Old Istanbul Half-Day Walking Tour: Discovering the Secret Spots and Highlights
5.0
6 Ratings
Fatih
Embark on a half-day walking tour of Old Istanbul to uncover secret spots and visit the highlights of the city. Explore historical landmarks, experience local culture, and indulge in the flavors of Turkish delights and spices.
Duration: 4 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Sultanahmet Square - Your tour guide will meet you in front of the German Fountain and then will introduce the historical Sultanahmet Square. Your tour guide will introduce you the deep Turkish history. You will see The Egyptian Obelisk, the Serpentine Column, Colossus and Column of Costantine Porphyrgenitus.
  • Blue Mosque - You pay a visit to the famous Blue Mosque famous for its 6 minarets and the tiles inside. It wasn’t built only as a mosque, it is a ‘complex’ building where people used to get socialized as well. There is nothing ‘blue’ from outside but once you get inside of the mosque, you will be amazed seeing beautiful blue tiles which were specially prepared for this mosque in 17th century.
  • Hagia Sophia Mosque - After visiting the Blue Mosque, we will continue our tour with a visit to Hagia Sophia that consists of both Christian and Islamic elements.
  • Grand Bazaar - After Hagia Sophia, we will head to Grand Bazaar walking on the Divanyolu street which was originally mapped by Constantine the Great. Wandering through the backstreets of Grand Bazaar, you will see the goods sold there and hear about the bargaining culture from your tour leader.
  • Sahaflar Carsisi - You will be stopping at the Old Book Bazaar where the first books printed in Turkey, Beside historical books, there are modern books to be sold for students - there is one of the oldest university next door - Istanbul University.
  • Suleymaniye Mosque - Your guide will take you to the Süleymaniye Mosque complex that offers the view of Bosphorus and Golden Horn river. The mosque and its surrounding buildings were designed by Mimar Sinan, the most famous and talented of all imperial architects. Construction occurred between 1550 and 1557. You will have a chance to sit on the beautiful carpet inside of the mosque and learn about Islamic history.
  • Rustem Pasha Mosque - We will then continue to the tiny Rüstempaşa mosque where you see its famous Iznik tiles up close. Mosque is famous for its large quantities of İznik tiles, set in a very wide variety of floral and geometric designs, which cover not only the facade of the porch but also the mihrab, minbar and walls. There are around 80 different patterns.
  • Misir Carsisi (Spice Market) - We end the tour at Spice Market where you can taste some Turkish delights and the spices.

Spice Market is still one of the center of shopping for locals in Eminönü suburb. There are different sections for different products inside and outside of the bazaar - such as fish market, cheese market, coffee section and Turkish delight section.

What's Included
  • All fees and taxes included
  • Entrance tickets provided
What's Not Included
  • Lunch
  • Snacks
  • Breakfast
Additional Information

The “Excursion through Ancient Istanbul” guides tourists through the city’s hidden gems and notable locations in Old Istanbul, hosted by a knowledgeable tour guide. This journey weaves through less crowded paths in the old city and its famous sites, offering a true city escapade.

  • Learn about the rich history of the Greeks, Romans, and the Ottomans within Sultanahmet
  • Explore the Hagia Sophia, which has served as a church, mosque, museum, and then mosque again
  • Traverse the bustling lanes of the Grand Bazaar, known as the world’s largest enclosed market
  • Visit the Süleymaniye mosque and gain insights about Islam from a local’s perspective
  • See the impressive Rüstempaşa mosque, esteemed for its scale and unique Iznik tiles
  • Savor the flavor of spices and lokum (Turkish delight) at the must-visit Spice Market
Location
German Fountain
At Meydanı Caddesi
Your tour guide will meet you in front of German Fountain which is located on Sultanahmet Square. Your tour guide will be waiting for you there.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
5.0
(6 Ratings)
5 stars
4 stars
3 stars
2 stars
1 star
Y5488azkathrynb
Apr 30, 2024
Delightful Introduction to Turkey - We recently spent six days with a wonderful guide through SGA Tours named Suleyman. He was an ideal guide in every way: incredibly knowledgeable, very patient and kind, and just wonderful to be around. I have worked with a number of guides over the years, and he is at the very top of my list of favorite guides. We toured for two days in Istanbul, Canakkale, Izmir via Bergana and Pergamon, Ephesus and Pamukkale. Our group of four were well taken of and learned so much about Turkey.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Ilona_g
Oct 2, 2023
Amazing storyteller and a passionate guide - We really want to thank Eser (I hope I am spelling the name correctly) for the lovely time he spent with us, taking us down the history lane of Istanbul. We visited almost all the places that were mentioned in the tour description. The description said: half day tour, but it took us 5+ hours to do cover the grounds, and we had to skip the Raja pasha mosque because we had another activity in the evening. We were concerned that we wouldn't be able to make it if we go to that mosque. Otherwise, it would probably take all day. Eser offered us a choice to walk or ride the Tram, and we chose walking. Perhaps, if we took the Tram, it would take less time. Something to consider! Eser is an amazing story teller and a very passionate guide. It felt like walking around the city with a friend. I recommend this company, and if you get Eser, you won't regret.
Review provided by Viator
Tgsabal69
Jun 7, 2023
Turkey is a prime example of Old World beauty - I did not know what to expect at the beginning but the tour staff(guides and driver) were extremely friendly and helpful during the entire tour. I learned so much about how beautiful Turkey is and where it stands in our world’s history.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
84chaitraa
Sep 26, 2022
Great experience! - We had a great experience! Highly recommend this tour. Our guide, Deniz was very kind and knowledgeable. He managed time well which helped cover many places. We would surely recommend to our friends and family.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Renabenz5
Sep 11, 2022
Unforgettable and amazing tour with knowledgeable and personal Deniz! - I booked this tour on Viator for my husband and I because we wanted a tour that included the Suleymaniye mosque as well as the other attractions on the same tour. There we only 2 reviews of this tour so I took a chance and booked anyway. We met our guide Deniz as planned and soon realized we may have lucked out to have the best guide in Istanbul. He was extremely knowledgeable about history, Turkish culture and Istanbul attractions. Very kind, patient, flexible and answered our many questions. The Grand Bazaar was closed so he quickly added the Basilica Cistern which was amazing . Please ask for Deniz as your guide, we highly recommend him and the company he works for. We came across many guides during the day who seemed impatient and annoyed. So lucky we had kind and smiling Deniz with us.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Sean_st_louis
Oct 5, 2021
Very efficient tour - The tour was very informative and efficient. My tour guide was excellent in explaining the background and history about the attractions.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Cindybu6855en
Jun 7, 2021
SGA is the BEST!!! - Great experience, excellent guide (Salih)!!! But ... the evaluation form does not capture anywhere near our level of overall satisfaction with SGA Travel. In addition to two full days of touring in Istanbul, we did a 4 day gulet cruise and touring between and to three other locations - Marmaris, Bodrum, and Ephesus. So, more generally, SGA is an outstanding tour company, founded and run by our new friend Cagler ... a superb operator, with the highest standards of service excellence and professionalism. We highly recommend this company. We will definitely seek the services of Caglar and SGA again on our next adventure to Turkey!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Select Date and Tickets
up to 8 guests
1 Adult
May 2024
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Today