Top Istanbul How to Get Around

Escape Istanbul’s bustle on a luxury sunset cruise along the Bosphorus Strait. Sail between Europe and Asia as golden light reveals panoramic, water-level views of the city. Enjoy prime photo opportunities of Dolmabahçe Palace, Ortaköy Mosque, Rumeli Fortress, and other iconic landmarks. This small-group experience includes live commentary in English and Spanish, with optional hotel pickup from select areas.

Exploring Istanbul’s Old Town on your own can mean navigation stress and missing the deeper stories behind its landmarks. This full-day private tour solves that with a personal guide and hotel pickup for a seamless experience. Visit the Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, Grand Bazaar, and Basilica Cistern at your own pace, with expert insight and the flexibility to tailor the day to your interests.

An Istanbul Historical Wonders Full-Day Private Guided City Tour offers an exclusive and personalized way to explore Istanbul’s most historic and culturally rich UNESCO World Heritage sites, especially the Old City (Sultanahmet). This experience is ideal for first-time visitors, short-stay travelers, and cruise passengers, delivering an efficient yet immersive exploration of Istanbul’s UNESCO-listed Old City with the comfort of a private licensed expert guide. •Visit the iconic Sultanahmet Mosque (Blue Mosque), renowned for its stunning interior with royal Iznik tiles • Discover Hagia Sophia, a world-famous UNESCO World Heritage Site, built in 537 A.D. • Explore Topkapi Palace, a UNESCO-listed imperial residence of the Ottoman Empire • See the atmospheric Basilica Cistern, within the UNESCO zone, featured in Inferno and From Russia with Love • End at the Grand Bazaar, with 4,000+ shops offering carpets, leather, jewelry, and bags • Enjoy an unforgettable experience in Istanbul.

Explore two of Istanbul’s most iconic attractions during this small-group walking tour of the Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque. Take a walk through the vibrant Sultanahmet neighborhood and admire the beautiful Islamic architecture of the Blue Mosque. Then, enjoy a guided tour of the Hagia Sophia, where you learn about life under Ottoman and Byzantine rule.

Stroll the atmospheric neighborhoods and historic streets of old Istanbul on a full-day, private walking tour with an experienced guide. Enjoy the flexibility to customize the day to your interests, with plenty of time to visit the sites that interest you most. Trace a path through centuries of Turkish history as you explore the hippodrome, Blue Mosque and Topkapi Palace. Take in the soaring dome and minarets of Hagia Sophia, then get an insider’s guide to the Grand Bazaar’s vibrant displays of handicrafts, souvenirs and carpets.

Step into the golden ages of the Ottoman, Byzantine and Roman empires with a full-day, private walking tour through Istanbul’s Old City. See the monuments and historic sites of Hippodrome Square, where Roman charioteers raced in ancient times, then explore St. Sophia's stunning architecture and museum. See the iconic tiles, mosaics and slender minarets of the Blue Mosque and browse traditional handicrafts inside the Grand Bazaar. Learn about the lives of sultans and courtiers at Topkapi Palace, which contains a remarkable collection of Turkey's greatest holy relics, imperial treasures and artwork.

There's no better way to take in Istanbul's beauty than from the water. Discover many of its highlights with none of the step count as you sit back and relax on board this Bosphorus cruise. Learn history and context of what you're seeing as you go with an audio guide, and stay refreshed with unlimited Turkish tea.

Explore what lies beneath Istanbul’s city streets on a guided group tour of the Basilica Cistern. Thanks to your guide's illuminating commentary, this immersive visit is perfect for curious travelers who want to go beyond the guidebook. You also have the opportunity to ask questions for a more personalized experience. With skip-the-line admission and tour times available throughout the day, it’s easy to fit this excursion into your vacation schedule.

Explore Istanbul’s historic Sultanahmet neighborhood on a guided group walking tour. Visit iconic landmarks such as Hagia Sophia (additional expense), the Blue Mosque, and the Grand Bazaar, with entry tickets included where applicable. Learn about the city’s rich history and culture as you stroll between some of Istanbul’s most famous sites. This tour is ideal for travelers who want a comprehensive introduction to Istanbul’s old city in a short amount of time.

Secure your spot on this popular evening Bosphorus cruise—one of the best ways to see the city of Istanbul—as it often sells out. Step aboard for nighttime views of Istanbul’s illuminated landmarks, including the Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge and the Blue Mosque. Enjoy a traditional Turkish dinner with drinks and live entertainment, with hotel pickup included for a seamless experience.

Visit four of Istanbul’s most visited attractions in one morning on this express tour. Skip the long lines and head straight inside Hagia Sophia for a guided tour of the museum; visit the magnificent Blue Mosque; and hear about Istanbul’s ancient history at the Hippodrome. End your tour at the Grand Bazaar, where you can enjoy a demonstration of traditional Turkish handicrafts and browse the stalls for souvenirs.

