Private Full Day Guided Highlights of Istanbul Tour
Description
Explore Highlights of Istanbul, in one day easily. At the end of the tour, you will be enchanted by the information was given by your local guide. With the tickets, already have for you, you will skip all the lines at the entrance of the museums, and easily start to visit. Because all the museums and highlights are close to each other, this will be a walking tour. In this way, you can more feel the old city, and you can capture each detail in the city. If you would like to be picked up from the hotel please select the pick -up included option!
Tour Options
Itinerary
The Topkapı Palace is a large museum in the east of the Fatih district of Istanbul in Turkey. In the 15th and 16th centuries, it served as the main residence and administrative headquarters of the Ottoman sultans. *Topkapi Palace is closed every Tuesday. The Basilica Cistern will be visited instead of Topkapi Palace only on Tuesdays.
Hagia Sophia is a Late Antique place of worship in Istanbul, designed by the Greek geometers Isidore of Miletus and Anthemius of Tralles. Built-in 537 as the patriarchal cathedral of the imperial capital of Constantinople, it was the largest Christian church of the eastern Roman Empire (the Byzantine Empire) and the Eastern Orthodox Church, except during the Latin Empire from 1204 to 1261, when it became the city's Latin Catholic cathedral. In 1453, after the Fall of Constantinople to the Ottoman Empire, it was converted into a mosque. In 1935, the secular Turkish Republic established it as a museum. In 2020, it re-opened as a mosque. It's visited outside, if you would like to visit inside, please ask your guide to help to buy the tickets.
Sultan Ahmed Mosque also known as the Blue Mosque is an Ottoman-era historical imperial mosque located in Istanbul, Turkey. A functioning mosque also attracts large numbers of tourist visitors. It was constructed between 1609 and 1616 during the rule of Ahmed I. Its Külliye contains Ahmed's tomb, a madrasah, and a hospice.
Hippodrome of Constantinople is a square in Istanbul, Turkey. Previously, it was a circus that was the sporting and social center of Constantinople, the capital of the Byzantine Empire.
The Grand Bazaar in Istanbul is one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world, with 61 covered streets and over 4,000 shops on a total area of 30,700 m2, attracting between 250,000 and 400,000 visitors daily. In 2014, it was listed No.1 among the world's most-visited tourist attractions with 91,250,000 annual visitors. The Grand Bazaar in Istanbul is often regarded as one of the first shopping malls in the world.
we will have time for lunch. lunch is excluded.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reviews(38)
Kemal gave us an outstanding tour of Istanbul. He shared fascinating information about each of the sites we visited and thoughtfully organized the itinerary so that we could also enjoy a delicious Turkish lunch and have time for shopping. His shopping recommendations were especially helpful, and throughout the tour he always prioritized the safety and comfort of my family. We traveled with my aunt, who has limited mobility, and Kemal went above and beyond to ensure that she was able to fully enjoy the experience alongside us. We highly recommend Kemal to anyone looking for a knowledgeable, professional, and caring guide in Istanbul. We would also like to thank Gonenc from Smart Turkey Tours for arranging our tour. He was extremely responsive and accommodating to our requests from start to finish. Smart Turkey Tours provided exceptional service, and we are very grateful for such a wonderful experience. Thank you!
Thank you so much for your heartfelt and detailed review! 😊 We are truly delighted to hear that Kemal helped make your time in Istanbul so memorable. His passion for sharing the city's history, thoughtful planning, and genuine care for his guests are qualities we greatly value. It means a lot to know that your entire family, including your aunt, was able to comfortably enjoy the experience thanks to his attention and support. We are also grateful for your kind words about Gönenç. Providing responsive, personalized service from the planning stage through the tour itself is something we strive for every day, and he will be very happy to hear your feedback. Thank you for placing your trust in Smart Turkey Tours. It was our pleasure to be part of your journey, and we hope to welcome you and your family back for another wonderful experience in the future! 🌿✨
Kemal Aslan led our tour of Istanbul with exceptional care and professionalism, making the experience both memorable and comfortable for everyone. As we explored iconic sites like Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, and the Basilica Cistern, his deep knowledge and engaging storytelling brought the city’s rich history to life in a captivating way. What made Kemal truly outstanding, however, was his attentiveness and compassion. I have reduced mobility, and he was incredibly sensitive to this throughout the tour. He made thoughtful adjustments without drawing unnecessary attention, ensured I had time and space to move comfortably, and constantly checked in with genuine care. His awareness and consideration made me feel fully included and at ease, which meant a great deal. Beyond that, Kemal’s warm personality, clear explanations, and ability to connect created a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere. He balanced historical insight with practical guidance and personal touches, making the tour both informative and human. Thanks to Kemal, our experience of Istanbul was not only fascinating but also accessible and deeply enjoyable. His kindness, knowledge base and professionalism set him apart as a truly superb tour guide
Thank you so much for this truly heartfelt and thoughtful review. 😊 We are deeply grateful for your kind words about Kemal Aslan and your experience in Istanbul. It means so much to hear that his knowledge, professionalism, and compassionate approach helped make the tour both enjoyable and comfortable for you. Creating experiences where every guest feels included, cared for, and able to fully enjoy the beauty and history of Turkey is incredibly important to us. Kemal will be honored to know the positive impact he had on your journey. We sincerely appreciate your trust and hope to welcome you back to Turkey again for more unforgettable memories! 🌿
Our guide, Orhan, was great! Not only did we get to see all of the sites and learn a LOT (Orhan is a wealth of knowledge!), but when my husband’s previous injury reemerged, Orhan did all he could to make the both of us comfortable. Orhan adjusted the schedule with ease, still showed and taught us a lot, AND got us safely back to the cruise port with directions to a nearby pharmacy. We will definitely ask for Orhan again next time we’re in Istanbul! Admission to all sites was included in the 6+ hour tour.
