Istanbul Old City Highlights and Hidden Gems Tour

5.0 (74 reviews) 6–8 hours Free cancellation Private tour

out of 5

74 reviews

5.0

Istanbul Old City Highlights and Hidden Gems Tour — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

Istanbul Old City Highlights and Hidden Gems Tour, photo 2 — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

About this activity

You will spend a day with a professional licensed tour guide exploring the beautiful city of Istanbul. You will learn about the history of Istanbul, visit Byzantine and Ottoman monuments from both historical and art historical perspectives. Additionally, you will have the opportunity to taste local food and drinks recommended by a local professional. With the guide's privilege, you will be able to skip some queues. You will also have chance to have detailed information about other importart atractions and recomendations (such as, food restaurants, hamams, shopping, other important touristic routes, etc.) from local guide who is also a world traveller who had travelled 34 countries and many cities all around the world. This multicultural knowledge will be your advantage of planning rest your holiday and you will find many answer for your questions about Istanbul City and Turkey. Upon your request if all members agree we can customize your route which will be tailor-made for your group.

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At a glance

Duration: 6–8 hours
Confirmation: Instant confirmation
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Your group only
People per booking: 1–7
Guide: English
Operated by: Eylem Yalcinkaya (Istanbul Guide)

What is included

Included

Included: Professional Licensed Tour Guide (English Speaking)
Included: Culturel Heritage Professional Guide
Included: Archeology Professional Guide

Not included

Not included: As tour will be a whole day programme we will have 60 minutes lunch break and 30 minutes coffee/tea break
Not included: Tea and coffee: Coffee and/or Tea
Not included: Museum Entrance Fees > Topkapı Palace: 2750TL /per person (approx. $61)
Not included: Museum Entrance Fees > Basilica Cistern: 2250TL /per person (approx. $49)
Not included: Museum Entrance Fees > Hagia Sophia: 25€/per person

Itinerary

TopkapI Palace

2 h 30 min Admission not included

Topkapı Palace / Short Route

(Topkapı Palace is closed for Tuesdays if your tour is in Tuesday it will be w/out Topkapı Palace no worries we will still enjoy our day with many others :)
Hippodrome

30 min

Ancient Roman Hippodrome - open air museum and monuments
Blue Mosque

30 min

Historical Ottoman Mosque
Basilica Cistern

one hour Admission not included

Underground Cistern from 6th century Byzantine Era. a Unique experience spot
Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque

one hour Admission not included

The monumental building which is both a museum and a mosque today; had been first built as the biggest operational cathedral in Constantinopolis (today İstanbul) throughout the Byzantine era. As well as today it is for us, it has been very important for both Byzantine and Ottoman Empires, where you can see the layering of architecture and history of art for centuries.
Arasta Bazaar

one hour

Historical Ottoman Bazaar were we will find many traditional stores and products of Turkiye. If requested we will alsı have some time for mini workshops and tastings.
Sultanahmet Square

30 min Admission not included

We will have 30minutes coffee/tea break. It will be personal expense.
Sultanahmet Square

one hour Admission not included

We will have 60minutes lunch break. It will be personal expense.

Meeting point and pickup

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

Meeting point

I will be meeting you in front of Puding Shop / Lale Restaurant , I will be holding a card on which "Eylem Yalcinkaya" "Professional Tour Guide" and "Viator Booked Walking Tours" written. It is only 2minutes walking distance from Sultanahmet Tram Station.

End point

I will be meeting you in front of Puding Shop / Lale Restaurant , I will be holding a card on which "Eylem Yalcinkaya" "Professional Tour Guide" and "Viator Booked Walking Tours" written. It is only 2minutes walking distance from Sultanahmet Tram Station.

Pickup points

Harbour Suites Old City
Atlantis Royal Hotel
Vardar Palace Hotel
Gulseda Otel Apart
Imagine Istanbul - Sultanahmet
Hotel Inter Istanbul
Union Hotel Port
Xenia Hotel Istanbul
AHC Ayasofya Hotel - Special Class
Meddusa Hotel
Gulhane Corner Hotel
Chambers of the Boheme

and 1,838 more pickup points

I can pick you up from Galataport terminal gate exit with a board your name written on.

After you book your tour you can also text me for a hotel pick up. This is only valid for central hotels (Taksim, Sultanahmet, Sirkeci, Pera, Galata, Karaköy Districts)

This pick up is only a meeting with guide. Then we will either walk or use public transportation together.

Cancellation

Free cancellation

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

If you cancel	You get back
At least one day before	100%
Less than a day before	0%

The operator may cancel if the weather does not allow it; you then get another date or your money back.

Good to know

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
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
This is a walking tour. After I meet you at the meeting point, in our route, we won't be using any transportation. All the attraction points stated in the route are in historical center and close to each other. Our walking time in between the points, and waiting for the ticket queues etc. are all inclueded in the durations. So depending on the day and group it will be a minimum 6 hours maximum 8 hours route.