Classic Old Town History Walking Tour

6 hours Free cancellation Private tour

Classic Old Town History Walking Tour, photo 2 — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

About this activity

Welcome to Istanbul!

Book a private tour from a professional tour guide who has years of experience in Istanbul. Make sure you don't waste your precious time waiting for others in a crowded group tour. Customize, change, and adapt the tour to your needs. Add or remove sites to your liking, and design your tour with your guide. Experience Istanbul in a customized way.

Our tour is designed to include the most important, must-see historical sites in Istanbul. These are all within walking distance from each other, in a large no-traffic zone. We call this area "Sultanahmet", but it is often referred to as the "Old City" of Istanbul.

Discover the rich history of Istanbul in the very heart of Constantinople. Learn the progress of Istanbul from the ancient Roman Empire to the great Byzantine Empire and from the enchanting stories of the Sultans of the Ottoman Empire to Modern Turkey.

Half-day Tours Private and Luxury Private Sightseeing Tours Cultural Tours Historical Tours Rail Tours Walking Tours Ports of Call Tours

At a glance

Duration: 6 hours
Confirmation: Instant confirmation
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Your group only
People per booking: 1–15
Guide: Chinese, English, Turkish
Operated by: Istanbul Walking Tours

What is included

Included

Included: Public Transportation Fees

Not included

Not included: Lunch
Not included: Topkapi Palace Ticket 1500 TRY
Not included: Basilica Cistern Ticket 600 TRY
Not included: Hagia Sophia Ticket 25 EUR

Itinerary

Blue Mosque

30 min

You will enter the most famous mosque ever built by Turks: The Blue Mosque. Your guide will explain the history of Sultan Ahmet and the Blue Mosque, and show you the stunning blue tiles of the Blue Mosque that give its name.
Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque

one hour

Your guide will give you a detailed history brief of the world-famous Hagia Sophia from the perfect distance and photo spot. If you'd like to, they will help you get a ticket to visit the interior of the must-see Hagia Sophia, Turkey's most visited and most famous historical site, a 1500-year-old time-defying marvel from the Byzantine Empire, once the largest temple of mankind. Since guiding is not allowed inside, your guide will help you get a ticket and audio guide and pick you up at the exit, if you decide to go inside.
Grand Bazaar

one hour

Your guide will bring you the incredible Grand Bazaar: the world's first shopping mall! With close to 2500 stores the Grand Bazaar will mesmerize you with its colors and product variety. Your guide will explain to you its 550 years of history, teach you how to haggle like a local, and give you time & money-saving tips.
Gulhane Park

one hour

You'll pass from the beautiful Royal Gardens of the palace of the Ottoman Sultans: The Topkapi Palace. The royal gardens are called "Gülhane Park" and its free for all, and if you'd like to, you can visit the Topkapi Palace with your guide for an extra fee. There are other museums and restaurants in the Royal Gardens of Gulhane Park.
Column of Constantine

15 min

Your guide will show you one of the most ancient and epic remains from the Roman Empire in Istanbul: The Column of Constantine. This used to be the greatest monument in the Roman Forum of Constantine, with a statue of the very Constantine the Great himself. The statue doesn't exist anymore but the 1600 years old Roman column still stands today in the Old City center.
Hippodrome

30 min

You will pass from the ancient Hippodrome Square where Romans watched chariot races, your guide will explain to you the stories and events that took place in the Hippodrome Square and explain the history behind the Obelisk of Theodosius, Serpent Column, and the German Fountain.
Arasta Bazaar

30 min

Your guide will show you a 400 years old historical bazaar, much less known than places like Grand Bazaar. This historical bazaar is called Arasta Bazaar, dating back to 17th century Ottoman Empire. Although lesser known, it offers just about the same amount of variety of products as the Grand Bazaar with a lot fewer shops and a more laid-back shopping experience, right in the very center of the Old City center, next to the Blue Mosque.
Stop 8

30 min

You will go to the famous Spice Bazaar, the most colorful and photogenic Ottoman Bazaar of them all. With just a little over 100 stores, the famous Spice Bazaar specializes in spices, Turkish delight and other edibles. The Spice Bazaar is also known as the Egyptian Bazaar, which is its official name in Turkish.

Meeting point and pickup

You can be picked up from your accommodation or go straight to the meeting point.

Meeting point

Go to "Sultanahmet" Tram station with T1 tram line. Walk to the famous German Fountain ("Alman Çeşmesi" in Turkish) located inside the square. Your guide will meet you in front of the German Fountain.

End point

Go to "Sultanahmet" Tram station with T1 tram line. Walk to the famous German Fountain ("Alman Çeşmesi" in Turkish) located inside the square. Your guide will meet you in front of the German Fountain.