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Istanbul Private Old City Tour from Cruise Ship & Hotels

2 Reviews 5.00 out of 5 stars Based on 2 traveler reviews collected by Cool Shore Excursions and TripAdvisor | Recommended by 100% of reviewers | Istanbul, Turkey
Don't miss out!
On average, this is booked 28 (0) days in advance.

8 hours (approx.)
Hotel pickup offered
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English
and 3 more
French, Italian, Spanish
Instant confirmation

Overview

If you don't like to be too organized and dependent on fixed itineraries then read on! You can book a private tour of Istanbul using one of our professional licensed guides. The itinerary will be fully flexible. Our Guides know every corner of the city and our professional guide will give you detailed information about places that you want to visit. This is true flexibility, this is freedom! You choose what to see and how long to stay there.

An experienced private local tour guide, who is licensed by the Turkish Ministry of Tourism and Culture will be at your service from 8:30 am until 5:30 pm in Istanbul to show you around.

This will be an 8-hour-long private tour with your personal tour guide in Istanbul. It is the best solution if you would like to explore Istanbul in your way.

What's Included

  • Hotel & Cruise pickup and drop-off
  • Professional guide
  • Food & Drinks
  • Entrance fees for the Museums
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Meeting and Pickup

Pickup point
Pickup details

We will pick up from all the Hotels in the city center (Taksim, Sultanahmet, Fatih, Sirkeci, Besiktas, Ortakoy) and Cruise ship (Galataport)

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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Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque

Hagia Sophia Museum, a one-time mosque converted from a 6th-century Christian basilica built by Emperor Justinian I. Marvel at the incredible building and admire the interior’s glimmering, handcrafted mosaics and rich decoration.
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1 hour Admission Ticket Free

Blue Mosque

Blue Mosque (Sultanahmet Mosque). Take in the immense, flat dome and famous minarets, and explore inside with your guide. Absorb the ocean of over 20,000 Iznik tiles that lend the mosque its name, and behold the magnificent, rich carpets and windows.
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1 hour Admission Ticket Free

Hippodrome (pass by)

The Constantinople Hippodrome ( nowadays Sultanahmet Square) is a place where different cultures converge, showcasing the rich history of several great eras. It has always been a favorite center for entertainment, sports, and cultural events in the old city of Istanbul. The elite of society used to hold meetings and communicate with each other in this place. Local attractions include the Obelisk of Theodosius, a pink granite column from Egypt, one of the city's oldest monuments., Serpentine Column, and a unique fountain gifted to the city by the German Kaiser Wilhelm II.
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Basilica Cistern

The cistern was built by Byzantine Emperor Justinian I was connected to the Hadrian Aqueducts, supplying water to the areas between the first and second hills of the city. After the Ottoman conquest of Istanbul, it served as a water distribution center. Although it was no longer in use after the Ottomans established their own water facilities in the city, it became a physical symbol representing the neighborhood it was located in. The cistern was named after the palace, the grand vizier's stables, the street, and the neighborhood it represented. The Basilica Cistern is a rectangular structure made of bricks, resting on rocky ground. It has a water storage capacity of approximately 100,000 tons. The cistern is supported by 336 columns that carry its brick-vaulted ceiling. The building features reused materials, such as decorated columns, Corinthian column capitals, and Medusa head sculptures that have been turned upside down.
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1 hour Admission Ticket Free

Misir Carsisi (Spice Market)

The Spice Bazaar, also known as the Egyptian Bazaar, was built in the 1660s as part of the New Mosque complex and is one of Istanbul's oldest covered markets. The bazaar was named after the exotic spices, medicinal herbs, and other products that were brought from Egypt and sold here.The Spice Bazaar has an L-shaped design and consists of 88 vaulted rooms. The part of the bazaar situated at the Haseki Gate has two floors. During Ottoman times, the upper floors were used as a court, where the merchants resolved their disputes with customers and amongst themselves.In the past, the Spice Bazaar was known for preparing and selling herbal medicines according to old prescriptions. Today, the bazaar offers traditional flavors such as spices, herbal teas, dried fruits, pastes, and Turkish delight, as well as jewelry, textiles, baskets, and various souvenirs.
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1 hour Admission Ticket Free

Grand Bazaar Jewelers

The Grand Bazaar, also known as Kapalıçarşı in Turkish, is a historic covered market located in Istanbul. It is considered to be one of the largest and oldest markets in the world, featuring 61 covered streets and over 4,000 shops. Interestingly, the Grand Bazaar is known to be one of the earliest shopping centers in the world. The construction of the core of the Grand Bazaar took started in 1961, shortly after the Ottoman Empire conquered Constantinople. Sultan Mehmed II ordered the construction of a trading center for textiles and jewels near his palace in Constantinople. In addition to the valuable belongings of the former rich people, such as jewelry, precious metals, furs, and bespoke weapons, most of the state treasury was also kept in safes here.
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1 hour Admission Ticket Free

TopkapI Palace

Topkapi Palace was home to the Ottoman court from the 15th to the 19th centuries. Now a museum, this grandiose palace is a testament to the lavish lifestyles of the sultans. Stroll through the ornate chambers, courts, and gardens, and behold some of the imperial treasures, ranging from precious Chinese porcelain to jewels and relics of the Prophet Mohammed. Your tour then concludes with a hotel drop-off.
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2 hours Admission Ticket Free

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Additional Info

  • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
  • Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap

Frequently Asked Questions (8)

Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Istanbul Private Old City Tour from Cruise Ship & Hotels?

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-154943P6

Traveler Photos

Reviews

5.00
2 reviews

Average 5.00 out of 5 stars based on 2 traveler reviews collected by Cool Shore Excursions and partner sites such as Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor

5 stars
2
4 stars
0
3 stars
0
2 stars
0
1 star
0
Don't miss out!
On average, this is booked 28 (0) days in advance.

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What's Included

Activity name

  • Hotel & Cruise pickup and drop-off
  • Professional guide
  • Food & Drinks
  • Entrance fees for the Museums

Additional Info

Activity name

  • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
  • Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap

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Activity name