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Best of Istanbul 1-Day Private Guided Istanbul Tour

4 Reviews 5.00 out of 5 stars Based on 4 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 $35 per person

Lowest Price Guarantee
Grand Bazaar
Marvelous Blue Mosque
Best of Istanbul 1-Day Private Guided Istanbul Tour Image 3
Ancient Hagia Sophia
Grand Bazaar 2
Don't miss out!
On average, this is booked 29 (0) days in advance.
4 to 8 hours (approx.)
Hotel pickup offered
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English
Instant confirmation

Overview

Get ready to be thrilled by Istanbul’s breathtaking artifact, history and mesmerizing bazaars as you walk through the highlights of Sultanahmet - the Old City of Istanbul. Starting with ancient Hagia Sophia, we will head our way to Blue Mosque, a masterpiece and a very well-known building of Mimar Sinan. By learning the story we will continue with Hippodrome which was the center of Byzantine public life and the scene of splendid games and chariot races but also factional conflicts. Topkapi Palace is the subject of more colourful stories than most of the world’s museums put together, which will be our next destination. We willend ourmemorable journey with Grand Bazaar, where you’ll find everything to cherish yourself from carpets to Turkish delights.

What's Included

  • Private tour
  • Professional guide
  • Museum/Attraction Tickets
  • Transportation from/back to hotel and between sites (unless option selected)
  • Lunch
See 1 moreSee 4 more

Meeting and Pickup

Pickup point
Pickup details

We pick up all the traveler's central located hotels Sultanahmet,Sirkeci,Karaköy etc..

OR
Meeting point

Binbirdirek
At Meydanı Caddesi, 34122 Fatih/İstanbul, Türkiye

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Detailed check-in instructions, including the exact address, are provided with your booking confirmation.

End point

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

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

Hippodrome

You will meet with your professional tour guide at the Hotel or Meeting point. The first stop will be Byzantine Hippodrome where once chariots ran and thousands of Byzantines cheered them. Furthermore, You will have a chance to see Egyptian Obelisk which is dating back to the 16th century BC. Serpentine Columns dated back 5th century BC. And Stone Obelisk was erected in the 10th century AD.
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45 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Blue Mosque

(skip the line service is not available for active mosques – there is a queue for the entrance)After Byzantine Hippodrome you will pay a visit to the blue mosque right next to the Hippodrome. The Blue Mosque was built in the 17th century and is famous for its six minarets and beautiful Iznik tiles as interior decoration. It’s still in use and is the most important mosque in Turkey.
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1 hour Admission Ticket Free

Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque

(skip the line service is not available for active mosques – there is a queue for the entrance); (Ayasofya, Santa Sofia) Built in 6th century by Emperor Justinian. It plays a very important role in Christian and Islamic World. After the Ottoman conquest the bells, altar, and sacrificial vessels were removed, and many mosaics were covered to convert church into a mosque.
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1 hour Admission Ticket Free

TopkapI Palace

More than just an Imperial Residence of Ottoman Sultans. It was seat of the Supreme Executive Council for almost 400 years long. Topkapi Palace is a great monument of Oriental architecture which resembles power of Ottoman Empire.
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2 hours Admission Ticket Free

Grand Bazaar

The colorful and chaotic Grand Bazaar is the heart of Istanbul’s Old City and has been so for centuries. Starting as a small vaulted bedesten (warehouse) built by order of Mehmet the Conqueror in 1461, it grew to cover a vast area as lanes between the bedesten, neighboring shops, and hans (caravanserais) were roofed and the market assumed the sprawling, labyrinthine form that it retains today.
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1 hour 30 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Show 4 more stops

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
  • Please note that Hagia Sophia Museum is closed on Friday from 12:30 PM till 14:30 PM
  • Please note that Topkapi Palace is closed on Tuesdays
  • Blue Mosque is closed until 3 PM on Fridays

Frequently Asked Questions (7)

Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Best of Istanbul 1-Day Private Guided Istanbul Tour?

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?

We're here to help.
Activity code: C-86377P4

Traveler Photos

Reviews

5.00
4 reviews

Average 5.00 out of 5 stars based on 4 traveler reviews collected by Cool Shore Excursions and partner sites such as Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor

5 stars
4
4 stars
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Don't miss out!
On average, this is booked 29 (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 Best of Istanbul 1-Day Private Guided Istanbul Tour?
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:
  • Private tour.
  • Professional guide.
The following is NOT included:
  • Museum/Attraction Tickets.
  • Transportation from/back to hotel and between sites (unless option selected).
  • Lunch.
  • Gratitude (suggested).
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. This tour requires at least one adult to accompany children..

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 Best of Istanbul 1-Day Private Guided Istanbul Tour 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 Best of Istanbul 1-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 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

  • Private tour
  • Professional guide
  • Museum/Attraction Tickets
  • Transportation from/back to hotel and between sites (unless option selected)
  • Lunch
  • Gratitude (suggested)

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
  • Please note that Hagia Sophia Museum is closed on Friday from 12:30 PM till 14:30 PM
  • Please note that Topkapi Palace is closed on Tuesdays
  • Blue Mosque is closed until 3 PM on Fridays
  • Grand Bazaar is closed on Sundays
  • Annual closing dates of all museums and bazaars in Istanbul as follows: January 1 - New Year, October 29 - Republic Day, April 23 - National Sovereignty and Children's Day, May 19 - Youth and Sports Day

Report Product Issue

Activity name