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Istanbul Private Tour: Tailored Itinerary with Local Expert Guide
5.0
15 Ratings
Fatih
Experience the best of Istanbul with a private tour tailored to your interests. Explore the city's historical sites, enjoy flexible itineraries, and get expert guidance from a local guide.
Duration:
8 hours
Cancellation:
1 day
learn more
Highlights
- Topkapi Palace - Topkapi Palace was the primary residence of the Ottoman Sultans for approximately 400 years (1465-1856) of their 624-year reign.
As well as a royal residence, the palace was a setting for state occasions and royal entertainments. It is now a major tourist attraction and contains important holy relics of the Muslim world, including Muhammed’s cloak and sword.
- Blue Mosque - The Sultan Ahmed Mosque is an historical mosque in Istanbul. The mosque is popularly known as the Blue Mosque for the blue tiles adorning the walls of its interior. It was built from 1609 to 1616 during the rule of Ahmed I. Like many other mosques it also contains the tomb of the founder, a madrasah and a hospice. While still used as a mosque, the Sultan Ahmed Mosque has also become a popular tourist attraction.
- Hagia Sophia Mosque - Hagia Sophia is a former Orthodox patriarchal basilica, later a mosque, then a museum, and once again a mosque in Istanbul. From the date of its dedication in 360 until 1453 it served as an Eastern Orthodox cathedral and seat of the Patriarchate of Constantinople.
- Basilica Cistern - The Basilica Cistern is the largest of several hundred ancient cisterns that lie beneath the city of Istanbul. The cistern is located 150 meters southwest of the Hagia Sophia. It was built in the 6th century during the reign of Byzantine Emperor Justinian I.
- Hippodrome - The Hippodrome was a Roman Circus and was the site of chariot and horse races as well as being an important sporting and social center in Constantinople
What's Included
- Private tour guide service
What's Not Included
- Food and drink
- Museum / attraction entrance fees
Additional Information
We warmly welcome you to Istanbul Grand Journey. Our service provides personalized single-day trips around this fascinating city of rich history. Indulge in the best experience Istanbul has to offer through our private tours. Your sightseeing itinerary will be customized based on your preferences while offering you the freedom of altering your schedule as your tour progresses. Your guide’s entire attention will be dedicated towards enhancing your sightseeing journey based on your interests. Take a refreshing break for lunch when you please or grab a bite while on the move. Spend an entire day enjoying the splendors of Topkapi Palace or choose a quick highlights tour. Trying to maximize your sightseeing in a short duration? Your guide will craft your journey minimizing travel distances between different spots. Your guide is there to ensure the maximum enjoyment and enrichment from your visit, tailoring your journey exactly to your liking.
Location
Hagia Sophia
Ayasofya Meydanı
Outside Hagia Sophia Mosque. Can also meet customers at Galataport, Sarayburnu port, customer's hotel or at the front of another nominated site or museum.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
5.0
(15 Ratings)
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269shayk
May 28, 2024
Nese was so knowledgeable on the history of İstanbul. She was such a big help in offering information on things to do! - Thoroughly enjoyed spending our day with Nese learning about the colorful history of Istanbul! I highly recommend her tours.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Compass13887792548
May 28, 2024
Best guide in all of Istanbul! - Nese and her your company was amazing! Very knowledgeable and kind. Went over and beyond to share the beautiful city and culture of Istanbul! Highly recommend!!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Borisf1967
Mar 31, 2024
Charme and informations - Has been excellent, visits full of charme and informations, I strongly recommend it. All my family has appreciated it, including my teenager kids.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Sommerhus4
Nov 16, 2023
Unforgettable day with personalized tour - Just back after a three-day visit to Istanbul (Nov. 2023), and we are overwhelmed, fascinated and very thankful for all the wonderful things our hosts had planned for us – one of them was a one-day guided tour with Nese.
