Top Istanbul Car Tours in 2026

Dive into Istanbul’s Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman history on a small-group 7-hour tour, and visit the city’s historical highlights. Traveling mostly by foot, hear revealing facts and historical anecdotes about the city, and visit must-sees such the Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque and Topkapi Palace. Learn about Istanbul’s remarkable past from your informative guide, and stop for lunch and a shopping session at the Grand Bazaar, home to a myriad of tempting stalls. Numbers are limited to 15 people on this small-group tour to ensure personalized attention from a guide.

Recall the days of ancient Rome on this full-day trip to Ephesus from Istanbul by air. With a professional guide, explore the spectacular Greco-Roman Ephesus, Turkey’s archaeological showpiece. Stroll the ancient streets to marvel at the Basilica of St. John and the Temple of Artemis. You also get time to walk through the Ephesus Archaeological Museum to see the excavations of the ancient city and shop for local handicrafts.

Forget spending hours on end in the airport food court and instead visit Istanbul’s top attractions during your layover. Tour organizers create a perfectly curated itinerary to suit your interests and time restrictions.  With private transportation at your disposal from beginning to end, there’s no need to worry about making your connecting flight. Plus, you get the personal attention of a private guide.

Enjoy a full-day Istanbul tour that takes in important sites around the Eyüp District, Pierre Loti Hill, the Golden Horn and more. See the Eyüp Sultan Mosque, the Chora Church (Kariye Museum), the Ecumencial Orthodox Patriarchate (aka Church of St George) and Suleymaniye Mosque as your informative guide shares the history of these Byzantine and Ottoman era monuments. Take in views of the Golden Horn from Pierre Loti Hill, and walk through the historic Fener and Balat districts, before ending the day at the Egyptian Spice Bazaar.

Sail between two continents and into the Black Sea on this full-day cruise along the Bosphorus Strait, with an onboard guide plus a delicious meze lunch on deck. Gaze over the shores of Europe and Asia as you cruise the Bosphorus; stop to visit the pretty Ortaköy neighborhood; and enjoy guided tours of the ornate Küçüksu Palace and Rumeli Fortress. There’s even a chance to swim in the Black Sea.

If you’ve already seen the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia, this Circle Istanbul tour will take you beyond the most-visited sights to discover Istanbul’s lively neighborhoods, vibrant culture, and tasty cuisine. Visit the districts of Karakoy, Kadikoy, and Balat, cross over to the Asian side of the city, and take a scenic cruise along the Bosphorus. Along the way, enjoy delicious Turkish meals and a traditional Turkish bath experience.

See Istanbul’s Old City highlights without the stress of navigating crowded streets, long lines, or tight schedules on your own. This small-group experience keeps numbers low for a more personal feel while streamlining access to the city’s most important landmarks. With hotel pickup and efficient routing included, you can focus on the history and atmosphere rather than logistics or waiting.

Discover the Old City (Best of Istanbul) with a private professional tour guide and private deluxe vehicle. With priority passes there is no standing in queues and you decide how long to stay in each place and when to move on.

Explore historic Istanbul with a private guide and driver on this full-day tour with pickup. Check off must-see sights such as the famous Blue Mosque and the Hagia Sophia, then spend time seeking out the perfect souvenirs in the Grand Bazaar. Enjoy a guided tour of the UNESCO-listed Hippodrome, the epicenter of Byzantine Istanbul, and walk in the footsteps of the Ottoman sultans on a tour of the Topkapi Palace.

Visit three of Turkey’s most important historic and spiritual sites on this full-day tour from Istanbul and travel in style with a private guide, round-trip flights and luxury transfers by Mercedes-Benz. Explore the ancient ruins of UNESCO-listed Ephesus and stand in awe before the Grand Theater and Celsus Library, then pay a visit to the House of Virgin Mary, where the Mother of Jesus spent her final days. Finally, see the sparse ruins of the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

Istanbul has a history of Christianity dating back to 312 AD and ancient Constantinople was once an important religious center. Discover the city’s rich Christian heritage on this private full-day tour, and visit magnificent Byzantine monuments such as the Panagia Blachernae church, the St. Savour-in-Chora monastery, and the sacred church of Zoodohu Pege.

Ephesus is a must for history and archaeology enthusiasts, but trailing after a large group to hit a checklist of sights doesn’t suit every traveler—especially with limited time. Get a chance to customize your experience on this full-day bespoke private tour, whether you’re on an off-shore excursion from Kusadasi, traveling from Selcuk or Bodrum, or even coming all the way from Istanbul (with round-trip flight tickets to Izmir included).

Cappadocia is one of Turkey’s most popular and magical destinations, but it can be hard to see all of its highlights on your own. Instead, leave the itinerary-planning to someone else, and enjoy a fully personalized experience, on this private, full-day tour. Travel from Istanbul, with domestic flights included, or from your local Cappadocia hotel. Upon arrival, look forward to exploring the Fairy Chimneys, Goreme Open-Air Museum, Devrent Valley, and other wonders.

