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Tours/Istanbul/Private Old City Tour: Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque & Grand Bazaar

Private Old City Tour: Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque & Grand Bazaar

4.9(17)Istanbul3–4 hours
VIATOR5.0(3)TRIPADVISOR4.9(14)
Private Old City Tour: Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque & Grand Bazaar
Private Old City Tour: Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque & Grand Bazaar
Private Old City Tour: Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque & Grand Bazaar
Private Old City Tour: Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque & Grand Bazaar
Private Old City Tour: Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque & Grand Bazaar
+13 photos
Private Old City Tour: Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque & Grand Bazaar
Private Old City Tour: Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque & Grand Bazaar
Private Old City Tour: Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque & Grand Bazaar
Private Old City Tour: Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque & Grand Bazaar
Private Old City Tour: Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque & Grand Bazaar
Private Old City Tour: Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque & Grand Bazaar
Private Old City Tour: Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque & Grand Bazaar
Private Old City Tour: Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque & Grand Bazaar
Private Old City Tour: Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque & Grand Bazaar
Private Old City Tour: Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque & Grand Bazaar
Private Old City Tour: Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque & Grand Bazaar
Private Old City Tour: Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque & Grand Bazaar
Private Old City Tour: Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque & Grand Bazaar
Private Old City Tour: Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque & Grand Bazaar
Private Old City Tour: Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque & Grand Bazaar
Private Old City Tour: Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque & Grand Bazaar
Private Old City Tour: Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque & Grand Bazaar

At a glance

Duration
3–4 hours
Price from
$90 / person
Rating
4.9 / 5 · 17 reviews
Languages
EN
Group
Private
Cancellation
Free cancellation
Hotel pickup
Available
Confirmation
Instant

Prices checked on Sep 12, 2026Things to do in Istanbul

Description

Discover the highlights of Istanbul’s historic Old City on a private half-day tour with a licensed professional guide. Ideal for first-time visitors, cruise passengers, and travelers with limited time, this experience offers a personal and flexible way to explore the city’s most iconic landmarks. Explore Sultanahmet Square and discover the fascinating stories behind the Byzantine Hippodrome, Hagia Sophia, and the Blue Mosque. Rather than simply seeing the landmarks, gain a deeper understanding of the Byzantine and Ottoman history that shaped Istanbul. Continue to the Grand Bazaar, one of the world’s oldest and largest covered markets. Walk through its historic passageways and discover its centuries-old trading culture, traditions, and unique atmosphere with your guide. As a private tour, the experience can be adjusted to your interests and pace, allowing time for questions and a more personal introduction to Istanbul without the rush of a large group tour.

Tour Options

Private Old City- Half-Day
  • Duration: 4 hours Old City Highlights: Hippodrome,Hagia Sophia,Blue Mosque and Grand Bazaar Pickup included

Itinerary

Admission not included45 min

Hagia Sophia

45 min

Blue Mosque

30 min

Hippodrome

60 min

Grand Bazaar

Highlights

Private Tour
Licensed Professional Guide
Public transportation ( tram )
Guide meets you at your Hotel, Airbnb or Cruise Port

What's included

Included
Private Tour
Licensed Professional Guide
Public transportation ( tram )
Guide meets you at your Hotel, Airbnb or Cruise Port
Not included
Food and drinks
Museum entrance fees
Private vehicle

Pickup Locations & Times

Your licensed guide will meet you at centrally located Istanbul hotels or at Galataport Cruise Terminal. This is a walking tour and does not include private vehicle transportation. When needed, public transportation such as the tram may be used to save time and avoid Istanbul’s traffic. Grand Bazaar is closed to visitors on Sundays The Blue Mosque is closed until 2:30 PM on Fridays for Friday prayers.

Traveller Ratings

4.9
17 reviews
5
16
4
1
3
0
2
0
1
0

Important Information

  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • A minimum of 2 people per booking is required
  • ⁠The Blue Mosque is closed to visitors until approximately 2:30 PM on Fridays due to weekly congregational prayers.
  • ⁠Grand Bazaar is closed on Sundays
  • ⁠Modest clothing is required when visiting mosques. Women should cover their hair, shoulders, and knees. Men should avoid shorts above the knee.
  • ⁠Children must be accompanied by an adult
  • This is primarily a walking tour and involves a moderate amount of walking. Comfortable walking shoes are recommended.
  • During Ramadan Feast and Sacrifice Feast, the Grand Bazaar and Spice Bazaar are closed.

