Top Istanbul Half-day Tours

Istanbul’s Blue Mosque and Topkapi Palace are two of the city’s unmissable cultural and historic sites. Focusing on these two places will allow you to concentrate on their beauty and unique histories at leisure, without rushing on to other sites. Save time by skipping the ticket line in Topkapı Palace with priority access, definitely a bonus whether it’s your first time in Istanbul or you’re a repeat visitor.

If you’re done exploring the major attractions of Istanbul’s European side, head to the Asian side for a half-day tour of its sights. Cross the Bosphorus Suspension Bridge, which connects the continents, and visit Camlica Hill and Beylerbeyi Palace, a 19th-century former royal summer residence with extravagant interior décor.

Roll through Sultanahmet, the heart of historic Istanbul, atop a Segway on this fun morning tour that gets you through the sights at a pace walking can’t match. After spending a minute or two mastering your machine, don your headset and helmet to see the signatures: the Blue Mosque, the Hagia Sophia, the Hippodrome, and more. You’ll travel in a small group for a safer and more intimate experience.

Skip the hassle of navigating crowded Istanbul with this private day tour in an air-conditioned vehicle. Explore iconic landmarks including Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, and the historic Hippodrome, and finish with a guided visit to the Grand Bazaar to browse carpets, handicrafts, and local foods. With hotel pickup included, enjoy a seamless, stress-free day discovering Istanbul’s history, culture, and vibrant markets.

Set sail along the Bosphorus, the meeting point of Europe and Asia, on this evening cruise. Experience Istanbul at its most atmospheric as you cruise past the illuminated city skyline and admire landmarks including Dolmabahce Palace, the Bosphorus Bridge, and the Maiden's Tower. While on-board, tuck into a 3-course dinner and enjoy a variety of entertainment including whirling dervishes, belly dancing, and DJs.

Discover the landmarks and legends that have shaped modern Istanbul on this small-group walking tour. Stroll through Sultanahmet Square and the Ancient Roman Hippodrome, and mighty Hagia Sophia. Amble by the Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, the underground Basilica Cistern, as well as the Grand Bazaar and Spice Market. Learn where to get the best local snacks and coffee as well as art, food and architecture.

Foodies can make the most of a tasting tour around Istanbul with this private culinary excursion, with a guide to show you the best of the city's cafés, street vendors, and taverns. After you're paired with a like-minded host, you can agree on a tour itinerary that fits your needs, and meet at a convenient time for your adventure. Encounter the city's backstreets, admire mosques and temples, and taste several specialty Turkish dishes as you explore.

This service has a passion for uncovering Istanbul’s lesser known historical treasures on foot. Visitors will first be taken to the imposing Galata Tower which overlooks Bosphorus and the Old City, then off the tourist trail to multi-cultural Fener, Balat, and Ayvansaray. The tour will finish with a relaxing ferry journey along the Golden Horn.

The Bosphorus Strait divides Europe and Asia. Watch the dreamy minarets and palaces of Istanbul glide by as you cruise this majestic waterway by night. A delicious Turkish buffet keeps you sated, with free-flow drinks as well (choose between soft or alcoholic packages). Traditional dances provide a cultural spin, while a live DJ gets the party spirit flowing, and round-trip hotel transfers keep life simple.

Set sail on a leisurely afternoon cruise along Istanbul’s iconic Bosphorus Strait and into the Black Sea, offering spectacular views of historic landmarks and stunning landscapes. Enjoy a delightful lunch featuring traditional Turkish meze, grilled chicken, and fresh fish. Cruise past significant sights such as Galata Tower and the Bosphorus Bridge before venturing into the Black Sea. Stop at the charming village of Anadolu Kavağı, where you can explore the medieval ruins of Yaros Castle, offering breathtaking views, or simply soak in the scenery before returning to Istanbul.

Make your Istanbul adventure totally unique with a 1- 2- or 3 day private sightseeing tour. Opt for a single day and see the whole of the Old City, plus the Grand Bazaar. Extend the tour to include a second day and visit the Spice Bazaar, Dolmabahce Palace, Taksim, and Istiklal Street, plus a Bosphorus cruise. Please note that your guide is happy to alter the itinerary completely to accommodate your personal interests.

Dine in style as you cruise past illuminated city landmarks like the Blue Mosque, Dolmabahçe Palace and the Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge on this evening cruise along the Bosphorus. Enjoy typical Turkish cuisine as you watch the sunset over the Istanbul skyline, then settle back to enjoy some traditional entertainment, including belly dancing and folk music.

