Istanbul Old City Highlights: Private Walking Tour
+2 photos
At a glance
- Duration
- 4–6 hours
- Price from
- $94 / person
- Location
- Istanbul, Türkiye
- Rating
- 5.0 / 5 · 101 reviews
- Languages
- EN
- Group
- Private
- Cancellation
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
- Confirmation
- Instant
- Ticket
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- Operator
- Istanbul Untold Tours
- Meeting point
- German Fountain
Description
This is a private walking tour. No vehicle or hotel transfer is included. Explore Istanbul’s Old City with a private licensed guide dedicated to your group. Discover the stories behind its iconic landmarks at a pace that suits you, with time for questions, photos, and breaks. Shape your route with your guide around the places that interest you most. Suggested highlights include the Hippodrome, Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, Basilica Cistern, and Grand Bazaar. Your interests and the available time help determine the final itinerary. Choose which ticketed attractions, if any, you would like to enter. Admission tickets are not included and are paid separately only for the attractions you choose to enter. From Byzantine monuments to Ottoman architecture, your guide connects the sights with the people and events that shaped Istanbul, making your walk a personal and engaging introduction to the city.
Schedule & prices
- Runs
- Every day
- Start times
- 14 times a day, 8:00 AM–2:30 PM
- Next available
- Thu, Oct 29
- Adult (ages 18+)
- $94
- Child (ages 3–17)
- Free
- Infant (ages 0–2)
- Free
Prices are per person when two book together; a solo traveller pays $188.
Larger groups pay less per person.
Out at sunset: the 2:00 PM departure is under way when the sun sets, around 5:51 PM in the coming weeks.
From the operator’s live schedule on Viator, checked Oct 28.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Hippodrome
Explore the Hippodrome, once the center of Byzantine chariot racing and public life. Discover the Obelisk of Theodosius, the Serpent Column, and the Walled Obelisk as your guide explains their history and significance.
Blue Mosque
Visit the Blue Mosque, one of Istanbul’s most iconic landmarks. Admire its decorative tiles, grand dome, and elegant calligraphy as your guide explains the mosque’s history, architecture, and place in the city’s religious life.
Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque
Discover Hagia Sophia as your guide explains its history and significance across the Byzantine and Ottoman eras. Learn about its remarkable architecture and changing role over the centuries.
TopkapI Palace
Discover Topkapi Palace, once home to Ottoman sultans and the center of imperial power. Learn about palace life and the history of the Ottoman court with your private guide.
Basilica Cistern
Discover the Basilica Cistern, an underground reservoir showcasing Byzantine engineering. Admire its rows of columns and softly lit atmosphere as your guide explains its history and role in supplying water to the city.
Grand Bazaar
Immerse Yourself in Tradition. Explore one of the world’s oldest and largest covered markets, with over 4,000 shops spread across 61 streets. Discover an incredible variety of goods, from exquisite jewelry and handcrafted ceramics to luxurious textiles and aromatic spices, enjoy tastings of Turkish delights, teas, and other local delicacies as you wander through the bazaar.
What's included
Included
Private Licensed Tour Guide Exclusively For Your Group
Not included
(Use of public transportation depends on the location of your accommodation and your preference.)
Lunch
Admission tickets (optional). Pay only for the attractions you choose to enter.
Gratuity (suggested)
Private vehicle and hotel transfers.
Pickup Locations & Times
On foot. Your guide will meet you at your hotel, Galataport cruise port, or one of the designated meeting points. Depending on your location, you will travel together to the Old City on foot, by metro, or by taxi. Transportation costs are not included.
Traveller Ratings
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
5.0
101 reviews
How it compares in Istanbul
- Rated higher than 80% of 993 reviewed tours in Istanbul
- Starting price $94 is 18% below the typical $114 for tours of similar length in Istanbul
- Price over the last 16 days: $90–$94
Excurgo comparison of 3,642 Viator tours, recalculated daily.
Important Information
- Wheelchair accessible
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- On Sundays, when the Grand Bazaar is closed, the Spice Bazaar can be visited instead.
- Topkapi Palace is closed on Tuesdays.
- For tours starting after noon, some sites may not be visited due to closing times.
- The duration of the tour may vary depending on crowds, your walking pace, and the attractions you choose to visit.
- This is a walking tour; no private vehicle or transfer is included. If you select pickup, your guide will meet you on foot. Public transport or taxi fares, if needed, are at your own expense.
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 Old City Highlights: Private Walking Tour take?
Istanbul Old City Highlights: Private Walking Tour lasts about 4–6 hours. The itinerary has 6 stops.
How much does Istanbul Old City Highlights: Private Walking Tour cost?
Prices start at $94 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 $188. There is 1 booking option, so the final price depends on the option you choose.
What days does Istanbul Old City Highlights: Private Walking Tour run?
According to the operator’s current schedule, it runs every day, with 14 departures a day between 8:00 AM and 2:30 PM.
How much does Istanbul Old City Highlights: Private Walking Tour cost for children?
Children aged 3–17 pay nothing, adults from $94. Infants go free.
Can I cancel Istanbul Old City Highlights: Private Walking Tour for free?
Yes. Cancel at least 1 day before the start for a full refund. Later cancellations are non-refundable.
Is hotel pickup included?
Yes, pickup is offered. On foot. Your guide will meet you at your hotel, Galataport cruise port, or one of the designated meeting points. Depending on your location, you will travel together to the Old City on foot, by metro, or by taxi. Transportation costs are not included. Pickup points include Harbour Suites Old City.
What languages is Istanbul Old City Highlights: Private Walking Tour offered in?
The experience is available in EN.
Is this a private or a group tour?
It is a private experience: only your party takes part. Up to 15 travellers can book together.
Is the tour suitable for children?
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Is the tour wheelchair accessible?
Wheelchair accessible
Will my booking be confirmed immediately?
Yes, bookings are confirmed instantly.
Reviews(101)
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
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from$94
5.0(101) Free cancellation