Explore Istanbul's rich history and magnificent architecture as you visit the Hippodrome, the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, and the Grand Bazaar on a full-day guided tour.
Schedule & prices
Runs
Every day
Start times
7 times a day, 7:00 AM–10:00 AM
Next available
Fri, Oct 16
Adult (ages 12+)
$95
Child (ages 3–11)
$60
Infant (ages 0–2)
Free
Larger groups pay less per person.
From the operator’s live schedule on Viator, checked Oct 15.
Tour Options
Best Istanbul day tour
Discover magical Istanbul
Pickup included
Itinerary
Blue Mosque
30 min
Blue Mosque
Grand Bazaar
60 min
Grand Bazaar
Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque
Admission not included45 min
Visit Hagia Sophia
Hippodrome
20 min
Visit Hippodrome
TopkapI Palace
Admission not included60 min
Visit Topkapi Palace
What's included
Included
Private tour
Professional guide
Pickup / drop off service is provided from/to centrally located hotels at city center area.
Transport by taxi (transportation provided only when necessary)
Not included
Food and drinks
Entrance fees
Pickup Locations & Times
Pickup / drop-off service is provided from / to centrally located hotels on the European side of Istanbul or Galataport
Traveller Ratings
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
4.8
306 reviews
5
274
4
18
3
4
2
5
1
5
How it compares in Istanbul
Starting price $95 is 17% below the typical $114 for tours of similar length in Istanbul
Excurgo comparison of 3,635 Viator tours, recalculated daily.
Important Information
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Children must be accompanied by an adult
A minimum of 2 people per booking is required
Topkapi Palace is closed to visitors on Tuesdays
Hagia Sophia is not a museum, open to public sight, so there might be long lines to visit inside, there is no option to skip the line
Grand Bazaar is closed to visitors on Sundays.
Dolmabahce Palace is closed to visitors on Mondays.
This is a walking tour.
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 Private Guided Istanbul Day Tour take?
Private Guided Istanbul Day Tour lasts about 5–8 hours. The itinerary has 5 stops.
How much does Private Guided Istanbul Day Tour cost?
Prices start at $95 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 Private Guided Istanbul Day Tour run?
According to the operator’s current schedule, it runs every day, with 7 departures a day between 7:00 AM and 10:00 AM.
How much does Private Guided Istanbul Day Tour cost for children?
Children aged 3–11 pay from $60, adults from $95. Infants go free.
Can I cancel Private Guided Istanbul Day 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. Pickup / drop-off service is provided from / to centrally located hotels on the European side of Istanbul or Galataport Pickup points include Harbour Suites Old City, Atlantis Royal Hotel.
What languages is Private Guided Istanbul Day Tour offered in?
The experience is available in PT, EN, ES.
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 Children must be accompanied by an adult
Will my booking be confirmed immediately?
Yes, bookings are confirmed instantly.
Is Private Guided Istanbul Day Tour worth it?
Travellers rate it 4.8 out of 5 across 306 reviews on Viator and Tripadvisor; it is run by Ephesus Tour Company.
Reviews(306)
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
J
juliarU3171FE
September 25, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
Wonderful Private Experience
Our wonderful guide Elif was amazing. She took us on a nearly 7 hour tour of all the major sights we wanted to see. Crowds were very large as it was a Friday, but Elif helped us navigate and find quiet corners where she could provide us explanations. She showed us a wonderful and delicious dinner spot in the old town and the food was delicious. It was worth the money to have a private tour of just two people and the guide. We were able to talk to Elif, ask questions, and have a more personal experience with her. At the end of the tour she even left us with a recommendation for some of the best Baklava in Turkey!
Operator response
Thank you for such a detailed and thoughtful review! It sounds like Elif helped turn a very busy Friday into a relaxed and memorable day.
We’re especially happy to hear that you enjoyed having the freedom to explore at your own pace, ask questions, discover quieter spots, and finish the day with some delicious local food. And of course, no trip to Istanbul is complete without a good baklava recommendation! 😊
We’ll be sure to share your kind words with Elif. We’re delighted that the private format gave you the personal experience you were looking for.
It was a pleasure having you as our guests, and we hope Istanbul left you with plenty of wonderful memories!
A
annacS5120FW
September 25, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
Private tour in istanbul
Erk is awesome. We enjoyed his company, learned a lot. Full with local food. Will def refer my friends and family to his services.
Operator response
What a lovely review, thank you! We’re so happy to hear that Erk made your day special and that you enjoyed both his company and the local food experience.
Nothing makes us happier than knowing our guests leave with great memories, a full stomach, and a story to share! We’ll make sure Erk sees your kind words.
C
Christopher_T
August 21, 2026 · via Viator
"You have to visit the...
