Istanbul: Hagia Sophia, Bazaar Private Half-Day Shore Excursion

Istanbul, Turkey

5 to 6 hours (approx.)
Pickup offered
Group discounts
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

Overview

See the best of Istanbul in just half a day—and enjoy a flexible way to explore that’s tailored to your needs and timings—all thanks to this private, half-day shore excursion. After meeting your driver-guide directly at the Istanbul Cruise Port, hop aboard your private vehicle and set off. You can look forward to visiting multiple top sights, from the Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque to the Hippodrome and the Grand Bazaar.

This private tour gives you the most flexible way to see the sights
See and do more on this guided shore excursion than you could alone
Round-trip transfers from the Istanbul Cruise Port are provided
Skip-the-line tickets to Hagia Sophia are included for your ease

What's Included

Entrance to St. Sophia ( Our guide will have pre-paid tickets to skip lines )
Private Professional tour guide
Private tour for your family and Friends only
Transportation with brand new air-conditioned minivan/minibus
GUARANTEED On Time Return to PORT

Food and drinks
Gratuities

Meeting and Pickup

Pickup point

Galataport İstanbul
Kılıçali Paşa, Meclis-i Mebusan Cd. No: 8 İç Kapı No: 102, 34433 Beyoğlu/İstanbul, Türkiye

Pickup details

We pick you up from Istanbul cruise port. Suggested pick up time will be given during your confirmation message Welcome to Istanbul, where Europe and Asia meets. Your private guide will meet with you at your hotel lobby or at Istanbul cruise port. Ancient Hipodromme, Blue Mosque, St. Sophia and Grand Bazaar in 5-6 hours • Private Tour for your family and friends • You will decide on departure time • Our tour guide will meet you at Istanbul port with your name sign, • Our professional tour guide will be with you from arrival till departure, • You will have flexibilty to spend how much time you want in each site and customize the itinerary, • You do not have to wait for other group members • You may stop to have pictures during your tour. • You may stop for lunch in a local restaurant to taste famous Turkish Kebaps

Itinerary

Hippodrome

30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Blue Mosque

45 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque

45 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Grand Bazaar

2 hours • Admission Ticket Free

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Not wheelchair accessible
Infant seats available
Not recommended for travelers with back problems
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level

During religious holidays the Spice market and Grand Bazaar will be closed. Arasta bazaar will be visited instead
In the event of any museum closures, an alternative similar museum will be visited. On Tuesdays : Topkapi Palace replaced by Underground Cistern, On Sundays: Grand Bazaar will be replaced by Spice Market. Grand Bazaar during Religious Holidays will be replaced by Arasta Bazaar. On Fridays: Blue Mosque is open from 15.00 to 17.30
Not recommended for participants with walking difficulties
Bare shoulders are not permitted in holy places of worship such as churches, monasteries, mosques and synagogues.
Shoes are not permitted in mosques
NO HIDDEN COSTS Private Tour
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

Gallery picture 1 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 2 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 3 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 4 (from a traveler's review)

Reviews

5.0

based on 4 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

We perform checks on reviews

Guide was great and...

Jamie_C, Oct 2025

Guide was great and flexible and knowledgeable. He took great care of us and stayed with us throughout all of the activities

Response from Host, Mar 2026

Dear Jamie, Your kind words will be shared with our entire team, who will be thrilled to know they helped create this memorable experience. We will share your kind message and opinions with your guide. Thank you on behalf of him. We would be delighted to see you in our wonderful country again. Curio Travel Team

Member Pricing

From