We had a great tour to the Hippodrome Constantinople which is a park with obelisk monuments, Blue Mosque which is still being worshipped in today, the Basilica Cistern which provided fresh water for the Byzantine people; it has 250 columns holding up the city, we had a great lunch at a small little cafe to get some energy to then venture into the Grand Bazaar; it's one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world, with 61 covered streets and over 4000 shops ... Something for everyone!!!! Of course we bought a few things☺️ Our tour guide, Emel was extremely knowledgeable and we learned so much about the history, their traditions, the Muslim culture, their religion and all about the area. She suggested places worth going to and others that were not. We would highly recommend this tour, especially if you can request Emel!!
Private Istanbul Day Tour
+23 photos
At a glance
- Duration
- 4–7 hours
- Price from
- $95 / person
- Location
- Istanbul, Türkiye
- Rating
- 4.8 / 5 · 91 reviews
- Languages
- EN, ES
- Group
- Private
- Cancellation
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
- Hotel pickup
- Available
- Confirmation
- Instant
- Ticket
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- Operator
- Ada Vegas Travel
Description
Discover Istanbul’s most iconic landmarks with rich historical context and engaging storytelling. Your journey begins at Hagia Sophia, a masterpiece of Byzantine and Ottoman architecture that has stood for over 1,500 years and reflects the city’s unique cultural heritage. Continue to the Blue Mosque, celebrated for its stunning blue Iznik tiles and magnificent domes, representing one of the finest examples of classical Ottoman design. Walk through the Hippodrome, once the center of public life during the Byzantine era, where grand ceremonies and sporting events shaped the city’s social and political landscape. Conclude your experience at the Grand Bazaar, one of the world’s oldest and largest covered markets, filled with vibrant stalls offering spices, textiles, jewelry, and Turkish handicrafts. Your private guide will bring each stop to life with engaging stories, ensuring a personalized and deeply enriching experience across Istanbul’s most iconic landmarks.
Schedule & prices
- Runs
- Every day
- Start times
- 11 times a day, 8:00 AM–1:00 PM
- Next available
- Thu, Oct 8
- Adult (ages 13–90)
- $95
- Child (ages 3–12)
- $66
- Infant (ages 0–2)
- Free
From the operator’s live schedule on Viator, checked Oct 7.
Tour Options
Itinerary
TopkapI Palace
Visit the most important palace of the Ottoman Empire This 15th-century royal residence served as the political, administrative, and ceremonial heart of the Ottoman Empire for nearly 400 years.
Basilica Cistern
Built in the 6th century, this vast underground reservoir once supplied water to Istanbul’s imperial palaces and still fascinates visitors with its atmospheric columns and Medusa heads.
Blue Mosque
Completed in 1616, the mosque is renowned for its striking blue Iznik tiles and stands as one of the greatest architectural achievements of the Ottoman era.
Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque
Originally built in 537, Hagia Sophia has served as a cathedral, mosque, and museum, reflecting Istanbul’s layered history and unmatched architectural legacy.
Grand Bazaar
Established in the 15th century, the Grand Bazaar is one of the world’s oldest and largest covered markets, famous for its centuries-old trade tradition and vibrant atmosphere.
What's included
Included
transportation provided if needed (with taxi or public transportation)
Pick-up and drop-off
Professional Licensed Tour Guide
Not included
Food&Drinks
Entrance fees
Pickup Locations & Times
You’re guaranteed to arrive back at your ship on time, without ever feeling rushed. Pickup / drop off service is provided from/to centrally located hotels at European side of Istanbul
Traveller Ratings
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
4.8
91 reviews
How it compares in Istanbul
- Starting price $95 is 17% below the typical $114 for tours of similar length in Istanbul
Excurgo comparison of 3,624 Viator tours, recalculated daily.
Important Information
- Service animals allowed
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- At time of booking, Cruise ship passengers must provide the following information at time of booking: ship name, docking time, disembarkation time and re-boarding time
- A minimum of 2 people per booking is required
- This is a walking tour.
- Dolmabahce is closed on Mondays
- Topkapi Palace is closed on Tuesdays.
- Grand Bazaar is closed on Sundays.
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 Istanbul Day Tour take?
Private Istanbul Day Tour lasts about 4–7 hours. The itinerary has 5 stops.
How much does Private 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 Istanbul Day Tour run?
According to the operator’s current schedule, it runs every day, with 11 departures a day between 8:00 AM and 1:00 PM.
How much does Private Istanbul Day Tour cost for children?
Children aged 3–12 pay from $66, adults from $95. Infants go free.
