Top Istanbul Day Trips
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Susan_M, May 2026
An enjoyable way to see Istanbul and learn at the same time! A+
This is a great way to see Istanbul-
Relaxing, informative and enjoyable. Murat was an excellent history teacher and we really enjoyed the background on what we were seeing. My only advice, if you’re wearing short pants or shorts, watch out for the steps up inside - both my friend and I got burns on our legs from the sandpaper-like surface. But I would highly recommend!
RIKA_P, May 2026
Had an incredible Troy...
Had an incredible Troy tour with Hasan! His storytelling really stood out, blending history, mythology, and archaeology in a way that made the site come alive. The long journey was absolutely worth it, and the ferry ride added a fun touch along the way.
Everything was seamless from start to finish, from the early hotel pickup to all the transfers and the drop-off at the end of the day. It is a full-day experience, I was picked up at 6am and returned around 9:30pm, with a well-paced itinerary that included lunch in Eceabat and a few hours exploring Troy itself.
Highly recommend booking this tour instead of going on your own, Hasan’s expert guidance truly elevates the whole experience.
Janet_M, May 2026
The best experience with the best guide!
We had the best guide ever, for our 2 day tour of Istanbul. Kenan was the ultimate guide for our private tour. Professional, accommodating, and very knowledgeable. I would love to do another tour with him.
Be prepared for a lot of walking. We did over 20000 steps the first day. A hat, or umbrella, comfortable footwear, sunscreen, and water are a must. We were there in late April, and it was quite warm.
Dina_Z, May 2026
Great day trip
It was an amazing day! The ruins at Ephesus are truly spectacular! Our guide Osman was great! He was full of interesting information and very enthusiastic and knowledgeable and brought the ruins to life. It would not have been anywhere as good doing it on our own. The other sights are interesting to see but the ruins at Ephesus are truly awesome. Our driver Ömür was great - very friendly and helpful. It’s a long day but worth it. Would definitely recommend this trip!
Margarita_G, Apr 2026
Best Day with Nehed!
My friend and I had the most wonderful day within Nehed! Thank you so much to our brilliant guide who expertly guided us through all of the beautiful and important landmarks of Istanbul. She took the time to tell us all of the history in great detail and made us feel very welcome in this beautiful city. She took us to a beautiful place for lunch where we had fabulous food, an amazing view fed the seagulls and even saw dolphins and other marine life. It was very sad to part with her as we felt like she became our new friend during the day. If you have limited time in Istanbul, this tour with the lovely Nehed is an absolute must as you get to see everything the city has to offer and more!
Hauwa_H, Apr 2026
Lovely 2 hr outing with the family
A awesome little outing with the family. Guides were very informative. Great knowledge of the area. Great views of the bosphorus and surrounding areas. Prompt start and came back in perfect time. Great sunset views. Bring something warm to cover up with. It’s cold on the water. A shell or a cardigan is recommended.
Jennifer_O, Mar 2026
Great tour!
I had a lovely tour with Zel who was informative and tailored the tour as it was just me. She collected me at my hotel and gave me information on tram stops and tips about the area I was staying in. She is passionate and knowledgeable about all aspects of Istanbul and Turkey and I liked her immediately. She gave me plenty of photo opportunities and became my photographer for certain photos! We toured the Blue Mosque, the Topaki Palace, the Hippodrome, the
Grand Bazaar, & had lunch. I would 100% recommend Zel on this tour as your guide. Thank you Zel.
Marlene_M, Mar 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Amazing Experience — Highly Recommend!
We had an absolutely fantastic time on our tour and cannot recommend it highly enough! From start to finish, everything was excellently organized and paced perfectly.
Our guide Hamza was the highlight of the experience — warm, knowledgeable, and genuinely passionate about sharing the sights and stories with us.
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Hamza went above and beyond to make sure everyone in our group felt welcome, engaged and informed. His insights added so much depth to the tour and made the whole experience feel personal and special. He was attentive to every question, offered great recommendations, and genuinely cared that we had a memorable day.
The itinerary was well-planned, the pace was comfortable, and we saw so many incredible places we wouldn’t have discovered on our own. Every moment was enjoyable and the logistics were seamless
This is hands down one of the best tours we’ve ever taken — thank you Hamza for making it so wonderful! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️p
Ashley_B, Feb 2026
Great tour! tour was very fun and informattive!
Great tour! tour was very fun and informattive! It was a long day so I would recommend packing snacks and water, though you will have breaks twice to get them at a gas station if you forget. I went when it was raining but it stopped on an off so not bad. Would recommend booking in March-October to get the best tour.
Sharon_T, Feb 2026
We loved this private tour with Eylem
Our private walking tour in Istanbul in June, 2025, with Eylem was hands down one of the highlights of our trip! From the moment she met us right outside the cruise port, we knew we were in great hands. She was warm, organized, and immediately made us feel like we were exploring the city with a close friend rather than just a guide.
Eylem thoughtfully planned the perfect route, taking us to the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia Mosque, the Underground Basilica Cistern, the Grand Bazaar, and several other incredible sites — all in an order that helped us avoid the biggest crowds. That alone made such a difference in our experience. Pro tip: make sure to bring a cover-up to enter the mosques — Eylem helped guide us through the etiquette and made everything seamless.
What really stood out was how she brought Istanbul’s rich history to life. As we explored, she wove together stories of the Byzantine, Roman, and Ottoman Empires in a way that was engaging, easy to follow, and fascinating. We didn’t just see the sights — we understood them.
She also expertly navigated the city using a combination of walking and the metro, which let us cover more ground comfortably and efficiently. Along the way, she treated us to food and water from local street vendors (such a thoughtful touch!) and later took us to a wonderful restaurant with a huge selection of absolutely delicious food (at our own expense). It felt like we were getting the true local experience.
Eylem was happy to take photos and videos and knew all the good angles for getting great pics and memories.
By the end of the day, Eylem didn’t feel like just our tour guide — she felt like a sister from another mister. Her kindness, knowledge, and genuine care made our day in Istanbul unforgettable. If you’re visiting and want an experience that’s insightful, smooth, and full of heart, book with Eylem. You won’t regret it!
AliAzamShaik_M, Jan 2026
Great trip with the price paid!
Thank you Nova tours for arranging this amazing trip to Bursa. We traveled with small kid and it was very convenient for us to explore while our kid enjoyed a lot. This could have been great if we would have some more time in snow but it was still worth for the price we paid.. overall superb experience!!
Laura_M, Oct 2025
Feeding Frenzy
Be prepared to eat! You will try a whole lot of different Turkish food and you won’t be disappointed or hungry. There is a fair amount of walking so it balances out the day-long eating extravaganza. Ali was an excellent guide with a great knowledge of food and history. Well worth the time and the price.
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With its unique position straddling two continents, Istanbul is a place where Byzantine churches and Ottoman mosques stand side-by-side with traditional bazaars and modern shopping districts. You can easily spend a day in the city visiting top landmarks such as the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, and Topkapi Palace. If you want to explore further, you can fly to Troy, Ephesus, Gallipoli, or the surreal landscapes of Cappadocia. With lunch and entry to attractions often included, Istanbul day trips free you up to enjoy the journey and destination while all the details are taken care of.
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