Istanbul Private Guided Walking Tour 1, 2, or 3 Days with City and Hidden Gems
by Istanbul Custom Tours Private Day Tours
Choose from 3 available options
How do you want to book?
✓Confirmation before Wed, 9 Sept - card's only charged if it's a yes. If it's a no, still time to book on Viator.
Book on Viator Confirmed right away, but you pay full price.$250Overview
Istanbul has been the center of three empires: Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman. This private guided walking tour, available for one, two, or three days, covers key landmarks and less-visited spots in the city. Visitors will see Hagia Sophia, a 6th-century Byzantine church known for its mosaics and history, and Topkapi Palace, the former Ottoman imperial residence with extensive treasury collections. The itinerary also includes the Blue Mosque, built in the 17th century and noted for its blue Iznik tiles and stained glass. The tour uses walking and sometimes public transportation such as ferry, subway, or tram to move between sites. Other stops include the Hippodrome with its ancient monuments, the Grand Bazaar - the world's largest covered market with over 4,000 shops - and Dolmabahce Palace, which combines Baroque, Rococo, Neoclassical, and Ottoman styles. There is also an option to take a 90-minute Bosphorus cruise to see palaces, old Ottoman houses, mosques, and various neighborhoods along the strait. Additional places on the itinerary include Kadikoy district, known for its local atmosphere; Rustem Pasha Mosque, noted for Ottoman tile art; the Spice Market (Misir Carsisi) famous for Turkish delights and spices; Basilica Cistern, a large Byzantine underground water reservoir with Medusa heads; Suleymaniye Mosque, built in 1557 by architect Sinan; Chora Museum, famous for mosaics and frescoes; Balat, a district with authentic Istanbul houses; the iron-constructed Bulgarian Orthodox Church; and the Fener Rum Patriarchate, the Orthodox Patriarchate. The tour includes a professional guide and private service but does not cover entrance fees, meals, gratuities, or public transportation fares. The itinerary can be customized according to interests. Topkapi Palace is closed on Tuesdays, and the Grand Bazaar is closed on Sundays and some holidays, in which case alternative locations will be visited. For the Bosphorus cruise, tram use is recommended to avoid traffic delays. A private van option is available but may incur extra charges for locations on the Asian side or far from the city center.
Highlights
What's included
What's not included
Itinerary
TopkapI Palace
Topkapi Palace was the imperial residence of the Ottoman Empire for nearly 400 years. Now a museum, it houses the treasury of the Ottoman royal family. Visitors will learn about the history of the sultans, including their victories and significant events during the empire's rule.
120 min
Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque
Hagia Sophia dates back to the 6th century and is a key example of Byzantine architecture. It features historic mosaics and holds an important place as one of Istanbul's main attractions.
60 min
Blue Mosque
The Blue Mosque, also called Sultanahmet Mosque, was built in the 17th century. Inside, visitors see blue Iznik tiles and stained glass that decorate the interior.
45 min
Hippodrome
The Hippodrome was the center of sport and political life in Constantinople. It contains monuments such as the Egyptian Obelisk, the Serpentine Column from Delphi, and the fountain of Wilhelm II.
15 min
Grand Bazaar
The Grand Bazaar is the oldest and largest covered market in the world, with over 4,000 shops. The guide provides historical context and tips for navigating this large marketplace.
30 min
Dolmabahce Palace
Built between 1843 and 1858 by Sultan Abdulmecit, Dolmabahce Palace combines Baroque, Rococo, and Neoclassical architectural elements with traditional Ottoman style.
90 min
Bosphorus Strait
A 90-minute cruise on the Bosphorus Strait passes by palaces, old Ottoman houses called Yalis, historic mosques, and various neighborhoods each with distinct cultures.
90 min
KadIkoy CarsIsI
Kadikoy is a lively district known for its local atmosphere and culture.
90 min
Rustem Pasha Mosque
Rustem Pasha Mosque is recognized for its interior decorated with Ottoman tile art.
20 min
Misir Carsisi
The Spice Market is famous for Turkish delights and a variety of spices.
30 min
Basilica Cistern
This 6th-century underground cistern is the largest Byzantine water reservoir in Istanbul and is notable for Medusa head sculptures in one corner.
20 min
Suleymaniye Mosque
Built in 1557 by Ottoman architect Sinan, Suleymaniye Mosque is considered the most beautiful imperial mosque in Istanbul.
30 min
Chora Museum
Originally a Byzantine monastery, Chora is famous for its mosaics and frescoes and stands as an important religious site from the Byzantine era.
60 min
Balat
Balat is a neighborhood known for its authentic traditional houses and local character.
30 min
Bulgarian Orthodox Church
This church is unique because it is entirely constructed from iron.
15 min
Fener Rum Patrikhanesi
This is the Petriarchate of the Orthodox.
15 min
Meeting point
In front of the Adamar Hotel.
End point
The tour ends in the Grand Bazaar.
Languages
Cancellation policy
- Cancel at least 24 hours before start for a full refund.
