Top Istanbul Private Sightseeing Tours

This experience consisted of an all-day walking tour (~7 hours) with a private guide for the 3 of us traveling as a family. We visited the Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, The Blue Mosque, Hippodrome, Turkish rug making, and the Grand Bazaar. Our guide was very informative, flexible and efficient in managing long queues. She spoke excellent English. We also stopped for a delicious lunch to experience a feast of Turkish foods (note lunch not included). Depending on individual interests, one could tailor their experience to focus on what you want to see. For example, the Turkish rug making could probably be skipped unless this is something you’re really intent on seeing or want to purchase a rug. There was not excessive pressure to buy a rug. It was interesting to experience their hospitality and the sales demonstration where they roll out bunch of different types of rugs for you to view. In my opinion, the Grand Bazaar is worth at least a cursory visit. Yes there is something you are particularly interested in purchasing at the Grand Bazaar, let you guide know and he or she can direct you to an appropriate or preferred vendor. Keep in mind that information you provide about yourself (ie occupation, nationality, family, personal interests) could be potentially used to inform chosen vendors ahead of your visit with them to your benefit or otherwise.