Outside Hagia Sophia Mosque. Can also meet customers at Galataport, Sarayburnu port, customer's hotel or at the front of another nominated site or museum.
Description
Welcome to Grand Tour Istanbul. We offer private, customized day tours around one of the most interesting and historically important cities in the world. By far the best way to see Istanbul is with your own private tour. You'll get an itinerary customized to what you want to see and do but with the flexibility to change it as you go, on the fly! Your guide will be focused one hundred percent on what you want to see and do. Stop for lunch anytime or eat on the run. Linger for an entire afternoon in Topkapi Palace or just see the highlights. Want to see as much as you can in a limited time? Your guide will structure your itinerary to reduce travel time between sites. Whatever you want to do and however you want to do it, your guide will advise and assist in making your stay as fun and fulfilling as possible.
Schedule & prices
Runs
Every day
Next available
Wed, Oct 14
Group price
$251 per group of up to 8
From the operator’s live schedule on Viator, checked Oct 13.
Tour Options
Istanbul - Old City Tour
Pickup included
Itinerary
TopkapI Palace
Admission not included120 min
Topkapi Palace was the primary residence of the Ottoman Sultans for approximately 400 years (1465-1856) of their 624-year reign.
As well as a royal residence, the palace was a setting for state occasions and royal entertainments. It is now a major tourist attraction and contains important holy relics of the Muslim world, including Muhammed’s cloak and sword.
Blue Mosque
30 min
The Sultan Ahmed Mosque is an historical mosque in Istanbul. The mosque is popularly known as the Blue Mosque for the blue tiles adorning the walls of its interior. It was built from 1609 to 1616 during the rule of Ahmed I. Like many other mosques it also contains the tomb of the founder, a madrasah and a hospice. While still used as a mosque, the Sultan Ahmed Mosque has also become a popular tourist attraction.
Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque
60 min
Hagia Sophia is a former Orthodox patriarchal basilica, later a mosque, then a museum, and once again a mosque in Istanbul. From the date of its dedication in 360 until 1453 it served as an Eastern Orthodox cathedral and seat of the Patriarchate of Constantinople.
Basilica Cistern
Admission not included30 min
The Basilica Cistern is the largest of several hundred ancient cisterns that lie beneath the city of Istanbul. The cistern is located 150 meters southwest of the Hagia Sophia. It was built in the 6th century during the reign of Byzantine Emperor Justinian I.
Hippodrome
15 min
The Hippodrome was a Roman Circus and was the site of chariot and horse races as well as being an important sporting and social center in Constantinople
What's included
Included
Private tour guide service.
Not included
Food and drink
Museum / attraction entrance fees
Pickup Locations & Times
Can meet customers at Galataport, Sarayburnu port, customer's hotel or at the front of a nominated site or museum.
Traveller Ratings
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
5.0
18 reviews
5
18
4
0
3
0
2
0
1
0
How it compares in Istanbul
Rated higher than 80% of 987 reviewed tours in Istanbul
Excurgo comparison of 3,635 Viator tours, recalculated daily.
Important Information
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
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 Tour take?
Istanbul - Old City Tour lasts about 6–8 hours. The itinerary has 5 stops.
How much does Istanbul - Old City Tour cost?
Prices start at $251 per person for this Istanbul experience, booked through Viator with the price shown before checkout. There is 1 booking option, so the final price depends on the option you choose.
What days does Istanbul - Old City Tour run?
According to the operator’s current schedule, it runs every day.
Can I cancel Istanbul - Old City 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. Can meet customers at Galataport, Sarayburnu port, customer's hotel or at the front of a nominated site or museum. Pickup points include Harbour Suites Old City.
What languages is Istanbul - Old City Tour offered in?
The experience is available in EN, TR.
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 and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Will my booking be confirmed immediately?
Confirmation is sent by the operator within 24 hours of booking.
Is Istanbul - Old City Tour worth it?
Travellers rate it 5.0 out of 5 across 18 reviews on Viator and Tripadvisor; it is run by Grand Tour Istanbul.
Reviews(18)
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
D
Dominic_P
June 2, 2025 · via Viator
Nese was the best....
Nese was the best. Distilled the history of key places to their core... Volumes of potential reading.
She is easy to get along with and seems as if we had a friend just chatting about the place and its wonders.
Will definitely call her again in our next trip here.
Operator response
Hi Dominic, thank you so much for the very nice review. I had a lot of fun showing you guys around. You were so easy going and fun to be with. Look forward to seeing you in Istanbul again someday. All the best, Nese.
E
E9370HZmichelleh
July 1, 2024 · via Tripadvisor
Wonderful tour of Istanbul old city with best tour guide
This tour was so much more than we hoped for. Nese is the most wonderful person and such an informative tour guide. She became a friend to us all in a short time ensuring there was something for each of us to appreciate and enjoy at every place we visited. The history of Istanbul is so immense and Nese was able to describe the salient points at each site and weave them together into a concise narrative for us. She ensured we were comfortable and understood all the required cultural protocols at mosques. Gave us choices and recommendations and helped us shop at the grand Bazaar. She has a large network so we were welcomed everywhere we visited and able to skip the queues as we were with her. A very memorable day and woman.
