Private Istanbul Day Tour
Recommended by 94% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
Istanbul, Turkey
- 4 to 7 hours (approx.)
- Pickup offered
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
Overview
Benefit from the undivided attention of your guide on this private Istanbul sightseeing tour—ideal for cruise visitors with just one day in port. Step off your ship and dive into the heart of historic Istanbul, visiting Topkapi Palace, the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Basilica Cistern, and more without checking the map or worrying about getting lost. Finish by practicing your haggling at the legendary Grand Bazaar.
- Choice of morning and midday start times lets you organize your day with ease
- Enrich your understanding of Istanbul's century-spanning history with explanations from your guide
- Private tours ensure a personalized experience, adapted to your tastes and rhythm
- No complicated meeting points: Hotel or port transfers are included for a relaxing day out
What's Included
- Professional Licensed Tour Guide
- transportation provided if needed (with taxi or public transportation)
- Pick-up and drop-off
- Food&Drinks
- Entrance fees
Meeting and Pickup
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Pickup details
You’re guaranteed to arrive back at your ship on time, without ever feeling rushed. Pickup / drop off service is provided from/to centrally located hotels at European side of Istanbul
Itinerary
1
TopkapI Palace
1 hour • Admission Ticket Not Included
2
Basilica Cistern
40 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included
3
Blue Mosque
30 minutes • Admission Ticket Included
4
Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque
30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
5
Grand Bazaar
1 hour • Admission Ticket Free
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Infant seats available
- Most travelers can participate
- At time of booking, Cruise ship passengers must provide the following information at time of booking: ship name, docking time, disembarkation time and re-boarding time
- A minimum of 2 people per booking is required
- This is a walking tour.
- Dolmabahce is closed on Mondays
- Topkapi Palace is closed on Tuesdays.
- Grand Bazaar is closed on Sundays.
- 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
4.8
based on 85 reviews
Stuart_C, Jan 2026
Brilliant day being shown around Istanbul by Ali. It was easy, relaxed and flexible and he provided us with wonderful information and historical facts. Highly recommend.
Nancy_C, Nov 2025
Customized tour of Istanbul was perfect. Saref was able to accommodate my 83yr old mother's mobility limitations while helping the rest of the group see all the sights on our list!
Barb_J, Nov 2025
With only 3 days in the incredible city of Istanbul, we wanted to maximize every moment. Thank goodness we booked with Naz the first full day!!! She was incredible! Knowledgeable of Turkish history, architecture, and able to navigate all of the major sites with ease. But more than that, she was such a special person, sharing with us her story, in such a professional yet personal way, that we felt we had made a new friend too! Excellent experience in every way!
Sam_A, Oct 2025
Our tour with Eda was incredible! She made every stop come alive with her deep historical knowledge, and she took such great care of our group of eight. Eda was patient, thoughtful, and truly went the extra mile to make our day unforgettable. We would 100% request her again—highly recommended. Thank you so much, Eda!
Kathleen_J, Oct 2025
This tour was beyond our expectations because of our guide, Renan. She went way above and beyond to ensure we had an amazing experience. She knew so many people which gave us a feeling of safety and comfort in the shops, restaurants and streets. Renan made Istanbul come to life for us! Ask for Renan!
Nancy_M, Oct 2025
Lots of walking and stairs! But fantastic visits to Blue Mosque, cistern, grand bazaar, Spice market and more. Our guide Behic was very accommodating and helpful. We should have allowed more time
Lisa_B, Oct 2025
Great walking tour of all the main sights. Kemal was very knowledgeable and a great guide. Perfect way to see Istanbul
Amy_T, Oct 2025
Our excursion was scheduled for 11:00am, but our guide showed up and was waiting for us at 10:00am. He tried texting us, but texts weren't coming through. Thankfully he was amazing and waited around and we did find each other. We did the private tour and it was very informative and personalized. Our guide even went into the Grand Bazaar with us which was super helpful.
YingYingTeri_H, Oct 2025
Our tour guide Eda was very nice and knowledgeable. The tour was customize to our pace. Highly recommended!
Rob_M, Oct 2025
This was an amazing tour! Our guide, Omer, was outstanding. He got us through everything efficiently and took great care of us! We learned so many great things about the history in Istanbul.
