Tours/Istanbul/Istanbul Highlights: Guided Tour with Turkish Tea or Coffee
Istanbul Highlights: Guided Tour with Turkish Tea or Coffee
4.9(280)Istanbul4 hours
VIATOR4.9(111)TRIPADVISOR4.9(169)
+3 photos
At a glance
Duration
4 hours
Price from
$57 / person
Location
Istanbul, Türkiye
Rating
4.9 / 5 · 280 reviews
Languages
EN
Group
Small group, up to 15
Cancellation
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
Confirmation
Instant
Ticket
Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Operator
Real Istanbul Tours
Meeting point
Meeting point is 1 min walking distance to the tram stop
Description
This exceptional small-group tour offers you the chance to explore the most iconic sites in the Old Town, including the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, and Basilica Cistern, all while skipping the ticket lines. Your expert tour guide will accompany you inside each site, providing fascinating insights to help you fully appreciate their beauty and cultural significance. Along the way, you’ll also enjoy a complimentary Turkish tea or coffee.
For a more tailored experience, you can choose the private tour option.
Schedule & prices
Runs
Every day
Start times
15 times a day, 8:00 AM–3:00 PM
Next available
Fri, Oct 23
Adult (ages 12+)
$57
Child (ages 6–11)
$29
Prices change with the date; the lowest is shown.
Prices are per person when two book together; a solo traveller pays $229.
Larger groups pay less per person.
Out at sunset: the 2:00 PM departure is under way when the sun sets, around 5:57 PM in the coming weeks.
From the operator’s live schedule on Viator, checked Oct 22.
Tour Options
Private Tour
Private Tour
Small Group Tour
Small Group Tour
Itinerary
The Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque, Istanbul
Admission not included45 min
The Hagia Sophia was once the principal church for all Christians, and after the division in Christianity, it became the leading church for the Orthodox community. Following the conquest of Istanbul by the Turks, it was transformed into a mosque. Your guide will take you inside and provide in-depth information to help you appreciate its beauty even more. Please note that the entry fee is 25 Euros per person, and we will purchase the tickets for you to skip the line. Kindly have the amount ready in cash.
starting 15th January 2024, Hagia Sophia entrance fee will be 25 Euros apply all foreginers.
Basilica Cistern
Admission not included25 min
We're going to explore the Basilica Cistern, an ancient water storage system designed to withstand long sieges. With its vast size and 336 columns, it's often referred to as the 'Underground Palace.' It's not only a remarkable historical site but also offers a unique and fascinating experience beneath the streets of Istanbul."
Please note that the entry fee is 900 TL per person, and we will purchase the tickets for you to skip the line. Kindly have the amount ready in cash. ( officials share that it will be 1300 TL pp but date is not confirmed yet ).
Blue Mosque
30 min
We will visit the world-renowned Blue Mosque, officially known as the Sultan Ahmed Mosque. Its stunning blue tiles and vibrant ceiling give it the nickname "Blue Mosque." Inside, your guide will explain Islam while you explore the breathtaking beauty of this architectural masterpiece.
Hippodrome
20 min
The Hippodrome of Constantinople was a circus that was the sporting and social centre of Constantinople, capital of the Byzantine Empire.
Corlulu Ali Pasa Medresesi
20 min
At a point during the tour, your guide will choose a stop where you can enjoy a complimentary Turkish coffee or tea.
Real Istanbul Tours
Pass by
Small Group Tours
Grand Bazaar Jewelers
30 min
Visit one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world - Istanbul's Grand Bazaar
What's included
Included
Skip the line tickets at Hagia Sophia and Basilica Cistern (Not Entrance Fees )
Professional guide
Tea or Turkish Coffee
Not included
Hotel pickup and drop-off
Tipping your guide.
Basilica Cistern
Hagia Sophia Mosque
Traveller Ratings
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
4.9
280 reviews
5
257
4
14
3
6
2
2
1
1
How it compares in Istanbul
Starting price $57 is 50% below the typical $114 for tours of similar length in Istanbul
Excurgo comparison of 3,638 Viator tours, recalculated daily.
Important Information
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Grand Bazaar is closed on Sundays and will be replaced with Spice Bazaars
On Religious Fests Grand Bazaar and Spice Bazaar are closed and your guides can show alternative sites
Meeting Time for the small group tours are 10 am ( 2 pm on fridays ) and if you book private option, meeting time is up to you.
Tours Ends near Grand Bazaar
Comfortable walking shoes are recommended
None has right the skip the lines in Blue Mosque
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
1+ days before100% refund
0–1 days before0% refund
Frequently asked questions
How long does Istanbul Highlights: Guided Tour with Turkish Tea or Coffee take?
Istanbul Highlights: Guided Tour with Turkish Tea or Coffee lasts about 4 hours. The itinerary has 7 stops.
How much does Istanbul Highlights: Guided Tour with Turkish Tea or Coffee cost?
Prices start at $57 per person for this Istanbul experience, booked through Viator with the price shown before checkout. That is the per-person price when two book together; a solo traveller pays $229. There are 2 booking options, so the final price depends on the option you choose.
What days does Istanbul Highlights: Guided Tour with Turkish Tea or Coffee run?
According to the operator’s current schedule, it runs every day, with 15 departures a day between 8:00 AM and 3:00 PM.
How much does Istanbul Highlights: Guided Tour with Turkish Tea or Coffee cost for children?
Children aged 6–11 pay from $29, adults from $57.