Frequently asked questions

How long does this tour take?

Private Old City Tour: Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque & Grand Bazaar lasts about 3–4 hours. The itinerary has 4 stops.

How much does this tour cost?

Prices start at $90 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.

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. Your licensed guide will meet you at centrally located Istanbul hotels or at Galataport Cruise Terminal. This is a walking tour and does not include private vehicle transportation. When needed, public transportation such as the tram may be used to save time and avoid Istanbul’s traffic. Grand Bazaar is closed to visitors on Sundays The Blue Mosque is closed until 2:30 PM on Fridays for Friday prayers. Pickup points include CONTACT_SUPPLIER_LATER, LOC-6eKJ+or5y8o99Qw0C8xWyFumi+9arnlDHac1ZDI6cR0=, LOC-6eKJ+or5y8o99Qw0C8xWyPIrZGfQC1Xv2GvY+JaMy1U=.

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 15 travellers can book together.

Is the tour suitable for children?

Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller ⁠Children must be accompanied by an adult

Will my booking be confirmed immediately?

Yes, bookings are confirmed instantly.

Reviews(17)

M
mark_w
August 17, 2026
Lucy our guide was...

Lucy our guide was on-time and knowledgeable. Was a great 1st day tour to help get oriented. This is a private tour and does not include admission to the Haifa Sophia.

Operator response

Thank you so much for your kind review! We’re very happy to hear that you enjoyed your first day in Istanbul and had a great experience with your guide. We truly appreciate your feedback and hope you had a wonderful time exploring the rest of the city!

C
Caroline_B
August 2, 2026
We had an amazing time...

We had an amazing time exploring the Old City! Our guide, Lucy, was incredibly knowledgeable, and she kept the family, especially the teenagers fully engaged the entire time. The pace was perfect and everything ran right on schedule. Highly recommend this experience!

Operator response

Dear Caroline, Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We’re delighted to hear that you and your family had such a great time exploring the Old City. Your guide will be thrilled to know she made the experience both engaging and enjoyable, especially for the teenagers. It was our pleasure to host you, and we truly appreciate your recommendation. We hope to welcome you back to Istanbul again someday!

R
ruthlyv
June 8, 2026
Amazing Türkiye Experience with Enacem Travel

Here’s a polished review you can post: My husband and I used Enacem Travel for our trip to Türkiye, including Istanbul and Cappadocia, and we had an amazing experience. Everything was well organized, smooth, and enjoyable from start to finish. Our tour guide was knowledgeable, professional, and clearly knew exactly what she was doing, which made us feel comfortable throughout the trip. We had so much fun and created wonderful memories thanks to her excellent planning and attention to detail. We highly recommend Enacem Travel to anyone looking for a great travel experience in Türkiye. We will definitely use their services again and look forward to coming back in the future! Or a shorter, more casual version: My husband and I booked our Türkiye trip with Enacem Travel, visiting Istanbul and Cappadocia, and we had a fantastic experience. Everything was well planned, organized, and stress-free. She is very professional, knowledgeable, and made the whole trip fun and enjoyable. We highly recommend Enacem Travel and will definitely book with her again when we return to Türkiye! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Operator response

Thank you so much for your kind words and for choosing Enacem Travel for your trip to Türkiye. It was truly a pleasure to help you explore Istanbul and Cappadocia. We are delighted to hear that you enjoyed your journey and that our planning, organization, and guiding made your experience smooth and memorable. Your recommendation means a lot to us. We look forward to welcoming you back to Türkiye in the future and creating even more wonderful memories together!

7
776sharaeh
May 30, 2026
Best Tour guide ever!

Honestly one of the best tours we’ve ever done! Not only was Nazmiye super informative on all the history of Turkey she really made us feel welcomed and kept it all fun. She also gave us fantastic restaurant recommendations that my husband and I talk about still to this day. We loved the fact she took pictures of us in front of all the beautiful buildings. We even had her jump in a few with us. She was truly a breath of fresh air and we can’t wait to go back to Turkey because of her. 10/10 would recommend her to anyone. You won’t regret the tour!

Operator response

Thank you so much for your incredibly kind words! It was truly a pleasure spending the day with you and your husband. I'm delighted to hear that you enjoyed learning about Turkey’s history, discovering local food, and creating special memories together. I would be honored to welcome you back to Istanbul anytime. Wishing you both many more amazing adventures ahead!

