Istanbul Old City Highlights: Private Walking Tour

5.0 (94 reviews) 4–6 hours Free cancellation Private tour

out of 5

94 reviews

5.0

Istanbul Old City Highlights: Private Walking Tour — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

Blue Mosque — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

About this activity

Explore Istanbul’s Old City with a private licensed guide dedicated to your group. Discover the stories behind its iconic landmarks at a pace that suits you, with time for questions, photos, and breaks.

Shape your route with your guide around the places that interest you most. Suggested highlights include the Hippodrome, Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, Basilica Cistern, and Grand Bazaar. Your interests and the available time help determine the final itinerary.

Choose which ticketed attractions, if any, you would like to enter. Admission tickets are not included and are paid separately only for the attractions you choose to enter.

From Byzantine monuments to Ottoman architecture, your guide connects the sights with the people and events that shaped Istanbul, making your walk a personal and engaging introduction to the city.

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

At a glance

Duration: 4–6 hours
Confirmation: Instant confirmation
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Your group only
People per booking: 1–15
Guide: English
Operated by: Istanbul Untold Tours

Ages: Infants (0–2 years) · Children (3–17 years) · Adults (18–99 years)

What is included

Included

Included: Private Licensed Tour Guide Exclusively For Your Group

Not included

Not included: Public transportation (bus, subway, cable car, etc.): (Use of public transportation depends on the location of your accommodation and your preference.)
Not included: Lunch
Not included: Admission tickets (optional). Pay only for the attractions you choose to enter.
Not included: Gratuity (suggested)

Itinerary

Hippodrome

20 min

Explore the Hippodrome, once the center of Byzantine chariot racing and public life. Discover the Obelisk of Theodosius, the Serpent Column, and the Walled Obelisk as your guide explains their history and significance.
Blue Mosque

25 min

Visit the Blue Mosque, one of Istanbul’s most iconic landmarks. Admire its decorative tiles, grand dome, and elegant calligraphy as your guide explains the mosque’s history, architecture, and place in the city’s religious life.
Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque

45 min Admission not included

Discover Hagia Sophia as your guide explains its history and significance across the Byzantine and Ottoman eras. Learn about its remarkable architecture and changing role over the centuries.
TopkapI Palace

2 hours Admission not included

Discover Topkapi Palace, once home to Ottoman sultans and the center of imperial power. Learn about palace life and the history of the Ottoman court with your private guide.
Basilica Cistern

30 min Admission not included

Discover the Basilica Cistern, an underground reservoir showcasing Byzantine engineering. Admire its rows of columns and softly lit atmosphere as your guide explains its history and role in supplying water to the city.
Grand Bazaar

45 min

Immerse Yourself in Tradition.

Explore one of the world’s oldest and largest covered markets, with over 4,000 shops spread across 61 streets. Discover an incredible variety of goods, from exquisite jewelry and handcrafted ceramics to luxurious textiles and aromatic spices, enjoy tastings of Turkish delights, teas, and other local delicacies as you wander through the bazaar.

Meeting point and pickup

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

Meeting point

German Fountain

End point

Pickup points

Harbour Suites Old City
Atlantis Royal Hotel
Vardar Palace Hotel
Midtown Hotel
Endless Art Taksim
Juno Hotel Taksim
Yakut
Sanasaryan Han, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Istanbul
Gulseda Otel Apart
Taksim Square Hotel
Megaron Hotel
Grand Liza Hotel

and 2,998 more pickup points

Your guide will meet you at your hotel, Galataport cruise port, or one of the designated meeting points. Depending on your location, you will travel together to the Old City on foot, by metro, or by taxi. Transportation costs are not included.

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
Public transportation options are available nearby
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
On Sundays, when the Grand Bazaar is closed, the Spice Bazaar can be visited instead.
Topkapi Palace is closed on Tuesdays.
For tours starting after noon, some sites may not be visited due to closing times.
The duration of the tour may vary depending on crowds, your walking pace, and the attractions you choose to visit.