider walking tour with a local guide. Explore the unique land of contrast, art, gastronomy, and culture in the capital of the world, Istanbul.
Uncover the culture and history of Istanbul on a 6-hour insider walking tour with a local guide. Explore the unique land of contrast, art, gastronomy, and culture in the capital of the world, Istanbul.
Duration:
6 hours
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
- Hagia Sophia Mosque - Begin the day at Hagia Sophia, an awe-inspiring architectural wonder that holds centuries of history.
- Topkapi Palace - Then, explore Topkapi Palace, where the grandeur of the Ottoman sultans awaits, along with stunning views of the Bosphorus.
- Blue Mosque - Next, proceed to the Blue Mosque through the Hippodrome,…
- Hagia Sophia Mosque - Begin the day at Hagia Sophia, an awe-inspiring architectural wonder that holds centuries of history.
- Topkapi Palace - Then, explore Topkapi Palace, where the grandeur of the Ottoman sultans awaits, along with stunning views of the Bosphorus.
- Blue Mosque - Next, proceed to the Blue Mosque through the Hippodrome, renowned for its magnificent blue tiles and six minarets.
- Grand Bazaar - Conclude the adventure at the Grand Bazaar, the world’s largest covered market, offering an exciting shopping experience. This is an extraordinary journey not to be missed!
What's Included
- Private tour
- Professional guide
- Entrance fee of the Hagia Sophia
- Entrance fee of the Topkapi Palace
- Private tour
- Professional guide
- Entrance fee of the Hagia Sophia
- Entrance fee of the Topkapi Palace
What's Not Included
- Lunch
- Gratuities
- Transportation to/from attractions
- Harem entrance at Topkapi Palace.
- Lunch
- Gratuities
- Transportation to/from attractions
- Harem entrance at Topkapi Palace.
Additional Information
Many tours in Istanbul may initially seem affordable, but often include shopping-focused stops that detract from the sightseeing experience. Our approach stands out.
This is a premium, completely private Old City tour crafted for travelers who wish to concentrate on history rather than shopping-related diversions.
No Hidden Shopping Stops: Your time is…
Many tours in Istanbul may initially seem affordable, but often include shopping-focused stops that detract from the sightseeing experience. Our approach stands out.
This is a premium, completely private Old City tour crafted for travelers who wish to concentrate on history rather than shopping-related diversions.
No Hidden Shopping Stops: Your time is fully devoted to Istanbul’s key historical attractions.
Private and Well-Paced: Discover the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, and the Grand Bazaar at a leisurely pace with your own licensed guide.
Advance Ticket Arrangements: We secure Topkapi Palace and Hagia Sophia tickets in advance when possible for a more seamless experience. All visitors are still required to go through mandatory security checks, and brief queues are expected, particularly at the Blue Mosque.
Flexible Lunch Time: Your guide can suggest suitable local dining options based on your tastes.
- A dress code is required to enter places of worship (The Hagia Sophia Mosque and The Blue Mosque). No shorts or sleeveless tops are allowed. Knees and shoulders must be covered for both men and women. You may risk being refused entry if you fail to comply with these dress requirements. Ladies must cover their heads at religious sites; therefore, it is better to bring a scarf if you have one.
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- As a fully registered travel agency, we will secure advance tickets for both Topkapi Palace and Hagia Sophia, ensuring a seamless experience with no waiting time for ticket purchases.
- Please note that all visitors must still pass through mandatory security screening, and short entry queues are part of the experience, especially at the Blue Mosque, where the wait is usually around 10 to 15 minutes.
- The tour will be conducted on foot, with limited shaded areas. Participants should anticipate covering approximately 10,000 steps throughout the day.
- Private walking tour with licensed guide + Topkapi and Hagia Sophia tickets included. Meet in the Old City at House of Medusa Restaurant; no transportation included.
Location
House of Medusa Restaurant
Yerebatan Caddesi
Your tour guide will meet you at the House of Medusa restaurant in Sultanahmet, close to the exit gate of the Basilica Cistern.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.9
(68 Ratings)
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Companion36782673419
Feb 18, 2026
Best tours with the best guide! - Yes. It was worth every penny. Guide had all the tickets already ready to go. No waiting in line at all. She was simply fantastic. Very friendly & knowledgeable. Picked the best spots for food and shopping. Everyone should ask for Derya.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Lois
Oct 29, 2025
Derya is a highly recommended tour guide!! - Fabulous tour with Derya through Hagia Sophia and Topkapi Castle. She has incredible knowledge of the area and all the history behind it. She makes her guests feel like family, and welcomes any questions. She took us for an incredible Turkish breakfast after our tour!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Maryannj953
Jun 14, 2025
Istanbul at its best. - We had an amazing experience exploring the old city of Istanbul with our guide Furkan. He greeted us promptly at our hotel at 8 a.m. and expertly led us through the Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, Blue Mosque and the Grand Bazaar. The tour wrapped around 2 p.m., striking the perfect balance between the guided exploration and free time for us to wander on our own. What stood out most was Furkan's meticulous planning, he had secured our tickets in advance which meant we bypassed long tickets lines. His thoughtful itinerary ensured that we visited each attractions in the ideal order, allowing us to fully enjoy everything on our list before the crowds descended. Furkan was not only knowledgeable and courteous, but he also exemplified flexibility throughout our tour. It was evident that this company operates at a high level of professionalism and integrity that far surpasses other tour operators we've experienced. This was without a doubt, the best tour we have taken.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Tonydk7660yq
Jun 11, 2025
2 weeks in Turkey - 10 of us spent two weeks in Turkey in late May. We connected with the Istanbul Walking Tours and it was a great experience. We spent four days in Istanbul about three days in Cappadocia and four days in Fethiye. Our guide was well-versed in the locals, fluent in English a great storyteller and a great historian. We hit all the first time spots one should hit in Istanbul, but also had a chance to find some out-of-the-way places, thanks to our guide for delicious teas and a Turkish breakfast.
