Full Day Private Guided Istanbul Tour

based on 19 reviews

Duration:7 hours to 8 hours (approx.)
Location: Istanbul, Turkey

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Let's wander in Constantinople, the capital of Great Eastern Roman and Byzantine Empires, which has been the center of multicultural life, deep history, splendid architecture, delicious cuisine and global trade hub with the meeting point of Asia and Europe.

My Guide Turkey offers you qualified private tour guide services. You are engaging someone who knows Istanbul better than anyone. Our well experienced, knowledgeable and professional guides are ready to meet you.

Recomended daily tours itineraries :

Option 1 (Old City) :
Hagia Sophia, Hippodrome of Constantinople, Blue Mosque, Basilica Cistern, Topkapi Palace, Grand Bazaar.

Option 2 :
Dolmabahce Palace, Taksim Square, Istiklal Street, Galata Tower, Bosphorus Cruise, Spice Market.

Option 3 :
Fener and Balat Districts, St. Stephen Church, The Patriarchal Cathedral Church of St. George, Pierre Loti Panoramic Hill by Cable Car, Spice Market.

OR

Customize the itinerary according to your requests.

WHAT'S INCLUDED

WHAT TO EXPECT

1. Sultanahmet District
The old part of Istanbul where we can visit many attractions such as Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia, Basilica Cistern and Blue Mosque.
2. Topkapi Palace
Topkapı Palace was an administrational base of the empire and the home of the Royal Family (Harem) and educational center (Enderun) of the Ottoman Empire for about 400 years. The palace is a great open-air museum within four courtyards, has been the home of Sultan Mehmet II and other sultans who came after him until Sultan Abdulmecid.
3. Hagia Sophia Mosque
Hagia Sophia is and should be on every traveler’s itinerary in Istanbul. It was built 3 times in history at the same location and served as a Greek Orthodox cathedral until the end of the Byzantine Empire. As can be understood from the minarets, it also served as an important place of Muslim worship. That was after Sultan II. Mehmed designated the building as a mosque following the conquest of Constantinople in 1453. This is an exceptional monument with its mosaics from the Byzantine period, its huge dome, decorative and functional elements added during the Ottoman period, and its endless mysteries after many years serving as a museum,now you can visit it as a mosque.
4. Blue Mosque
Blue Mosque (Sultanahmet Camii) was built by Architect Sedefkar Mehmet Aga for Sultan Ahmet l in 1617. It is world-famous with its beautiful 22.000 floral-shaped handmade blue İznik tiles,therefore foreigners call it a blue mosque and attractive 6 minarets around the main building. Located directly across from the great Hagia Sophia.
5. Hippodrome
The Hippodrome covers 3 important monuments in its central area to see: 1-The Egyptian Obelisk Built in the 16th century BC by the Pharaoh Tuthmosis in Egypt. It was brought to Istanbul by boat in the 4th century AD. 2-The Serpentine’s Column Originally erected in the Temple of Delphi in Greece, but taken to Istanbul. Until the 17th century there were three bronze snake heads projecting from the column, but they have since been lost. One can be seen in the archaeological museum. 3-The Column of Constantine Although it is believed that this dates from the 10th century, evidence shows that it was built earlier than that. Until 1204, it was covered by bronze and silver. When the Crusaders came to the area, they pulled off the bronze and silver, melted them down and made coins out of them.
6.
There is another mysterious world under the houses and structures we see especially in the Historic Peninsula. Only a few of the underground water cisterns are open to visitors today and the Basilica Cistern is the largest and best excavated. Located to the west of Hagia Sophia, the cistern had a capacity of holding 80.000 cubic meters of water. The Basilica Cistern was the scene of several international movies. Among others, scenes from James Bond’s “From Russia with Love” with Sean Connery and Dan Brown’s “Inferno” with Tom Hanks.
7. Kapali Carsi
Grand Bazaar was built as the first covered market in 1461 after the conquest of Istanbul by Sultan Mehmet II. Experience the old Ottoman atmosphere in the Grand Bazaar, a huge building that has preserved its authentic identity, unlike today’s modern shopping malls. Each quarter is specialized in a particular kind of merchandise in Grand Bazaar. This is the reason why each street has the name of a particular type of merchandise.
8. Misir Carsisi (Spice Market)
Spice Market or Egyptian Bazaar is standing right behind the New Mosque in Eminonu square. It was indeed built as part of this mosque complex in 1660 by Hatice Turhan Sultan. The name of the Spice Bazaar (Egyptian Bazaar) is based on the goods, especially the spices that came from Egypt and were sold here. Also, the building was originally funded with taxes on imported Egyptian goods. A large part of the around 100 shops consist of traditional spice merchants.
9. Dolmabahce Palace