Can I cancel Private 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. You’re guaranteed to arrive back at your ship on time, without ever feeling rushed. Pickup / drop off service is provided from/to centrally located hotels at European side of Istanbul Pickup points include Calenberg Hotel, Mukarnas Taksim Hotel.
What languages is Private Istanbul Day Tour offered in?
The experience is available in 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?
Specialized infant seats are available
Will my booking be confirmed immediately?
Yes, bookings are confirmed instantly.
Is Private Istanbul Day Tour worth it?
Travellers rate it 4.8 out of 5 across 91 reviews on Viator and Tripadvisor; it is run by Ada Vegas Travel.
Reviews(91)
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
A
Fabulous tour by Emel
L
A Wonderful Day in Istanbul
We had a great day with our wonderful tour guide. He took us to all the top attractions in Istanbul like the Blue Mosque and the Hagia Sophia. He even took us shopping for gifts for our grand children. He was so knowledgeable, and made learning about the culture of the Turkish people enjoyable. We could never have navigated the city on our own and were very lucky to have him as our guide. He was kind, courteous, and personable. He made Istanbul our favorite destination on our four country tour.
D
Our tour guide Elif was...
Our tour guide Elif was great. She selected sites that gave us a great understanding of Instanbul Culture & History. In addition, she was very informative about the city and added many additional comments and perspectives. Highly recommend selecting her for a private tour!
P
Renan our guide was...
Renan our guide was excellent. Had all the knowledge to navigate the main attractions without the queues. Did exactly what we wanted to do and see.
1 people found this helpful
Operator response
Thank you very much for your kind feedback. We are delighted to hear that you had an excellent experience with Renan and that her knowledge helped you enjoy the main attractions efficiently, avoiding queues and focusing on what you wanted to see. We truly appreciate your comments and will be happy to share them with her. We hope to welcome you again in the future.
L
Fabulous Full Day in Istanbul
We had a long day, but wonderful tour with Omer. We saw so many historical sights! The Cistern was a highlight! Prepare for a lot of walking and photo opportunities. Our guide was very kind and was happy to stop for rest breaks whenever necessary. He knew the right time for us to enter the Blue Mosque, with limited waiting. He knew which shopping areas had the best quality products.
1 people found this helpful
Operator response
We are delighted to hear that you had a wonderful day with Omer and enjoyed exploring so many historical sites, especially the Basilica Cistern. It is great to know that his guidance, timing, and local knowledge helped you make the most of your visit, including minimizing waiting times and finding quality shopping areas. We also appreciate your helpful note regarding the walking involved, as this is valuable information for future guests. Thank you again for sharing your experience. We hope to welcome you back in the future.
M
Great overview of primary...
Great overview of primary sites. Informative and professionally done. Guide was competent, professional, friendly, and genuine.
1 people found this helpful
Operator response
Thank you for your kind feedback! We’re delighted to hear that you enjoyed the tour and found it informative and professionally organized. It’s wonderful to know that your guide provided such a friendly, genuine, and professional experience while helping you discover the main highlights of Istanbul.
S
Istanbul with Ali - 5 stars
Brilliant day being shown around Istanbul by Ali. It was easy, relaxed and flexible and he provided us with wonderful information and historical facts. Highly recommend.
1 people found this helpful
J
It's nice to know about...
It is good to know something about the history of Turkey but I missed visiting more sites as I think I could have taken better advantage of the opportunity to have a private guide
Operator response
Hola Jerome, Muchas gracias por sus comentarios constructivos. En este tour, nuestro guía le acompañó a visitar el Palacio de Topkapi, la Cisterna Basílica, la Mezquita Azul (Sultanahmet), la Mezquita de Santa Sofía (Hagia Sophia) y el Gran Bazar. En nuestros tours privados procuramos aprovechar el tiempo de la mejor manera posible, teniendo en cuenta los intereses y el ritmo de nuestros visitantes. Sus opiniones son muy valiosas para seguir mejorando la calidad de nuestro servicio. Le agradecemos nuevamente su interés y esperamos tener el placer de recibirle en el futuro.
Q
Bela Turquia
We had a very rewarding experience. It was very well organized and executed, from the driver to the hotels provided. Our guide, Aykut, was extremely competent. He is very knowledgeable about the history and culture of the region. He was very helpful and kind throughout the entire trip. I highly recommend the ADA company and the guide Aykut. Marcos, Salete and Bruno.
N
Customized tour of...
Customized tour of Istanbul was perfect. Saref was able to accommodate my 83yr old mother's mobility limitations while helping the rest of the group see all the sights on our list!
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from$95
4.8(91) Free cancellation