Best of Istanbul 1, 2 or 3-Day Private Guided Istanbul Tour
Overview
Visit highlights of Istanbul with your private tour guide in 1, 2 or 3 days with a flexible itinerary.
Day 1 - Highlights of Topkapi Palace Museum, Sultanahmet Square, Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Basilica Cistern, Grand Bazaar.
Day 2 - Bosphorus Cruise by Public Ferry, Dolmabahce Palace, Taksim Square, Istiklal Street, Cicek Passage, Galata Tower (from outside), Spice Market.
Day 3 - Suleymaniye Mosque, Fener and Balat Districts, St. Stephen Church (Iron Church), Pierre Lotti Panoramic Hill by Cable Car, Chora Church (or alternative sites).
Important Notes:
- Skip the line service is not available for active mosques - there is a queue for the entrance.
- For the tours that start later than 11 am, kindly note that you may have to skip one/a couple of sites as the sites are closed by 7 pm. Your guide will adjust the program according to your priorities.
What's Included
- Traditional Turkish Arts & Crafts Demonstration (Depending on interest)
- Skip-the-Line Tickets: Your guide will arrange priority tickets, you will pay directly to the guide
- Private Tour with a Licensed Professional Tour Guide
- Flexible Pick-up Point: Guide will meet you at central Istanbul hotels, Airbnb, or Galataport
- Transportation with Private Van (If the option is not selected)
- Museum,Ferry,Cable Car Tickets (Available upon request)
- Lunch and Drinks
- Gratuities (Suggested)
Meeting and Pickup
Included with the options “Tour Privado de 1 Día (ESP)”, “1 Day Private Guided Tour(ENG)”, “3 Day Private Guided Tour(ENG)”, “3 Days Private Tour&Van (ENG)”, “2 Day Private Guided Tour(ENG)”, “Tour Privado de 1 Día + Van”, “2 Days Private Tour&Van (ENG)” and “1 Day Private Tour&Van (ENG)”.
*If van service is not booked your guide will pick you up ONLY at centrally located hotels or Galataport ON FOOT. The meeting point will be the German Fountain if the hotel is not centrally located and not accessible by public transportation.**If private van service is booked, we pick up from all central hotels, please note that there will be a surcharge if your hotel is outside the city center or on the Asian Side.***Tours that are booked without van service could easily be operated by tram, funicular and ferries.****Tours starting from the airports should be booked with van service and additional payment is required as the airports are outside the pick-up zone.
For the option “Half Day Old City Tour (ENG)”.
This activity ends back at the meeting point.
Detailed check-in instructions, including the exact address, are provided with your booking confirmation.
What To Expect
Book Online
Safe & secure Easy breezy Hassle‑free
Blue Mosque
1 hour Admission Ticket Free
Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque
1 hour Admission Ticket Free
Basilica Cistern
45 minutes Admission Ticket Free
TopkapI Palace
2 hours Admission Ticket Free
Grand Bazaar
1 hour Admission Ticket Free
Bosphorus Strait
2 hours Admission Ticket Free
Dolmabahce Palace
1 hour Admission Ticket Free
Taksim Square
1 hour Admission Ticket Free
Istiklal Caddesi
45 minutes Admission Ticket Free
Galata Tower
10 minutes Admission Ticket Free
Misir Carsisi (Spice Market)
45 minutes Admission Ticket Free
Cicek Pasaji
10 minutes Admission Ticket Free
Suleymaniye Mosque
1 hour Admission Ticket Free
Balat
2 hours Admission Ticket Free
Pierre Loti Tepesi
30 minutes Admission Ticket Free
Chora Museum
1 hour 30 minutes Admission Ticket Free
Halic
30 minutes Admission Ticket Free
Bulgarian Orthodox Church
45 minutes Admission Ticket Free
Additional Info
- Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Specialized infant seats are available
- The suggested first-day tour is designed as a walking tour, with transportation needed only between the hotel and the Old Town if the hotel is outside old town.
- The suggested second-day tour can be easily managed by public transportation
- Topkapi Palace is closed on Tuesdays can be replaced with alternatives such as Turkish And Islamic Arts Museum or Archaeological Museum depending on your wishes.
- Grand Bazaar is closed on Sundays and replaced with Spice Market.
- Dolmabahce Palace is closed on Mondays. Due to museum regulations, live guide service is not available at Dolmabahce Palace.
- For the tours that start later than 11 am, kindly note that you may have to skip one/a couple of sites as the sites are closed by 7 pm. Your guide will adjust the program according to your priorities.
- On Fridays, Blue Mosque will be visited in the afternoon due to Friday prayers.
- Grand Bazaar and Spice Market is closed during Eid. (Tue, Mar 9, 2027 – Thu, Mar 11, 2027)
Frequently Asked Questions (7)
Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Best of Istanbul 1, 2 or 3-Day Private Guided Istanbul Tour?
Cancellation Policy
Still have questions?
We're here to help.
Activity code: C-11522P1
Traveler Photos
Reviews
Average 4.96 out of 5 stars based on 9,465 traveler reviews collected by Cool Shore Excursions and partner sites such as Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor
Additional Info
Similar Tours & Activities
Istanbul Tour Guide
The Roman Empire ruled from 330 to 395, the Byzantine Empire from 395 to 1204 and again from 1261 to 1453, the Latin Empire from...
$180
The main Popular attractions in the Old city has been designed in one full day trip. Entrance fees for museums and Rich selection of lunch...
