Prices checked on Sep 12, 2026Things to do in Istanbul
Experience Istanbul’s essential Old City highlights on a private full-day walking tour designed especially for first-time visitors. Explore Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, the Hippodrome and the Grand Bazaar with a licensed private guide who brings the city’s Byzantine, Ottoman and modern layers together through engaging stories and historical insight. Walk through a cityscape shaped by imperial mosques, palace courtyards, ancient monuments, covered market streets and living traditions that continue in the heart of the historic peninsula. With a private and flexible route, you can experience Istanbul’s rich atmosphere at your own pace, guided clearly throughout the day and away from the rush of crowded group tours.
Step inside Hagia Sophia, one of Istanbul’s most extraordinary landmarks, where Byzantine imperial grandeur blends with the spiritual atmosphere of Ottoman mosque tradition in the heart of the Old City.
Blue Mosque is one of the most beautiful works of the Ottoman era in terms of aesthetic beauty and architecture. Here you will discover famous blue tiles and learn about İslam and Islamic art and listen to the most interesting stories about Blue Mosque from your guide.
Topkapi Palace, which became an inspiration for lots of artists and became subject to operas, is a wonderful example from the Ottoman era. It was the main seat of Ottoman sultans and also the main center of "Game of Thrones", brutal rivalries, and intrigues. Discover the former residence of Ottoman sultans, with imperial courtyards, treasury collections and sweeping views over the Bosphorus and Golden Horn.
Walk through the ancient ceremonial center of Constantinople and see monuments that connect Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman history. As a historical site, Hippodrome is an important place where you can see The Obelisk from Egypt, Serpent Column, German Fountain, and walled column.
End the day in the Grand Bazaar, one of the world’s oldest and most atmospheric covered markets. Step into a centuries-old world of vaulted passages, historic shops and living merchant traditions, where generations of craftsmen and traders have shaped Istanbul’s commercial culture. Famous not only for its authenticity and vibrant atmosphere but also for appearing in internationally known films, the bazaar offers a memorable final stop with time to explore carpets, jewelry, leather goods, ceramics, spices, souvenirs and traditional Turkish crafts.
Full-Day Best of Istanbul Private Old City Tour lasts about 7h 15min. The itinerary has 5 stops.
Prices start at $125 per person for this Istanbul experience, booked through Viator with the price shown before checkout. There is 1 booking option, so the final price depends on the option you choose.
Yes. Cancel at least 1 day before the start for a full refund. Later cancellations are non-refundable.
The meeting point is If you'd like to use public transportation, Sultanahmet tram stop is the closest station - just 1-minute walking distance away.. Hotel pickup is not part of this experience.
The experience is available in EN, ES.
It is a private experience: only your party takes part. Up to 15 travellers can book together.
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Yes, bookings are confirmed instantly.
We had a wonderful 2 day tour with Apo and Ipek. They were very professional, guiding us in the city, explaining the history with passion and bringing us to good restaurants! They both adapted the tour to our requests and made sure to feed us with all relevant information. I can definitely recommend them!
Abdullah is the guide who explained all the hidden gems with full of secrets of the beautiful city Istanbul. We were a group comes from Vienna, Austria to see the historical and modern landmarks of Istanbul. Abdullah is an excellent guide he showed us everything, a perfect experience!
Mega travel guide, Highly qualified guide, Super entertaining, exceptional.Also a very sympathetic guide
I had SUCH a great time with Apo! He was great fun, tailored the tour to my preferences, and had a wicked sense of humour. We actually became good friends and he even invited me out for a dinner with his friends to a local restaurant with live music, this was the highlight of my trip. Thanks for everything Apo!
This was my first time in Turkey and it will certainly not be the last. Every delightful corner of Istanbul was stunning. But I have to say its beauty became even more solidified when I met Apo our tour guide. He is incredibly knowledgeable with more than ten years in the industry. I was in awe of the historical narrative he would tell. He made learning fun, easy and exciting which is rare. I enjoyed Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque, Bosphorus cruise, walking aimlessly through the streets, the cable car and so much more! I encourage you to choose Apo as your tour guide for your Istanbul exploration. He works so well with others, charismatic and has amazing taste in food selections! Every place he picked out was a culinary sensation. I cannot wait to go back and experience Turkey more and I hope you do too! 10 stars for Apo!
A group of us toured with Apo when we arrived in Istanbul. I didn’t know what to expect as we had never done a city tour on holidays before. Apo customized our tour to meet our needs and also helped arrange a hammam for us and a visit to a carpet atelier. He has a way of instantly connecting with you and it’s apparent as you walk around the city that most people he encounters feel the same connection. Istanbul was a more magical place with Apo. Definitely recommend!
My 22yo daughter and I did a private full day tour of the old town with Apo on our first day in Istanbul in June 2024. A friend had recommended him, as I was looking for someone knowledgeable about Turkish history who would also make the day interesting for my daughter. Apo certainly knew his history. He was engaging, easy going and wove the history of this incredible place in an interesting and informative way. He took us to a fabulous roof-top restaurant for lunch, ensuring our dietary requirements were met, and recommended places to visit that we had not considered. I look forward to meeting him again and would highly recommend his tours
We have recommended it to family and friends and everyone has been very happy with Abdulah. He is a great Guide. He knows very well the history of Istanbul and makes you have a very pleasant day.
We had lucky to have Apo with us during our city tour in Istanbul. It was a real fun and We really enjoyed our day walking around the city along with his great knowledge and many stories he was telling. He is also expert for local food and drink. Highly recommend him. Thank you Apo !
Our tour was great , well planned out and personalized. We got to try new foods , see some history and even got to stop to do some shopping. I learned some great facts about turkey culture all while having fun. Please book for all your tour guide needs!
| Tour | Duration | Rating | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Day Best of Istanbul Private Old City Tour | 7h 15min | 5.0 (15) | $125 | |
 WONDERS of ISTANBUL : Full Day Private Guided City Tour | 5–7 hours | 5.0 (442) | $75 | View |
 Best of Istanbul 1, 2 or 3-Day Private Guided Istanbul Tour | 7–21 hours | 5.0 (10,112) | $100 | View |
 Istanbul Taste of Two Continents Food Tour - Spice Market & Ferry | 5h 30min | 5.0 (3,585) | $135 | View |
 ISTANBUL BEST: Iconic Landmarks Full Day PRIVATE Guided City Tour | 6–8 hours | 5.0 (1,477) | $85 | View |
 Istanbul Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Basilica Cistern with Tickets | 3 hours | 4.9 (127) | $135 | View |
 Istanbul Bosphorus Sunset Luxury Yacht Cruise with Snacks | 2h 30min | 4.9 (2,384) | $47 | View |