Experience the best of Istanbul during this Galata and Genoese Afternoon Walking Tour that’s perfect for those who don’t have a full day to spare sightseeing. Taking you past famous landmarks like the Galata Tower and Banks Street, as well as authentic churches and synagogues, get a glimpse of what life is like for an Istanbul local. Learn from your guide about each destination, leaving you with a better understanding of the history of the past Byzantine Empire.

Discover the rich history of Istanbul on this full-day, guided private tour, perfect for first-time visitors. Explore the city's major landmarks like the 400-year-old Blue Mosque and the 1,500-year-old Hagia Sophia, a former Roman church now functioning as both a mosque and a museum. Continue to Topkapi Palace, once home to Ottoman sultans, Basilica Cistern, and the historic Hippodrome, once the site of chariot races. Finish your tour at the bustling Grand Bazaar, a 500-year-old market offering everything from exotic spices to traditional Turkish goods.

Get an authentic taste of Istanbul on this food tour, featuring delicious Turkish street eats, a rooftop dinner at a 140-year-old family restaurant, and spectacular city views. Feast on food it’s easy to overlook if exploring alone, and make new friends on this small-group tour, which includes drop-off at Sultanahmet, Sirkeci, Eminönü, Galata, Taksim, and cruise ports. Vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options are available.

Check off four of Istanbul's top sights in just one day on this convenient tour that takes you to the Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Basilica Cistern, and Hippodrome. Prebooked entry ensures your spot inside each architectural wonder and makes getting inside effortless. At each location, listen as your guide offers insight into history, architecture, and religious significance—information you'd miss if exploring independently.

Eat and drink your way around Istanbul’s historic district of Kadikoy during this half-day, small-group tasting tour. Listen to entertaining legends and stories from around the colorful neighborhood as you taste local delicacies like Lahmacun (minced meat-covered flatbread) and Menemen (eggs with peppers). Wine, coffee or tea, and bottled water are included.

See Istanbul's must-see sights without wasting time waiting in line on this efficient tour of its historical highlights. Enjoy seamless, prebooked entry to Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophie and the Basilica Cistern, and learn about the history and culture as you explore. Plus, there's the option for round-trip transportation from Galata Port for cruise passengers.

Discover Istanbul’s European and Asian sides—and taste a range of delectable Turkish delicacies—on this full-day, small-group tour. Meet your guide in the morning in Istanbul’s Old City, and be sure to come hungry: you have a day of feasting ahead of you. Explore a spice market, and enjoy a traditional Turkish breakfast, before crossing the Bosphorus to trendy Kadikoy. Sip Turkish coffee, visit multiple restaurants, and discover Istanbul’s must-try dishes.

Taste your way around both European and Asian sides of the Turkish capital during this half-day, small-group food tour of Istanbul. Lunch, breakfast, and snacks are included. Get help deciphering local menus as you traverse bustling food markets and family-run shops and eateries in Kadikoy and Karakoy.

Experience Istanbul's enchanting Bosphorus Strait aboard a sleek yacht designed for a small, intimate group of travelers. You'll sail past iconic landmarks like the Maiden's Tower, Dolmabahçe Palace, and Rumeli Fortress while enjoying local snacks, Turkish coffee, and seasonal fruit. The tour includes a relaxing stop in the quaint village of Kanlıca, known for its famous yogurt, offering the perfect mix of history, culture, and scenic charm.

Istanbul has a thriving food scene, but it can be hard to know where to find an authentic Turkish experience. Enjoy an evening immersed in Istanbul's traditional culture with dinner at a historical family restaurant loved by locals, complete with a dervish performance—an 800-year-old tradition that's Unesco Heritage listed. Plus, transportation back to your hotel is included at the end so there's no hassle of flagging a taxi.

Explore four breathtaking sites from Istanbul from a whole new perspective. With this tour, you'll visit four ancient monuments that are rich in culture. Visit the Byzantine center of life in the Hippodrome, prepare to be wowed by the majesty of the Blue Mosque, relish in the beauty of the Topkapi Palace, and finish off with a shopping spree at the Grand Bazaar.

Experience the magic of Istanbul on a Bosphorus dinner cruise, featuring stunning views of landmarks like the Maiden's Tower, Galata Tower, and Bosphorus Bridges. Enjoy a delicious multi-course meal with options like mixed grill or vegetarian dishes, paired with live entertainment including Turkish folk dances, belly dancing, and a DJ performance. With private VIP tables and optional hotel transfers, this unforgettable evening blends culture, cuisine, and breathtaking scenery.