Top Istanbul How to Get Around

Experience the stunning beauty of Istanbul on a Bosphorus cruise. Glide along the famous Bosphorus Strait and marvel at the city's iconic landmarks, including the Blue Mosque and the Maiden's Tower, as well as the European and Asian sides of Istanbul. Sip on complimentary Turkish tea or coffee while listening to fascinating stories about the history and culture of Istanbul. Opt for a sunset tour to see the city bathed in the sun's golden rays.

Get the inside scoop on Istanbul with this comprehensive full day tour through Turkey's most famous city. Visit all of the major sites including the Magia Sophia Moseque, the Topkapi Palace museum, and the gorgeous Blue Mosque. Allow your experienced local guide to show you hidden gems, including people watching at the Corlulu Ali Pasa Medresesi and the historic Avrupa Pasaji.

Discover the often-overlooked Fener and Balat neighborhoods on a private walking tour in Istanbul. As you stroll past the colorful buildings and charming businesses, your guide will offer insights into the area's Greek Orthodox, Jewish, and Muslim history. You'll visit significant landmarks like the Spice Market (Misir Carsisi), Saint George's Church and Ecumenical Patriarchate, and Saint Stephen's Orthodox Church (Bulgarian Iron Church).

Discover Istanbul’s imperial heritage on this guided tour of must-see landmarks. Start at Topkapi Palace, home of Ottoman sultans for over 400 years, and explore its grand courtyards and imperial halls with expert commentary. Continue into the Harem, where you’ll learn about palace life, royal families, and court traditions. Then head underground to the atmospheric Basilica Cistern, a Byzantine masterpiece famous for its marble columns and mysterious Medusa head sculptures. Along the way, your guide will share engaging stories and historical insights that bring the city’s past to life. This tour is ideal for travelers looking for a short yet immersive introduction to Istanbul’s Ottoman and Byzantine history.

Explore the WWI battlefields and ANZAC memorials along the Gallipoli Peninsula on this full-day tour from Istanbul. Visit sites that can’t be reached by public transport, including ANZAC Cove and Lone Pine, Johnston’s Jolly, The Nek, and Chunuk Bair, and benefit from a guided tour that provides historical context. Learn about the Allied campaign of 1915-16 that resulted in great losses for the Australian, New Zealand, and Turkish troops.

Escape the crush of the tour groups with a full-day private sightseeing tour of Istanbul, including visits to the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, and Topkapi Palace. Enjoy the undivided attention of your guide and tailor your tour to suit your interests—perhaps learn about the city’s fascinating history with a stroll through Hippodrome Square or spend time shopping at the Grand Bazaar.

Go beyond the tourist trail and discover the side of Istanbul that most travelers never see. Explore historic mosques, vibrant local bazaars, Bosphorus waterfront views, the iconic Maiden’s Tower, and the colorful streets of Kuzguncuk with a local guide. Start with a beautiful ferry ride while you see the views of both continents. Unlike traditional city tours focused on major attractions, this experience offers an authentic look at daily life on Istanbul’s Asian side. You’ll walk through local neighborhoods, hear fascinating stories, and uncover hidden cultural gems while experiencing the city like a local.

Explore Istanbul’s historic highlights on a full-day walking tour of Sultanahmet with hotel pickup included. Breeze through Topkapi Palace, the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia (additional expense), and the Grand Bazaar while enjoying in-depth insights from your guide as you walk between landmarks. Transportation is provided for hotel pickup only, making this an immersive, on-foot experience of the city’s most iconic sites.

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.

You should join this tour to experience the Gallipoli Front of WW1 and keep the memories of the heroic soldiers who fought and shed their blood in these lands. They are sleeping with Turkish soldiers in the bosom of a friendly country, and they have become the sons of Turkey.

Explore two of Turkey’s most iconic attractions during this multi-day, small-group excursion to Ephesus and Pammukale, which includes domestic flight tickets, sleeping comfortably in a four-star hotel. Then, explore the unique travertine terraces of the “Cotton Castle,” plus a visit to the archaeological site of Hierapolis. Most meals and transportation are included; admission tickets are purchased separately.

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.

This fully customizable private guided tour of Istanbul ticks off the highlights with a bespoke itinerary, tailor-made just for you. Arrange to be picked up at your hotel or port, making this an ideal option for first-time travelers or cruise ship passengers. Get enriching background commentary on your choice of attractions, from ancient relics to Ottoman splendors, as you take in the history-packed city on a pay-as-you-go basis.