"You have to visit the old town" - Yes, I agree. A must for the first time traveller to Istanbul or one interested in history, culture and religion. Our well-seasoned guide, Omer and driver, picked us up from our hotel in the morning, then we proceeded to walkthrough the popular sites instilling in us the rich history of the past and present. The tour was well-paced allowing time to fully experience the surroundings and to enjoy a nice meal. A very enjoyable experience.
Operator response
Thank you for sharing such a thoughtful review. We’re especially pleased that you felt the Old Town was truly worth experiencing and that the pace of the tour gave you enough time to take in both the history and the atmosphere of Istanbul.
Omer will be very happy to hear that his knowledge and storytelling helped bring the city’s past and present to life. It was a pleasure to have you with us
M
Marcela_a
July 8, 2026 · via Viator
Tour Istanbul
We did a private tour just me, my husband and the guide, and the experience was excellent from start to finish. The guide was extremely polite, punctual and demonstrated an impressive knowledge of Istanbul’s history and culture, making each visit much more interesting and enriching.
The script was conducted calmly, respecting our pace, and all the explanations were clear and engaging. It was an experience that exceeded our expectations.
We definitely recommend this tour for those who want to know Istanbul in a more personalized way and learn a lot about the city. It was one of the highlights of our trip!
Operator response
Estimada Brenda,
¡Muchas gracias por su amable comentario! Nos alegra muchísimo saber que disfrutaron de su tour privado y que tuvieron una experiencia tan especial.
Fue un placer recibirles y esperamos darles la bienvenida nuevamente en Turquía muy pronto.
¡Les deseamos un excelente viaje!
N
neilkappelman
May 23, 2026 · via Viator
Excellent private tour
We had an excellent tour with our Guide Renan who was a university professor. She had a vast knowledge of history and culture and was eager and expert at communicating this to us. She tailored the trip to our interest and needs and is a very caring person. Our thanks to Renan
Operator response
Thank you very much for your wonderful feedback. We are delighted to hear that you had such an enjoyable experience with our guide Renan. Her passion for history and culture, along with her dedication to creating personalized experiences for our guests, truly makes every tour special.
Your kind words mean a lot to both our team and Renan. We sincerely appreciate you choosing our agency and hope to welcome you again on another memorable journey in the future.
C
Climber607426
April 18, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
Pleasant and informative tour !
Having a knowledgeable and friendly English speaking local show us around the old city was great.
We saw so much in one day it was incredible. We were able to avoid some lines. We had special access to the nicest displays of local crafts. He brought us to a delightful and clean cafe for a break.
We learned so much about the history and architecture in one very productive day.
Omer is a natural and engaging host.
Operator response
Thank you for your lovely feedback.
We’re very glad to hear you had such a full and enjoyable day, and that you appreciated the insights into the city’s history and architecture, as well as the special stops along the way.
It’s great to know Omer made the experience so engaging. We’ll be sure to pass on your kind words to him.
M
Mary_H
April 17, 2026 · via Viator
Outstanding guide and every question was answered.
Our guide Sheref was excellent. He knows the history inside and out. We learned so much about Istanbul, the people, culture, religion. What a fantastic day. We highly recommend him.
Operator response
Thank you very much for your kind feedback.
We are delighted to hear that you had such a wonderful experience and that Seref made your day so memorable. It’s great to know that his knowledge and passion for Istanbul’s history, culture, and traditions helped you gain a deeper understanding of the city.
Your recommendation means a lot to us, and we will be sure to share your kind words with Sheref.
We hope to welcome you again on another tour in the future.
J
Jessica_D
April 7, 2026 · via Viator
Sensational!!!
This tour was wonderful, our SINEM guide was wonderful and very attentive with us, she speaks Portuguese, explained everything to us, gave various tips, took us to lunch in a delicious place. We highly recommend this tour!!! Thank you to those involved!
Operator response
Muito obrigado pelo carinho e pela recomendação! Ficamos muito contentes que tenham gostado da atenção da nossa guia Sinem e das dicas dela. Saber que vocês tiveram um dia maravilhoso e um almoço delicioso é a nossa maior recompensa. Até a próxima
N
Nancy_M
April 5, 2026 · via Viator
Our day from 7:30 AM -...
Our day from 7:30 AM - 6:00 PM with Renan was spectacular. She showed us where and how to have a Turkish breakfast, took us through the Grand Bazaar, and mosques.
Operator response
Thank you for the wonderful review! We’re so glad Renan made your tour special. Your feedback means a lot to us, and we hope to see you again soon in Turkey!
G
gurminder_a
January 13, 2026 · via Viator
A Day in Istanbul
What an amazing day we had with Renan in Istanbul! It was a rainy, dreary day but Renan brought some sunshine with her pleasant personality. My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed our time with her. She was informative and thorough. We saw the palace, blue mosque and the grand bazaar. She helped us navigate it all and we really felt like we learned a lot about Istanbul as well as the culture. The company picks up
And drops off in very comfortable and roomy vans. An unforgettable experience.
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