Private Istanbul Day Tour and Famous Grand Bazaar
Recommended by 96% of travelers
Istanbul, Turkey
- 4 to 6 hours (approx.)
- Pickup offered
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
Overview
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.
- Private day tour for a personalized experience
- Visit Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, and the Hippodrome
- Explore the vibrant Grand Bazaar with a guide
- Hotel pickup included for convenience
What's Included
- Certified Professional Tour Guide
- Your guide will pick up and drop off at your centrally located hotel lobby on the European side
- IF NEEDED transport via taxi or local transit from centrally located hotels on the European side
- Local Taxes
- Food or Drinks
- Enterence Fees
Meeting and Pickup
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Pickup details
Your guide will pick you up from and drop you off at the lobby of your centrally located hotel on the European side.
Itinerary
1
Blue Mosque
1 hour • Admission Ticket Free
2
Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque
1 hour • Admission Ticket Not Included
3
Grand Bazaar
1 hour • Admission Ticket Free
4
Hippodrome
1 minute • Admission Ticket Free
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Wheelchair accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Near public transportation
- Infants must sit on laps
- Most travelers can participate
- Children must be accompanied by a responsible adult.
- At the time of booking, cruise ship passengers must provide the ship name, docking time, disembarkation time, and re-boarding time.
- Hagia Sophia is not a museum and is open to public viewing, so long lines may occur. For skip-the-line tickets, please contact the supplier via WhatsApp.
- The Grand Bazaar is closed to visitors on Sundays. Your guide will provide alternative options, such as a visit to the Spice Bazaar
- A minimum of two guests per booking is required.
- This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate
Supplied by
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Reviews
4.9
based on 28 reviews
biggstarr00, Mar 2026
My tour guide was Sait. He was very prompt, informative, and knew all the places I wanted to see. He was super generous and personable. I stupidly forgot to tip him which is a shame. I feel awful and would love to know to fix this. The company said it was too late.This man deserves more than 5 stars. I would encourage people to ask for him personally.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you for your excellent feedback. We are pleased to hear that Sait provided such a professional and informative experience. Please do not worry about the gratuity; your high recommendation and kind words are the best rewards for our guides. We will ensure Sait receives your appreciation. We look forward to seeing you again
Jillian_B, Feb 2026
Our guide, Burak, was excellent and gave us a thorough and interesting insight into the Old Town area of Istanbul. He was informative, enthusiastic and flexible. Our tour adapted to our interests without any issue. Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful city with us
Christine_L, Dec 2025
WE arrived in Istanbul at 2:00 a.m., booked the tour and met with Z around 10:00 a.m. that morning! Very quick response, super knowledgeable and outgoing. Is it possible to share too much? Not with Z, she was absolutely amazing, a spitfire!
phil_i, Nov 2025
Istanbul was really an adventure!!!We met our guide Renan who was a great teacher of the culture and history!! She took us to the Grand Mosque as well as the Blue Mosque!! We also heard a few times while at the mosques the call for Prayer!! We had lunch at a very good small local restaurant and then we went to the amazing “Grand Bizarre!! Renan made sure our day brought us the very best time!! A++= Tour… thank you so much for a terrific day!!
Phil and Cheryl ATLANTA Ga USA !!!
Katja_D, Nov 2025
Renan came to the pick up point on time( or even early!), with a smile and started sharing her amazing knowledge about the past, present & future of Istanbul. We thoroughly enjoyed exploring some of highlights this place has to offer. We will be back! Thanks!!
JOY_M, Oct 2025
Very interesting. Guide Enjin was awesome and very accommodating. I highly recommend him. Lots of walking.
Nancy_D, Oct 2025
Our guide (Barris) was fantastic. He loves archeology and history and showed his passion throughout the tour.
We've booked several tours and this agency was BY FAR the best. Highly communicative and flexible.
Be prepared to walk.
