Top Istanbul How to Get Around in 2026

Avoid wasting time at the wrong stalls and enjoy a stress-free private shopping tour of Istanbul's Grand Bazaar. This experience is tailored to your interests, with exclusive deals through local connections. Get inside tips on the best stores for souvenirs, jewelry, carpets, ceramics, and more, so you can shop respectfully and like a local on this private tour.

Skip the stress of navigating Istanbul on your own with this private city tour. Explore landmarks like Hagia Sophia, Galata Tower, Blue Mosque, and Topkapi Palace at your own pace with a professional English-speaking driver in a Wi-Fi-equipped vehicle. Enjoy a seamless, flexible, and personalized experience, customizing your visit as you choose (admission fees not included).

Rewind history and delve into the famous battles at Troy and Gallipoli during this 2-day small-group guided tour from Istanbul. Journey to Gallipoli and step on the famous battlegrounds where Turkish troops and the Australia and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) fought to a fatal standoff during World War I. That evening, enjoy staying at a luxurious overnight hotel in Çanakkale. On day 2, you will travel to historic Troy to see where the Trojan War and storied wooden Trojan horse was used to infiltrate Troy’s defenses. With plenty of attention from your guide, round-trip transfer from Istanbul and three meals included this experience can’t be beat. Since this small-group tour is limited to 14 people, enjoy personal attention from your guide.

Hagia Sophia has served as a church, a mosque, and a museum, and its many changes are hard to follow without context. Your private guide explains how each era shaped the building, from its Byzantine origins through Ottoman rule to its return to use as a mosque in 2020.

See Istanbul from a whole new perspective on a dinner cruise on the Bosphorus. Marvel at sights like Dolmabahce Palace and Ortakoy Mosque as you relax on board. Then enjoy a dinner of Turkish food followed by a dance show, including belly dancing, whirling dervishes, and folklore, for an authentic taste of Turkey's traditions.

Admire beautiful architecture and capture stunning views of illustrious palaces during a full-day tour in Istanbul including a Bosphorus cruise. Aboard a cozy coach explore the highlights of Istanbul including the Walls of Constantinople, views of the Golden Horn and witness the lively Spice Bazaar on foot. You will then experience a must-do in Istanbul, a Bosphorus Strait sightseeing cruise. The cruise concludes with a visit to the beautiful Dolmabahce Palace where Istanbul’s late sultans once resided. Plus, you will gaze over this east-meets-west city for eye-popping views at Yeditepe or Çamlıca Hill.

Travel back in time nearly two millennia and discover the House of Virgin Mary and Ephesus during this guided day trip from Istanbul. With round-trip flights to Izmir included, you'll fly to the best preserved ancient city in the eastern Mediterranean for an epic trip. Stroll along roads once roamed by toga-clothed Romans; enjoy visits to the Library of Celsus, the stunning Great Theatre; gaze at temples and walk along shop-lined streets. You'll then explore the ruins of the Temple of Artemis, have lunch, and highlight your day with a tour of the stone home where it’s believed the Virgin Mary spent her final days. Numbers limited to 14 on this small-group tour.

Beneath the sun-soaked streets and stunning architecture lies a darker side to istanbul. Descend deep below istanbul's centrum into a parallel city, a city that is more than 1500 years old. Stretching across an enormous area of former quarry and made up of an intricate series of tunnels, this macabre site is one of the most fascinating places you’ll visit during your stay in istanbul. Explore the unknown side of this gigantic city. Lurking below the city’s ancient boulevards, public gardens, and museums, this mysterious sight has become one of istanbul’s unmissable tourist attractions. Watch as these spine-chilling remains are brought back to life before your eyes, as your expert guide recants the tales of a Constantinople gone-by and a glorious past time wishes we remember again.

Traverse Turkey’s remarkable Aegean Coast without the hassle of planning your own itinerary with this 5-day, 4-night group tour from Istanbul, which includes transportation, accommodation, and breakfast and dinner. See historic cities, ancient ruins, steaming hot springs, and the battlefields of Gallipoli, all with an expert English-speaking guide to enrich your experience with commentary.

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.

Discover the secrets of the Basilica Cistern with the help of a personal guide during this private tour. Enjoy a safe, comfortable, and personalized tour that allows you to skip the long lines. Explore the largest ancient water cistern, marvel at the two Medusa heads, and gain deep insights into this magnificent, cathedral-sized structure. Tailored to your interests, this tour offers an intimate experience.

See Istanbul from three different vantage points on this tour, including a sightseeing cruise, panoramic tour and cable car ride. Take a scenic cruise on the Bosphorus and admire top Istanbul attractions such as the Bosphorus Bridge and Rumeli Fortress from the water. Then, take a coach drive around the Golden Horn districts to see the former Jewish quarter, old city walls, iron-built St Stephens and other lesser-known treasures. Lastly, catch the cable car up Pierre Loti Hill to witness the stellar city views from its hilltop cafe.