Phillip_S, Oct 2025
Very accommodating of our schedules and made sure we saw what we wanted to see. Many thanks for showing us your lovely city.
sarah_c, Oct 2025
Our guide was Nazyium she was extremely knowledgeable and very engaging.
We were on a tight time frame which she worked around for us to see what we wanted to in the time we had.
I’d highly recommend this type of tour. Being just us we could speed things up and slow things down.
Ps. Go early the blue mosque was quite as we were there when it opened.
Jean_D, Oct 2025
Engen was great! We enjoyed seeing the highlights of Istanbul and had some great discussions with him. Just know that entrance fees are not included in this tour. Was just the right amount of time. Also know that there is lots of walking. You don’t have to do the rug or tile tours if you don’t want to, otherwise you feel obligated to make a purchase.
Rosa_p, Sep 2025
Our tour guide Tunc gave us a very educational visit, exceeded our expectations. We definitely recommend his services. Visited from the US!
Belinda_H, Sep 2025
Excellent tour and very individualised. Saw all we wanted and had recommendations for food. Loved the spice market.
Richard_L, Sep 2025
Great guide, super friendly and knowledgeable. Tailored elements to what we wanted and was very considerate!
Louis_C, Sep 2025
Ali was a great guide. He was very knowledgeable and informative! He adapted our tour based on our wishes. Highly recommended.
Rebecca_K, Sep 2025
The tour is flexible. We saw all the things on our list! Erkut did a great job of getting us to each place without our feeling rushed. We asked for a break mid day and enjoyed some food and people watching then we were ready to go again! Erkut is a well informed guide and pleasant to visit with.
Roy_B, Sep 2025
Our guide, Eda was very informative and knowledgable.
She went above and beyond to enable us to see what we wanted.
Steve_R, Sep 2025
Our guide Ali was spectacular. Super personable, so knowledgeable, funny, and he had great savvy in our itinerary to flexibly get us to see everything we hoped for. We could not have been happier.
JR_M, Sep 2025
Eren was a terrific guide today! Very knowledgeable and articulate. He arrived in a Mercedes Van and we were taken in first class comfort to the important sights in Istanbul. He knew the shortcuts for maneuvering around nimbly and it could not have been more pleasant!
Breely_U, Aug 2025
Omer was friendly and informative. He allows you to customize your tour and experience. Ask lots of questions since he’ll have the answers
Doug_P, Aug 2025
Make sure you have WhatsApp for communication with the tour company. Tour guide "Mike" was awesome. He was very knowledgeable about the sights and gave a great historical background for our private tour. He made our experience thoroughly enjoyable!
Laurel_P, Aug 2025
Ali was amazing!!! It was my husband’s birthday and he customized our sight seeing to exactly what he wanted to do! I can honestly say we could not have navigated the Grand Bazzar or the public transit without him! I would recommend this tour 1000% times over
Response from Host, Aug 2025
Dear Laurel,
Thank you so much for your fantastic review! I’m thrilled to hear that Ali made your husband’s birthday so special by personalizing your sightseeing and guiding you seamlessly through the Grand Bazaar and public transit. I’ll be sure to pass along your kind words to him.
We truly appreciate your recommendation and can’t wait to welcome you back for another unforgettable experience!
Warm regards,
Melisa
Ada Vegas Travel
jennifersaylin, Jul 2025
We enjoyed this tour. Our guide was great and we saw lots of sites. We anlso enjoyed our time at the spice market he took us to!
Response from Host, Jul 2025
Dear Jennifer,
Thank you so much for your lovely feedback!
We’re delighted to hear that you enjoyed the tour and had a great time with your guide. It's wonderful that the visit to the Spice Market was a highlight for you — it’s truly a magical place!
We hope to welcome you back to Turkey again soon!
Warm regards,
Melisa Arslan
Ephesus Tour Company
Jamie_C, Jun 2025
This tour was everything we had hoped for—and more! Bora was absolutely amazing! He managed our large group of seven (including kids) with such ease, keeping us safe, on schedule, and engaged every step of the way. He helped us navigate Istanbul, showing us all the important things!
We visited all the highlights—starting with the Blue Mosque just before closing, followed by the stunning palace, where Bora shared fascinating history and made sure we saw all the must-see spots. Bora is so knowledgeable and his English is superb! We enjoyed the most incredible lunch at a restaurant I’ll be dreaming about for years, and wrapped up our day at the Grand Bazaar.
