Istanbul City and Hidden Gem Private Guided Tour 1, 2, 3 Day opt.

based on 243 reviews

Duration:7 hours to 21 hours (approx.)
Location: Istanbul, Turkey

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Whether you are interested in history, architecture, culture or cuisine while exploring highlights or hidden gems of Istanbul our very well-made itinerary for 1,2 or 3 days private guided tour has you covered ! Istanbul: no other city on earth straddles two continents -Europe and Asia- and has been home to three great empires (Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman). We will discover Hagia Sophia, visit Topkapi Palace, stroll through Grand Bazaar and enjoy the beauty of Blue Mosque. In a city like this, it's important to have an experienced local guide who can help you to navigate, all the while ensuring you the most personal experience possible. We will sometimes use a ferry and sometimes subway or tram to navigate through the city. Don't forget that the best way of exploring a new city is to use public transport or walking.

• Skip-the-Line Access to the Museums
• Well-Made Itinerary for 1,2 or 3 Days Private Guided Tour
• Customize the itinerary according to your interest
• Taste Local Food

WHAT'S INCLUDED

WHAT TO EXPECT

1. Topkapi Palace
TOPKAPI PALACE, the former imperial residence from which the Great Ottoman Empire was ruled for nearly 400 years. Today a spectacular museum, it is famous for its collections of treasury of the Ottoman Royal Family. You will chase the memories of the sultans and the Ottoman Empire through 400 years of the most glorious victories, happiest moments, and mournful days.
2. Hagia Sophia Mosque
HAGIA SOPHIA is a 6th century church, a masterpiece of Byzantine architecture, welcomes you with its legends and mosaics. You will have a chance to touch the history of this church, a main attraction of the city since its construction.
3. Basilica Cistern
Basilica Cistern is the largest underground water reservoir from the Byzantine period. This 6th century underground cistern became famous with the Medusa heads on the inside.
4. Hippodrome
HIPODROME: The former center of sportive and political activities of Constantinople. You will be able to see the Obelisk from Egypt, Serpentine Column from Delphi and fountain of Willhelm II.
5. Grand Bazaar
GRAND BAZAAR is both the oldest and the biggest covered bazaar in the world. Your guide will provide the history of the Bazaar as well as some helpful tips on navigating its more than 4000 shops.
6.
This mosque, constructed by the great Ottoman architect Sinan in 1557, is regarded as the most beautiful of all imperial mosques.
7. Blue Mosque
BLUE MOSQUE, also known as the Sultanahment Mosque is one of the biggest mosques and principal adornments of the Istanbul skyline. It was built in the 17th century. Once inside the mosque, blue Iznik tiles and stained glass will surround you.
8. Misir Carsisi (Spice Market)
This market is famous for Turkish delights and spices.
9. Bosphorus Strait
Bosphorus Cruise. Bosphorus is a unique natural water strait both sides of which filled in Palaces, Yalis ( old Ottoman Houses), historical mosques and many other buildings and many neighbourhoods with their own unique cultures.
10. Rustem Pasha Mosque
Rustem Pasha is famous for the most beautiful examples of Ottoman Tile art pieces adorning it’s walls on the inside.
11. Kadikoy Carsisi
Kadikoy is probably the most vibrant and local district of Istanbul.
12. Uskudar Pier
District in the Asian side of Istanbul.
13. Taksim Square
Main square of Istanbul.
14. Dolmabahce Palace
This palace, constructed between 1843 and 1858 by Sultan I Abdulmecit, contains eclectic elements from the Baroque, Rococo, and Neoclassical styles, blended with traditional Ottoman architecture to create a new synthesis.
15. Galata Tower
We will see GALATA TOWER from outside.
16. Karakoy
The commercial site of old Istanbul.
17. Basilica Cistern
The largest underground water reservoir from the Byzantine time. This 6th century underground cistern became famous with the Medusa heads located in one corner of the cistern.
18. Istiklal Caddesi
ISTIKLAL STREET is where locals like to hang out.The architecture of the buildings in that area will remind you of French style, and the street was once called Rue de Pera by it’s French residents.
19. Balat
BALAT is where you will enjoy the most authentic houses of Istanbul.
20. Bulgarian Orthodox Church
This is a unique church which is fully made of iron.
21. Fener Rum Patrikhanesi
This is the Petriarchate of the Orthodox.

