Best of Istanbul: Basilica Cistern, Blue Mosque, Grand Bazaar and Byzantine Heritage

Experience the best of Istanbul on this tour, exploring iconic landmarks like the Basilica Cistern and Blue Mosque. Discover the vibrant Grand Bazaar and delve into the city’s rich Byzantine heritage. Don’t miss the chance to try traditional carpet weaving and indulge in Turkish delights.

Duration: 4 hours
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • Basilica Cistern - This spacious Roman built cistern shows off impressive Roman engineering was commissioned by Emperor Justinian, largest surviving Byzantine cistern in Istanbul and has been backdrop for many movies over time.
What's Included
  • Professional guide
  • Basilica Cistern entrance ticket (if all-inclusive option selected)
  • Small Group
What's Not Included
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
  • Gratuities
Additional Information

Experience the rich and vivid ‘ancient city’ of Istanbul with this tour, where you’ll get the opportunity to take breathtaking photos at famous landmarks like the underground Basilica Cistern and the Blue Mosque in Sultanahmet. Savour the aromatic pleasures of the spice markets and dive into the deep Byzantine history of the Hippodrome. Be enthralled by…

Location
Foodie-ist Cafe and Brasserie
Muhterem Efendi Sokak
In front (outside) of FOODIE-IST CAFE AND BRASSERIE. It is approximately 2 minutes walking distance from (T1) Sultanahmet tram stop. Your guide will wear a tour guide badge and will be easy to spot.
Cancellation Policy

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

Customer Ratings
4.7
(49 Ratings)
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Jenni_s
Dec 6, 2024
A wonderful afternoon - A very informative introduction to some of the most beautiful iconic sites. Erol’s commentary was full of detail about the history and he also gave us a sense of life as a modern day Turk. Highly recommended!
Review provided by Viator
Backpacker504592
Sep 28, 2024
Great experience - It was a great experience in Instambul with our great guide Huseyin. He gave us a great and colorful historical review in perfect English. It was very interesting also to find out architectural and archeological details. We also had an Excursion to the Turkish rug factory, where we could see handmade silk and wool rug production from a silk cocoon to a weaving by hands beautiful patterns genuine only for Turkish rugs. The guide was very friendly and knowledgeable.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
121kellies
Sep 21, 2024
Recommended! - Very positive experience. Great English speaking tour guide with just 5 in the group from all corners of the world. Blue mosque was a highlight for us. We took the 08:30 tour and would recommend to beat the crowds.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Neerjam2023
Sep 16, 2024
Fantastic afternoon! - We had a fantastic afternoon with our guide, Gamze, who was very friendly and knowledgeable about Istanbul and its history. We would definitely recommend the tour and Gamze!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Noah
Sep 7, 2024
Exceptional tour of the Istanbul highlights 🙏😍 - The tour was exceptional, and our tour guide Öztürk was friendly, extremely knowledgeable, and passionate. Plus, he had a wonderful sense of humor. Most importantly, he took the time to explain in detail, answer any questions with enthusiasm, and more. I highly recommend this tour to anyone visiting Istanbul. Thank you again, Öztürk! 🙏
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jeannine_n
Jul 29, 2024
great tour - Erol our tour guide was very knowledgeable and helpful. Our cruise ship was late and he kept in constant contact with me as to where to find him. There was just two other people in our tour which made it very easy to hear him and ask questions. Very good experience!
Review provided by Viator
Yenixa_r
Jun 11, 2024
Give it a Go! - Such a wonderful experience! I was in Istanbul for one day and wanted to check out some places without having to plan too much on my own. The meet up spot was easy to locate and the tour group was small. Our guide was Oz (not sure I spelt that correctly) and he was amazing! He was knowledgeable and really explained the history of each location we visited. We stopped for a quick street bite and continued to the next location. Highly recommend taking the tour!
Review provided by Viator
Jasdeep_s
Oct 12, 2024
Okay tour - Wish there was better audio with tour hard to keep with with him or find him if he had mike would have neen better
Review provided by Viator
Priyanka_j
Sep 28, 2024
Never Again - This is a scam. They only run tours as per their convenience and not as per the scheduled times shown while making the booking. Although the money got refunded, they were extremely rude, and the entire experience left a very bad flavour. I lost the opportunity to see the sights since I had a very short time in Istanbul, and was unnecessarily made to come to the meeting point. I had booked a tour for 8:30 in the morning. Less than 12 hours before the tour, when the tour was no longer cancellable from my end, I got a message on my phone directly from the tour operator that my tour has been postponed to 1:00 pm. As this new time did not suit me, I asked them to allocate another guide. They said they are searching for one but never replied back. When I told them I have found something else, and to cancel my tour, the operator came back saying that the tour is operational, and if i do not show up the tour will be a no show and hence no refund. I kept requesting for the details of the guide, which they didn't share, stating privacy, all the while messaging me directly and not through Viator. The next day I was at the meeting point 5 mins before the tour was to start, which was the suggested time. However there was no one at the meeting point. When I reached out to the tour operator, I was told to prove that I am at the pick-up point, and then told that the tour had already started (before the start time). They said I was free to join the tour at 1:00 since I'd missed this one. Eventually I raised a request through viator and was refunded my booking amount, however despite not running the tour, the tour operator did not initial the cancellation from their end. Although the money got refunded, they were extremely rude, and the entire experience left a very bad flavour. I lost the opportunity to see the sights and was unnecessarily made to come to the meeting point.
Review provided by Viator
Barbarake1185mb
Sep 25, 2024
Tour Guide did not show up - The tour guide never showed up! We were at meeting site will before meeting time and waited 25 minutes for tour guide who never appeared. When tour provider was contacted we were told that the tour happened and that this was not their problem. Do not reserve this tour!!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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up to 8 guests
1 Adult
December 2024
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