Dolmabahce Palace is lying on the southern shore by the Bosphorus in Besiktas district. It was built in the mid 19th century and had been the residence of the last 6 Ottoman Sultans for varying amounts of time. The form of the palace was highly influenced by European architectural styles such as Baroque, Rococo and Neoclassical.Dolmabahçe Palace was renovated and converted into a museum in 1984.
10. Galata Tower
Galata Tower is the most important building that remained from the Genoese colony in Istanbul, first built in the 14th century. The tower rises at the top of the Galata Walls, at the entrance of the Golden Horn. It has been restored many times and used for different purposes. Its location overlooking the Golden Horn makes it visible and memorable for centuries, perfectly in harmony with the fabric of the city. One can feel the European atmosphere in this part of the city, when approaching the iconic tower on the small streets with brick road, small boutiques and cafes.
11. Bosphorus Bridge
Bosphorus Cruise is definitely a must-do experience for every traveler in Istanbul. Discover the most magnificent landmarks , nostalgic mansions, imperial palaces and many other fancy buildings, both in the Asian and the European sides of Istanbul with a nostalgic journey on a boat cruise.
12. Taksim Square
The Taksim area is one of the most important tourist areas in Istanbul, and it has a great position for everyone, as it was in the past a region to distribute water to the neighborhoods and regions of Istanbul. Therefore, the area was named (Taksim) due to the distribution and division of water among the city’s regions. The Taksim area , which is located in the heart of Istanbul, contains historical places in Istanbul, with modern touches that give an air of beauty to the monuments. Besides, the commercial markets that increase movement in Taksim Square and Istiklal Street like a flowing river that does not stop from tourists, shoppers, and visitors.
13. Istiklal Caddesi
Istiklal Street extends from Taksim Square to the Karakoy area, which is one of the most famous streets of Istanbul, and one of the oldest trams in the city breaks through it and goes back for about a hundred years.
14. Fener & Balat
The districts of Fener and Balat are surely the ones that have the richest history in Istanbul. They are also on the list of the UNESCO heritage sites. Organized like small villages, the tangle of cobblestone alleys that go up and down gives the impression of being in a labyrinth filled with treasures. The colorful Ottoman houses, some of which are perfectly restored, the religious buildings, the small craftsmen, the merchants, the children playing in the street and the linen hanging from the windows give this area a unique charm, out of time that will allow you to discover a new side of Istanbul.
15. Balat
The neighborhood of Balat, which is adjacent to Fener, also fascinates visitors like Fener with its colorful cafes and restaurants, antique and vintage shops, traces of Jewish heritage, various synagogues and churches. Balat has been home to Greek-speaking Jews since the Byzantines. However, in the 15th century, the Sephardics who were exiled from Spain settled in Balat. The Balat area is also very rich with Byzantine heritage. Being an old Jewish quarter, it always has been a poorer one than Fener. There is a large Jewish population in Balat, so that you may find many synagogues and Jewish establishments, as well as some churches and mosques.
16. Fener Rum Patrikhanesi
The Fener Greek Patriarchate and the Patriarchal Church of St. George is located in the Fener neighborhood on the banks of the Golden Horn and share the same courtyard. The Patriarchate is still the mother-church for 300 million people worldwide. And it has retained its center in Istanbul for over seventeen centuries.
17. St. George
The church of St. George (the Great Martyr and Trophy-Bearer) is the 5th church housing the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate since the 15th century. It was once a convent for Orthodox nuns and was converted to the patriarchal offices in between the years 1598 and 1601.
18. Bulgarian Orthodox Church
Church of Saint Stephen is a place of worship built for the Bulgarian community in the last years of the Ottoman Empire. Built of iron and steel, this church is known locally as the “Iron Church”. The Church of Saint Stephen has been recently restored and is in very good condition. It fascinates its visitors with its interior decoration and icon wall.
19. Pierre Loti Tepesi
Pierre Loti is one of the best places to visit in Istanbul. Located in Eyüp, one of the most eye-catching districts of Istanbul, the hill is named after a French writer, Julien Viaud. The writer settled in Istanbul in 1876 and used to come to a coffee house and write his novels here. Later this hill began to be called after him.This place will fascinate you with its romantic and unique atmosphere.
20. Halic
Golden Horn was an old trading harbor and a popular residential area during the Byzantine period. Its entrance was blocked by a huge chain to stop unwanted ships to enter. During the Ottoman period it was largely inhabited by Jewish immigrants from Spain. The mixtures of Armenians, Greeks, Gypsies and Turks living along its shores reflected the city's colorful ethnic mosaic.