ADDITIONAL INFO

• Wheelchair accessible
• Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
• All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
• Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
• Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
• Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
• Topkapi Palace is closed on Tuesdays. Dolmabahce Palace will be visited instead.
• Grand Bazaar is closed on Sundays. Spice Market will be visited instead.
• Grand Bazaar and Spice Market will be closed in 2024 in the following dates; April 10/11/12-Ramadan Celebrations. June 16/17/18/19-Eid Celebrations. October 29-Republic Day.
• We have Kid-Friendly Tour Guides in our team.
• For the cruise passengers public transportation (tram) is strongly recommended due to heavy traffic in/around the old city. By the tram the old city takes only 10 minutes. Please book the tour accordingly
• If you book the tour with a private van, please beware that extra charges may apply if your hotel/apartment is located in the Asian Side or far from the city center.

CANCELLATION POLICY

Posted By : 482chandlery
Had a great time on our tour. Our guide was very personable and knowledgeable. The communication leading up to the tour was good, as well.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-06-29 06:49:13

Posted By : manupuri
An excellent tour, fabulous guide, van and sights! Highly recommended! Great communication and overall experience.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-06-27 16:01:23

Posted By : Coastal61405545421
Great excursion, went to many out of the way places and ate a great meal in Balat. All of the forms of transportation were great too!
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-06-22 16:32:41

Posted By : Nomad03318901998
What a gem of a tour guide; more a friend that a tour guide. Very passionate, very knowledgeable and so personable. Duygu will give you her personal insight, none of the commercial touristy spiel. I can’t recommend Duygu highly enough. The best.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-05-26 04:24:59

Posted By : DaveS
We were in a bit of a panic about the logistics of leaving our cruise terminal and getting to our hotel in another part of town in the early morning so we could begin our 3 day tour with Selcuk Eracun. He agreed to meet us at Galataport and escort us on the T1 tram to Sultanahmet to our hotel for the luggage dropoff and then begin our 3-day tour.
What a kind and generous local guy he is, with such an esteemed reputation in Istanbul among other tour guides and among the historical/architectural/archeological/antiquities crowd!
Selcuk is a fountain of knowledge and trivia and we were so lucky and blessed to hook up with him. Our 3 days were well spent with Selcuk, the “honorary Sultan of Istanbul!”
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-05-18 18:50:11

Posted By : kathybM8934AS
We had an extremely positive experience with our guide Emre. He came prepared with an excellent plan for our two days in Istanbul, but was very flexible. He asked us our preferences and accommodated accordingly. He had wonderful recommendations for food and called ahead for reservations to maximize our time. He was incredibly knowledgeable, friendly, and had a great sense of humor. His love for Istanbul was infectious. We could not have enjoyed our two days more.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-05-13 03:36:50

Posted By : dnavarro12
I booked this tour for my parents and was a bit anxious sending them to a big city as newbie travelers but they were in such good hands with Ozge. She was so sweet and patient and had so much history and information to share. What I appreciated was that this tour started earlier than other tours so they got into the Hagia Sophia before everyone and had incredible moments to themselves. And having a private tour was great so they could make their own itinerary based on their interests and chatting with Ozge when they met up.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-05-12 16:07:59

Posted By : emilaC2583AM
While in Istanbul we were very fortunate to have an excellent tour guide. Her name is Emel and she made our trip very interesting, presenting all the hystorical and cultural facts of each site in great detail. Emel planned our itinerary wisely so we can avoid long lines and be able to visit all the sites we aimed for the day in a timely manner. Emels knowledge of history and places, her happy and warm nature makes her a perfect guide, We highly recommend her.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-05-09 12:52:48

Posted By : H8970XMdavidt
We had an amazing 2 day tour of Istanbul (our 2nd time)! Our guide, Ozge, was amazing from start to finish. She is super knowledgeable about the history of the city and also is very engaging and fun to be with! Highly recommended.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-05-08 08:49:15

Posted By : 67sarinak
Fabulous tour in an amazing city. So much history. Duygu was very knowledgeable and flexible with our changing plans. Highly recommend.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-03-28 03:13:26