Thank you so much for your wonderful feedback! 😊 We’re truly delighted to hear that Orhan made your Istanbul experience so memorable. His knowledge, flexibility, and genuine care for our guests are qualities we greatly value, and we’re especially happy to know that he was able to adjust the day comfortably when your husband needed assistance. It’s wonderful to hear that despite the unexpected situation, you were still able to enjoy the sites, learn so much, and return comfortably to the cruise port. Orhan will be very touched by your kind words and recommendation. Thank you for choosing Smart Turkey Tours—we would be delighted to welcome you back to Istanbul again in the future!
Our tour guide, Kemal Aslan was AMAZING!! He took such great care of us. Sharing his knowledge about the historical sites he made it fun and educational. Attentive to all our needs, he made sure we were enjoying our time and finding ways to add to our tour... shopping, coffee, bathroom stops, etc, everything was easy breezy. We had an incredible time in Istanbul. Turkish hospitality is world class. Thank youuu!! Highly recommend!!!
Thank you so much for your wonderful and enthusiastic feedback! 😊 We’re absolutely delighted to hear that Kemal Aslan made your Istanbul experience so special. His passion for sharing history, attention to detail, and genuine care for guests truly create unforgettable memories. We’re especially happy to know that he made everything feel easy and enjoyable throughout the day. Your kind words about Turkish hospitality mean so much to us. Thank you for your recommendation and for choosing Smart Turkey Tours—we hope to welcome you back to Istanbul again soon!
Private tour with Deníz Varli. Everything exact from start to finish. He confirmed time/place prior day (ncluded photo of meeting place). You can choose transport both ways or “tram” it. Deníz extremely knowledgeable. Speaks several languages. Fulfilled my agenda and added special interest points including best places for food! He was amenable to starting early as I had hoped. Deníz has a very neutral, yet encompassing nature. My interest was historical but, we also talked about world events freely, sans judgement. Highly recommend “skip the line” tickets and starting out early,,,,that is, unless you adore crowds. You can essentially request certain hour lengths. It’s all about communication. This company will go to extra lengths to make trip as you like it.
Thank you very much for your thoughtful and detailed review! 😊 We’re delighted to hear that Deníz provided such a personalized and enriching experience, and that everything ran smoothly from start to finish. Your tips about starting early and using skip-the-line tickets are truly valuable—thank you for sharing! We really appreciate your kind words and hope to welcome you again for another memorable journey in Turkey.
We had a wonderful day with Denis, our tour guide! We saw such beautiful sites here in the Sultanahmet area of Istanbul. And just as important, we learned so much about Turkey, it's history, it's people, and the culture. We highly recommend this tour and this tour guide, Denis.
Thank you so much for your lovely feedback! 😊 We’re delighted to hear that you had such a wonderful day with Deniz and enjoyed discovering the beauty of Sultanahmet and learning more about Turkey’s history and culture. Your recommendation means a lot to us! We hope to welcome you again for another memorable experience in Turkey!
Kemal Aslan was our private guide, arranged by Smart Turkey Tours. He showed us around the Old City, including Koptapi Palace, Hagia Sophia, and the Blue Mosque, with expert efficiency; he had all admission tickets at the ready, and made sure all our needs were met comfortably. He was extremely knowledgeable and informative. We gladly learned a lot of interesting historical facts about the old city. He also provided interesting conversations about so many other topics. He made our day so enjoyable and memorable.
Thank you so much for your wonderful feedback! 😊 We’re delighted to hear that Kemal Aslan made your Old City tour such an enjoyable and memorable experience. His knowledge, professionalism, and attention to detail truly help our guests experience Istanbul in the best way possible. We’re so happy you enjoyed discovering places like Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia, and the Blue Mosque with him. Thank you for choosing Smart Turkey Tours!
Our tour Guide was EXCELLENT! He was very knowledgeable, gave lot of details, showed everything to us at a good pace. He took care of us like family, took lot of photos for us, and made sure we were safe at all times. The tour car drive person was also very hospitable.
Warm greetings from Turkey! Thank you so much for your kind and heartfelt feedback. We’re truly delighted to hear that you had such a great experience with your guide and driver. It’s wonderful to know that your guide’s knowledge, attention to detail, and caring approach made you feel like family. We’re also glad that the pacing of the tour, the photos, and the overall sense of safety added to your enjoyment. Your kind words about our driver’s hospitality are equally appreciated—we believe every part of the journey matters. It was our pleasure to host you, and we hope to welcome you again for another memorable experience in Turkey. Best regards, Smart Turkey Tours Team
We had a wonderful day tour with Kemal. He was very knowledgeable, patient and made the day enjoyable for our family. Thank you Kemal for a great experience!! We would highly recommend Kemal for anyone looking for a kind and knowledgeable tour guide!
Thank you so much for your kind review! We’re delighted to hear that you and your family had a wonderful day with Kemal and that his knowledge, patience, and friendly approach made the experience so enjoyable. We truly appreciate your recommendation and hope to welcome you again!
We had a great time on our tours through Istanbul. Smart Turkey Tours provided us with a personal guide named ŞUAYUP TORAMAN. For simplicity, he had us call him Jethro. Our excursion began on a rainy morning, and Jethro moved things around to maximize our indoor time during the rain and outdoor time when the weather improved in the afternoon. His area knowledge was amazing and his kindness and humor were spot on.
Thank you very much for your kind review! We're delighted to hear that you enjoyed your Istanbul tours and that Jethro (Şuayup) made the day smooth, enjoyable, and weather-friendly. His knowledge and warm personality truly make a difference. We hope to welcome you again in Turkey!
