Viator · Private tour

Highligts of Historic Peninsula

5.0(11)Istanbul1 hour
TRIPADVISOR5.0(11)

Description

Embark on a journey through Istanbul's Sultanahmet district on this private tour available in 8 languages. Visit the Hagia Sophia, Basilica Cistern, the Blue Mosque, Hippodrome, Topkapı Palace (first courtyard) and the Grand Bazaar. You will have a chance to tailor-made your day with our flexible tour itinerary. You can set your own starting time between 8:30 am and 2 pm. You can either choose to visit all the attractions or some, according to your preference. Nevertheless, your guide will share all the information outside even though you do the sightseeing. Here are the optional entrance prices; Hagia Sophia 25 Euros per pax Basilica Cistern 1500 TL per pax We provide skip the line option for Hagia Sophia and Basilica Cistern.

Tour Options

Portuguese Guided Tour
Russian Guided Tour
German Guided Tour
Italian Guided Tour
Greek Guided Tour
Spanish Guided Tour
French Guided Tour
English Guided Tour

Itinerary

30 min

Your first stop on the tour is the Hippodrome of Constantinople. At the same time, there is the Egyptian Obelisk, Serpentine Column, and Masonry Obelisk.

Admission not included60 min

One of the most famous and historic monuments in the world, the Hagia Sophia. Learn about its frescos and 1500 years of history from your guide.

60 min

Head onward to the Blue Mosque. Take photos of the incredible structure and learn how the grand building got its nickname from your guide.

Admission not included30 min

The largest surviving Byzantine cistern in İstanbul, magical is a right word to describe it.

60 min

Conclude your tour at the vibrant Grand Bazaar and discover precious handcrafted souvenirs, textiles, and more.

Admission not included50 min

Imagine stepping into the private world of the Ottoman Sultans, where every corner of Topkapı Palace tells a story of absolute power and incredible beauty. It’s not just a museum; it’s a sprawling complex of sun-drenched courtyards and "secret" Harem rooms that make you feel like you've walked straight into a fairy tale. As you wander out toward the terraces, you’re treated to some of the most stunning views of the Bosphorus you’ll find anywhere in Istanbul. It is the perfect place to get lost in history while soaking up the magical atmosphere of the city.

Highlights

Flexible start time option
Skip the line for Hagia Sophia & Basilica Cistern
Customized itinerary
Friendly & Knowledgeable Guide

What's included

Included
Flexible start time option
Skip the line for Hagia Sophia & Basilica Cistern
Customized itinerary
Friendly & Knowledgeable Guide
Not included
Private transportation
Gratuities
Landing and facility fees
Lunch
Basilica Cistern
Hagia Sophia Mosque

Traveller Ratings

5.0
11 reviews
5
11
4
0
3
0
2
0
1
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Important Information

  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
  • Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
  • Not recommended for pregnant travelers
  • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
  • Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness

Reviews(11)

S
susjp2023
February 24, 2026
Great experience

Very pleasant experience. Kemal was an excellent guide and a delightful travel companion. The right balance between history and sightseeing. Thank you Kemal Susj e Fabio.

A
AdolphM
February 24, 2026
Learning History Without Using A Book

I enjoyed learning the history of Istanbul and the Turkish people. The tour is private, so you get the guide’s undivided attention. If you don’t like reading history books, then this is a great way to learn. I recommend using this method and guide if you want to bring children. He never made me feel as if I was asking a stupid or silly question. He also displayed knowledge in other areas.

S
Safari34453091203
February 9, 2026
Sultan ahmed tour

I had an amazing experience visiting Hagia Sophia and the surrounding historic sites in Istanbul with my Kemal. He explained the history clearly and engagingly, from the formation of Constantinople through the Byzantine Empire, Roman roots, and into the Ottoman Empire period. Very knowledgeable, professional, and easy to talk to. He made the history come alive and made the visit much more meaningful. Highly recommended.

R
Renee810
February 4, 2026
Kemal exceeded expectations in Istanbul!

Very impressed with my walking tour with Kemal, and I would highly recommend. He struck the right balance of walking, shopping, and explaining history at important sites. I never felt overwhelmed by information nor overwhelmed by the distance covered. Kemal is highly adaptive to customer needs and tailors the experience to your requests. If you want more history, he will provide it. If you want more time for photos or need help navigating the Grand Bazaar, no problem. He even provided recommendations for a separate solo (non-guided) travel day I planned to make sure I avoided common transportation mishaps and made the most of my time. To summarize, I highly recommend Kemal for English-language tours!

M
muhammadhF3565KL
January 20, 2026
i love istanbul

very helpful, kemal is a good person and tells a lot about the history of istanbul

1 people found this helpful
N
NancyAan
January 7, 2026
Off the beaten path- Enchanting Istanbul🇹🇷

We did a day tour walk of the Old Town areas , Taksim, Grand Bazaar , churches and other areas for a total of 8 hours with our tour guide Kemal. He is so knowledgeable about the history in Istanbul and very kind. He adapted the tour to our interests and provided a full day of exciting places to visit including an Iranian restaurant for lunch , train ride , sweet shop , carpet making lesson , ceramic lesson and other points of interest including churches , mosques , and many different shops. He took us from one area of Istanbul to an another so, we could see the contrasts within the culture . The best part is that as female travelers, we felt safe with him on the streets and in the bazaar and other shops . My experience had been, in the first few days of my travel that I was bombarded by vendors and pressured to make purchases. This did not happen with Kemal on tour because the vendors kept their distance and we were able to see the different stores , products and it was fun and stress free to be able to shop without being hassled. I highly recommend this tour and especially recommend with Kemal . He is excellent and very pleasant to spend a day with . His informative narratives are interesting and to the point and not boring . Thank you Kemal for a fun and memorable day in Istanbul!! It was unforgettable . We feel that we have a better understanding of Turkish culture and an appreciation for all of the different aspects .

P
P303KVdorothyf
October 4, 2025
Delightful experience

We had a delightful experience with our guide, Ayesa Nural. She met us at our hotel to go with us to Old Town Istanbul, where she took us to all of the notable sights for first-time visitors to Istanbul. Her English was outstanding and she was extremely knowledgeable about the history and significance of each site. Seemingly magically, she enabled us to avoid long lines for admission. She was incredibly generous with her time, extending the tour considerably beyond the anticipated length. We would highly recommend her.

C
Craig S
September 24, 2025
Well done private tour

Paulina was an informative, well studied guide. We received a private tour of the Blue Mosque, the Cistern, Topkapi Palace and Hagia Sophia. She provided plenty of historical context for the sights we visited. She also talked about life as a young person in Turkey. We highly recommend her.

S
silkebC1871LV
August 25, 2025
Unforgettable full day emersion with tour guide Kemal

We had an unforgettable experience with our tour guide Kemal. His knowledge and passion for the history of Istanbul and Turkey is unparalleled and was incredibly inspiring. We have gained a whole new appreciation for this country and it’s importance on the world stage - then and now - and we will cherish our day spent together for a long time. Thank you Kemal, we can only recommend you!

F
fidelalfalm
May 14, 2025
An excellent tour of Istanbul

The tour was very interesting, and our guide, Bahar was very nice, very professional and very knowledgeable. It was a really nice trip thanks to her.

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