Istanbul Small-Group Old City Tour with Local Guide
Description
* Please note that the Grand Bazaar is closed on Sundays. Therefore, Sunday tours will be switched to Spice Market visit instead, which will also be the final stop of the tour. Discover Istanbul’s Old City on a small-group walking tour. Discover the mystery of Hagia Sophia and explore Blue Mosque and Grand Bazaar. Take in everything by admiring the beauty of the buildings, the priceless history behind each monument, and the undeniable fact that this place was the heart of both Christian and Islamic civilizations at one point. You will feel like you have been in a time travel machine where you have explored all the different periods that shaped Istanbul within the blink of an eye.
Tour Options
Itinerary
The German Fountain, located in Sultanahmet Square, was a gift from German Emperor Kaiser Wilhelm II in 1901 and is a neo-Byzantine style fountain commemorating his visit to Istanbul, symbolizing the friendship between the Ottoman and German Empires.
We will see the Ancient Hippodrome and 3 obelisks which are located along the central spine of the ancient Hippodrome in Sultanahmet, just steps away from the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia.
It’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Istanbul and we will take a look at the mosque from inside to see a blend of Ottoman and Byzantine styles, with a massive central dome, elegant arches, and cascading semi-domes.
Hagia Sophia, originally built in 537 as a Byzantine cathedral, later converted into a mosque, then a museum, and now a mosque again, is an architectural masterpiece that reflects the rich layers of Istanbul’s religious and imperial history.
The Grand Bazaar (Kapalıçarşı), dating back to the 15th century, is one of the world’s largest and oldest covered markets, featuring over 4,000 shops offering everything from carpets and jewelry to antiques and ceramics.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Minimum participants to run this tour is 4 people.
- Please note that the Grand Bazaar is closed on Sundays. Therefore, Sunday tours will be switched to Spice Market visit instead, which will also be the final stop of the tour.
Reviews(163)
Our guide, Kemal, was outstanding in every way! We appreciated his knowledge and expert guidance to the main historical 'must see' sights in Istanbul's Old City. We had a most enjoyable time with him and would highly recommend his services to anyone traveling to Istanbul.
Merve was an amazing guide. She went through all sites with extreme detail. She was extremely knowledgeable and detail oriented.
Kemal was the best. Kind & very considerate of our physical limitations. Literally warned us of every possible stumbling point & there were dozens. Expect to walk about 7 miles the first day & 3 - 4 miles the next. Lunch choices were outstanding. Expect to pay at least $160US in entry fees (2 people). Entire tour was excellent
Feyza was so knowledgeable about the history of Istanbul and the historic sites on our tour. Would definitely recommend this tour and Feyza to anyone visiting Istanbul.
Ozan was FANTASTIC! Our day went by so fast we had such a wonderful time. He shared so much great information with us as we visited the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Basilica Cistern, the Grand Bazaar, and Spice Market. We also got to visit a rug store where they showed us how the handmade rugs are made on looms, it was fascinating. An absolutely wonderful experience!
Merve, an incredible guide with profound knowledge of Istanbul’s culture and history, comprehended our origins and past experiences. Based on the time we had, she meticulously reconstructed the itineraries that best suited our journey. Well done, Merve!
We had an amazing time during our Istanbul Tour with Burak. He was an excellent tour guide. Knowledgeable and friendly and most importantly flexible. Our group of 8 included a person with disabilities and 2 children ages 5 and 8. He was able to adjust the schedule to meet our needs, pace and patience of both me and wife as parents and our children. He was also conscientious of Mobility difficulties. He gave us inside tips such as restaurant recommendations and even told us about proper Turkish etiquette and local customs. We highly recommend booking with Guided Istanbul tour and highly recommend Burak as your tour guide!! Jose
We really enjoyed the tour and thought our guide was excellent.
We had an outstanding experience on this private tour with Ozan. Everything was exceptionally well organized from start to finish, making the entire day stress-free and enjoyable. Our guide was incredibly knowledgeable, friendly, and passionate, sharing fascinating historical and cultural insights that made every stop much more meaningful. The itinerary was perfectly planned, allowing us to see all the major highlights while still having enough flexibility to explore at our own pace. What truly made this tour special was the personalized attention. Our guide went above and beyond to answer questions, accommodate our interests, and ensure we had a memorable experience. Ozan’s professionalism, warmth, and attention to detail exceeded all expectations. I highly recommend this private tour to anyone looking for a personalized, informative, and enjoyable experience. It was one of the highlights of our trip, and I would gladly book with them again.
Our family had such a wonderful experience exploring Istanbul with our guide, Merve over two days. She was one of the biggest reasons our trip was so enjoyable. She is incredibly knowledgeable about the history of Istanbul and Türkiye, but what we appreciated most was how she explained everything in a way that was easy to understand. Whether she was talking about the Byzantine Empire, the Ottomans, or modern-day Türkiye, she made the history come alive without it ever feeling like a lecture. Over the two days, she took us to the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, the Hippodrome, the Grand Bazaar, Dolmabahçe Palace, Taksim Square, the Spice Bazaar, and on a beautiful Bosphorus cruise. Every stop had a story, and she always took the time to answer our questions. We never felt rushed, and she gave us plenty of time to look around, take photos, and really enjoy each place. One thing I really appreciated was how well she planned each day. We saw so much, but the pace was comfortable. We were able to get back to our hotel, relax for a bit, and still have plenty of time to head out for dinner in the evening. If you're visiting Istanbul and want someone who is friendly, patient, and truly passionate about sharing her city, I highly recommend booking a tour with her. We learned so much, had a great time, and left with a much deeper appreciation for Istanbul than we would have had on our own. Thank you Merve, you’re a gem!