Jill_B, Oct 2025
Our tour guide Omar was magnificent. Our tour today was a relaxing but filled with historical information. The sights and sounds were simply amazing. The Turkish people are kind and helpful. Wonderful time and Viator is so fortunate to employ Omar. We Highly recommend this tour for everyone.
Bill_H, Sep 2025
Our guide was awesome, went way above and beyond what we expected to get to see and do today. Very well informed on the knowledge and history of where we went. Since it was a personal tour she was very accommodating to our desires. She took us to one of her favorite local places for lunch. And in the Grand Bazaar in Instanbul, on a 1-10 she was a 15👍🏽👍🏽. Took us to the places that she knew were better and more trustworthy. I chose way more tours on the Greek cruise with Viators, than the cruise ship offerings. I feel you get more bang for your buck with Viators!
Janette_M, Aug 2025
We were taken to Topkaki Palace as well which wasn't mentioned on the ad. We had to pay for entry which was a little annoying because we'd booked to see it the next day. All good though because we saw different parts.
Our guide was excellent, picking us up and dropping us back at the hotel.
Kathy_M, Jul 2025
Our guide Sezgin was very knowledgeable about Istanbul and the Turkish history. He took us on a 5 hour walking tour of the Mosque, bazaar, the city and the Palace.
Response from Host, Jul 2025
Dear Kathy,
Thank you so much for your kind feedback! We're very happy to hear that you enjoyed your tour of Istanbul with Sezgin and appreciated his knowledge of the city and its rich history.
It means a lot to us to know that the experience left a positive impression. We hope to welcome you back to Turkey in the future for more adventures!
Warm regards,
Melisa Arslan
Ephesus Tour Company
Lilia_F, Jul 2025
Very knowledgeable and the history of the place was great my tour guide Utku was so nice. Excellent tour guide.
Response from Host, Jul 2025
Dear Lilia,
Thank you so much for your wonderful feedback!
We're thrilled to hear you enjoyed the historical insights and had such a great experience with our guide, Utku. We'll be sure to pass along your kind words to him — he’ll be very happy to hear them! We hope to see you again on another adventure soon.
Melisa
Ephesus Tour Company
april_h, Jul 2025
It’s was a full informational and interesting way to see Istanbul. The tour guide was professional and thorough.
Response from Host, Jul 2025
Dear April,
Thank you very much for your kind review!
We’re delighted to hear that you found the tour of Istanbul both informative and interesting. It's great to know our guide’s professionalism and attention to detail made a positive impression. We’d love to welcome you again in the future!
Melisa
Ephesus Tour Company
John_S, Jun 2025
Exiting the passenger terminal was a journey in itself but our guide was patient and waiting for us outside.
Ignorance is bliss, I was expecting that we’d (my wife and I) were going to be driven around Istanbul - wrong - we travelled by tram to the focal point of tourist attractions in Istanbul.
The tram journey added to the experience, nothing like we were used to back home, travelling at speed through the narrow busy streets.
This experience is personalised - we’re not tail end Charlie of a throng of tourists, struggling to keep pace with a set itinerary/schedule. My wife had a health issue flare up so wasn’t travelling all that well so our guide was able to pace our excursion to suit US - we still saw the main attractions, we heard every word, it was a conversation, we weren’t just spoken to through a radio network. Our guide was most accommodating - frequently checking on herself and taking stops in the shade and comfort stops in cafes that we felt at ease in - something that can be challenging for tourists in Turkey.
Our guide was informative and readily engaged in conversation to satisfy our desire for information/opinions.
Was it worth it - definitely - and compared to the offerings from the ship - ABSOLUTELY.
Response from Host, Jun 2025
Dear John,
Thank you so much for your thoughtful and detailed feedback.
We’re truly happy to hear that your experience felt personal, flexible, and enriching — exactly what we aim to provide. Navigating Istanbul by tram like a local and adapting the tour to suit your pace are part of what makes a private experience truly yours, and we’re glad your guide delivered just that with care and attention.