Get the perfect introduction to Istanbul’s history, art and culture with a 4-hour tour through the heart of the Old City. Take in slender minarets, tiled mosaics and frescoes at Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque, then see the historic landmarks of Hippodrome Square, where ancient charioteers and athletes competed for Byzantine emperors. Learn to navigate the sprawling aisles of the Grand Bazaar, with inside tips on shopping for Turkish carpets and handicrafts.

Explore Istanbul by bus and boat on this group tour. Board your Bosphorus cruise and sail past Dolmabahce Palace and other historic waterside sites. Learn about the city's history from your guide. Stop at the Spice Bazaar to shop for dried fruit, caviar, honey, and more. Enjoy free hotel pickup from centrally located city center hotels.

Istanbul is teeming with must-see historical attractions, but its packed city squares and maze-like streets can be tough for even return visitors to navigate. On this small-group tour, spend a day admiring the lavish interiors of the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia, soaking up treasures in Topkapi Palace, and haggling for souvenirs at the Grand Bazaar, without stressing over logistics, since a private group guide, lunch, and transportation are included.

Make the most of an evening in Istanbul with a scenic dinner cruise along the Bosphorus Strait. See Istanbul’s palaces, mosques and bridges from the water. Choose from a package that includes soft drinks or alcoholic drinks. Stay entertained on board with shows featuring belly dancers, folk dancers, and more.

Cruising the Bosphorus affords magnificent views of Istanbul’s European and Asian sides, passing landmarks such as Dolmabahçe Palace, Hagia Sophia, and Galata Tower. On this evening cruise, set sail at sunset for the most impressive views and feast on a 3-course dinner with a choice of appetizers and two alcoholic drinks. While on board, enjoy live entertainment, including traditional Turkish dance and music.

Explore Sultanahmet by night during this small-group evening walking tour in Istanbul’s heritage district. Enjoy an attraction-packed three-hour itinerary, with stops at the Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Hippodrome, and the landmark nicknamed “Little Hagia Sophia.” Enrich your visit with detailed context from your guide. A complimentary tea or coffee in the garden of the Blue Mosque is provided.

See more of Istanbul's Old City in less time with this convenient Segway tour where you whisk through the streets on an easy-to-ride personal transporter. After a quick review of how to handle your Segway, you glide through Istanbul at night, and follow your guide through Sultanahmet to see the area's top sights. Highlights include stops at Constantine’s column, the Blue Mosque, and the Hippodrome.

Explore the major sights in Sultanahmet, Istanbul’s old city, on this afternoon tour. Learn about Istanbul’s Byzantine and Ottoman history from your guide. Visit the Hagia Sophia, a church that became a mosque and is now a museum. Admire the intricate tile work in the Blue Mosque. Stroll the route of the Hippodrome.

Venture to imperial monuments rich with history and discover the Hagia Sophia, Basilica Cistern and the Grand Bazaar during this half-day guided tour in Istanbul. Gaze at the Hagia Sophia’s massive columns and dome during a visit to one of the world’s largest basilicas and most popular museums in Turkey. This tour will take you underground to Basilica Cistern which was once the backbone of the Great Palace of Constantinople. Enjoy a trip to the Grand Bazaar where you can barter for souvenirs and feel the pulse of one of the oldest and largest covered markets on the planet.

Visit four of Istanbul’s most important sights in one day with this private or small-group tour. Admire the Blue Mosque, visit Hagia Sophia, and see the ancient Basilica Cistern, as you learn about Istanbul’s history, cultural heritage, and religious traditions from your guide. Finally, take a walk through the spice bazaar, before ending the tour with a traditional Turkish coffee. Admission tickets are not included.

Stroll the atmospheric streets of Istanbul on a private walking tour that features four of the city’s most significant landmarks. See the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia and Topkapı Palace while a knowledgeable guide provides informative commentary about each architectural treasure of the Ottoman Empire. Then browse for goods in the covered Grand Bazaar, which dates back to the 15th century.

Devour Istanbul’s juiciest, sweetest, and most satisfying dishes on a food tour. This culinary adventure is perfect for hungry travelers who want to avoid tourist-trap restaurants. See how lahmacun (Turkish pizza) is prepared, then sample the thin-crust dish yourself. Later, feast on a traditional kebab at a streetside restaurant and enjoy kunefe for dessert. Cap off the epicurean experience with a cup of classic tea or Turkish coffee.