Private Istanbul Tour: Topkapi Palace and Hagia Sophia

Uncover the culture and history of Istanbul on a 6-hour insider walking tour with a local guide. Explore the unique land of contrast, art, gastronomy, and culture in the capital of the world, Istanbul.

Duration: 5 hours
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • Topkapi Palace - Explore the magnificence of Topkapi Palace, the lavish home of the Ottoman Sultans until 1856. Dive into the palace’s rich history through its famous exhibitions, including the Imperial Treasury, which features an 86-carat diamond. Additionally, the palace provides stunning views of the Bosporus and the Golden Horn that will leave you mesmerized. Experience the grandeur of Topkapi Palace and create unforgettable memories.

  • Hagia Sophia Mosque - The next destination is the Hagia Sophia, regarded as one of the most important structures in the history of world architecture. Initially built as a church by the Byzantines, it was decorated with mosaic tile icons. During the Ottoman period, it was converted into a mosque. As you enter this 1500-year-old building, you will be captivated by its grandeur and historical significance.

  • Hippodrome - The Hippodrome is more than just a center for sports and ceremonies. It holds a special place in history as the site for the exhilarating chariot races of the Roman and Byzantine eras. These races were the highlight of the city’s entertainment and attracted crowds from far and wide. Today, the Hippodrome remains a must-visit for anyone wanting to experience the splendor of ancient sports and celebrations.

  • Grand Bazaar - Experience the grandeur of The Grand Bazaar, the world’s largest bazaar, with over 4,000 shops and 52 small streets to explore. From exotic spices to intricate textiles, this bustling marketplace offers a feast for the senses. Don’t miss the chance to experience the magic of The Grand Bazaar.

What's Included
  • Private tour
  • Professional guide
  • Entrance fee of the Hagia Sophia
  • Entrance fee of the Topkapi Palace
What's Not Included
  • Lunch
  • Gratuities
  • Transportation to/from attractions
  • Harem entrance at Topkapi Palace.
Additional Information

Indulge in the luxury of a dedicated, knowledgeable local tour guide at your disposal. Discover iconic landmarks such as the Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia, and The Grand Bazaar with the convenience and expertise of a professional guide. The tour package covers all entrance fees, guaranteeing a seamless experience with no extra costs to concern yourself with.

  • A dress code is required to enter places of worship (The Hagia Sophia Mosque). No shorts or sleeveless tops are allowed. Knees and shoulders must be covered for both men and women. You may risk being refused entry if you fail to comply with these dress requirements. Ladies must cover their heads at religious sites; therefore, it is better to bring a scarf if you have one.
  • 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
  • Children must be accompanied by an adult
Location
Topkapi Palace
Cankurtaran Mahallesi, Gulhane Park, Near Sultanahmet Square
Cancellation Policy