Lose yourself in the vibrant sights, scents and sounds of Istanbul’s legendary bazaars on this 4-hour small-group shopping tour. Marvel over the eye-popping colors of the spices and sweets at the exotic Egyptian Bazaar then browse the staggering 4,000 stalls of the Grand Bazaar, stopping to enjoy demonstrations of traditional crafts, like carpet-making, calligraphy and ceramics. With numbers limited to 15, you’ll enjoy personal attention from your guide, who can help you seek out the perfect souvenir and hone your haggling skills so you can shop like a local.

Avoid the overwhelm of navigating Istanbul’s layered history and busiest landmarks on your own. This small-group tour streamlines the city’s must-see Byzantine and Ottoman sites into one well-paced experience, with expert guidance that brings each stop to life. Enjoy deeper insight and a more personal atmosphere while exploring iconic attractions without the stress of planning.

Take a break from the chaos of the city during this convenient and relaxing yacht cruise that takes you on a ride along the Bosphorus. Plus, this trip includes a stop at Kanica on the Asian side. This small-group tour offers travelers an experience away from the large crowds in the city, allowing you to admire Istanbul's charm while staying relaxed.

Discover Istanbul's rich history and stunning beauty on this day tour. Begin your day exploring iconic sights like the Hippodrome, Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, and Topkapi Palace with guidance, followed by a visit to the vibrant Grand Bazaar. Wrap up the experience with a luxurious sunset yacht cruise on the Bosphorus, where you'll savor fresh seasonal fruits, cookies, and traditional baklava as the city glows in the golden evening light.

Spend three days and two nights experiencing the wonders of Cappadocia. This tour is activity-packed, so you can have fun to your heart’s content. Get ready to visit Goreme open-air museum, the Kaymakli underground city, Love Valley, Goreme, Devrent, Pasabag, Pigeon Valley, Uchisar Castle, Avanos, and hike in Red Valley.

Step aboard a cruise in Istanbul for a few hours to see the sights along the coast of the Bosphorus, all the way to the Black Sea. As you travel, sit down for a 2-course lunch accompanied by soft drinks and coffee or tea. You'll get great photo ops of the sights from the water, and stop in the fishing village of Anadolu Kavagi to visit the ancient fortress there. Book ahead to make sure you check this must-do cruise off your list.

Discover Istanbul off the beaten path on a guided adventure where history and vibrant culture come alive. Visit iconic landmarks like the Hippodrome, Serefiye Cistern, and Suleymaniye Mosque, along with hidden gems like the book market Sahaflar Çarşısı, the Spice Bazaar, and the old neighborhoods of Fener and Balat. Between stops, savor Turkish coffee, pastries, and even a relaxing hookah session before exploring more of the city’s rich layers.

This tour takes you into the heart of the modern section of Istanbul to be shown the unmistakable icons as well as the hard-to-find secret spots that make Beyoğlu so captivating. Veer away from the hustle and bustle of Istiklal Avenue to discover the beautiful side streets and historical passages that get missed by tourists and Turks alike. See the Pera district through a local’s eyes and learn about its cosmopolitan history. Area is also famous across Istanbul for its outstanding street food but discovering good eateries in a big city is not always easy. Not to worry, as we stroll Istiklal Avenue, your guide will point out best local eating places, cafés and bars, as well as show you the main points of interest along the way. • Let your guide take you to the hidden backstreets and passages of Beyoğlu • Discover the secret haunts of locals, best local eating places and bars • Sample top-notch Beyoğlu Chocolate suggested by your guide • Enjoy the relaxed pace of a walking tour

Immerse yourself into World War I history on a group day tour to the Gallipoli peninsula from Istanbul. The detailed and well-paced itinerary takes you to the Kabatepe War Museum, Lone Pine Cemetery (Australian Memorial), Shrapnel Valley, and more, including several significant ANZAC sites in Gelibolu National Park. Engaging narration from your guide goes beyond the typical tourist guidebook and provides an illuminating look at the Gallipoli Campaign.

See Istanbul’s minarets, mansions, mosques and palaces from the water as you sail between two continents on this long lunch cruise. Glide up to Anadolu Kavagi, a pretty fishing village near where the Bosphorus meets the Black Sea, then scale the hill to an old fortress to capture dramatic photos. As you sail, savor a 2-course lunch with coffee, tea, water, snacks and fruit: alcoholic drinks are available for an extra charge.

Step aboard a cruise between Europe and Asia on the Bosphorus to enjoy dinner and shoreline views. Eat a 3-course menu of traditional Turkish meze at a private table accompanied by soft drinks and alcohol. In addition to enjoying views of the sites on shore—such as the Fatih Sultan Mehmed Bridge and the Bosphorus Bridge—enjoy a show of traditional Turkish entertainment. Hotel pickup and transfer are included for convenience.