Your kind words about our guide’s patience, understanding, and informative approach mean a lot to us. We hope your wife is feeling better now, and we’re grateful you trusted us with your time in Istanbul.
It was a pleasure to host you, and we hope to welcome you again in the future for more unforgettable moments.
Warmest regards,
Melisa Arslan
Mary_O, Jun 2025
Utku is brilliant, so familiar with the area and very interesting. We saw everything AND did a Hammam. He is the best and we highly recommend him!!
Response from Host, Jun 2025
Dear Mary,
Thank you so much for your lovely feedback!
We’re delighted to hear that you had such a great time with Utku and truly made the most of your day—including the hammam experience! He will be very happy to hear your kind words.
We sincerely appreciate your recommendation and hope to welcome you back to Turkey soon!
Warm regards,
Melisa
Ephesus Tour Company
Ann_S, Jun 2025
The store involves a lot of walking, but was very enjoyable, except that the tour guide was not passionate. she was very matter of fact. as we passed various sites we had to ask her what they were also, it was very difficult to understand what she was saying when she did describe something.
Response from Host, Jun 2025
Dear Ann,
Thank you very much for taking the time to share your feedback.
We’re sorry to hear that your experience did not fully meet your expectations. Your comment about the guide surprised us, as she has over 15 years of experience and a strong educational background in guiding. In fact, her last 10 reviews have all been overwhelmingly positive. Nevertheless, we sincerely regret that she did not leave a better impression on you.
As for the walking and shopping areas — Istanbul’s Old City is full of shops and local vendors, and shopping opportunities exist independently of the guide. Our main goal is never to sell anything, but rather to provide quality service and help our guests discover the history, culture, and beauty of Turkey.
We truly hope to have the opportunity to welcome you again on another tour in the future — and to provide an experience that leaves you feeling more satisfied and delighted.
Warm regards,
Melisa Arslan
David_A, Jun 2025
Reh was a great guide. We were with other family members who hadn’t been before, so choosing a couple of places to see was just enough. There were a lot of other tours happening, but she found some quieter spaces to explain things to us. She was patient with us as seniors who didn’t walk as quickly. Some of us had been to Istanbul many years ago and the Grand Bazaar was different than we remembered, but overall a very good tour. Travelling in the tram was a great way to go and bypass all the traffic.
Thanks
Response from Host, Jun 2025
Dear Guest,
Thank you so much for your kind and thoughtful review. We're delighted to hear that you enjoyed your tour and that our guide provided a pleasant and memorable experience for you both.
It's wonderful to know that the pace of the tour and the quieter spots made the day more comfortable and enjoyable. We're also glad you appreciated traveling by tram — it's certainly a great way to explore Istanbul while avoiding the city's busy traffic.
We hope to welcome you again in the future for more unforgettable experiences.
Warm regards,
Melisa
Irene_B, Jun 2025
The private tour with Otku Tunca ing is is the way to see Istanbul. Otku was able to explain the sites around as we visited them. The private tour allowed us to change the itinerary of our tour to adjust to line queues at the times.
He knew the best place for authentic Turkish food and the food was awesome.
Response from Host, Jun 2025
Thank you so much for your kind words and for taking the time to share your experience!
We’re delighted to hear that you enjoyed your private tour with Otku and had a memorable time discovering Istanbul. We always strive to provide flexible and authentic experiences, and it's wonderful to know that the personalized itinerary and local cuisine met your expectations.
We would be more than happy to welcome you again in the future for another unforgettable journey in Turkey!
Warm regards,
Melisa
Tom_Z, May 2025
Tim was a great guide through the parts of Istanbul we saw. We could not go as fast as he initially wanted, so he customized our stops and slowed down. He was extremely knowledgeable of the city, and it's history.
Response from Host, Jun 2025
Dear Tom,
Thank you for your thoughtful review!