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

Customer Ratings
4.9
(62 Ratings)
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Wrenly
Sep 28, 2024
Istanbul, solo female trip. - I typically don’t post reviews, but the Istanbul old city tour I took with Derya was amazing, and I want to share my experience with anyone visiting Istanbul. Derya was incredibly friendly from the moment she greeted me at the hotel. It felt like I was exploring Istanbul with a long time friend. She even went above and beyond, extending her time to help me shop for authentic handcrafted items in the bazaar. I wish I had more time to spend with her in Istanbul. I will definitely return to see more of this wonderful city.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Leah
Aug 31, 2024
The most fun part of our trip. - We were so lucky to find Furkan on TripAdvisor. From the first email to the end of the tour, he was always helpful and polite. He showed us around Istanbul for two and a half days, taking us to all the must-see spots like Topkapi Palace, Basilica Cistern, Blue Mosque, and the Grand Bazaar. We even had the best food tasting tour ever. To cap it off, we ended our time with a Bosporus cruise on a private yacht, which was incredibly relaxing and peaceful. We’ve traveled a lot, but these were the best guided tours ever. Furkan knows Istanbul inside out and is an excellent storyteller, so we had a blast with him!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Violeta
Aug 28, 2024
The best holiday ever. - We had two awesome private tours with Furkan. We checked out the old city of Istanbul, did some shopping in the Grand Bazaar, and explored some off the beaten path spots for food tasting. Turkish food has always been a favorite, but after this tour, I don’t think it will ever taste the same. The food, history culture, and especially Furkan’s knowledge and humor were terrific. We had such a great time. We really wish we had more time in Istanbul with him.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jempap2017
Aug 12, 2024
Essential visit - To visit Topkapi Palace it is highly recommended to go first thing, at 9,00 am to not expect queues and be able to see it without many people, then it is unbearable queues and heat if it is summer. If you go with students you are discounted at the entrance, but only if you have the ISIC card (45 €, includes palace, harem and church Santa Irene). Seeing how expensive the ticket is with 2 children, it is worth knowing (I did not know 😭). Carry enough water because the visit lasts between 3 and 4 hours and they only sell you water at the entrance. To catch the free audio guide with the ticket you are asked to leave an ID for each one (passport, ID, driving license,...). It is very well preserved and worth seeing, but better first thing because of the people and the heat. You have to go comfortable to walk a lot
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Remi
Aug 7, 2024
Female-led history and shopping tours of Istanbul. - My buddies and I went to Istanbul with a group of 10 ladies before my cousin’s wedding. We got in touch with Furkan from Private Istanbul Walking Tours and asked for a female tour guide. Furkan arranged a three day trip for our group and assigned Derya as our guide. From the moment we met Derya until we said goodbye, she was warm, friendly, knowledgeable and most importantly, flexible with us. It felt like hanging out with an old friend while exploring Istanbul with her. We were so impressed that we’ve invited her to our wedding in Washington D.C. in October. We highly recommend booking your trip with Derya and her team - you won’t be disappointed.
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Amira
May 26, 2024
10 out of 10! This is the best touring company in Istanbul! - 10 out of 10! Derya is exceptional. They know everything about the city, its history, and the best food. Derya worked at the Grand Bazaar for several years, so she knows the entire 4,000 shop complex inside and out! Our private tour of the Bosporous was beautifully guided and accompanied by chai, Turkish coffee and delicious baklava. My parents have been using Derya’s touring services for the past decade, but it was my husband’s and my first time to have the pleasure of working with her! Do not look any further if you want to truly discover the jewel that is Istanbul—Derya is ready to open its doors.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Frank
May 21, 2024
The best tour guide ever. - A friend highly recommended Furkan, and we engaged his services for our short weekend in Istanbul. On our first full day, we visited all the tourist sites in the old city, including the Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia, Basilica Cistern, the Grand Bazaar and the Blue Mosque. It was an amazing day. On our second day, we enjoyed a delightful combination of food and a Bosporus tour. Furkan was knowledgeable about the culture, culinary delights, history, and current political situation in Turkey and the region. We had a great and very open minded conversation over some bubbly drinks. This was the best guided tour we have ever experienced. We learned a lot while falling in love with Istanbul. Thanks to Furkan and his professionalism.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
7839hwy
May 20, 2024
Istanbul/Ephesus/Sirince - We had an exceptional two days in Istanbul and one day in Ephesus with Furkan and Derya. We had a wonderful tour to the Topkapi Place, Blue Mosque and a private yacht tour on the Bosphorus and a great tour of the Basilica Cistern and full day in Ephesus. Furkan and Derya listened to what we wanted and were flexible at some last-minute changes we requested. We met Derya again in Ephesus and had a terrific day at the ruins, small village of Sirince and finished with a great lunch and some wonderful shopping. We spent just a brief amount of time at the Grand Bazar, but my husband thought it overwhelming. I highly recommend Private Istanbul Walking Tours, with Furkan and Derya for a private tour! It set our minds at ease being in the big, beautiful city of Istanbul. They really helped us have a wonderful experience in Turkey! Shawn - CA
Review provided by Tripadvisor
M79cjjaneth
Mar 30, 2024
The BEST way to see Istanbul - The most efficient way to see the sites of Istanbul. Our guide Derya is a wealth of cultural and historical knowledge and we learned far more than we could through books and videos. We appreciate the flexibility and custom tour!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Explorer41953134709
Feb 10, 2024
Family friendly tour guide. - Furkan did an amazing job leading my family and me through the old city. He was incredibly flexible, patient, and friendly with us. Furkan even got along perfectly with my kids and became their favorite guide. He showed us some of the most iconic landmarks in Istanbul, including Topkapi Palace, Basilica Cistern, and Grand Bazaar. We enjoyed a delicious lunch at a local kebab restaurant, thanks to Furkan’s guidance. He also helped my wife with her shopping in the bazaar. We ended the tour at the Spice Market, and Furkan gave us many tips about the city that we could explore on our own. It was an unforgettable experience.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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up to 12 guests
1 Adult
October 2024
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