$300
1. ATTENTİON♦️ Hagia Sophia entrance fees are not included in the tour price. At the beginning of the tour, the entrance fees must be paid...
$57
The name Gallipoli has long been associated with sacrifice and heroism, a place where history and legend have combined, with the events of 1915 leaving...
$148
The Roman Empire ruled from 330 to 395, the Byzantine Empire from 395 to 1204 and again from 1261 to 1453, the Latin Empire from...
$180
The main Popular attractions in the Old city has been designed in one full day trip. Entrance fees for museums and Rich selection of lunch...
$300
1. ATTENTİON♦️ Hagia Sophia entrance fees are not included in the tour price. At the beginning of the tour, the entrance fees must be paid...
$57
The name Gallipoli has long been associated with sacrifice and heroism, a place where history and legend have combined, with the events of 1915 leaving...
$148
Travelers Who Bought This Tour Also Bought
Bosphorus Cruise Boat Tour in Istanbul
Discover the beauty of Istanbul on a relaxing Bosphorus Cruise Tour and enjoy spectacular views from the water as you sail between Europe and Asia....
$7
With the magical view of the Bosphorus, the historical silhouette of Istanbul, the sea and the unique beauty of the night, we are at your...
$32
Istanbul E-pass is a fully digital sightseeing pass that covers over 100 top Istanbul Attractions. Choose your E-pass 1,2,3,5 or 7 days and enjoy the...
$143
This is not just a boat ride — it’s the easiest and most scenic way to explore the heart of Istanbul in just two hours....
$23
Discover the beauty of Istanbul on a relaxing Bosphorus Cruise Tour and enjoy spectacular views from the water as you sail between Europe and Asia....
$7
With the magical view of the Bosphorus, the historical silhouette of Istanbul, the sea and the unique beauty of the night, we are at your...
$32
Istanbul E-pass is a fully digital sightseeing pass that covers over 100 top Istanbul Attractions. Choose your E-pass 1,2,3,5 or 7 days and enjoy the...
$143
This is not just a boat ride — it’s the easiest and most scenic way to explore the heart of Istanbul in just two hours....
$23
Frequently Asked Questions (7)
The answers provided below were previously given in response to questions from Cool Shore Excursions customers.
Filter by:
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.
- Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (+03).
- Traditional Turkish Arts & Crafts Demonstration (Depending on interest).
- Skip-the-Line Tickets: Your guide will arrange priority tickets, you will pay directly to the guide.
- Private Tour with a Licensed Professional Tour Guide.
- Flexible Pick-up Point: Guide will meet you at central Istanbul hotels, Airbnb, or Galataport.
- Transportation with Private Van (If the option is not selected).
- Museum,Ferry,Cable Car Tickets (Available upon request).
- Lunch and Drinks.
- Gratuities (Suggested).
There is no minimum age for this tour, so bring your wee one along for an adventure. This tour requires at least one adult to accompany children..
Apr 2025If a date or time is not listed on the calendar, it’s sold out or unavailable for another reason. Support cannot assist further if a date or time is not on the calendar.
If you find a date and time that works for you, book it NOW because things always sell out at this time of year.
Apr 2025Accessibility information for the Best of Istanbul 1, 2 or 3-Day Private Guided Istanbul Tour is as follows:
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Detailed check-in instructions – including meeting point address, Google map, and parking information – for Best of Istanbul 1, 2 or 3-Day Private Guided Istanbul Tour will be included in your confirmation email from Cool Shore Excursions. Please be sure to double and triple check your email address is correct at checkout so this important email makes its way to you!
Mar 2024Once your refund is processed, it usually shows on your card statement within 5–10 business days. The exact timing depends on your bank or card issuer.
Want it sooner? When you cancel, choose Receive a refund to my wallet instead. The credit is in your Wallet straight away and is applied automatically at checkout on your next booking when you’re signed in with the same email. You can see your balance any time in My Wallet.
If you paid part of your booking with Wallet credit, that part always goes back to your Wallet. Trip protection isn’t refundable.
Oct 2026What's Included
- Traditional Turkish Arts & Crafts Demonstration (Depending on interest)
- Skip-the-Line Tickets: Your guide will arrange priority tickets, you will pay directly to the guide
- Private Tour with a Licensed Professional Tour Guide
- Flexible Pick-up Point: Guide will meet you at central Istanbul hotels, Airbnb, or Galataport
- Transportation with Private Van (If the option is not selected)
- Museum,Ferry,Cable Car Tickets (Available upon request)
- Lunch and Drinks
- Gratuities (Suggested)
Additional Info
- Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Specialized infant seats are available
- The suggested first-day tour is designed as a walking tour, with transportation needed only between the hotel and the Old Town if the hotel is outside old town.
- The suggested second-day tour can be easily managed by public transportation
- Topkapi Palace is closed on Tuesdays can be replaced with alternatives such as Turkish And Islamic Arts Museum or Archaeological Museum depending on your wishes.
- Grand Bazaar is closed on Sundays and replaced with Spice Market.
- Dolmabahce Palace is closed on Mondays. Due to museum regulations, live guide service is not available at Dolmabahce Palace.
- For the tours that start later than 11 am, kindly note that you may have to skip one/a couple of sites as the sites are closed by 7 pm. Your guide will adjust the program according to your priorities.
- On Fridays, Blue Mosque will be visited in the afternoon due to Friday prayers.
- Grand Bazaar and Spice Market is closed during Eid. (Tue, Mar 9, 2027 – Thu, Mar 11, 2027)
