Private Guided Istanbul Highlights Tour Top Historical Sites
Recommended by 100% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
Istanbul, Turkey
- 4 to 6 hours (approx.)
- Pickup offered
- Group discounts
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
What's Included
- Licensed Tour Guide
- Public transportation(Use of public transportation depends on the location of your accommodation and your preference.)
- Lunch
- Museum Entrance Fees
Meeting and Pickup
You can head directly to the meeting point, or request pickup
Itinerary
1
Hippodrome
20 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
2
Blue Mosque
25 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
3
Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque
45 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included
4
TopkapI Palace
2 hours • Admission Ticket Not Included
5
Basilica Cistern
30 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included
6
Grand Bazaar
45 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Wheelchair accessible
- Near public transportation
- Infants must sit on laps
- Most travelers can participate
- Grand Bazaar is closed on Sundays.
- Please be aware that if you choose to start the tour after noon, some locations may not be visited due to their closing hours.
- Topkapi Palace is closed on Tuesdays.
- This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate
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Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Reviews
5.0
based on 57 reviews
Sort by: Most insightful
Danny_N, Jul 2026
We had a great guided tour with Batu who was very knowledgeable and helped us understand the historic sites. He also took the time to ensure we had plenty of time to explore what interested us at our pace as well. Thanks Batu.
Carmen_W, Jul 2026
Burak was great! His English is excellent and so is his knowledge!
It was great to go at our own speed and choose what we wanted to see. Highly recommended!!
Jeffrey_R, Jul 2026
Eda was a truly outstanding guide. I’ve been on many tours in various countries, and she is one of the best guides I’ve had. Very knowledgeable and eager to answer any questions and discuss a variety of topics. She also went above and beyond to create exactly the type of experience we wanted, including adding a trip to a traditional Turkish tea house that I don’t think anyone, but a local would ever fine. It was hidden in a half abandoned building with a bunch of workshops in it. However, we had a spectacular view while we enjoyed our drinks and conversation. All of the main stops on the tour were excellent as well. A great introduction to and overview of these main historic spots as well as Turkish history. Highly recommend.
Mons_N, Jun 2026
Our guide Eda was warm, friendly and very knowledgeable. She did not leave our side for the entire day as she navigated the city with us, assisted with shopping and changing currency . She went out of her way to make our experience very enjoyable. Highly recommended.
Jourdan_P, Jun 2026
I took my father to Istanbul to celebrate his 60th birthday, and Batu made the day very memorable.
He met us right at the Ahikapi pier and from there it was a full day packed (Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace and its gardens, the Hippodrome, and the Basilica Cistern). Batu clearly knows Istanbul inside out, weaving together its history from the Roman period right up to today, and he did it all with a sharp sense of humor that kept the day light and fun rather than feeling academic.
As Scots, we ended up chatting away about Scottish football and British television over a Turkish coffee break. It felt less like a guided tour and more like spending the day with a very knowledgeable local. He also arranged great value tickets to Hagia Sophia, at the last minute, which was a nice surprise.
What really stood out was his kindness. He stayed with us right until our hotel transfer arrived, well beyond what he needed to do. I’ve done a fair bit of traveling over the years, and Batu is one of the best guides I’ve come across. If I’m back in Istanbul, I’ll be booking him again without a second thought.
Devrim_D, Jun 2026
I was in Istanbul for a few hours because my cruise ship got in late and it was leaving the same day. I thought I would not see much of Istanbul. Batu made everything work out. He planned the day so I could see the things in Istanbul without feeling like I had to hurry.
Batu showed me what life is like for people who live in Istanbul. He took me to a place to eat and I got to try the food that local people eat. We even had a beer together. It was nice to have someone show me around Istanbul like that.
If Batu can make a short visit to Istanbul much fun I think a whole day with him would be even better. I think people who are going to Istanbul should go on a tour, with Batu
Greg_L, Jun 2026
I went on a great tour and our guide was fantastic. Batuhan was very smart and easy to talk to. He told us lots of things that I would not have noticed by myself. The whole tour was fun from the beginning, to the end. Batuhan helped me understand Istanbul better. I also had some stuff I wanted to buy from Istanbul and Batu recommended us places we can get them from. We got to go without waiting in line and we started early so everything was easy and we did not have to deal with big crowds. This tour is great if you want to learn about the little things you might otherwise miss.
Lisa_B, Apr 2026
Muti arrived at our hotel right on time to begin our day. He gave us great background information about the sites we visited, including showing us images that helped to illuminate the history of the sites on a tablet he brought with him. He really let us set the pace of the tour; he suggested coffee and lunch breaks to cut down on fatigue, for which we were grateful. Overall it was a great way to see the highlights of the old city.
Response from Host, May 2026
Thank you for your kind words.
Edward_W, Mar 2026
Ali showed up on time at our meeting place and we worked out an itinerary that addressed our couple constrains, namely, our tour finish time and
the need for lunch. So, we agreed on skipping couple highlights and had a great lunch outside the Grand Bazaar.
Ali is knowledgeable about Turkey's and Islam's histories and he shared a lot of this personal experiences which made the tour more satisfying.
Response from Host, May 2026
Thank you so much for your kind words.