Can I cancel Istanbul Highlights: Guided Tour with Turkish Tea or Coffee for free?
Yes. Cancel at least 1 day before the start for a full refund. Later cancellations are non-refundable.
Where does the tour start?
The meeting point is Meeting point is 1 min walking distance to the tram stop. Hotel pickup is not part of this experience.
What languages is Istanbul Highlights: Guided Tour with Turkish Tea or Coffee offered in?
The experience is available in EN.
Is this a private or a group tour?
It is a small-group experience with a maximum of 15 participants.
Is the tour suitable for children?
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Will my booking be confirmed immediately?
Yes, bookings are confirmed instantly.
Is Istanbul Highlights: Guided Tour with Turkish Tea or Coffee worth it?
Travellers rate it 4.9 out of 5 across 280 reviews on Viator and Tripadvisor; it is run by Real Istanbul Tours.
Reviews(280)
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
M
Mazza2
May 31, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
Great way to see the most important sights
We were a small tour of 4 people plus our wonderful guide Fatiye. The tour took in the German fountain, Egyptian Column, the Blue Mosque, Basilica Cistern and Hagia Sofia. Skipping the queues was definitely a plus but having such a knowledgeable guide was really the highlight. Fatiye was really entertaining and delivered all the things we wanted to know (and many other things we didn't know we even needed to know!) in a really easy to understand way. It was a great way to start exploring the city
H
Holly H
May 19, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
Outstanding & Delightful Tour of Istanbul
What a Turkish Delight in so many ways. Our guide Fatih was delightful from the time he met us and his knowledge and passion for Istanbul was infectious. He took us to all the city highlights starting with the Blue Mosque. We really appreciated his history of the Turkish people and the Ottoman Empire. As well as his explanation of the different eras of architecture and ruins in Istanbul.
Our highlight was the Cisterna Bascilica as well as the secret beer stop and the best lamb kebabs ever!
Thank you Fatih for a wonderful day and making 8 Aussies fall
In love with Istanbul.
B
ba_akk712
February 12, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
TURKISH TEA COMPANY
It was a great experience for anyone who wants to truly feel the spirit of Istanbul! Our guide was very knowledgeable and extremely friendly. The attention to detail was truly impressive when describing the history of the city.
Turkish tea and coffee at the end of the tour took the experience to a different point. It was especially special with the Turkish Tea Company’s tea, flavor, and presentation. The traditional flavor is served with a modern and elegant touch, making a real difference.
Highly recommended for those who want a both cultural and sensory experience. It was a blast to be part of the story with a sip of tea while exploring Istanbul!
W
Wander28856768039
January 23, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
maximun
nihao... Is this place nice? I want to go to lvyou with my husband or I'm afraid I don't know 🤷♀♀♀♀♀♀♀♀♀♀♀♀♀♀♀♀♀♀♀♀♀♀♀♀♀�� or I can't sleep well. I don't know if I'm just texting you right now. I'm not sleeping well. You're not up yet. Don't talk about anything. Don't call. Don't be angry.
C
Chris_B
January 1, 2026 · via Viator
Hope you get Muhammed-wonderful!
Muhammed was great and spent so much time teaching, discussing the history of all the mosques-just had an amazing time and experience
J
Job_V
October 25, 2025 · via Viator
Walking tour Instanbul best with guide KC
AAA tour! Our guide was KC and his knowledge is superb. He took time to explain our day and made sure explaining the historical value of everything we toured.
We felt at ease and comfortable with KC.
O
O5304GWmeganm
August 28, 2025 · via Tripadvisor
So much to learn, so little time: an excellent overview of Istanbul
Muhammed was our guide and he was so engaging and knowledgeable! We had a wonderful morning and learned so much about Istanbul - its history, challenges and culture. Highly recommend!!!
O
Olga R
August 10, 2025 · via Tripadvisor
Highly recommend our guide Özge
We felt lucky to have Özge as a guide and we were the only ones who went on the guided tour that day. All the activities went very smoothly, we learned a lot new things. It was friendly and relaxed atmosphere and we very much appreciated Özge's commitment ❤️
I
Indee_M
July 18, 2025 · via Viator
So so tour. Wish we would’ve done it on our own.
Good tour but our tour guide was very long winded and irritable. Wish we would’ve done it on our own. We also ended up paying over $150 in tickets to each place. Too expensive.
Operator response
Thank you for your review. We're sorry to hear that your experience didn’t meet your expectations. However, we would kindly like to clarify a few points mentioned.
As noted in the tour details at the time of booking, this was a group tour, and hotel pick-up was not included (As you asked to meet at your hotel ) We also clearly state that entrance fees are not included in the tour price. Specifically, the entrance to Hagia Sophia is €25 and the Basilica Cistern is 1500 TL per person (approximately €57 in total per person). For two guests, this comes to roughly €114, not $150 as mentioned for each site.
We always encourage our guests to review the tour description carefully before booking to ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience for all. We hope this helps clarify any misunderstandings, and we truly appreciate your feedback as it helps us improve.
Best regards,
A
angelapG8868SX
July 8, 2025 · via Tripadvisor
Excellent tour.
Highly recommend this tour. Our guide Muhammad was knowledgeable and engaging. He summarised complex history of Istanbul very well and was full of dad jokes! A couple of rest stops on the way as it was hot and we had refreshing lemon drink as part of the tour. Easy to find starting point.
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Tour
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Istanbul Highlights: Guided Tour with Turkish Tea or Coffee