Operator response
Thank you so much for the wonderful review. I had a great time showing you guys around and I'm really happy you enjoyed it. All the best, Nese.
M
mackenzieh355
June 30, 2024 · via Tripadvisor
Beautiful city, wonderful guide
We had an unforgettable time on our tour with Nese. There is a lot to see and we are glad that our guide accommodated us so it wasn’t overwhelming. It was good to hear about the history of the city from such a passionate and informed perspective. Always nice to have a local’s insight. Would highly recommend this tour for anyone, it was small-scale, engaging, and there were things for every one of us to enjoy.
Operator response
Thank you so much for the wonderful review. It was a lot of fun meeting you guys and showing you around. So glad you enjoyed it. All the best, Nese.
2
269shayk
May 28, 2024 · via Tripadvisor
Nese was so knowledgeable on the history of İstanbul. She was such a big help in offering information on things to do!
Thoroughly enjoyed spending our day with Nese learning about the colorful history of Istanbul! I highly recommend her tours.
Operator response
Thank you so much, I had a great time guiding you guys around Istanbul. It was fun. See you again sometime when you come back to Istanbul.
C
Compass13887792548
May 28, 2024 · via Tripadvisor
Best guide in all of Istanbul!
Nese and her your company was amazing! Very knowledgeable and kind. Went over and beyond to share the beautiful city and culture of Istanbul! Highly recommend!!!
Operator response
Thank you so much you were wonderful to guide. Hope to see you again if you ever come back to Istanbul.
B
Borisf1967
March 31, 2024 · via Tripadvisor
Charme and informations
Has been excellent, visits full of charme and informations, I strongly recommend it. All my family has appreciated it, including my teenager kids.
1 people found this helpful
Operator response
Thank you very much for the nice review. I had a wonderful time guiding you guys, I really enjoyed your company. You are a wonderful family with fantastic kids. Look forward to seeing you again some time.
S
Sommerhus4
November 16, 2023 · via Tripadvisor
Unforgettable day with personalized tour
Just back after a three-day visit to Istanbul (Nov. 2023), and we are overwhelmed, fascinated and very thankful for all the wonderful things our hosts had planned for us – one of them was a one-day guided tour with Nese.
Nese came to pick us up at our hotel in the Pera district around 10 in the morning, and when we returned in the afternoon around 16, we had visited the Bacilica Cisterns, Hagia Sofia and the Grand Bazar as well as numerous carpet and textile shops specializing in Suzani embroidery (after my wish). On top of that, we had a great lunch in a very local Turkish restaurant and a coffee break at a terrasse overlooking the city with stunning views.
Istanbul is a hectic and vibrant city, but Nese managed to show us all this at a pleasant and easy pace without any stress. She is indeed an expert in transportation, and along the way she provided us with comprehensive facts and historical information, supplemented by many funny anecdotes.
Not only is Nese extremely knowledgeable. She is also warm, kind and an engaging and dynamic communicator – last but not least, Nese is very good company. We had such a great day with Nese and feel we have made a very good friend in Istanbul.
Operator response
Thank you so much for the wonderful message. You guys were fantastic guests and I had a very fun time showing you around Istanbul. All the best, hope to see you back in Istanbul soon.
K
kwanleon
November 10, 2023 · via Tripadvisor
Way to go Nese! You're the best.
After we finish the 13 days tour around Greece, we have one day layover in Istanbul, book one day hotel stay right in the middle of old city and have Nese as our tour guide, she's more than a tour guide at the end of the night. we all became friends. she knows the city well and everywhere we go people greet her with respect and we talk about everything from what she like and unlike about Istanbul and also she has her son living in U.S. hope she'll visit us at the same time when she visit her son and family in California.
Operator response
Thank you so much for the nice review. I had a great time with you guys, we had a lot of fun together. I hope you will come back to Istanbul some time in the future. All the best.
2
257reneu
October 1, 2023 · via Tripadvisor
Amazing guides Adventure in Istanbul!
This was an amazing experience. Nese is knowledgeable, friendly, patient, helpful, and energized! She knows her way around the monuments, queues, people, restaurants, and shops. She will customize your adventure and will optimize time based on your likes and needs. Simply amazing. I couldn’t believe what we were able to accomplish that much in one day with her help! We even had plenty time among each visit to take pictures and to admire those so amazing monumental treasures!
Operator response
Thank you so much for the nice review. I had a wonderful time with you guys. All the best.
N
Nico
September 25, 2023 · via Viator
Fabulous Taste of Istanbul
Superb, tailor-made tour. Extremely knowledgeable guide who made the historical facts come to life. A taste of Istanbul, including points of interest we would have missed if touring independently. A fabulous way to see the highlights.
Operator response
Thank you so much for the kind review. I really enjoyed the day also.
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