But Bora didn’t stop there—he went above and beyond, recommending the perfect gamma for our group m, helping us get reservations, and even giving us tips on how to catch the ferry to the Asian side of Istanbul since our cruise ship stayed in Istanbul for two days.
This was a day we will never forget, and it’s all thanks to Bora. If you have the chance, book this tour—and absolutely request him. He’s amazing!
Response from Host, Jun 2025
Dear Jamie,
Thank you so much for this incredibly kind and detailed review! We're thrilled to hear that your day in Istanbul was everything you hoped for and more. Bora will be so happy to know that his knowledge, care, and personal touch made your experience truly unforgettable. From managing your group with ease to sharing Istanbul’s rich history and going the extra mile with recommendations — it’s clear he left a lasting impression.
We’re grateful for your recommendation and would be delighted to welcome you back anytime. Wishing you many more amazing travels ahead! 🌟
Melisa Arslan
Ada Vegas Travel
Nancy_F, Jun 2025
Excellent experience! Highly recommend Dogan! Very knowledgeable, friendly, and just so much fun! Thank you Dogan, you made the experience everything we were hoping for!
Response from Host, Jun 2025
Dear Nancy,
Thank you so much for your kind words! We're thrilled to hear you had an excellent experience and that Dogan made your day so special. We'll be sure to pass along your lovely feedback to him. We hope to welcome you again on another adventure soon! 🌟
Melisa Arslan
Ada Vegas Travel
Gustavo_R, Jun 2025
Great short tour for the main areas of old Istanbul. Mustafa was a great guide and helped is with everything we needed and more.
Response from Host, Jun 2025
Thank you so much for your kind words! We're thrilled to hear you enjoyed your short tour of old Istanbul and that Mustafa made your experience even more special. We’ll be sure to pass along your compliments to him. We hope to welcome you again soon for another unforgettable journey! 🌟
Melisa
Scott_C, May 2025
This was an amazing tour of a truly complex and captivating city. Istanbul stands at the crossroads of continents, faiths, and cultures—where East meets West, Europe meets Asia, and Christian, Jewish, and Muslim histories intertwine. It’s a city of contrasts and harmony, where modern ideas blend seamlessly with ancient traditions, and the energy of youth coexists with thousands of years of heritage.
Our tour gave us a deeper appreciation for this unique fusion, beginning with iconic landmarks like the awe-inspiring Blue Mosque and the majestic Hagia Sophia. From there, we wandered through the winding streets of the old city, eventually arriving at the vibrant Grand Bazaar—a sensory feast of color, scent, and sound.
What made this tour truly special was our guide, Jeff. A local with profound insight, he brought the city’s rich history to life through stories that reflected both its religious depth and its secular spirit. His thoughtful commentary helped us understand the nuances of Istanbul—not just as a destination, but as a living, breathing cultural mosaic.
If you’re looking for a meaningful, perspective-shifting experience in Istanbul, this tour is an absolute must. Highly recommended.
Response from Host, Jun 2025
Thank you so much for sharing such a beautifully written and heartfelt review.
We’re truly honored to hear that your time in Istanbul was not only memorable, but also enriching on such a meaningful level. Your reflections on the city's unique blend of cultures, faiths, and history capture its essence perfectly.
We’re especially happy to know that Jeff, with his deep knowledge and thoughtful storytelling, helped bring Istanbul to life in a way that went beyond sightseeing. It's always our goal to create experiences that leave lasting impressions—and your words show us we’ve succeeded.
Thank you again for your trust and recommendation. We would be thrilled to welcome you back anytime for more unforgettable moments in Turkey.
Warmest regards,
Melisa
Anna_T, Apr 2025
Sait Ciftci was our guide and he was absolutely amazing! He took to all the places we wanted to see and his history of the sights was incredible! I’m glad we did the private tour! Sait took us to a great lunch spot and showed us so many things. He was a gentle man and always told me to watch my step. I highly recommend him as a private tour guide.
Response from Host, Jun 2025
Thank you so much for your wonderful feedback!
We’re delighted to hear that your private tour with Sait was such a fantastic experience. His knowledge, kindness, and attention to detail truly make him a valued part of our team, and we’re so happy he made your day both memorable and comfortable.
Your recommendation means a great deal to us, and we’d love to welcome you back for more unforgettable moments in Turkey.
Warm regards,
Melisa
From $95.00
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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