Nese came to pick us up at our hotel in the Pera district around 10 in the morning, and when we returned in the afternoon around 16, we had visited the Bacilica Cisterns, Hagia Sofia and the Grand Bazar as well as numerous carpet and textile shops specializing in Suzani embroidery (after my wish). On top of that, we had a great lunch in a very local Turkish restaurant and a coffee break at a terrasse overlooking the city with stunning views.
Istanbul is a hectic and vibrant city, but Nese managed to show us all this at a pleasant and easy pace without any stress. She is indeed an expert in transportation, and along the way she provided us with comprehensive facts and historical information, supplemented by many funny anecdotes.
Not only is Nese extremely knowledgeable. She is also warm, kind and an engaging and dynamic communicator – last but not least, Nese is very good company. We had such a great day with Nese and feel we have made a very good friend in Istanbul.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Kwanleon
Nov 10, 2023
Way to go Nese! You're the best. - After we finish the 13 days tour around Greece, we have one day layover in Istanbul, book one day hotel stay right in the middle of old city and have Nese as our tour guide, she's more than a tour guide at the end of the night. we all became friends. she knows the city well and everywhere we go people greet her with respect and we talk about everything from what she like and unlike about Istanbul and also she has her son living in U.S. hope she'll visit us at the same time when she visit her son and family in California.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
257reneu
Oct 1, 2023
Amazing guides Adventure in Istanbul! - This was an amazing experience. Nese is knowledgeable, friendly, patient, helpful, and energized! She knows her way around the monuments, queues, people, restaurants, and shops. She will customize your adventure and will optimize time based on your likes and needs. Simply amazing. I couldn’t believe what we were able to accomplish that much in one day with her help! We even had plenty time among each visit to take pictures and to admire those so amazing monumental treasures!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Nico
Sep 25, 2023
Fabulous Taste of Istanbul - Superb, tailor-made tour. Extremely knowledgeable guide who made the historical facts come to life. A taste of Istanbul, including points of interest we would have missed if touring independently. A fabulous way to see the highlights.
Review provided by Viator
Stay814685
Sep 19, 2023
Istanbul City Tour - Nese was the most knowledgeable and competent guide I have encountered.She came recommended by a friend who has used her on several occasions and she more than lived up to the high praise from the referrer. Her knowledge of the city was unsurpassed and her concern for her client even extended to waiting until 9pm to deliver me back to my hotel from the Haman ( which she had arranged my booking at)
I was with Nese for 2 days and wouldn’t hesitate to book her again when I return to Istanbul. Istanbul is an amazing city but so much more so with a guide like Nese to explain the history, the culture and the customs that contribute to making Istanbul the incomparable City that it is.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
496alfonso
Jul 21, 2023
The only way to see the old city - We booked a private tour for a group of 7 adults through our hotel. The incredible Nesha turned up on our door for the tour. She was nothing short of brilliant. Incredibly knowledgeable and full of wisdom about your beautiful city. She customised the day to suit our likes. Nothing was too much trouble. No matter out want, Nesha knew where to go what to do and what not to do.
Our guide became our friend instantly. I can not recommend her highly enough. A credit to your organisation. We will let all our friends coming to istanbul Nesha is must when learning about your wonderful city.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Amyhn1490gj
Jun 24, 2023
Incredible experience! - Our tour guide Nese set the gold standard for creating the most special and memorable Istanbul tour experience! We originally went to Istanbul for the Champions League final but in comparison, it was our time spent with Nese which was the #1 highlight of the trip! She has such deep knowledge of the history, love for the culture and is "in the know" on where to go to make your Istanbul visit a truly magical experience. She literally knows everyone, everywhere and has such as strong network of people/places that she generously shares. Plus, because of her connections, you have fast track access everywhere. In one day, we experienced Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Basilica Cistern, Grand Bazaar, rug shopping and shared a delicious outdoor lunch together. We enjoyed the day so much we spent a 2nd day together. The best part is that you will book a tour guide yet leave with a lifetime friend. Thanks to Nese we had an amazing & enjoyable visit that we'll cherish forever. Highly recommend booking with Nese!
Review provided by Tripadvisor