Istanbul Private Tour from Cruise Port
Description
Istanbul by night means floodlit mosques, a fabulous Turkish dinner and a spectacular floorshow with bejeweled belly dancers. It's the ultimate Turkish experience for your Istanbul shore excursion!
Tour Options
Itinerary
The Blue Mosque, officially known as Sultan Ahmed Mosque, is one of Istanbul’s most iconic landmarks. Built in the early 17th century, it is renowned for its stunning blue İznik tiles, grand domes, and six elegant minarets. Visitors can explore its magnificent interior, admire the intricate calligraphy and stained glass, and experience the serene atmosphere of this active place of worship. The mosque’s location in Sultanahmet Square also provides breathtaking views of the Hagia Sophia and the historic heart of Istanbul.
The Hippodrome of Constantinople, located in Istanbul, was the social and sporting center of the Byzantine Empire. Originally built in the 3rd century AD, it hosted chariot races, political events, and public gatherings. Today, visitors can explore the open-air site and see historical monuments such as the Obelisk of Theodosius, the Serpent Column, and the German Fountain. The Hippodrome offers a fascinating glimpse into the grandeur and daily life of ancient Constantinople.
Hagia Sophia, one of Istanbul’s most iconic landmarks, was originally built in the 6th century by Emperor Justinian as a cathedral. Renowned for its massive dome, stunning mosaics, and impressive architecture, it has served as a cathedral, mosque, and now a museum (and also functions as a mosque today). Visitors can admire the intricate Byzantine art, explore its vast interior, and learn about its rich history as a symbol of both Christian and Islamic heritage. Hagia Sophia stands as a masterpiece of architecture and a testament to Istanbul’s cultural and historical significance.
The Basilica Cistern, located in Istanbul, is the largest of the ancient underground water reservoirs built during the Byzantine era. Constructed in the 6th century under Emperor Justinian, it features hundreds of marble columns, dimly lit pathways, and a mysterious, atmospheric ambiance. Visitors can walk along raised platforms, admire the Medusa head carvings, and experience the ingenuity of ancient engineering that supplied water to the city for centuries.
The Grand Bazaar in Istanbul is one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world, dating back to the 15th century. With over 4,000 shops spread across hundreds of streets, it offers a vibrant and bustling atmosphere where visitors can find jewelry, carpets, textiles, spices, souvenirs, and traditional Turkish crafts. Exploring the Grand Bazaar is a sensory experience, full of colors, scents, and sounds, and provides a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in Istanbul’s rich cultural and commercial history.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
Galataport Istanbul
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Not recommended for child aged 4 and under
- Children 18 years and under must be accompanied by an adult
Reviews(31)
Started off bad when they told us to meet at a hotel across the way from cruise terminal because they couldn’t get to the cruise terminal. Two men arrived at the hotel 10 minutes before we were told to meet (good thing we were early) and walked us back to the cruise terminal. Neither spoke English and couldn’t answer any questions. We got to the boat and we’re seated. Almost immediately the waitress came and asked for our dessert order. The description of the tour said dinner included a Turkish dessert. The waitress charged us for dessert. I asked why we were getting charged and showed her that the description indicated dessert is included. She said that all we get is fruit coffee and tea. Not sure how fruit is an authentic Turkish dessert. The food was not great and they never served coffee or tea. The show was okay except most of what the females did was dance seductively to try to get money. The whole atmosphere was more of a dance club than a Turkish dinner show. I very disappointed overall with the experience.
Dear Guest, I am sorry to hear that you are upset regarding the experience. Unfortunately, we can not pick up our guests from any point due to the traffic jam and regulations, that's why a common point of pick up announced. We took note regarding the personnel that doesn't speak English, all our service personnel are required to speak English very well. Regarding the belly dancers ı am sorry to hear that it's not to your liking but the nature of this dance is seductive. These local performers usually depend on the tips but they shouldn't bother you. We will follow up accordingly. Kind regards Güniz Ercin
<p>Really enjoyed the experience. The food was good. Service great. The show very entertaining.</p>
<p>We were treated well and totally enjoyed the experience</p>
<p>Driver met us at the ship on time, very professional, and courteous driver. Dinner show was fantastic. The food was so-so. Ride back to the ship was memorable. We definitely recommend!</p>
<p>Fun evening. The food was just mediocre, and we were not given any options on food. The atmosphere was very fun and lively. The show was entertaining. We were the only people in our van, so it was like having a private driver. Other people on the ship were there who had bought the package through the ship and paid much more than we did. Other ship passengers used taxis and paid much more for the taxis than we did for this package. Beware of taxi scams in Turkey. This would be a 5 star if the food was a little better.</p>
<p>The driver was waiting at the port entrance about 10 minutes early with a very beautiful van. Note that the driver does not speak the entire 20 minute drive to the restaurant which was awkward. However, he was a good driver and it was a nice drive through part of Istanbul. The restaurant was beautiful and the staff was so friendly! Entertainment was amazing and so was the food and I'm picky. We loved the food and the dancers were so impressive. The last act was a man that sang national anthems or songs from the audiences native countries. It ended the night on a great note. One of the best things we did in Istanbul! Highly recommend this!</p>
<p>We had a nice night out on this tour. As we were not with the large bus crowds, we got a great table and were served our dinner and drinks first. The entertainment was fun and the food was good.</p>
<p>Pick up and drop off were to schedule, the venue was 90% booked out, seating was not favorable for one of us, we were seated in an alcove behind a pillar parallel to the back of the stage, despite empty seats at the back of the room facing the stage??? When I commented that i could not see, the waiter said it is ok the stage comes out, you will be able to see the show. I think he should have sat there to experience what you actually cannot see. It was impossible to keep leaning over the table to see around the pillar for the whole of the show. The food was not as inviting as in the advertised pictures. The show was enjoyable, well presented, encouraging all to take a part, but i would not go again.</p>
<p>We felt this experience was adequate at best. The dancers were good, but we were not well seated to enjoy the show. The long tables were very crowded and the servers rushed.<br/> The food was OK, the appetizers were the best part, the rest ordinary. Overall the experience was very touristy and we would not repeat it.</p>
<p>The show was OK, the food good, but we were expecting a more professional, authentic show in a classier setting.</p>