Smith_J, Nov 2025
Traveling solo in Istanbul can feel a bit intimidating, but exploring the city with Batuhan made it amazing. I visited the Blue Mosque, Basilica Cistern, Hippodrome, Hagia Sophia and the Grand Bazaar with him and never felt alone or rushed. Batuhan shared interesting stories, tips, and a few funny moments that made the day so enjoyable. Solo travelers, if you want someone who makes the city feel alive and fun, Batuhan is the guide to go with.
Sophia_H, Nov 2025
We visited the Blue Mosque, Basilica Cistern, Hippodrome, Hagia Sophia and the Grand Bazaar with Batu, and everything went very smoothly. We chose to skip Topkapi Palace and Batu adjusted the plan easily. We never felt rushed at any point and always had enough time to look around and enjoy each place comfortably.
Batu also recommended a great local restaurant, which ended up being one of the best meals of our trip. It was a truly terrific day with an excellent guide.
Amanda_R, Nov 2025
Exploring Istanbul with Batu was one of the highlights of my trip. The city is already full of beauty and history but Batu brought everything to life with clear explanations and stories that were both engaging and easy to follow.
What I liked most was how natural the whole experience felt. Nothing was rushed and nothing felt overly scripted. Batu paid attention to what I was curious about and shaped the tour in a way that made it feel personal and meaningful.
By the end of the day I felt like I understood the city much better and had seen both the well known landmarks and a few hidden gems that I never would have found on my own.
If you are looking for a guide who is knowledgeable friendly and genuinely passionate about Istanbul I absolutely recommend choosing Batu.
Serhat_E, Nov 2025
This was my first visit to Turkey even though I grew up in the US with Turkish roots and this tour made it unforgettable. The guide was very knowledgeable and welcoming and helped me connect with both the history of Istanbul and my own heritage. Everything was clear and never rushed and it felt like more than just a tour but a meaningful experience.
Felix_B, Nov 2025
It was an absolutely amazing tour through the Historical Peninsula of Istanbul. Every stop was full of fascinating stories and breathtaking views from ancient landmarks to hidden corners filled with local charm. Our guide was incredibly knowledgeable, friendly, and passionate about sharing the city’s rich history, which made the whole experience even more enjoyable. I also loved how many cats we came across along the way they truly add to Istanbul’s unique atmosphere. I’d definitely recommend this tour to anyone who wants to discover the heart and soul of the city in an authentic and engaging way.
Irem_D, Sep 2025
We had a incredible experience exploring İstanbul with Batuhan. He was extremely knowledgeable, friendly and passionate about the city’s rich history and culture. Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque was astonishing. Thanks to Batuhan we had great time and stress-free shopping in Grand Bazaar which is like a maze. If you’re visiting İstanbul and want a truly memorable experience, I highly reccommend taking a tour with Batuhan.
Response from Host, Oct 2025
I am happy that you enjoyed the tour. Hope to see you again if you ever come back to Istanbul.
Adley_B, Sep 2025
This tour was one of the best experiences we had in Istanbul. Our guide Batu made everything easy to understand, fun and very enjoyable. We really appreciated his recommendations and the way he organized the day. It felt smooth, stress free and full of fascinating insights. We learned a lot, laughed a lot and left with unforgettable memories. Highly recommend this tour if you want to truly experience the city.
Response from Host, Oct 2025
I am happy that you enjoyed the tour. Hopefully, we will meet again on your next visit to Istanbul.
Sebastian_D, Sep 2025
This tour was one of the best experiences we had in Istanbul (maybe even the best). Our guide Batu made everything easy to understand, fun, and very enjoyable. We really appreciated the restaurant recommendation, which was a perfect addition to the day. Everything was well organized, and we felt that we got to see and learn so much without any stress. We would definitely recommend this tour to anyone visiting the city.
Response from Host, Oct 2025
I am happy that you enjoyed the tour. I hope to welcome you again in Istanbul in the future.
Pedro_H, Sep 2025
Great tour in Istanbul! Our guide Batu was amazing ,friendly, fun, and very knowledgeable. We visited the Blue Mosque, Hippodrome, Hagia Sophia, Basilica Cistern, and the Grand Bazaar. Skip the line access saved us a lot of time, which made everything smooth and easy. Highly recommend this experience!
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Thank you for your review. I hope to see you again in Istanbul someday.
Aleksey_S, Sep 2025
This was a terrific tour. Our tour guide Batuhan was fantastic and he was able to answer all of our questions. I strongly recommend this tour.
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Thank you so much for your kind words! I’m really glad you enjoyed the tour, it was a
pleasure guiding you. I hope to see you again on another tour in the future.
David_P, Jul 2026
It was a very interesting day, the guide Batu was friendly and willing to show us the different places we visited.
Very attentive and we really made the most of the experience of getting to know the old town with him.
I highly recommend this tour.
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Elisabete_F, May 2026
The guide Batu was punctual. Advised to start a little earlier to avoid crowds. Please facilitate the purchase of tickets for the planned activities. We were lucky, as we did not wait long to enter the Cisterna. Good lunch, good company. I recommend.
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Response from Host, May 2026
Thank you so much for your review. I hope to see you once again.
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