Additional info
Istanbul Private Guided Walking Tour 1, 2, or 3 Days with City and Hidden Gems
by Istanbul Custom Tours Private Day Tours
Choose from 3 available options
How do you want to book?
✓Confirmation before Wed, 9 Sept - card's only charged if it's a yes. If it's a no, still time to book on Viator.
Book on Viator Confirmed right away, but you pay full price.$250Overview
Istanbul has been the center of three empires: Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman. This private guided walking tour, available for one, two, or three days, covers key landmarks and less-visited spots in the city. Visitors will see Hagia Sophia, a 6th-century Byzantine church known for its mosaics and history, and Topkapi Palace, the former Ottoman imperial residence with extensive treasury collections. The itinerary also includes the Blue Mosque, built in the 17th century and noted for its blue Iznik tiles and stained glass. The tour uses walking and sometimes public transportation such as ferry, subway, or tram to move between sites. Other stops include the Hippodrome with its ancient monuments, the Grand Bazaar - the world's largest covered market with over 4,000 shops - and Dolmabahce Palace, which combines Baroque, Rococo, Neoclassical, and Ottoman styles. There is also an option to take a 90-minute Bosphorus cruise to see palaces, old Ottoman houses, mosques, and various neighborhoods along the strait. Additional places on the itinerary include Kadikoy district, known for its local atmosphere; Rustem Pasha Mosque, noted for Ottoman tile art; the Spice Market (Misir Carsisi) famous for Turkish delights and spices; Basilica Cistern, a large Byzantine underground water reservoir with Medusa heads; Suleymaniye Mosque, built in 1557 by architect Sinan; Chora Museum, famous for mosaics and frescoes; Balat, a district with authentic Istanbul houses; the iron-constructed Bulgarian Orthodox Church; and the Fener Rum Patriarchate, the Orthodox Patriarchate. The tour includes a professional guide and private service but does not cover entrance fees, meals, gratuities, or public transportation fares. The itinerary can be customized according to interests. Topkapi Palace is closed on Tuesdays, and the Grand Bazaar is closed on Sundays and some holidays, in which case alternative locations will be visited. For the Bosphorus cruise, tram use is recommended to avoid traffic delays. A private van option is available but may incur extra charges for locations on the Asian side or far from the city center.
Highlights
What's included
What's not included
Itinerary
TopkapI Palace
Topkapi Palace was the imperial residence of the Ottoman Empire for nearly 400 years. Now a museum, it houses the treasury of the Ottoman royal family. Visitors will learn about the history of the sultans, including their victories and significant events during the empire's rule.
120 min
Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque
Hagia Sophia dates back to the 6th century and is a key example of Byzantine architecture. It features historic mosaics and holds an important place as one of Istanbul's main attractions.
60 min
Blue Mosque
The Blue Mosque, also called Sultanahmet Mosque, was built in the 17th century. Inside, visitors see blue Iznik tiles and stained glass that decorate the interior.
45 min
Hippodrome
The Hippodrome was the center of sport and political life in Constantinople. It contains monuments such as the Egyptian Obelisk, the Serpentine Column from Delphi, and the fountain of Wilhelm II.
15 min
Grand Bazaar
The Grand Bazaar is the oldest and largest covered market in the world, with over 4,000 shops. The guide provides historical context and tips for navigating this large marketplace.
30 min
Dolmabahce Palace
Built between 1843 and 1858 by Sultan Abdulmecit, Dolmabahce Palace combines Baroque, Rococo, and Neoclassical architectural elements with traditional Ottoman style.
90 min
Bosphorus Strait
A 90-minute cruise on the Bosphorus Strait passes by palaces, old Ottoman houses called Yalis, historic mosques, and various neighborhoods each with distinct cultures.
90 min
KadIkoy CarsIsI
Kadikoy is a lively district known for its local atmosphere and culture.
90 min
Rustem Pasha Mosque
Rustem Pasha Mosque is recognized for its interior decorated with Ottoman tile art.
20 min
Misir Carsisi
The Spice Market is famous for Turkish delights and a variety of spices.
30 min
Basilica Cistern
This 6th-century underground cistern is the largest Byzantine water reservoir in Istanbul and is notable for Medusa head sculptures in one corner.
20 min
Suleymaniye Mosque
Built in 1557 by Ottoman architect Sinan, Suleymaniye Mosque is considered the most beautiful imperial mosque in Istanbul.
30 min
Chora Museum
Originally a Byzantine monastery, Chora is famous for its mosaics and frescoes and stands as an important religious site from the Byzantine era.
60 min
Balat
Balat is a neighborhood known for its authentic traditional houses and local character.
30 min
Bulgarian Orthodox Church
This church is unique because it is entirely constructed from iron.
15 min
Fener Rum Patrikhanesi
This is the Petriarchate of the Orthodox.
15 min
Meeting point
In front of the Adamar Hotel.
End point
The tour ends in the Grand Bazaar.
Languages
Cancellation policy
- Cancel at least 24 hours before start for a full refund.