Istanbul Private Layover Tour: Uncover the Rich History and Culture, Avoid the Crowds
5.0
13 Ratings
Istanbul
Uncover the rich history and culture of Istanbul on a private layover tour. Avoid the crowds and long queues as you explore iconic landmarks like Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, and Topkapi Palace. Finish your experience with a visit to the vibrant Grand Bazaar and Spice Market.
Duration: 8 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Hippodrome - You will see 4 amazing monuments in the ancient Hippodrome which was the center of Byzantine civic life; Egyptian Obelisk, The German Fountain of Wilhelm II, Serpentine Column and Column of Constantine.
  • The Blue Mosque - Sultanahmet Camii as known as Blue Mosque is one of the most magnificent buildings in Turkey. The building is not just a mosque, it is also a social life complex. Its name comes from blue Iznik tiles covered interior of the mosque.
  • Hagia Sophia Mosque - Hagia Sophia is the most famous building in Istanbul. Hagia Sophia, the largest church built by the Eastern Roman Empire in Istanbul, was built three times in the same place. Hagia Sophia served as a cathedral as the capital’s largest church where rulers were crowned throughout the Eastern Roman Empire.
  • Topkapi Palace - After the conquest of Istanbul in 1453, the construction of Topkapi Palace, which was started in 1460 at the request of Fatih Sultan Mehmet, was completed in 1478. Topkapı Palace, with all its additional buildings, was expanded with the added structures until the 19th century.
  • Sultanahmet District - Discover the captivating charm of Sultanahmet, the historic heart of Istanbul. Immerse yourself in the rich tapestry of history, culture, and architectural wonders that define this vibrant district. Explore the iconic Sultanahmet Square, surrounded by architectural marvels like the awe-inspiring Hagia Sophia, the majestic Blue Mosque, and the ancient Roman Hippodrome. Wander through the narrow cobblestone streets, lined with charming cafes, artisanal shops, and local bazaars. Indulge in the flavors of Turkish cuisine and delight in the warm hospitality of the locals. Immerse yourself in the captivating ambiance of Sultanahmet, where the ancient and the modern blend seamlessly to create an unforgettable experience.
  • Grand Bazaar - The Grand Bazaar, which was founded in 1461, resembles a giant scale labyrinth thanks to its aesthetic design. The historical shopping area with nearly 60 streets and more than 3600 shops covers a total area of ​​30,700 square meters.
What's Included
  • Private transportation
  • Round-trip airport transfer
  • Professional licensed tour guide
  • In-vehicle air conditioning
What's Not Included
  • Entry/Admission - Topkapi Palace
  • Food & Drink
  • Entry/Admission - Hagia Sophia
  • Entry/Admission - Underground Cistern
Additional Information

This private layover tour offers you an amazing cultural experience of Istanbul. You will be picked up from Istanbul airports and go to Hippodrome to start your tour. Next you will feel the unique history of Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque with your licensed guide and next you will visit the magnificent Topkapi Palace, by staying away from crowded groups and avoiding long entrance queues. Lastly, before your private transfer to the airport, you will finish your unique experience with Grand Bazaar and Spice Market.

Location
Hippodrome
Binbirdirek, Sultan Ahmet ParkI No:2,
Cancellation Policy

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

Customer Ratings
5.0
(13 Ratings)
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Lixytham
Apr 18, 2024
Exceptional Istanbul Tour with Airport Transfer - We had an amazing experience with our private guided tour of Istanbul, which included airport transfer service. The minivan was clean and comfortable, providing a pleasant journey from the airport to our destination. Our guide was very good and informative, sharing insights about the city's history and culture. They were also kind and made sure we had a great time. Throughout the tour, we saw beautiful sights and enjoyed delicious food. The shopping was great too, with opportunities to explore Turkish art and pick up souvenirs. Overall, it was a fantastic way to explore Istanbul, combining comfort, education, and enjoyment. Highly recommended!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Soumiatoun
Jul 24, 2023
Great Way to Experience Istanbul - This private tour was the perfect way to experience Istanbul on a layover. My guide (Ibo) was fantastic - friendly, knowledgeable, and showed us all the best spots. From the stunning Hagia Sophia to the bustling Grand Bazaar, every stop was a highlight. I highly recommend this tour for anyone looking to make the most of their limited time in Istanbul.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Enyinna
Jul 12, 2023
Amazing Experience - The Tour provided by Istanbul's Tours was brilliant, the tour guide was very knowledgeable and pleasant, having young children on trips can be quite challenging, on this tour it was not the case. The tour operator pulled all the stops to ensure we had a great tour, despite us missing our flight into Istanbul and getting there 3 hours late. I would definitely recommend Istanbul's Tours, thank you.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Gabrieltj3304le
Jul 2, 2023
Perfect Tour! - This was the perfect way to spend my layover in Istanbul. My guide was prompt, friendly, and extremely knowledgeable about the city's history and culture. We visited all the top sites, and I even had some time to shop at the bazaar. It was an unforgettable experience and I highly recommend this tour to anyone visiting Istanbul.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Julianafrasi
May 6, 2023
A Memorable Layover Tour - I had a long layover in Istanbul and decided to book this private tour to make the most of my time. It was absolutely worth it! My guide was knowledgeable, friendly, and showed me all the highlights of this beautiful city. The Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, and Grand Bazaar were just some of the amazing places we visited. Highly recommend this tour for anyone with a layover in Istanbul.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Mildred_f
Apr 21, 2023
Girl’s trip . - Our guide was excellent and adjusted his itinerary according to our schedule and needs. He was gracious and so very informative. We were four friends and he was respectful and considerate of our needs.
Review provided by Viator
Virginiasp7200yh
Mar 22, 2023
Perfect! - This was the perfect tour - I arrived early and was messaged as soon as I landed with options. The drive was very comfortable and prompt, and my guide Ragip was fantastic, knowledgeable, and got me to everything I wanted to see in spite of the awful weather. 100% would do this again!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Brigetteh85
Feb 3, 2023
Amazing day! - It was a great tour from the beginning to finish. We had a smooth pick up from Istanbul Airport. Our driver was so kind. He took us to the Old City where our guide met us. We visited Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, big palace and Grand Bazaar. All of them was fascinating. We had a great lunch with our guide, we even made lots of shopping. We couldn't make this much by our own. Every detail was well organized.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Ruby
Jan 21, 2023
What a day! - Everything was fantastic. They immediately sent a whatsapp message as soon as we booked the tour and had our flight details. Welcoming at the airport was so professional and easy for us. They took us to Topkapi Palace directly and it was great. Blue Mosque, Grand Bazaar and Cistern, all were amazing. I don't think we could fit everything to one day by our own. Our guide Bilge knows everything about history and culture about the city. Thank you very much for everyone who made our day unforgettable.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Daghantuna2022
Aug 19, 2022
Simply perfect - We were flying Europe over Istanbul, and decided to have a bit longer layover to see beautiful Istanbul. We found this layover tour and it was fantastic! They contacted us via whats app and make sure everything was arranged and planned. Pick up service from airport was smooth. Our guide met us at Old City gave all interesting details of Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque and Grand Bazaar. Some amazing gifts we purchased for our family. It was simply perfect.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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