See the major attractions of Istanbul as they were meant to be seen: from the water.  Comfortable transportation takes you from the Sultanahmet district to the docks, where you’ll enjoy a slow paced 1.5-hour boat tour along the Bosphorus. Listen to commentary as you photograph sights, such as Dolmabahce Palace and Rumeli Fortress, without your shots getting crowded by tourists or street traffic.

This tour is unique because it seamlessly blends nature, adventure, wildlife, and cultural experiences into a single journey. Unlike standard sightseeing tours, it offers a dynamic mix of relaxation and thrill, allowing travelers to explore breathtaking landscapes, engage in adrenaline-pumping activities, and immerse themselves in local traditions. The inclusion of diverse elements—such as wildlife encounters, scenic viewpoints, and hands-on cultural experiences—ensures a well-rounded, unforgettable adventure. With a professional guide enhancing the experience through storytelling, historical insights, and seamless logistics, this tour stands out as a comprehensive, immersive, and hassle-free way to discover the region.

Hagia Sophia is perhaps Istanbul’s best-known landmark, and the ticket purchase lines can get long. Skip past them and enjoy a deeper insight into one of the world’s great buildings when you book this guided tour. Your guide arranges your tickets and you pay in cash on the day, leaving you free to learn how this iconic structure became a church, a mosque, a museum, and then a mosque again.

See the best of Turkey's wondrous natural landmarks and UNESCO World Heritage sites in one trip—and leave all the sightseeing logistics to someone else—on this comprehensive, 8-day tour. You can look forward to visiting the mosques and palaces of Istanbul, the fairy chimneys of Cappadocia, the ancient wonders of Ephesus and Pamukkale, and much more. With internal flights, accommodation, meals, and more included, you'll enjoy a seamless way to see the region's best. Note that the Cleopatra Pool in Pamukkale is currently closed for maintenance, with no reopening date announced.

Glide by Istanbul's bridges, bazaars, palaces, mosques and bustling squares as you dine on Turkish cuisine on this Bosphorus dinner cruise, with pickup and drop-off so there's no need for a designated driver. Admire classic monuments and modernist lights as you enjoy a full program of live entertainment, including belly dancers and folk performances.To get you in the party spirit, your dinner includes alcoholic drinks.

Escape the crowds of Istanbul to discover the peace and tranquility of Princes' Islands. Take in views of Istanbul from the water as you travel to the islands. Learn about the history of the area, and enjoy exploring at your own leisure with time to swim, hike and stop off for a fresh seafood lunch (own expense).

Istanbul is known for its nightlife, from laid-back bars to dance clubs—but without a local leading the way, it can be hard to know where to go. Follow a hand-picked selection of popular nightlife destinations on this evening pub crawl. Mingle with fellow travelers and benefit from free VIP entry, plus a complimentary welcome shot to get the party started.

Delve into Ottoman luxury on this 3-hour guided Dolmabahçe Palace tour in Istanbul, plus head over the Bosphorus Bridge to see the Asian side of the city. Prepare yourself for pure extravagance as you visit the home of former sultans and nobility. See its elegant rooms such as the Crystal Staircase and Medhal Hall. Then, climb to Yeditepe or Çamlıca Hill and snap postcard-worthy photos from one of the best view points of the city.

Experience a magical evening on a Bosphorus dinner cruise featuring Turkish cuisine, Whirling Dervishes, folk dances, and live DJ entertainment. Admire major landmarks like Dolmabahce Palace and Maiden’s Tower while enjoying a 3-course meal with soft drinks or limited alcoholic beverages. With hotel pickup and drop-off included, and multilingual in-person guides, this is a seamless and unforgettable way to explore Istanbul by night.

Discover the History of Istanbul with a Local& Licensed Guide! Join us on a private 5-7 hours journey through Istanbul’s historic Old City. Explore the ancient Hippodrome and the magnificent Blue Mosque (free admission), with optional visits to Hagia Sophia, Basilica Cistern, and Topkapi Palace (entrance tickets are extra). Complete your experience with a walk through the world-famous Grand Bazaar. Led by a licensed local guide, this personalized experience brings the stories of Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman Istanbul to life. Choose Your Preferred Transportation Walking Tour: If your hotel is within walking distance of the Old City, your private guide can meet you directly in your hotel lobby. No transportation is needed. Hotel Pickup & Drop-Off: Staying farther away? Choose our private transfer option. We will pick you up from your hotel and return you to the same location after the tour.

Explore Istanbul’s best bits, without spending hours doing trip research, thanks to this hassle-free private tour. The itinerary helps you check off some of the city’s most famous landmarks—such as Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque—with a private guide to assist you with purchasing tickets and avoiding long lines. As it’s a private tour, you can ask questions freely throughout and get plenty of insider recommendations along the way.

Bursa was the first major capital of the Ottoman Empire, and its cultural and historical attractions make it well worth a visit—but reaching the city from Istanbul can be complicated when you don’t speak the language or know your way around. Ideal for time-pressed travelers, this full-day tour whisks you there and back by air-conditioned vehicle, with lunch, a guide, and a cable-car ride to Uludag Mountain included.