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Istanbul Highlights Small-Group Walking Guided Tour
4.3
1,335 Ratings
Beyoğlu
Embark on a small-group exploration of Istanbul’s top attractions, including Topkapi Palace, Underground Cistern, and Hagia Sophia. Discover the city’s architectural legacies and landmarks in one action-packed day!
Duration:
8 hours
Cancellation:
1 day
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Highlights
- Hippodrome - Walk through the historic Istanbul Hippodrome, where you’ll see the granite Egyptian obelisk gifted to the city. Learn about the site’s significance as the center of the city’s sporting and political life, and take a moment for photos.
- Blue Mosque - Visit the Blue Mosque to admire its six minarets and the thousands of Iznik tiles that create a stunning blue interior. This mosque, a prime example of classical Ottoman architecture, was commissioned by Sultan Ahmet I to rival the grandeur of the Hagia Sophia.
- Topkapi Palace - Similar to Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace is now one of Istanbul’s top museums, showcasing a collection of artifacts that once belonged to the city’s 15th-century sultans and harems.
- Basilica Cistern - Alternatively, you might visit the Museum of Great Palace Mosaics. Explore the Basilica Cistern, Istanbul’s ‘sunken palace,’ famously featured in the James Bond movie From Russia with Love. It is one of the largest ancient cisterns beneath the city.
- Kapali Carsi - Discover the Grand Bazaar, one of the world’s most renowned markets. With nearly 60 streets and thousands of shops, the bazaar can be overwhelming. Your guide will highlight its vibrant (if chaotic) attractions, where you can shop for jewelry, leather, pottery, spices, and more.
- Hagia Sophia Mosque - Optionally, visit Hagia Sophia. Note that the entrance fee is not included.
- Obelisk of Theodosius - Located between Ibrahim Pasha Palace and the Blue Mosque, this 3,500-year-old masterpiece will be explained in detail by your guide.
- German Fountain - Situated in Hippodrome Square, this fountain was built in the late Ottoman period and sent by German Emperor Wilhelm II.
- Hagia Irene Museum - Visit the 6th-century Church of Holy Peace.
- Divanyolu Street - Walk along the ceremonial street of the Ottoman Empire.
What's Included
- Walking Tour
- Entrance Fees
- Guaranteed to skip the long ticket lines
- Pick up and drop off from the Hotels
- Professional English Speaking Guide
- Meeting point for pick up
What's Not Included
- Gratuities
- Food and drinks, unless specified
- Lunch
Additional Information
Explore six of Istanbul’s top attractions in just one day with a full-day sightseeing tour! This exciting day includes an in-depth tour of the historic Sultanahmet neighborhood, home to many of the city’s most impressive architectural wonders and landmarks. You’ll visit the Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, Istanbul Hippodrome, the underground Basilica Cistern, and the vibrant Grand Bazaar. There’s also an optional visit to Hagia Sophia (tickets must be purchased separately). This small-group tour is limited to 14 participants, ensuring a personalized experience.
- Minimum age is 4 years
- Children 18 years and under must be accompanied by an adult
- Guests must call 24 hours in advance for pick up times
- Blue Mosque ang Hagia Sophia are open to visit after 14:30 on fridays due to prayer times
- Not recommended for participants with walking difficulties
Location
The Galata Istanbul Hotel - MGallery
Bankalar Caddesi
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.3
(1335 Ratings)
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Daniel_c
Aug 30, 2024
Definitely take this tour! - Our guide Ozmen (not sure of spelling) was fantastic! She was a font of knowledge, there seemed to be no question she didn't know the answer to. We spent more than six hours with her, and the time just flew by. We never could have seen everything on our own and known what we were doing and seeing. She made everything so interesting! Totally worth the price.
Review provided by Viator
Dulcep411
Jul 9, 2024
An Amazing Istanbul tour - Me and my sister enjoyed an amazing tour of the old city of Istanbul in a small group given by Miss Arzu Tuna. She had a lot of interesting things to say about the city whilst also keeping us engaged in conversation and making sure that we had some of our own time during the tour to explore! Thanks again for the amazing day and showing us all the main and wonderful highlights of Istanbul!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Gilbertoe_l
Jun 20, 2024
Awesome Experience - Our Tour Guide Sevilay was excellent, very friendly, knowledgeable, took her time to explain the venues and answer our questions, she even agreed to wait and meet us at the Hypodrome after our Cruise arrived a little after the Tour started. Highly recommended.
Review provided by Viator
Katti
Jun 13, 2024
Great tour! - This is one of the most interesting tours I have ever taken. Sevilay our tour guide for the day was very kind, knowledgeable, and detailed oriented. She made us feel very welcome. The highlight of my day was the Blue Mosque… breathtaking! This tour was very well organized to take advantage of every minute. Sevilay gave us a great recommendation to try local and fresh food at lunch time! I highly recommend this tour. Thanks so much for an amazing day!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
John
May 22, 2024
A fantastic small group walking tour of Istanbul. Very good value for money . - Our guide collected us from our hotel and took us on a full day walking tour of the Blue Mosque, the Hagia Sophia , the Topkapi Palace and Harem. the Grand Bazaar and a pottery workshop. He was very friendly knowledgeable and interesting. There were only 5 people in our group. We had lunch in a rooftop restaurant with a view of the Bosphorus. This tour included the entrance fees and skip the line and lunch. It was a highly enjoyable walking tour with a great guide which we highly recommend if you are in Istanbul.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Rishi_d
Apr 4, 2024
Mustafa guide and friend. 5 star tour! - We did a 6 hour tour with Mustafa. FUNNN guy
His is very knowledgeable smart and has a funny bone.
Very friendly which made us as couples like we hung out with a friend than a guide.
Saw all major highlights of the city and he took us to some great spots for food cravings.
He gave us much time to explore a few areas inside Topakapi palace and grand bazar.
If you ever decide to visit Turkey please do get on this tour with Mustafa. We truly enjoyed and was worth it!!!
Review provided by Viator
139shahriarm
Mar 22, 2024
A tour to savoyr - Very professional tour guide with interesting insights. Pace was very good. Answered questions. Helpful advice. Good route chosen
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Worldbusinessvoyager
Jan 26, 2024
You must see - It was beautiful.
We altogether as a family visited the location. It was very busy and rushed but the atmosphere was wonderful.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Happiness46761156914
May 21, 2024
Istanbul walking - Good day out. Guide and ddriver was punctual which I like. Informative. Only suggestion - get the "whispers" as crowds are big and sometimes hard to hear or keep up.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Paula
Dec 23, 2023
Not worth it for the price - There wasn't the bus promised in the ad and there wasn't a visit to all the places mentioned, there wasn't the blue mosque, nor the grand bazaar or the carpet place
Review provided by Tripadvisor
