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Private Istanbul Full Day Tour
4.8
16 Ratings
Istanbul
Experience the best of Istanbul on a private full-day tour. Visit iconic landmarks like the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia, customize your itinerary, and enjoy personalized attention from a professional tour guide.
Duration:
8 hours
Cancellation:
1 day
learn more
Highlights
- Hippodrome - Our professional tour guide will meet you at your hotel or cruise port. The meeting time will be provided during your confirmation. Our tour begins at Hippodrome Square, historically known for chariot races and Byzantine riots during the Roman and Byzantine periods.
- Blue Mosque - The Blue Mosque, one of Istanbul’s largest mosques from 17th-century architecture, is a key feature of the city’s skyline. It is renowned for its blue tiles and six minarets.
- Hagia Sophia Mosque - Following the Blue Mosque, we will visit Hagia Sophia, the magnificent Byzantine church, considered one of the finest and largest architectural masterpieces in the world.
Update for St. Sophia interior visit:
Live guiding is not permitted in St. Sophia after January 15, 2024. Guests must have their smartphones and headphones during their visit. If guests do not have headphones, they can purchase them at the entrance for 3.5 USD. The system is similar to an audio guide system. Guests without smartphones will follow the signs and the information provided on them.
- Topkapi Palace - Topkapi Palace was not only the residence of the Ottoman sultans but also the administrative and educational center of the state. It was constructed between 1460 and 1478 by Sultan Mehmed II, the conqueror of Constantinople. Our visit will include the weapons section of the Topkapi Palace.
- Grand Bazaar - We will visit the Grand Bazaar, one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world, featuring more than 58 covered streets and over 1,200 shops, attracting between 250,000 and 400,000 visitors daily. Opened in 1461, it is famous for its jewelry, pottery, spices, and carpet shops. After free time in the Grand Bazaar, we will return to your hotel or port, marking the end of our services.
What's Included
- Expert private tour guide for personalized experience
- Comfortable transport in an air-conditioned new minivan/minibus
- Exclusive private tour for your family and friends
- All local taxes included for hassle-free travel
What's Not Included
- Lunch and Drinks
- Entrance Fees ( Our guide will have pre-paid tickets )
- Gratuities
Additional Information
This Complete Day tour features 5 key highlights in Istanbul, including the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, Hippodrome Square, and the Grand Bazaar.
• Experience a private tour designed exclusively for your group
• Decide your own departure time
• Our guide will greet you at the Port/Hotel with a name plaque,
• Our professional guide will accompany you from arrival to departure,
• Enjoy the freedom to decide how much time to spend at each site and customize your itinerary,
• There’s no need to delay for other group members
• You may pause to take photos during your journey.
• You have the option to stop for lunch at a local eatery to savor famous Turkish Kebaps
- At time of booking, Hotels guests must provide hotel name
- 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
- In the event of any museum closures, an alternative similar museum will be visited. On Tuesdays : Topkapi Palace replaced by Underground Cistern, On Sundays: Grand Bazaar will be replaced by Spice Market. Grand Bazaar and Spice Market are closed during Religious Holidays will be replaced by Arasta Bazaar. On Fridays: Blue Mosque is open from 14.30 to 16.30 Blue Mosque is open from 14.30 to 16.30 on Fridays
- Blue Mosque is open from 14.30 to 16.30 on Fridays
- Visit to holy places of worship such as churches, monasteries, mosques, synagogues bare shoulders are not permitted, nor shoes in mosques.
Location
Hippodrome
Binbirdirek, Sultan Ahmet ParkI No:2,
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.8
(16 Ratings)
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Podsk
Oct 27, 2023
Great tour of Istanbul - Our guide Ulku was fabulous. We traveled throughout the city with her and she brought the city to life.
It was such a good experience we booked her for the following day to continue our experience.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Bruce_b
Oct 15, 2023
Magical - Guide was amazing. Istanbul is a very busy place. We were navigated through it as best as possible. A mix of history and modern
Review provided by Viator
David_l
Jul 18, 2023
Beyond all expectations. - Semic is by far the best tour guide we've ever come across in our travels around the world.