She arranged all transportation, which is highly recommended as is Istanbul is one of the most congested cities in the world.
She reconnected with us in Fethiye and showed us the beautiful archaeological sites
Our group was from Western Florida Chicago and the San Francisco area. We all asked her to come visit us in the USA. And so will you if you’re lucky enough to use this tour group.
Sidenote. We spent a few days in Cappadocia - stunningly beautiful environment known for its hot air balloons. 160 hot air balloons take off right before and at Dawn every day. If you go spend the extra money and get one of the smaller capacity baskets. We had 16 in our basket and were able to move around and get good photos. I saw some baskets with 20 or 20+ people, really packed like sardines.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Tahoetravellers
Mar 24, 2025
Use this company - you won’t regret it! - My friend and I, both first time visitors to Istanbul, booked a day and a half custom tour - the first evening was a food tour and the second full day was the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, Basilica Cistern and the other Istanbul highlights. Our day and half with Derya was not a tour - it was having a friend show you her city. We had the best food in places we would never have found on our own. We learned so much about Istanbul’s history and culture - and have the most wonderful photos thanks to Derya (you’ll get a bonus iPhone photo tutorial with her!).
I’ll definitely be back with my family - but only if Derya is available to show us more of her country!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Karol
Oct 24, 2024
Fantastic two days with Furkan. - We took an old city walking tour with Furkan. He met us in the lobby at 8:00 AM and led us on a very informative and enjoyable tour of Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace and the Grand Bazaar. He had booked the tickets in advance, allowing us to skip the long lines, and since we started early, we were able to beat the large crowds at the museums. Furkan was incredibly knowledgeable about his country and its history. His great sense of humor made the historical tour even more enjoyable. At the end of the tour, he also assisted us with our shopping in the bazaar, helping us negotiate and find authentic handcrafted rugs and tiles. He was so impressive that we ended up booking another tour with him for the following day to explore less-visited tourist sites and local food. Once again, we were not disappointed! The food tour was the highlight of our Istanbul trip. This was our first food tour, and from now on, we plan to book a food tour wherever we go. We loved it!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Wrenly
Sep 28, 2024
Istanbul, solo female trip. - I typically don’t post reviews, but the Istanbul old city tour I took with Derya was amazing, and I want to share my experience with anyone visiting Istanbul. Derya was incredibly friendly from the moment she greeted me at the hotel. It felt like I was exploring Istanbul with a long time friend. She even went above and beyond, extending her time to help me shop for authentic handcrafted items in the bazaar. I wish I had more time to spend with her in Istanbul. I will definitely return to see more of this wonderful city.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Leah
Aug 31, 2024
The most fun part of our trip. - We were so lucky to find Furkan on TripAdvisor. From the first email to the end of the tour, he was always helpful and polite. He showed us around Istanbul for two and a half days, taking us to all the must-see spots like Topkapi Palace, Basilica Cistern, Blue Mosque, and the Grand Bazaar. We even had the best food tasting tour ever. To cap it off, we ended our time with a Bosporus cruise on a private yacht, which was incredibly relaxing and peaceful. We’ve traveled a lot, but these were the best guided tours ever. Furkan knows Istanbul inside out and is an excellent storyteller, so we had a blast with him!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Violeta
Aug 28, 2024
The best holiday ever. - We had two awesome private tours with Furkan. We checked out the old city of Istanbul, did some shopping in the Grand Bazaar, and explored some off the beaten path spots for food tasting. Turkish food has always been a favorite, but after this tour, I don’t think it will ever taste the same. The food, history culture, and especially Furkan’s knowledge and humor were terrific. We had such a great time. We really wish we had more time in Istanbul with him.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jempap2017
Aug 12, 2024
Essential visit - To visit Topkapi Palace it is highly recommended to go first thing, at 9,00 am to not expect queues and be able to see it without many people, then it is unbearable queues and heat if it is summer. If you go with students you are discounted at the entrance, but only if you have the ISIC card (45 €, includes palace, harem and church Santa Irene). Seeing how expensive the ticket is with 2 children, it is worth knowing (I did not know 😭). Carry enough water because the visit lasts between 3 and 4 hours and they only sell you water at the entrance. To catch the free audio guide with the ticket you are asked to leave an ID for each one (passport, ID, driving license,...). It is very well preserved and worth seeing, but better first thing because of the people and the heat. You have to go comfortable to walk a lot
Review provided by Tripadvisor
