• Sultanahmet District - The historic heart of Istanbul, home to numerous attractions like Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia, Basilica Cistern, and the Blue Mosque.
• Topkapi Palace - Once the administrative center and royal residence of the Ottoman Empire for nearly 400 years, Topkapi Palace features four courtyards and served as home to Sultan Mehmet II and his successors until Sultan Abdulmecid.
• Hagia Sophia Mosque - A must-see in Istanbul, Hagia Sophia has been built three times on the same site and was a Greek Orthodox cathedral until the Byzantine Empire’s end. It became a mosque after Sultan Mehmed II’s conquest of Constantinople in 1453. This iconic structure boasts Byzantine mosaics, a massive dome, and Ottoman-era additions. It now functions as a mosque again after years as a museum.
• Blue Mosque - Built in 1617 by Architect Sedefkar Mehmet Aga for Sultan Ahmet I, the Blue Mosque is renowned for its 22,000 handmade blue İznik tiles and six minarets. It stands directly opposite Hagia Sophia.
• Hippodrome - The Hippodrome features three notable monuments:

1. The Egyptian Obelisk - Originally erected by Pharaoh Tuthmosis in the 16th century BC in Egypt, it was transported to Istanbul in the 4th century AD.
2. The Serpentine Column - Initially set up in the Temple of Delphi in Greece, it was moved to Istanbul. It once had three bronze snake heads, one of which is now in the archaeological museum.
3. The Column of Constantine - Believed to date back earlier than the 10th century, it was once covered in bronze and silver, which were stripped by Crusaders in 1204.

• Basilica Cistern - Beneath the Historic Peninsula lies a hidden world of water cisterns, with the Basilica Cistern being the largest and most well-preserved. Located west of Hagia Sophia, it could hold 80,000 cubic meters of water and has been featured in films like James Bond’s “From Russia with Love” and Dan Brown’s “Inferno.”
• Kapali Carsi - The Grand Bazaar, established in 1461 after Istanbul’s conquest by Sultan Mehmet II, offers an authentic Ottoman shopping experience. Each section specializes in different merchandise, giving each street its unique name.
• Misir Carsisi (Spice Market) - The Spice Market, or Egyptian Bazaar, built in 1660 by Hatice Turhan Sultan, is located behind the New Mosque in Eminonu square. Named for the Egyptian spices sold there, it was funded by taxes on Egyptian imports. It houses around 100 traditional spice shops.
• Dolmabahce Palace - Situated on the Bosphorus’s southern shore in Besiktas, Dolmabahce Palace was the residence of the last six Ottoman Sultans. Built in the mid-19th century, its architecture is influenced by Baroque, Rococo, and Neoclassical styles. It became a museum in 1984.
• Galata Tower - A remnant of the Genoese colony in Istanbul, Galata Tower was first constructed in the 14th century. Overlooking the Golden Horn, it has been restored multiple times and served various purposes. Its iconic presence is a testament to the city’s history.
• Bosphorus Bridge - A Bosphorus Cruise is a must-do in Istanbul, offering views of magnificent landmarks, historic mansions, imperial palaces, and other notable buildings on both the Asian and European sides of the city.
• Taksim Square - Taksim is a key tourist area in Istanbul, historically a water distribution hub. Located in the city’s heart, it blends historical sites with modern touches and bustling commercial markets, making it a lively spot for tourists and shoppers.
• Istiklal Caddesi - Extending from Taksim Square to Karakoy, Istiklal Street is one of Istanbul’s most famous streets, featuring one of the city’s oldest trams, which has been running for about a century.
• Fener & Balat - Fener and Balat are among Istanbul’s most historically rich districts and are UNESCO heritage sites. Their cobblestone alleys, colorful Ottoman houses, religious buildings, and local charm offer a unique glimpse into the city’s past.
• Balat - Adjacent to Fener, Balat is known for its vibrant cafes, antique shops, and Jewish heritage, including synagogues and churches. It has been home to Greek-speaking Jews since Byzantine times and later to Sephardic Jews exiled from Spain in the 15th century.
• Fener Rum Patrikhanesi - The Fener Greek Patriarchate and the Patriarchal Church of St. George are located in the Fener neighborhood. The Patriarchate has been the spiritual center for 300 million people worldwide for over seventeen centuries.
• St. George - The Church of St. George, the fifth to house the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate since the 15th century, was once a convent for Orthodox nuns before becoming the patriarchal offices between 1598 and 1601.
• Bulgarian Orthodox Church - The Church of Saint Stephen, built for the Bulgarian community in the late Ottoman period, is known as the “Iron Church” due to its iron and steel construction. Recently restored, it captivates visitors with its interior decor and icon wall.
• Pierre Loti Tepesi - Named after French writer Julien Viaud, who settled in Istanbul in 1876, Pierre Loti Hill in Eyüp offers a romantic and unique atmosphere, making it one of the best places to visit in Istanbul.
• Halic - The Golden Horn, once a Byzantine trading harbor and residential area, was protected by a massive chain to block unwanted ships. During the Ottoman period, it was home to Jewish immigrants from Spain, along with Armenians, Greeks, Gypsies, and Turks, reflecting the city’s diverse ethnic mosaic.

• Pick-up by guide from central hotels or port on foot
• Private Tour
• Skip the ticket line with the official tour guide
• Private Expert Local Tour Guide

• Admission fees of museums.
• Food and drinks
• Gratuities
• Transportation

Join us for an exploration in Constantinople, the distinguished capital of the Great Eastern Roman and Byzantine Empires, celebrated as a hub of diverse cultures, rich history, staggering architecture, exquisite food, and a center for global trade stationed at the crossover of Asia and Europe.

My Guide Turkey presents you with exclusive private tour services. Benefit from hiring an experienced guide who has in-depth knowledge about Istanbul. Our well-versed, expert guides await your arrival.

We highly suggest the following day tour itineraries:

Option 1 (Old City): Hagia Sophia, Constantinople’s Hippodrome, 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 reached via Cable Car, Spice Market.

OR

Craft your own tour itinerary based on your preferences.

• 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.

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