See Istanbul’s minarets, mansions, mosques and palaces from the water as you sail between two continents on this long lunch cruise. Glide up to Anadolu Kavagi, a pretty fishing village near where the Bosphorus meets the Black Sea, then scale the hill to an old fortress to capture dramatic photos. As you sail, savor a 2-course lunch with coffee, tea, water, snacks and fruit: alcoholic drinks are available for an extra charge.

Experience Cappadocia from Every Angle — 2 Days of Landscapes, Heritage & Camel Ride Discover more of Cappadocia on this 2-day journey from Istanbul. Begin with a camel ride through its extraordinary scenery, then explore Göreme Open-Air Museum, fairy chimneys, Avanos and dramatic valleys. Enjoy testi kebab lunch and guided tour with no more than 10 guests. Flights, museum entrance fees and Istanbul hotel or Galataport pickup are included. Add a hot air balloon ride by selecting the balloon-included option when booking. ✔ Experience Cappadocia by camel, across its valleys and fairy chimneys. ✔ Combine iconic landscapes with Cappadocia’s hidden heritage. ✔ Continue to Istanbul, Izmir/Ephesus, Bodrum or Antalya.

Spanning two continents, it's tough to figure out where to start your sightseeing in Istanbul, especially if you're short on time. This half-day tour helps you tick off the city’s famous historical landmarks and cultural sights without worrying about wasting time navigating or getting lost. See Hagia Sophia, the Hippodrome, the Blue Mosque, and the Grand Bazaar. Entrance fees are included, as is hotel pickup and drop-off for your convenience.

Watch Turkey’s Whirling Dervishes perform their famous “sema” ceremony without having to travel to their spiritual home of Konya during this evening show in Istanbul. Attend the cultural event at the Hodjapasha Dance Theater and have the opportunity to see the dervishes twist and turn in their white, flowing gowns, accompanied by traditional live music and Persian chanting. The sema ceremony isn’t just a performance; it’s a spiritual experience.

Fit all of Istanbul's top attractions into one activity-packed day, with the help of a guide for insider tips. Rather than missing out on details as you explore in a vehicle, stroll Istanbul’s historic Sultanahmet neighborhood, brimming with iconic buildings and storied streets. Tour the Blue Mosque, delve into the history of the Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, and Istanbul Hippodrome, as well as the 'sunken palace' of Basilica Cistern.

Ephesus is one of Turkey’s most popular ancient attractions, and a must for archaeology buffs—but with limited time to spare, arranging a visit to these UNESCO-listed Greek ruins can be a challenge. Ideal for cruise ship passengers or anyone looking to maximize limited vacation days, this full-day private tour includes round-trip ground transfers from Kusadasi, Bodrum, or Istanbul (with domestic flights included), leaving you free to admire the scenery.

The white travertine terraces of Pamukkale and Salda crater lake are two of western Turkey’s most photographed natural wonders—but with limited public transportation options, getting there requires a lot of coordination. This private tour includes hotel pickup and round-trip domestic flights if coming from Istanbul. Enjoy time at both attractions, explore the ancient Roman ruins of Hierapolis, and experience traditional Turkish food and handicrafts along the way.

Experience the ANZAC Dawn Service in Gallipoli, which occurs every April 25, on a tour from Istanbul. Leave Istanbul the evening before and head towards Gallipoli for your overnight stay at the ANZAC Commemorative Site. At dawn, watch the Australian and New Zealand services to commemorate those who were lost during World War I and then head back to Istanbul after lunch.

Visit the landmarks and historic sites of Gallipoli on a full-day tour from Istanbul. Travel in a comfortable bus to the places where many Allied and Turkish troops fought in World War I, including Brighton Beach, ANZAC (Australian and New Zealand Army Corp) Cove, The Nek and Johnston's Jolly. You’ll also see Ariburnu Cemetery, the ANZAC Commemoration site, Lone Pine Australian Memorial and Chunk Bair New Zealand Memorial. Learn about the history and impact of the WWI battles in Gallipoli as your guide shows you around this important location.

Take a day trip to explore the historical sites of Pamukkale, Hierapolis Ancient City and Laodicea Ancient City on this comprehensive tour. Admire the gorgeous white travertines of Pamukkale Natural Park and discover the archaeological remains from the Roman and Byzantine eras. Airport transfers and round trip domestic flights from Istanbul are included for convenience, allowing you to relax and enjoy the experience.

See Istanbul’s most notable landmarks and secret backstreets on this small-group walking tour. Learn about the city’s Byzantine and Ottoman history from an English-speaking guide. Pass by Hagia Sophia, the Hippodrome, the Blue Mosque, the Grand Bazaar, and the Spice Bazaar. On this tour, learn about the attractions, but not venture inside. Discover where locals eat and drink.