Istanbul Essential Highlights: Hagia Sophia and Cistern and more
Description
Discover the vibrant soul of Istanbul on this tailored private tour designed for first-time visitors. Explore iconic landmarks like the magnificent Hagia Sophia, the serene Blue Mosque, and the historic Hippodrome. Delve into the depths of the Basilica Cistern and wander through the lively Grand Bazaar, soaking up the local atmosphere. With the flexibility to customize your itinerary, this tour ensures a personal experience guided by a dedicated licensed expert, revealing the city's hidden gems and bustling streets. - Tailor your tour itinerary to match your interests and preferences - Visit top sights including Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, and more - Experience the energy of Istanbul's bazaars and local culture - Enjoy a private tour with a licensed guide for personalized insights
Tour Options
Itinerary
The Hagia Sophia with its innovative architecture, rich history, religious significance and extraordinary characteristics, has been fighting against time for centuries. Constructed three times in the same location, it is the world’s oldest and fastest-completed cathedral. With its breathtaking domes that look like hanging in the air, monolithic marble columns and unparalleled mosaics are one of the wonders of the world’s architectural history. The sheer dazzling beauty of the mosque with its magnificent play on space, light, and color provokes worship in the believer.
There are hundreds of ancient cisterns hidden underneath the streets and houses of Istanbul. Of the two that are open to the public, the Basilica Cistern (Yerebatan Sarnıcı) is the largest and Istanbul’s most unusual tourist attraction. Built-in 532 by Emperor Justinian, it was constructed using 336 columns, many of which were salvaged from ruined temples and feature finely carved capitals. Its symmetry and sheer grandeur of conception are quite breathtaking, and its cavernous depths make a great retreat on summer days.
Blue Mosque
Hippodrome - German Fountain - Obelisk of Theodosius - Serpent Column - Walled Obelisk
Welcome to The Grand Bazaar, one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world, with 61 covered streets and over 4,000 shops, attracting more than 300,000 visitors daily. Sellers hawk their wares at the top of the voice, and everyone has their own technique to entice you in, the colors, lights, and sounds create an exotic and unique atmosphere. Get ready to experience it.
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
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Reviews(14)
Our guide never showed. When we finally reached him, he was unapologetic. It was a private , day long tour. We had been really looking forward to it. Viator tried to help but, no show. We WILL BE reimbursed for an expensive tour.
Our tour of Sultanahmet with Cengiz was nothing short of spectacular! From the moment we met him, it felt less like a guided tour and more like exploring Istanbul with a lifelong friend. Cengiz is exceptionally knowledgeable, warm, and engaging, bringing the history and culture of the city to life with fascinating details and personal stories that made every stop unforgettable. One of the most magical moments of our trip was when he brought us to meet Hikmat, a masterful rug dealer in the Grand Bazaar. Sitting on a stack of stunning Turkish kilims, sipping Turkish tea with my husband, and listening to Hikmat share his passion for his craft was an experience I will treasure forever. This tour is truly fantastic and for true adventurers who are deeply curious and passionate about learning because Cengiz has a wealth of knowledge & is a fantastic storyteller! If you genuinely want to understand the history of Istanbul and soak in the stories behind its monuments, markets, and hidden corners, you will get the most out of this experience. Cengiz’s expertise, storytelling, and personal touches make it an absolute must for anyone ready to explore Istanbul beyond the surface. I can’t wait to return to Istanbul and share a cup with Cengiz—whether it’s Turkish tea or coffee, because it genuinely feels like I’ve made a new friend! ☺️🙌🏽🪷 Thank you Cengiz!
This was one of the very best tours I’ve ever been on, in any city. Cengiz’s knowledge of the history and culture of Istanbul is exceptional. He is also a very lovely and considerate host, who takes close care of all of his clients. We even had a lovely rooftop wine after the tour finished with Cengiz and his partner with many great additional insights into life in this diverse city. 11/10 experience.
This was the best day tour around the city ever! We got too see so much and became friends with the tour guide… he understood our needs and took us to the most amazing places in the city!
Our original Airbnb tour canceled on us last minute, but that turned out to be a blessing. We found Cengiz instead, and he completely transformed our experience of Istanbul. The difference was night and day—professional, organized, communicative, and truly invested in giving us the best possible day. As a licensed guide, he not only brought deep knowledge and storytelling, but also helped us skip the long lines at major sites like Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, and the Basilica Cistern. From the moment we met, it felt personal. He took us to a peaceful courtyard for tea and cookies, walked us through centuries of history with passion, and always found the perfect photo spot. At lunch, he introduced us to a cozy homestyle restaurant where we tried dishes we never would have found on our own. Don’t miss the vişneli kadayıf—a cherry-soaked pastry with clotted cream that was absolutely divine. The Grand Bazaar can be daunting, but with Cengiz it became an adventure. He guided us to authentic artisans and favorite hidden shops, turning what might have been overwhelming into one of the highlights of the day. He even helped adjust another Airbnb tour we had booked so we could slow down, take in Istanbul properly, and not feel rushed. What impressed us most was how far he went beyond what we expected. Our tour was supposed to end at 2:30, but he stayed with us until 5, personally dropping us at our hammam and making sure everything was perfect. Even after the tour, he continued sending restaurant tips and recommendations. As LGBT travelers, we also felt instantly comfortable. Cengiz is part of the community himself and was open, kind, and genuine in sharing his perspective. By the end of the day, Istanbul no longer felt chaotic and foreign—it felt like a city we could actually imagine living in. More than just a tour guide, we left with a new friend. Thank you, Cengiz!
We had such a great day exploring Istanbul with Cengiz! He showed us not only the famous historical spots but also some hidden gems we wouldn’t have found on our own. He’s super knowledgeable and professional as a tour guide, but also really warm, personable, and easy to spend the day with. We loved how flexible he was, he shaped the tour around what we wanted to do, which made it feel really personal and special. By the end, it honestly felt like we’d made a new friend in Istanbul and we left with many great memories. Highly recommend this tour!
Although I spent 2 weeks exploring on foot, I wish I had taken this tour at the beginning of my trip rather than the end. I would have had a much better understanding of the city if I went earlier! Cengiz is a fun and patient tour guide who speaks perfect English and knows how to navigate around the tourist spots. As a bonus, it was nice to be on an lgbt friendly tour.
Cengiz is amazing, and I have recommended to any friends and family going to Istanbul. He is thoughtful, knowledgeable, kind, and leads a flawless tour around the city he loves. We did his group tour then booked a private one to explore more off the beaten path sites around the city. I needed a tie at the last minute, and he even helped me find the right place to get one! You can't go wrong booking him!
Reading this, you're considering to book an experience you must not miss! We usually don't book guided tours, let alone in groups but believe me: both guide Cengiz and the factor of being in a very fun and interesting group made it our highlight of our vacation. Cengiz with his knowledge, professionalism and wit made us forget time and showed us the wonders of Old Town Istanbul. He balances so well the incredible mix of past and present, religions and politics, entertainment and education. Last but not least he is a member of our community and knows all the places to be. Check out all his tours, they are well worth it!
Cengiz was a wonderful tour guide! He is very knowledgeable and a joy to be around. Although we only had a short time in Istanbul, Cengiz made the most of our time. He was flexible regarding our schedule and most attentive to the needs of one in our party who has some mobility issues. I would highly recommend Cengiz!!