Istanbul Full-Day Private Guided City Tour of Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, Basilica Cistern, Grand Bazaar
by Voyager of Istanbul
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.$150Overview
This private full-day guided bus tour in Istanbul lasts between five and seven hours and covers the city’s main historic sites within the Old City (Sultanahmet). The tour includes visits to Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, the Basilica Cistern, and the Grand Bazaar. A licensed guide leads the tour, providing commentary and assistance throughout. The tour begins with Hagia Sophia, built between 532 and 537 AD as a cathedral, notable for its large dome and Byzantine architecture. After about 45 minutes, the group moves to the Blue Mosque, famous for its six minarets and extensive blue İznik tile interior, spending roughly 30 minutes there. Next is a visit to the Hippodrome area, where visitors see historical monuments like the Obelisk of Theodosius and the Serpent Column, with a stop of about 30 minutes. Following this, the tour proceeds to the Basilica Cistern, an underground water reservoir from the 6th century featuring 336 marble columns, including two with Medusa heads. Visitors spend about 30 minutes here. The largest portion of the day is at Topkapi Palace, the former Ottoman imperial residence with multiple courtyards, the Imperial Harem, and the Treasury containing notable jewels; the visit lasts around two hours. The last stop is the Grand Bazaar, one of the world’s oldest covered markets, with over 4,000 shops spread across 61 streets, where the group spends 45 minutes. This tour includes a visit to the Turkish Handicrafts and Traditional Arts Gallery, private guide service, and fast-track ticket options. Pickup is available from central Istanbul hotels, Airbnb locations, or Istanbul Cruise Port Galataport. Entrance fees, lunch, and gratuities are not included.
Highlights
What's included
What's not included
Itinerary
Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque
Hagia Sophia was built between 532 and 537 AD as a Byzantine cathedral and was the world’s largest cathedral for nearly 1,000 years. It features a massive dome considered an engineering marvel and exemplifies Byzantine architecture. Converted into a mosque in 1453, it is now a UNESCO World Heritage site. Visitors spend about 45 minutes exploring its mosaics and design.
45 min
Blue Mosque
The Blue Mosque, constructed from 1609 to 1616 by Sultan Ahmed I, is known for its six minarets and interior decorated with blue İznik tiles. It has a large central dome, an expansive courtyard, and remains an active place of worship. Visitors spend around 30 minutes here.
30 min
Hippodrome
The Hippodrome, now Sultanahmet Square, was a chariot racing and public event arena built in the 3rd century and expanded in the 4th century. It could hold tens of thousands of spectators and was decorated with statues and obelisks, some still standing today, including the Obelisk of Theodosius and the Serpent Column. Visitors spend about 30 minutes at this historic site.
30 min
Basilica Cistern
The Basilica Cistern is a large underground water reservoir built in the 6th century under Emperor Justinian I to supply water to the Great Palace of Constantinople and nearby buildings. It measures about 140 meters long and 70 meters wide, holding up to 80,000 cubic meters of water. The cistern contains 336 marble columns arranged in 12 rows, each 9 meters high, with two columns featuring Medusa head bases placed sideways and upside down. Visitors typically spend around 30 minutes exploring this atmospheric site.
30 min
TopkapI Palace
Topkapi Palace served as the main residence and administrative center for Ottoman sultans for nearly 400 years. The complex includes interconnected courtyards, the Imperial Harem, and the Treasury, which houses famous jewels such as the Spoonmaker's Diamond and Topkapi Dagger. Visitors spend about two hours exploring the palace and its collections.
120 min
Grand Bazaar
The Grand Bazaar is one of the world’s largest and oldest covered markets, established in the 15th century. It covers 30,700 square meters with over 4,000 shops across 61 streets, selling items like jewelry, carpets, spices, and antiques. Visitors spend around 45 minutes exploring its corridors and shops.
45 min
Languages
Cancellation policy
- Cancel at least 24 hours before start for a full refund.
