W
Wonderful istanbul
Our guide, Ozge Yilmaz , was very knowledgeable and enthusiastic. She made our experience something to remember. I would recommend very highly to anyone who needs a fun and informative experience.
Private Istanbul Tour: Explore the City's Classics with a Guide
+4 photos
At a glance
- Duration
- 4–6 hours
- Price from
- $80 / person
- Location
- Istanbul, Türkiye
- Rating
- 5.0 / 5 · 45 reviews
- Languages
- EN
- Group
- Private
- Cancellation
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
- Confirmation
- Instant
- Ticket
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- Operator
- Recommended İstanbul Tours
- Meeting point
- Guests meet at the German Fountain. To get there, take the T1 tram to Sultanahmet station and walk for two minutes.
Description
Embark on a journey through time as you visit Istanbul’s most iconic landmarks! Start with the breathtaking architecture of Hagia Sophia, then explore the magnificent Blue Mosque with its stunning domes and minarets. Dive into the mystical atmosphere of the ancient Basilica Cistern and step into the grandeur of the Topkapi Palace, once home to Ottoman sultans. End your day at the vibrant Grand Bazaar, one of the world’s oldest and largest covered markets, for a colorful and lively shopping experience. Book now to enjoy an unforgettable day filled with history and culture!
Schedule & prices
- Runs
- Every day
- Start times
- 9:00 AM, 9:30 AM, 10:00 AM, and 10:30 AM
- Next available
- Wed, Oct 14
- Adult
- $80
Prices change with the date; the lowest is shown.
From the operator’s live schedule on Viator, checked Oct 13.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Blue Mosque
Blue Mosque, built in the 17th century, is one of the most beautiful mosques in the city.
Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque
Hagia Sophia was first built as a church in the 6th century and is now a mosque.
Hippodrome
Hippodrome, where the horse races organized by the Roman emperors and monuments brought from different regions.
TopkapI Palace
Topkapi Palace is a place where 26 of the 36 sultans spent nearly 400 years with their wives, children and concubines
Basilica Cistern
Step into one of Istanbul’s most mysterious and impressive landmarks, the Basilica Cistern (Yerebatan Sarnıcı). Built in the 6th century during the reign of Byzantine Emperor Justinian I, this underground masterpiece once supplied water to the Great Palace and surrounding buildings.
Grand Bazaar
Grand Bazaar was built by Sultan Mehmet right after the conquest and is the heart of Istanbul, with approximately 4 thousand shops today.
What's included
Included
Professional Tour Guide
Not included
Lunch
Transportation is optional
Museum Ticket
Traveller Ratings
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
5.0
45 reviews
How it compares in Istanbul
- Rated higher than 80% of 987 reviewed tours in Istanbul
- Starting price $80 is 30% below the typical $114 for tours of similar length in Istanbul
Excurgo comparison of 3,635 Viator tours, recalculated daily.
Important Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Travel time is included on the total tour duration
- Guides can meet you in central hotels.
- Grand Bazaar is closed on Sunday, Topkapi Palace is closed on Tuesday
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 this tour take?
Private Istanbul Tour: Explore the City's Classics with a Guide lasts about 4–6 hours. The itinerary has 6 stops.
How much does this tour cost?
Prices start at $80 per person for this Istanbul experience, booked through Viator with the price shown before checkout. There are 2 booking options, so the final price depends on the option you choose.
What days does this tour run?
According to the operator’s current schedule, it runs every day, starting at 9:00 AM, 9:30 AM, 10:00 AM, and 10:30 AM.
Can I cancel this 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 points include Perla di Pera Hotel.
What languages is this tour offered in?
The experience is available in EN.
Is this a private or a group tour?
It is a private experience: only your party takes part. Up to 6 travellers can book together.
Will my booking be confirmed immediately?
Yes, bookings are confirmed instantly.
Is this tour worth it?
Travellers rate it 5.0 out of 5 across 45 reviews on Viator and Tripadvisor; it is run by Recommended İstanbul Tours.
Reviews(45)
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
A
Istanbul tour
We had an enjoyable and very informative tour with Ufku. He was well spoken, very polite and extremely helpful. I would highly recommend Ufku
2
Great tour with great information
The sites were amazing. Hagia Sophia, Basilica cistern, Topkapi palace were amazing sites . Our guide, Mr. Horizon provides great information at an optimum pace without overloading us with information. Good job done.
T
Istanbul history and craftsmanship
A visit to the historical part of Istanbul as well as to local artisans
J
Great intro to Istanbul
Had a great tour with Ufuk who is a history buff. Saw all the main attractions with plenty of history and culture information shared. Great communication the day before so I knew exactly when and where to meet. If you are interested in shopping for geniune products he has great contacts.
E
A guide that adapts to your needs
Our guide Ufku, is very friendly with perfect knowledge of the city of Istanbul. Very concerned about the well-being and requests of the tourist, it is a magic formula for a city center visit. Recommended 🙏👍
L
A wonderful experience & guide
My guide was Ufku, he picked me up at my hotel and together we explored the historical İstanbul : Sultanhamet. İt was a wonderful day, the guide spoke perfectly French and was able to answer all of my questions upon the past or present Turkey. Discovering the greatest monuments in Istanbul is doable alone, but with Ufku it was so much more vibrant and interesting. İ was able to understand what was surounding me. İt was a special day for me. And since then İ came back 3 times...
T
Do it again!
Very nice discovery of Istanbul thanks to Ufuk, thanks to his passion for Istanbul that he knows so well, thanks to its historical culture. He showed us his authentic addresses. Thank you again.
D
Super Istanbul Tour
We had a great guide with Aische. On our tour, she taught us an incredible amount in German. Not only about the visited highlights, cistern basilica, hagia Sofia, blue mosque, hippodrome etc. Also about everyday has.she una super informed
G
Relaxed and instructive experience
Ufku is a passionate French speaking guide who is polite, attentive, friendly and extremely knowledgeable of not only Turkish culture but also those cultures that influenced, or were influenced by it. As we followed his lead from monuments to shops to less touristy locations, we felt at ease to explore and purchase locally produced craftsmanship without getting totally ripped off. We very much enjoyed our day in Ufku’s company and would highly recommend him for anyone who wishes a relaxed yet deeply instructive introduction to the fabulous city of Istanbul.
Compare similar tours in Istanbul
- Lowest price: Cappadocia Green Tour - Classic Route (Popular) — $29
- Best rated: ISTANBUL BEST: Iconic Landmarks Full Day PRIVATE Guided City Tour — 5.0 (1,595 reviews)
- Shortest: Private Istanbul Tour: Explore the City's Classics with a Guide — 4–6 hours
| Tour | Duration | Rating | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Private Istanbul Tour: Explore the City's Classics with a Guide | 4–6 hours | 5.0 (45) | $80 | |
 Istanbul Classics and Bosphorus Cruise Private Tour | 6h 30min | 5.0 (55) | $150 | View |
 Cappadocia Green Tour - Classic Route (Popular) | 8–9 hours | 5.0 (939) | $29 | View |
 Turkey Classics 7 Day Escorted Tour from Istanbul | 7 days | 4.7 (170) | $1,028 | View |
 Private Tour Istanbul Classics with Local Expert Guide | 8 hours | 4.5 (2) | $400 | View |
 Classic Cappadocia: 2-Day Private Tour from Istanbul | 2 days | — | $1,505 | View |
 ISTANBUL BEST: Iconic Landmarks Full Day PRIVATE Guided City Tour | 6–8 hours | 5.0 (1,595) | $85 | View |
from$80
5.0(45) Free cancellation