2
229daniaq
May 29, 2026
THE BEST TRIP EVER

It was a memorable day because i get to taste a lot of baklava with different flavors and i get to see a lot of spices. I also get to spend time with my family while walking towards the end of the bazaar together. It was so fun because it felt like we wanted to buy everything.

Operator response

Thank you so much! We’re very happy you enjoyed the baklava, spices, and the special family moments together. Hope to see you again in Istanbul! 🌸

S
sharongO2514HH
May 28, 2026
Culture and shopping

This tour was exceptional .. we learned so much about Turkish culture and the religious aspect ..our tour guide Naz was extremely knowledgeable and taught us so much . She guided us through the bazaar pointing out the values of some of the items being sold and took us to reputable stores . She was terrific.

Operator response

Thank you so much for your kind words! It was truly a pleasure showing you around Istanbul. I’m so happy you enjoyed learning about Turkish culture and religion, and I’m glad the Grand Bazaar experience was helpful and enjoyable as well. Wishing you wonderful memories from Türkiye and hope to see you again someday!

V
Venture104572
May 26, 2026
A Fantastic Tour We Will Never Forget

Nazmiyeh was an absolutely wonderful tour guide and truly made our day in Istanbul special. Her knowledge and passion for the history and culture of the city were exceptional, and she explained everything in such an engaging and easy-to-understand way. What stood out the most was how patient and warm she was with my son, who had endless questions throughout the tour. She answered every single one thoughtfully and made him feel genuinely involved and excited to learn. He enjoyed every moment of the experience. Nazmiyeh also went above and beyond the planned itinerary by taking us to a pottery demonstration, which ended up being one of the highlights of the day for my son. He absolutely loved getting the chance to try pottery himself and was so excited about the whole experience. Beyond being an excellent guide, Nazmiyeh is a truly warm, kind, and lovely person. By the end of the tour, it honestly felt like we had spent the day with a friend rather than just a guide. We are so grateful for such a memorable experience and would highly recommend her to anyone visiting Istanbul.

Operator response

Thank you so much for your incredibly kind words. It truly means a lot to me that you and your family enjoyed the tour. I hope to welcome you back again someday. Wishing you and your family many more beautiful travels together!

U
Uglydylan
May 14, 2026
Unforgettable Istanbul!

Me and my wife just got back from our amazing trip of Istanbul. Our guide Nazmiye, we call her Naz because she’s practically family now, was the best! She escorted us around the city and was so knowledgeable about every aspect of its history and significance. The Bosphorus cruise was our first taste. It was so lovely and Naz pointed out all of the key “must know” places. All 3 of us had the best lunch and then on to the breathtaking blue mosque and the historic Hagia Sofia. Words can’t even describe the overwhelming experience of seeing, in person, buildings so beautiful and saturated with history. Oh, and let’s not forget Taksim street, Galata tower, the ancient Roman cistern and soooo much more. Believe me when I tell you that you have to book this tour and you’ll be missing out if you don’t book it with our girl Naz. She’s the best! The trip was the best! And we can’t wait to come back to beautiful, historic Istanbul!!!

Operator response

Thank you so much for your wonderful words! It was truly a pleasure showing you around Istanbul. We are so happy to hear that you enjoyed the tour and felt the spirit of this beautiful city.

G
Global05203448271
May 5, 2026
Amazing Hagia Sophia Tour

A great tour in one day!! Our guide was very informative. We never hurried ,ve visited all the landmarks of old city. Hagia Sophia and grand bazaar was amazing !! I highly recommend this tour who visits Istanbul

Operator response

Thank you very much for your kind review! We’re delighted to hear that you enjoyed the tour and had a great introduction to Istanbul.

V
V7030WOfranciscof
April 24, 2026
Perfect tour and shopping

Very good tour to get to know the city and do shopping at the same time. The bazaar is impressive and full of options. Our guide was very attentive and helped at all times. The organization was excellent and the experience very positive.

Operator response

Muchas gracias por su amable comentario !

$90/ person
4.9(17)
Duration3–4 hours
LanguagesEN
TicketMobile or paper ticket accepted
Travellers1–15 pax
ConfirmationInstant
OperatorEnacem Travel Tour
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For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

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