Private Istanbul Tour:Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Basilica Cistern
Description
We are a group of licensed, professional guides in Istanbul. We created this platform to offer you the best private tours. Our tours help you skip long lines and avoid crowds with the help of local experts. With us, you’ll enjoy a smooth, comfortable, and memorable visit. This tour is conducted in cooperation with HIGH CLASS TRAVEL (TÜRSAB License No: 4035), an officially registered A-Class Travel Agency in Türkiye, ensuring full compliance with national tourism regulations.
Tour Options
Itinerary
At Hagia Sophia, you'll explore one of Istanbul’s most iconic landmarks, marveling at its stunning dome, intricate mosaics, and rich history. I'll guide you through its transformation from a cathedral to a mosque and museum, sharing stories of Byzantine and Ottoman empires. A truly unforgettable journey through art, culture, and history!
Explore the mystical Basilica Cistern, featured in From Russia With Love, with its ancient columns rising from the water. Built by the Romans, this hidden gem offers a peaceful escape beneath Istanbul's bustling streets. I'll share its fascinating history and legends as we wander through its cool, quiet corridors.
Step into the breathtaking Blue Mosque, a true masterpiece of Ottoman architecture. As we wander through its majestic prayer halls, you'll be surrounded by intricate blue tiles, towering minarets, and an atmosphere of serenity. I'll guide you through its fascinating history, from its role as a working mosque to its cultural significance in Istanbul. Don’t forget to wear your scarf for a respectful visit, as we enter this sacred space together. Prepare to be awed by the grandeur and beauty of one of Istanbul's most iconic sites!
Lose yourself in the vibrant maze of the Grand Bazaar, where colors, scents, and sounds fill the air at every turn. With over 4,000 shops, this is the ultimate place to discover Turkish craftsmanship—be it carpets, jewelry, or spices. I’ll guide you through the bazaar’s rich history, pointing out hidden gems and offering tips on how to haggle like a local. Whether you're hunting for unique souvenirs or simply soaking in the lively atmosphere, this is an experience that’ll ignite all your senses.
Embark on a royal adventure through Topkapi Palace, the opulent heart of the Ottoman Empire. As we stroll through its lavish courtyards, we'll uncover the secrets of sultans and their courts, exploring the Harem, the Treasury, and the palace’s stunning collections of artifacts. From the imperial kitchens to the breathtaking views of the Bosphorus, this tour will transport you back to a time of power and grandeur. Get ready to walk in the footsteps of emperors and discover the splendor of this historical treasure!
Walk in the footsteps of ancient charioteers at the Hippodrome, Istanbul’s historic arena where gladiators once battled and chariot races thrilled the crowds. Now a tranquil public square, this once-vibrant site is home to monumental statues, including the famous Obelisk of Theodosius and the Serpent Column. As we stand where history was made, I’ll share tales of the Byzantine empire, including the incredible events that took place in this once-grand arena.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
This is a private tour, and our guides will personally meet you at your hotel. Please provide your accommodation details when booking so I can arrange a convenient pickup directly from your location.
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reviews(21)
We had 2 great, entertaining, and very informative days with Zafer. There was a bit of everything and there were many insider tips. He catered to us well, speaks German very well, and we felt in great hands at all times. We would book the tour with Zafer again anytime.
Vielen Dank, es hat mir auch viel Freude gemacht, euch zwei Tage in Istanbul begleiten zu dürfen! Alles Gute für euch und liebe Grüße!
We spent a day in Istanbul during our Costa Fortuna cruise and booked a private tour with Zafer. It turned out to be one of the best decisions of our trip. He was waiting for us outside the cruise terminal exactly as agreed and immediately made us feel at ease. Instead of using a car, he suggested travelling by tram and on foot to avoid Istanbul's traffic. It was definitely the right choice and allowed us to see much more without wasting time. Zafer knows the city and its history very well, but what we appreciated most was how relaxed and enjoyable the day was. We visited all the main highlights, skipped the longest lines, had lunch in a fantastic local restaurant that we would never have found on our own, and he even helped us while shopping in the bazaars. Most importantly, he carefully managed the timing and brought us back to the port well before our ship's departure, so we could enjoy the day without worrying. If you're looking for a private Istanbul tour or a cruise shore excursion, I can honestly recommend Zafer. He is professional, friendly and genuinely cares that his guests have a great experience.
Thank you so much for your kind words! It was a real pleasure to spend the day with you in Istanbul, and I’m very happy that you enjoyed the tour and felt comfortable throughout the whole experience. Wishing you many more wonderful travels ahead!
Amazing time! Resul was a great guide and was very friendly. Highly recommend.
Thank you for your kind words! We’re very happy that you enjoyed the tour and felt comfortable throughout the whole experience. Wishing you many more wonderful travels ahead!
Zafer is a fantastic guide. We had a great day with him. He’s very professional and extremely knowledgeable - history, architecture and culture. You will be in great hands if you are lucky enough to tour through Istanbul with Zafer.
Thank you for your kind review! I’m glad you enjoyed the tour. Hope to see you again in Istanbul!
What a Guide what an excellent storytelling. Experianceing this Beauty of a City with the guidance of zafer was just a Great day. Thanks alot
It was a real pleasure spending the day with you, hope to welcome you again someday!
We had a fantastic time on the Old City Highlights tour with Zafer! He was super friendly, knowledgeable, and made the whole experience really enjoyable. You could tell he genuinely loves sharing the history and stories of Istanbul, and he explained everything in a fun and engaging way. He was also very patient with questions and made sure everyone felt included. Highly recommend Zafer if you want a guide who makes the city come alive!
I’m glad you enjoyed it, and I hope to welcome you again someday!
I want to thank our city guide, Zafer! It was one of the best city tours with a guide. Firstly, we did not waste a minute of our time in lines at Hagia Sophia and other places. In addition to detailed museum information, we learned some subtleties and uninteresting facts about the work of the Grand Bazaar, the city's transport system (which saved considerable time and money in our subsequent explorations of the town). About the recycling system, the people who help keep the city clean, and much more. Zafer was busy with us the whole day and was very involved. Most importantly, he took many great photos of us.
Thank you for sharing your experience! We're delighted you enjoyed the trip and found the guide's explanations helpful for learning about the history.
I enjoyed this tour and highly recomend it to everyone! The guide was knowledgeable, friendly and made the whole day fun and memorable! The carpet-weavers experience was amazing and very informative! Great to see the dervish show! A must do!
Thank you! So glad you enjoyed the tour, it means a lot!
Young man was polite & knowledgeable. Wife & I felt safe during the tour. Informative. Took the time with extra stops so we could use the restroom and always had something to drink.
Thank you for the review! We're glad you enjoyed the tour and found the insights helpful. Wishing you more great travels ahead!
Zafer was a fantastic guide. Very attentive and always making sure our needs are taken care of during the trip. He is also very resourceful whenever we will need to change the itinerary in short notice during the trip.
We're thrilled you had such a wonderful trip and enjoyed the historical sites with our guide. We look forward to welcoming you back in the future!