ADDITIONAL INFO

• Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels
• Dolmabahce Palace is closed on Mondays. Topkapi Palace is closed on Tuesdays. Grand Bazaar is closed on Sundays.
• Tour guides doesn't have skip the line priority in Hagia Sophia. You may need to wait in the ticket and security line.
• This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate
• If there is a chance to use public transportation that will be paid by travellers.
• This is a walking tour.
• At time of booking, Cruise ship passengers must provide the following information at time of booking: ship name, docking time, disembarkation time and re-boarding time.
• While visiting a mosque, women need to cover their heads, shoulders, knees. You can carry your own scarf to cover your head but please note scarves are provided at the entrance of every mosque (available at a charge). If you are wearing leggings, tights or skirts, wraps will be provided at the entrance (available at a charge).
• Men also need to cover the knees if the shorts or bermudas are over the knees.

CANCELLATION POLICY

Posted By : VIOLETA_B
Great customized walking tour. Guide Kaya very flexible, great communication, shared many practical tips
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-06-05 11:20:12

Posted By : hannahn270
My partner and I had a tour with Atilla on 18th March 2024. It was our first time visiting Istanbul (and Turkey) so we decided this was a great way to spend our first full day in the city. I’d say we both have quite the appetite for historical facts and insights as we are both passionate about history and have attended many historical walking tours in the UK and Europe. We were both absolutely blown away by Atilla’s knowledge, enthusiasm, humour and warmth!

We learnt so much from him, from the history of Istanbul through the ages to what it’s like to live in Istanbul today and the must-try foods in the city. Atilla tailored the tour completely around our own interests. We saw all the key places we had wanted to see, including the Galata Tower, Hippodrome, Basilica Cistern, Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia. Long lunches and local cuisines are a holiday must for my partner and I, so we also went for a long lunch with Atilla, where we enjoyed his company and conversation over amazing food.

Atilla was really patient with us – I like to take detailed notes of the walking tours I go on and he didn’t mind me asking him to repeat certain facts, dates etc. for my notes. He was also very patient with regards to any photos we wished to take and even took some of us.

