Viator · group up to 10 pax

Istanbul Highlights Half-Day Tour

5.0(29)Istanbul1 hour
VIATOR5.0(3)TRIPADVISOR5.0(26)

Description

This is a Half Day Guided Tour Which is suggested to the Cruisers. During this Skip The Line Tour you will see St. Sophia, Blue Mosque and The Grand Bazaar. Explore the local sites of Istanbul and visit some of the most renowned architecture and its surroundings.

Tour Options

Istanbul Highlights Half-Day Tour

Itinerary

Admission not included45 min

Hagia Sophia (Aya Sofya) is a truly awe inspiring, 1,400 years old Byzantine cathedral which houses mosaics, relics and iron work. Hagia Sophia was, for nearly a thousand years, the largest enclosed space in the world, and is still seen as one of the world's most important architectural monuments. It is one of Turkey's most popular attractions, drawn by the sheer spectacle of its size, architecture, mosaics and art. It was built during the reign of Byzantine Emperor Justinian in the 6th century AD.İt is recently rconverted into a Active Mosque

45 min

Roman Era Hippodrom Square,Egyptian , Roman and Greek Obelisques

35 min

Blue Mosque (Sultanahmet Mosque - Camii) built during the reign of Sultan Ahmet I during 1609-1616. It is the only mosque in Turkey with six minarets. Due to its magnificent hand-dyed blue, green and white Iznik tiles it has been named the "Blue Mosque" by Europeans. The central dome is 43 m in height and is 33.4 m in diameter; it also boasts 260 windows.

45 min

The Grand Bazaar (Kapali Carsi) is one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world, with more than 58 covered streets and over 1,200 shops. Opened in 1461, it is well known for its jewelry, pottery, spice, and carpet shops. Many of the stalls in the bazaar are grouped by the type of goods, with special areas for leather coats, gold jewelry and the like. The bazaar contains two bedestens (domed masonry structures built for storage and safe keeping), the first of which was constructed between 1455 and 1461 by the order of Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror.The grand bazaar consists of 12 major buildings and has 22 doors.

5 min

this is our office where we will meet you and where the tour will be finished

Highlights

Blue Badge guide

What's included

Included
Blue Badge guide
Not included
Food and drinks
Lunch
Gratuities
Museum Entry Tickets
Private transportation

Traveller Ratings

5.0
29 reviews
5
28
4
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3
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2
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1
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Important Information

  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
  • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
  • Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
  • Children must be accompanied by an adult
  • At time of booking, Cruise ship passengers must provide the following information at time of booking: ship name, docking time, disembarkation time and re-boarding time
  • A dress code is required to enter places of worship and selected museums. No shorts or sleeveless tops allowed. Knees and shoulders MUST be covered for both men and women. You may risk refused entry if you fail to comply with these dress requirements
  • May be operated by a multi-lingual guide

Reviews(29)

X
X7041QEnicolasv
October 13, 2025
Visit of Sultanahmet

Guided tour of Sultanahmet by Emre. Friendly, competent, interesting. Recommended for a family visit

Operator response

Je vous remercie pour cet tres gentil avis.

L
loubnaf690
September 25, 2025
Istanbul Half Day tour for a first time visitor

I was on a long transit and decided to do a tour. I did not regret it. My tour guide Emre ÖNAL was well spoken in English and spot on with time management. He was also knowledgeable. If I had stayed longer would have definitely booked more experiences with the same company. Most importantly, as a woman traveling alone I felt exceptionally safe with Emre. Thank you!! Will be booking more trips on my next trip to Istanbul :-)

Operator response

Thanks to your very kind review, Hope to see you again in istanbul soon.

J
JackieTours2020
August 9, 2025
Beyond amazing

This walking tour was the perfect way to explore Istanbul’s historic heart! We visited the magnificent **Hagia Sophia**, the stunning **Blue Mosque**, the historic **Hippodrome**, and the vibrant **Grand Bazaar** — each stop brought to life by our guide’s fascinating explanations and stories. The pace was relaxed, giving us time to soak in the sights, take photos, and ask questions. I especially appreciated the Emre’s deep knowledge of the city’s history and culture, which made every moment engaging and memorable. From start to finish, the tour was well-organized, friendly, and truly enriching. I highly recommend it to anyone wanting to experience Istanbul’s most iconic landmarks in a single, enjoyable day.

1 people found this helpful
Operator response

Thanks a lot . Hope to see you again in istanbull soon. Emre

S
scottcF4371LT
July 27, 2025
Istanbul walking tour

The walking tour is spectacular but be prepared to walk and don’t wear shorts. The guide was very knowledgeable and thorough. It’s a great tour! Highly recommended

Operator response

Thank you very much for this very kind review.

S
Scott_C
July 27, 2025
Amazing Istanbul

There is lots of walking but there is so much to see! The tour guide was very thorough and knowledgeable. He facilitated us to the front of all the lines. It was an amazing tour!

Operator response

Dear Scott, Thanks a lot for this review , Hope to see you again with us in Turkey , istanbul .

4
486simonao
July 24, 2025
Emre made Istanbul Come Alive!

Unforgettable experience with an amazing guide! Our visit to Istanbul was truly enhanced by our fantastic local guide, Emre. Knowledgeable, friendly, and passionate, he took us through iconic sites like the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, and the Grand Bazaar. His explanations were clear, engaging, and full of interesting stories. He was always ready to answer our questions and tailor the tour to our interests. Highly recommended!

Operator response

Dear guest , Thank you very much for your review I hope very soon we will see you again in istanbul . All the best Emre

L
luciakQ1351JW
June 23, 2025
Highly recommended!!!!

Absolutely recommended!!!!!After initial difficulties (had problems with the meeting point -Ali was waiting for us though! ) we had an individual eventful tour! In addition to the sights, we also saw a pottery and had an insight into the carpet weave. Our guide Ali is highly recommended, has a great knowledge and many insider tips!

Operator response

Thank you. Hope to see you again in istanbul.

C
cdO9839ZC
May 25, 2025
Half day tour

Emre was very kind and knowledgeable - it was a great experience! I would highly recommend this tour for anyone looking for an introduction to the city and its history.

Operator response

Thanks to your kind review . Emre

M
MelSB91
April 11, 2025
Discovery of the Old Town

We spent a great morning with Emre discovering the old city of Istanbul! What a pleasure to discover the history of this thousand-year-old city! The little extra: the hotel pickup. Emre also gave us tips for the rest of our stay. Thank you again for these delicious böreks!

Operator response

Je vous remercie pour votre avis . J'espere qu'on se reverra une autre fois a istanbul Emre

C
christopherdO2745FY
December 10, 2024
Great way to see Istanbul in a short time period

Emre was a great guide. Good communication leading up to the tour, and then during the tour he gave great insights and facts! He is very experienced and it was a great way to see the major attractions in Istanbul in a short period of time

Operator response

Dear Guest, Thanks to your kind review Emre