Private Tour of Istanbul Old City, Hagia Sophia & Topkapi [270904P295]
Choose one of our excellent tour options tailored to your needs and interests:
2-hour: Old City
Visit the Grand Bazaar and see the highlights of Istanbul's Old City, including the Sultanahmet Square, Hagia Sophia (outside) and Topkapi Palace (outside)
3-hour: Old City & Blue Mosque
Visit the Blue Mosque and Grand Bazaar, and see the highlights of Istanbul's Old City, including the Sultanahmet Square, Hagia Sophia (outside) and Topkapi Palace (outside)
4-hour: Old City, Blue Mosque & Hagia Sophia
Visit the Hagia Sophia Mosque, the Blue Mosque and Grand Bazaar, and see the highlights of Istanbul's Old City, including the Sultanahmet Square and Topkapi Palace (outside)
6-hour: Old City, Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia & Topkapi Palace
Visit the Topkapi Palace Museum, the Hagia Sophia Mosque, the Blue Mosque and Grand Bazaar, and see the highlights of Istanbul's Old City, including the Sultanahmet Square.
2-hour: Old City
Visit the Grand Bazaar and see the highlights of Istanbul's Old City, including the Sultanahmet Square, Hagia Sophia (outside) and Topkapi Palace (outside)
3-hour: Old City & Blue Mosque
Visit the Blue Mosque and Grand Bazaar, and see the highlights of Istanbul's Old City, including the Sultanahmet Square, Hagia Sophia (outside) and Topkapi Palace (outside)
4-hour: Old City, Blue Mosque & Hagia Sophia
Visit the Hagia Sophia Mosque, the Blue Mosque and Grand Bazaar, and see the highlights of Istanbul's Old City, including the Sultanahmet Square and Topkapi Palace (outside)
6-hour: Old City, Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia & Topkapi Palace
Visit the Topkapi Palace Museum, the Hagia Sophia Mosque, the Blue Mosque and Grand Bazaar, and see the highlights of Istanbul's Old City, including the Sultanahmet Square.
ADDITIONAL INFO
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Check your email the day before the tour for important information from Rosotravel, your tour operator. Have a special request? Let us know!
- The itinerary depends on the selected option.
- The Grand Bazaar can be visited Monday to Saturday from 9 am to 6 pm.
- Mosque visitors must follow the proper etiquette, including modest attire (headscarves for women are available on-site). Women are allowed only in the visitors’ area. Entry is restricted during prayers.
- Fast-track tickets let you skip the line at the ticket office but not at the security and entrance.
- Admission to the Topkapi Palace Museum includes the main palace and Hagia Irene. You can purchase tickets to the Imperial Harem on-site. Please note that there are often long lines and mandatory security checks at the entrance.
- For a personalized experience, we keep our private groups small (1-25 guests per guide). Larger groups can book additional guides with us.
- Wear comfortable shoes and dress for the weather - rain or shine!
INCLUDED
- Private Walking Tour of Istanbul's Old City Highlights
- - (number of attractions depends on the option selected)
- Hotel/accommodation pick up within 1,5 km away from the designated meeting point
- Free entry to Grand Bazaar (all options)
- Fast-track tickets to Hagia Sophia Mosque (4- and 6-hour options only)
- Free entry to Blue Mosque and Nuruosmaniye Mosque (3-, 4- and 6-hour options only)
- 5-Star Licensed Guide who is fluent in the language of your choice
- Fast-track tickets to the Topkapi Palace Museum (6-hour option only)
NOT INCLUDED
- Food and drinks (ask the guide for local recommendations!)
- Hotel/accommodation pick up outside the Old City area)
- Free entry to Blue Mosque and Nuruosmaniye Mosque (in the 2-hour option)
- Fast-track tickets to Hagia Sophia Mosque (in the 2- and 3-hour options)
- Fast-track tickets to the Topkapi Palace Museum (in the 2-, 3- and 4-hour options)
- Tickets to Topkapi Palace Harem (optional, payable on the spot)
CANCELLATION POLICY
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
ITINERARY
- Meet your guide in front of Halı Müzesi - the Carpet Museum (opposite Topkapı Cafe, behind Hagia Sophia), Foundations Regional Directorate Carpet Museum Sultanahmet Mosque, Alemdar, 34122 Courtyard/İstanbul, Türkiye. Please do not enter the building, it is only a meeting point and the staff is not informed about the tour.
- Walking tour of Sultanahmet Old City and discover Istanbul's most iconic landmarks. Stroll through its charming streets, where East meets West in a mesmerizing blend of cultures. Our Expert Guide will bring history to life, beginning with the tales of royal intrigue hidden behind the walls of Topkapi Palace, once the opulent residence of Ottoman sultans.. Stand before the majestic Hagia Sophia and learn about the Byzantine-era Basilica Cistern built under the city. Pass by the legendary Stone of Million, a marker of the Roman Empire’s road network, and stroll through Sultanahmet Square, once the site of the Hippodrome, where chariot races thrilled Byzantine crowds
- Highlights include the circa-1400 B.C Obelisk of Theodosius, the Tomb of Sultan Ahmet, the one-of-a-kind Hagia Sophia Mosque and the Ottoman-style Topkapi Palace (exteriors only). You can tailor the experience to your needs and interests with the full attention of your Private Guide, who will help you discover your Istanbul and give you tips on shopping for spices, jewelry and other goods at the world famous Grand Bazaar!
- Admire the iconic domes of the Blue Mosque, the ornate fountains and the towering Obelisk of Theodosius, a relic of ancient Egypt. Continue to Çemberlitaş and admire the Column of Constantine, a symbol of the Fall of Constantinople. End your tour at the Grand Bazaar, where you'll learn about the city's rich history of trade while wandering through a labyrinth of alleys filled with vibrant stalls selling spices, textiles, jewelry, and exquisite Turkish craftsmanship. It's a must-do in Istanbul! with entry to the Blue Mosque, known as one of the most beautiful places of Islamic worship in the world. Step inside its breathtaking interior, adorned with 20,000 mesmerizing Iznik tiles, 6 minarets, exquisite calligraphy. Why is it so blue? Your Private Guide will reveal the secrets of its construction and architetcure, explaining the importance and symbolism of this sacred site.
- Fast-track entry to the iconic Hagia Sophia. Bypass long lines and step inside this awe-inspiring monument, once a grand cathedral, then an imperial mosque, and now a UNESCO-listed masterpiece. Marvel at its soaring dome, shimmering mosaics, and breathtaking fusion of Christian and Islamic artistry. Learn about the site’s transformation over centuries and its significance in both Byzantine and Ottoman history. This extended tour offers a deeper dive into Istanbul’s spiritual and architectural wonders.
- Ultimate experience to gain fast-track access to the legendary Topkapi Palace Museum. Walk through its magnificent courtyards, once the seat of Ottoman power, where sultans ruled over vast territories. Admire the dazzling imperial collections, including precious jewels, royal garments, and sacred relics. Discover the fascinating stories of intrigue, ambition, and opulence that shaped the Ottoman Empire. This full-day journey offers an in-depth perspective on Istanbul’s regal past, making it the perfect choice for history enthusiasts.