We would 100% recommend taking a tour with Atilla and now consider him a good friend! He made our trip to Istanbul really special and memorable and we used many of his recommendations of good local restaurants, street food and shops. He went above and beyond any tour guide we’ve met before in this way. For information, Atilla also speaks English to a native level.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-05-27 10:34:49

Posted By : Jo_V
Great tourguide which took us conveniently from one location to the other. We had a great day! Thanks Huseyin.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-05-16 02:01:03

Posted By : Annalee_D
Atilla was our guide, and we did not have a good experience, we left early as we could not be with him. He made inappropriate comments and it made us uncomfortable. Additionally he did not take us to most of the places on the itenary and when we asked him he said it is far to walk too. And he was very impatient when we wanted to take pictures. He took us to only one square and then said we shouldn't go inside the palace as it's not interesting.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-04-28 11:54:35

Posted By : rehanna650
Atilla was our guide, and we did not have a good experience, we left early as we could not be with him. He made inappropriate comments and it made us uncomfortable. Additionally he did not take us to most of the places on the itenary and when we asked him he said it is far to walk too. And he was very impatient when we wanted to take pictures. He did minimal explanation of what we were seeing and most of the places he said that we shouldn't go as its not that good.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-04-28 11:20:22

Posted By : 581kubab
We embarked on a captivating journey through the heart of Istanbul with a private guide, Kivanc, and discovered the city's mesmerizing blend of history, culture, and architectural wonders. From the iconic Blue Mosque to the bustling streets of Taksim Square, this full-day tour was an unforgettable experience of Istanbul's most cherished landmarks and hidden gems. My favorite place was Basilica Cistern and coffee at the local shop.

Kivanc, was very dedicated and provided an unforgettable experience for us. We highly recommend his service.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-04-02 10:44:53

Posted By : Jakub_B
Our guide - Kivanc - was excellent and very accommodating to our requests. Kivanc was friendly and very knowledgeable and knew all the little places we wanted to visit. I would do this again.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-04-02 06:15:21

Posted By : Kim_K
Even though it rained on us all day. our guide Kivanc was amazing. He had so much information to give us along our way. I feel like i know a lot more about Turkey’s history, Istanbul history and helpful information about navigating this city. i would definitely book this tour and ask for Kivanc as he really made an awful day truly memorable!
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2023-12-01 11:04:55

Posted By : TravellingTobias
The views were great; we took many memorable pictures. Tour Guide was very helpful in explaining the history and navigating the entire city.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2023-10-03 00:54:58

Posted By : octaviajap3010
We had an amazing time in Turkey thanks to Mr. Kaya. He was informative, kind and understanding. Highly recommended if you are planning on travelling in Turkey.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2023-05-29 01:36:04

Retrieving available

Tickets

Full Day Private Guided Istanbul Tour

WHAT'S INCLUDED

WHAT TO EXPECT

1. Sultanahmet District

2. Topkapi Palace

3. Hagia Sophia Mosque

4. Blue Mosque

5. Hippodrome

6.

7. Kapali Carsi

8. Misir Carsisi (Spice Market)

9. Dolmabahce Palace

10. Galata Tower

11. Bosphorus Bridge

12. Taksim Square

13. Istiklal Caddesi

14. Fener & Balat

15. Balat

16. Fener Rum Patrikhanesi

17. St. George

18. Bulgarian Orthodox Church

19. Pierre Loti Tepesi

20. Halic

ADDITIONAL INFO

CANCELLATION POLICY

Partner Resources

How it works

Travel

Insurance

Adventure

Contact

Retrieving available

Tickets

Full Day Private Guided Istanbul Tour

WHAT'S INCLUDED ⟱

WHAT TO EXPECT ⟱

1. Sultanahmet District

2. Topkapi Palace

3. Hagia Sophia Mosque

4. Blue Mosque

5. Hippodrome

6.

7. Kapali Carsi

8. Misir Carsisi (Spice Market)

9. Dolmabahce Palace

10. Galata Tower

11. Bosphorus Bridge

12. Taksim Square

13. Istiklal Caddesi

14. Fener & Balat

15. Balat

16. Fener Rum Patrikhanesi

17. St. George

18. Bulgarian Orthodox Church

19. Pierre Loti Tepesi

20. Halic

ADDITIONAL INFO ⟱

CANCELLATION POLICY ⟱

Partner Resources

How it works

Travel

Insurance

Adventure

Contact

WHAT'S INCLUDED

WHAT TO EXPECT

ADDITIONAL INFO

CANCELLATION POLICY