A true professional in every sense of the word, his in-depth knowledge in the history and cultural heritage of his amazing city, unique insights and perspectives, and intelligent, thoughtful, engaging conversation exceeded all our expectations.
Review provided by Viator
Stephanie_s
Jul 3, 2023
Great Tour! - Our family enjoyed our tour! Our tour guide was so knowledgeable. He showed us a lot of great historical sites and provided a wealth of information for each site.
Review provided by Viator
Lawrence_l
Jun 7, 2023
Istanbul, Great Experience for Group of 19! - We were a group of 19, all of us had an amazing time on the tour. Our tour guide, Volkan picked us up outside the Galataport cruise terminal and boarded a minibus to take us to Sultanahmet Square where we walked through the Hippodrome to visit the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia Mosque, and Basilica Cistern. Volkan took us to Deraliye Restaurant (2023 Michelin Star Restaurant) for lunch in the Sultanhmet historical district. Once we were seated we were introduced to Master Chef Necati Yılmaz where we had group pictures with him. The cuisine served was straight out of the Ottoman Empire - all our dishes were delicious. After our wonderful lunch, we headed to the Grand Bazaar to do some shopping. Everyone in our group loved the tour with Volkan who was knowlegable in its history. Overall, the tour was a great value compared to what our cruise line offered for a similar experience. I would recommend this tour for anyone visiting Istanbul for the first time or as a refresher for one who visited years ago.
Review provided by Viator
Stacy_s
Apr 26, 2023
A Dervish of a Time - Today was a feast for the senses! Ozge is exceptionally knowledgeable and passionate about sharing the beauty, history and culture of Istanbul. Even with all we saw and did, can’t wait to rey turn!
Review provided by Viator
Sheryl_m
Apr 18, 2023
Superb Tour - Istanbul is a city with a rich and storied history, stunning sights, and a dynamic vibe. Our tour guide, Ceren, was friendly, knowledgeable, professional and thoroughly engaging. We couldn't have asked for a better experience!
Review provided by Viator
Glenn_d
Mar 5, 2023
A GRAT TRIP AND TOUR GUIDE ISO - spending the day with Leya was great. she really knew her history. I had a problem walking and she made the tour very easy. make sure you know that it is a waking tour.
Review provided by Viator
Chatquipeche
Dec 5, 2023
A good private tour for those who have not experience of Istanbul - Actually, it was a private three-day tour of Istanbul. Our guide met us with minivan and driver at the Galataport Cruise Terminal, but on the upper level. We were not advised to go up to the street level and we waited over thirty minutes at the lower, disembarkation level. Only after a couple of phone calls, did we get straightened out.
Leyla was very knowledgeable and thorough, very attentive to our circumstances. My only comment would be that either Curio or Leyla made too many assumptions about American tourists. At times, I felt programed and on the last day, after seeing some attractive shops in a non-tourist area of Istanbul, I asked if perhaps we would not have found just as good and maybe less expensive gifts items here, rather than in the Grand Bazaar. She said, yes, but everyone needs to visit the Grand Bazaar. Maybe so, but she could have at least asked what we were looking for.
We had requested a visit to a hammam and she recommended a lovey 300 year old Turkish bath, where we had a fabulous experience. The next day, I told her how much we enjoyed it. She said she thought we would, as it's preferred by tourists, who might not withstand a genuine Turkish bath experience, whatever that means. I can't complain, it was great, but again, we were never offered any options. It was just assumed that we wanted a more gentle (and I guess more expensive) experience. Curio might reconsider that aspect of their service. Not all "tourists" are created equal.
Otherwise, we had a wonderful "first visit" to Istanbul, thanks to Leyle. She was patient and always prompt and knowledgeable.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Pamela_h
Nov 1, 2023
Fabulous and VERY informative tour including the history of Istanbul to present day. Buket was a wonderful & friendly! - Our favorite was the Hagla Sophia and the history of it as well as the overwhelming excitement and shopping of the Grand Barzzar.
Review provided by Viator