We’re so glad to hear that you enjoyed your tour with Tim. Our guides are always happy to adapt the pace and itinerary to ensure our guests have the most comfortable and enjoyable experience possible. It’s wonderful to know that Tim’s knowledge and flexibility made your time in Istanbul more special.
We’d love to welcome you again in the future for another enriching experience in Turkey!
Warm regards,
Melisa
Arlene_S, May 2025
Our guide, Utku, I’m not sure if I’m spelling it correctly, was just fantastic. I am somewhat mobility challenged and he was so concerned that whatever we were doing was easy for me to do and encouraged frequent rest stops. The Blue Mosque was the highlight of the trip, an architectural wonder, and I had the experience of purchasing my first Turkish rug at the Grand Bazaar! This was a day I will remember always!
Response from Host, Jun 2025
Dear Arlene,
Thank you so much for your wonderful feedback!
We’re truly happy to hear that you had such a memorable day with Utku. He takes great pride in ensuring every guest feels comfortable and cared for throughout the tour, and your kind words mean a lot. We're also glad you enjoyed the beauty of the Blue Mosque and had a special experience at the Grand Bazaar — your first Turkish rug purchase sounds like a moment to remember!
We hope to welcome you back again soon for more unforgettable experiences in Turkey.
Warm regards,
Melisa
David_T, May 2025
Great experience in Istanbul with our private tour guide Cafer. He was very knowledgeable and customized the tour to our preferences of visiting historic sites and the Grand Bazaar as well as explaining the local culture and getting us around the busy city.
Response from Host, May 2025
Dear David,
It was a great honor to host you, and we are truly grateful for your kind words. We are thrilled that you had such a positive experience with Mr Eren, and we look forward to welcoming you again in the future!
Warmest Regards
Caroline_S, May 2025
Fantastic experience in Istanbul! Our guide, Naz, was waiting for us as soon as we got off the ship. She spoke perfect English, and explained which places were “must see”. She let us customize our tour, and we were able to shop and rest at our leisure. She made sure we were safe and happy. Fantastic tour!!
Response from Host, May 2025
Dear Caroline,
It was a great honor to host you, and we are truly grateful for your kind words. We are thrilled that you had such a positive experience with Ms Naz, and we look forward to welcoming you again in the future!
Warmest Regards
Patricia_E, Apr 2025
Our guide was fantastic! Onur Balci was so gracious to us, he even carried the items we bought along the way. He was very knowledgeable of the history of Istanbul.
We had a great time. I highly recommend him
Response from Host, May 2025
Dear Patty,
It was a great honor to host you, and we are truly grateful for your kind words. We are thrilled that you had such a positive experience with Mr. Onur, and we look forward to welcoming you again in the future!
Warmest Regards
Ezekiel_H, Oct 2023
Honestly, the most memorable experience during the tour was our interaction with our guide. I don’t know the spelling of his name. But, phonetically, it’s “woo John”. His English was excellent, as well as his knowledge level and demeanor. It was a joy to be around him. Our only regret is that we couldn’t tip him more because we mistakenly left additional cash at the hotel.
Response from Host, Oct 2023
Hello Ezekiel,
We are so happy to hear that you had a good time with our services.
We hope we can welcome you again anywhere in Turkey!
Warmest regards.
Chiping_P, Apr 2022
Our guide, Seref, was very knowledgeable of the historical aspects of everything We learned so as we appreciated the beautiful culture.
Response from Host, Apr 2022
Dear Guest, Thank you for your wonderful review I am glad we did our job to meet your expectations and you had a great time. We hope to see you again sometime in the future.
Warm Regards
Claudio_D, Apr 2026
Beautiful Tour with the Sait guide who took us around Istanbul making us know its beauties and hidden corners. He is really good and flexible. highly recommended
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Response from Host, Apr 2026
Grazie per il consiglio! Siamo felici che il tour con Sait sia stato all'altezza delle vostre aspettative. Vi aspettiamo di nuovo a Istanbul!
From $95.00
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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