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Istanbul Old City Tour: Topkapi, Hagia Sophia & Basilica Cistern

1 Review 5.00 out of 5 stars Based on 1 traveler reviews collected by Cool Shore Excursions and TripAdvisor |
Recommended by 100% of reviewers
100% of reviewers gave this experience a rating of 4 or higher.
| Istanbul, Turkey
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from $441.99 per person

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Istanbul Old City Tour: Topkapi, Hagia Sophia & Basilica Cistern Image 1
Hagia Sophia
Hagia Sophia (interior)
Obelisk
Topkapı Palace
Don't miss out!
On average, this is booked 27 (0) days in advance.
7 to 8 hours (approx.)
Hotel pickup offered
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English
and 4 more
French, German, Italian, Spanish
Instant confirmation

Overview

Discover Istanbul’s Byzantine and Ottoman heritage on a full-day private tour of the historic Old City, with entrance tickets, lunch and private hotel transfers included.

Visit Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, the ancient Hippodrome, Basilica Cistern and the Grand Bazaar with your own licensed local guide. Learn how Constantinople became the capital of empires while exploring palaces, mosques, underground structures and historic market streets.

Private pickup and drop-off are available from hotels and confirmed addresses throughout Istanbul. Your private vehicle will provide the transfers to and from the Old City, while the historical district is explored mainly on foot because most attractions are located close together and several streets are closed to regular traffic.
Standard admission to Topkapi Palace, the Hagia Sophia visitor area and Basilica Cistern is included. Topkapi Palace Harem admission is not included.

What's Included

  • Lunch
  • Private transportation
  • All Fees and Taxes
  • Alcoholic beverages Alcoholic Beverages
  • All Personal Expenses
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Meeting and Pickup

Pickup point
Pickup details

Private transportation is included for pickup from your Istanbul accommodation and return after the tour.

What To Expect

Book Online

Our secure website provides real-time availability, instant confirmation, and free, no-hassle cancellations up to 24 hours before your tour begins.
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Safe & secure Easy breezy Hassle‑free

Istanbul (pass by)

Your private driver will collect you from your hotel or previously confirmed address anywhere in Istanbul.Pickup time may vary according to your location and Istanbul traffic. Guests staying farther from the Old City may require an earlier pickup.Transfer privately to Istanbul’s historic Sultanahmet district, where you will meet your licensed guide and begin the walking portion of the tour.
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Hippodrome

Begin in the ancient Hippodrome, once the ceremonial and sporting center of Byzantine Constantinople.See surviving monuments including the Egyptian Obelisk, the Serpent Column, the Walled Obelisk and the German Fountain while your guide explains the chariot races, imperial ceremonies and public events once held here.
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30 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Blue Mosque

Visit the seventeenth-century Sultan Ahmed Mosque, commonly known as the Blue Mosque.Admire its cascading domes, six minarets and İznik tile decoration while learning about Ottoman religious architecture and the mosque’s continuing importance as an active place of worship.Visitor access may be adjusted around daily prayer times and religious services.
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45 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque

Discover one of Istanbul’s most celebrated monuments.Learn how Hagia Sophia served as a Byzantine imperial church, an Ottoman mosque, a museum and once again an active mosque. Your guide will explain its architecture, mosaics, calligraphic panels and role in the history of Constantinople and Istanbul.The visit will be arranged according to the entrance regulations and prayer schedule in effect on the tour date.Admission to the designated visitor area is included.
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1 hour Admission Ticket Included

Basilica Cistern

Descend beneath the streets of Istanbul to explore the Basilica Cistern.Walk through the atmospheric underground reservoir, supported by hundreds of ancient columns, and see its illuminated walkways and famous Medusa-head column bases.Your guide will explain how the cistern supplied water to the Byzantine imperial district and how the structure was rediscovered and restored.
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45 minutes Admission Ticket Included

Sultanahmet District

Enjoy lunch at a selected local restaurant in or near Istanbul’s Old City.The menu normally includes a selection of Turkish dishes and may vary according to the restaurant and season.Vegetarian meals can be arranged with advance notice. Drinks are not included unless specifically stated.
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45 minutes Admission Ticket Free

TopkapI Palace

Explore the former residence and administrative center of the Ottoman sultans.Walk through the palace courtyards and visit collections connected with Ottoman imperial history, court ceremonies, weapons, manuscripts and sacred relics. Enjoy views over the Bosphorus, Golden Horn and Sea of Marmara from the palace grounds.Your private guide will explain how the palace functioned as both a royal residence and the center of government for the Ottoman Empire.Standard admission to Topkapi Palace is included.The Harem section requires a separate ticket and is not included in the standard tour price.
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2 hours Admission Ticket Included

Grand Bazaar

Finish the sightseeing program at the Grand Bazaar, one of Istanbul’s most historic commercial districts.Walk through its covered streets and discover shops and workshops selling carpets, ceramics, jewelry, textiles, leather goods, spices and traditional products.Your guide can help you understand the bazaar’s history and layout. Shopping is entirely optional, and there is no obligation to purchase anything.When the Grand Bazaar is closed, the visit will be replaced with the Spice Bazaar, Arasta Bazaar or another suitable historic market.
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45 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Istanbul (pass by)

After completing the tour, meet your private driver at the arranged pickup point near the Old City.Return privately to your hotel or previously confirmed address in Istanbul.The final arrival time will depend on your location and Istanbul traffic.
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Additional Info

  • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap

Frequently Asked Questions (7)

Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Istanbul Old City Tour: Topkapi, Hagia Sophia & Basilica Cistern?

A: You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund. 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). Read more Apr 2025

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.

Still have questions?

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Activity code: C-345335P3

Traveler Photos

Reviews

5.00
1 reviews

Average 5.00 out of 5 stars based on 1 traveler reviews collected by Cool Shore Excursions and partner sites such as Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor

5 stars
1
4 stars
0
3 stars
0
2 stars
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1 star
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Don't miss out!
On average, this is booked 27 (0) days in advance.
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Frequently Asked Questions (7)

Activity name

The answers provided below were previously given in response to questions from Cool Shore Excursions customers.

Filter by:

Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Istanbul Old City Tour: Topkapi, Hagia Sophia & Basilica Cistern?
A:
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.
  • 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).
Apr 2025
Q: What's included in the price?
A:
The following is included:
  • Lunch.
  • Private transportation.
  • All Fees and Taxes.
  • Licensed Professional Tour Guide.
The following is NOT included:
  • Alcoholic beverages. Alcoholic Beverages.
  • All Personal Expenses.
Apr 2025
Q: What is the minimum age for this tour?
A:

There is no minimum age for this tour, so bring your wee one along for an adventure..

Apr 2025
Q: My date is not available in the calendar, I am just checking to see if it is available?
A:

If 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 2025
Q: Is this an accessible tour?
A:

Accessibility information for the Istanbul Old City Tour: Topkapi, Hagia Sophia & Basilica Cistern is as follows:

  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Apr 2025
Q: Where is the meeting point for this activity?
A:

Detailed check-in instructions – including meeting point address, Google map, and parking information – for Istanbul Old City Tour: Topkapi, Hagia Sophia & Basilica Cistern 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 2024
Q: How long does a refund take to reach my card, and can I get it faster?
A:

Once 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 2026

What's Included

Activity name

  • Lunch
  • Private transportation
  • All Fees and Taxes
  • Licensed Professional Tour Guide
  • Alcoholic beveragesAlcoholic Beverages
  • All Personal Expenses

Additional Info

Activity name

  • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap

Report Product Issue

Activity name