Additional info
Istanbul Full-Day Private Guided City Tour of Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, Basilica Cistern, Grand Bazaar
by Voyager of Istanbul
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.$150Overview
This private full-day guided bus tour in Istanbul lasts between five and seven hours and covers the city’s main historic sites within the Old City (Sultanahmet). The tour includes visits to Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, the Basilica Cistern, and the Grand Bazaar. A licensed guide leads the tour, providing commentary and assistance throughout. The tour begins with Hagia Sophia, built between 532 and 537 AD as a cathedral, notable for its large dome and Byzantine architecture. After about 45 minutes, the group moves to the Blue Mosque, famous for its six minarets and extensive blue İznik tile interior, spending roughly 30 minutes there. Next is a visit to the Hippodrome area, where visitors see historical monuments like the Obelisk of Theodosius and the Serpent Column, with a stop of about 30 minutes. Following this, the tour proceeds to the Basilica Cistern, an underground water reservoir from the 6th century featuring 336 marble columns, including two with Medusa heads. Visitors spend about 30 minutes here. The largest portion of the day is at Topkapi Palace, the former Ottoman imperial residence with multiple courtyards, the Imperial Harem, and the Treasury containing notable jewels; the visit lasts around two hours. The last stop is the Grand Bazaar, one of the world’s oldest covered markets, with over 4,000 shops spread across 61 streets, where the group spends 45 minutes. This tour includes a visit to the Turkish Handicrafts and Traditional Arts Gallery, private guide service, and fast-track ticket options. Pickup is available from central Istanbul hotels, Airbnb locations, or Istanbul Cruise Port Galataport. Entrance fees, lunch, and gratuities are not included.
Highlights
What's included
What's not included
Itinerary
Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque
Hagia Sophia was built between 532 and 537 AD as a Byzantine cathedral and was the world’s largest cathedral for nearly 1,000 years. It features a massive dome considered an engineering marvel and exemplifies Byzantine architecture. Converted into a mosque in 1453, it is now a UNESCO World Heritage site. Visitors spend about 45 minutes exploring its mosaics and design.
45 min
Blue Mosque
The Blue Mosque, constructed from 1609 to 1616 by Sultan Ahmed I, is known for its six minarets and interior decorated with blue İznik tiles. It has a large central dome, an expansive courtyard, and remains an active place of worship. Visitors spend around 30 minutes here.
30 min
Hippodrome
The Hippodrome, now Sultanahmet Square, was a chariot racing and public event arena built in the 3rd century and expanded in the 4th century. It could hold tens of thousands of spectators and was decorated with statues and obelisks, some still standing today, including the Obelisk of Theodosius and the Serpent Column. Visitors spend about 30 minutes at this historic site.
30 min
Basilica Cistern
The Basilica Cistern is a large underground water reservoir built in the 6th century under Emperor Justinian I to supply water to the Great Palace of Constantinople and nearby buildings. It measures about 140 meters long and 70 meters wide, holding up to 80,000 cubic meters of water. The cistern contains 336 marble columns arranged in 12 rows, each 9 meters high, with two columns featuring Medusa head bases placed sideways and upside down. Visitors typically spend around 30 minutes exploring this atmospheric site.
30 min
TopkapI Palace
Topkapi Palace served as the main residence and administrative center for Ottoman sultans for nearly 400 years. The complex includes interconnected courtyards, the Imperial Harem, and the Treasury, which houses famous jewels such as the Spoonmaker's Diamond and Topkapi Dagger. Visitors spend about two hours exploring the palace and its collections.
120 min
Grand Bazaar
The Grand Bazaar is one of the world’s largest and oldest covered markets, established in the 15th century. It covers 30,700 square meters with over 4,000 shops across 61 streets, selling items like jewelry, carpets, spices, and antiques. Visitors spend around 45 minutes exploring its corridors and shops.
45 min
Languages
Cancellation policy
- Cancel at least 24 hours before start for a full refund.