1,2 or 3 DAY: Private Guided Istanbul Tour from CRUISE SHIP or HOTEL

Recommended by 100% of travelers

Istanbul, Turkey

7 hours (approx.)
Pickup offered
Group discounts
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

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Overview

Marvel at vibrant Istanbul on this full day tour from your cruise ship or hotel. From the Grand Bazaar to the historic sites, including the Topkapi Palace Museum and the Blue Mosque, discover some of the region's many highlights. Enjoy the flexibility of a private tour that is easily customized according to your interests and preferences, while learning from the expertise of your English speaking guide.

This experience is offered in English, Russian, Spanish and Arabic
Shop for souvenirs and gifts in the Grand Bazaar
Return transportation to your accomodation is included
Enjoy a private activity restricted to your group

What's Included

Private Tour
Professional Tour Guide
Local Taxes
Air-contioned Van ( ıf van&guide option selected)

Museum Tickets
Public Transport Fees ( if van&guide option isn't selected)
Food and drinks

Meeting and Pickup

You can head directly to your preferred meeting point, or request pickup.

Pickup points

Select a pickup point

Pickup details

Traveler pickup is offered If you like to join this private tour from the Galata Port (Istanbul's only Cruise Port) Please follow these instructions: After you board the cruise ship please follow the City Center sign and you will see your private guide holding a sign with your name on it at the city center sign exit. If you use the lift please press the ''G'' level, which will take you to the City Center Exit. If you don't select options " with Van" There won't be any vehicle your tour guide will meet you at your hotel or the cruise port and you take a taxi with your tour guide at your own cost to get to the old city. You can select or write your address or hotel name.

Meeting points

Select a meeting point

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

Itinerary

Topkapi Palace Museum

1 hour • Admission Ticket Not Included

Blue Mosque

30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque

50 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

Hippodrome

45 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Basilica Cistern

30 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

Grand Bazaar

1 hour • Admission Ticket Free

Misir Carsisi (Spice Market)

45 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Not wheelchair accessible
Service animals allowed
Near public transportation
Infants must sit on laps
Most travelers can participate
Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Grand Bazaar is closed on Sundays can be replaced with Spice Market
Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia closed until 2pm on Fridays, will be visited in the afternoon.
For multiple day booking, private van service will be advised according to your hotel location and size of your group.
Dolmabahce Palace is closed on Mondays. Due to museum regulations, live guide service is not available at Dolmabahce Palace.
Galata Tower will be visited from outside unless you would like to pay entrance fee there.
When booking the tour with van, if your hotel is located in Sultanahmet you will be steps away from the museums, so the van will not be used as much.

Not wheelchair accessible
Stroller accessible
Near public transportation
Infant seats available
Most travelers can participate
This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate
*** WE ALSO DO PRIVATE EPHESUS SHORE EXCURSION. IF YOU BOOK YOUR PRIVATE EPHESUS SHORE EXCURSION WITH US AS WELL YOU WILL GET A SPECIAL PRICE FOR PRIVATE EPHESUS TOUR. SO PLEASE MENTION IN THE NOTES IF YOU ARE ALSO INTERESTED IN PRIVATE EPHESUS SHORE EXCURSION.
***** WE ACCOMMODATE MORE THAN 14 PEOPLE. If there are more than 14 people in your group, you can book it as 14 people then we can update the number of travelers by messages on viator.
While visiting a mosque in Istanbul, women need to cover their heads, shoulders, knees. You can carry your own scarf to cover your head but please note scarves are provided at the entrance of every mosque (available at a charge). If you are wearing leggings, tights or skirts, wraps will be provided at the entrance (available at a charge).
Men also need to cover the knees if the shorts or bermudas are over the knees.
******-FLEXIBLE TIME, YOU CAN SCHEDULE YOUR TIME AND YOU CAN RETURN TO YOUR SHIP AT ANY TIME YOU WANT.*****
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

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)

Gallery picture 5 (from a traveler's review)

Reviews

4.8

based on 10 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

We perform checks on reviews

Perfect way to spend a day in Istanbul

Tanya_R, Jun 2025

A private guided tour of the old town with Sima was just perfect. We got a complete overview of everything we wanted to see plus some other special places Sima took us to off the tourist map - perfect 👌

Excellent Vulcan Guides!!

Stephanie_L, Oct 2024

We truly loved both of our guides Vulcan & Vulcan. Both very personable and very knowledgeable. Thank you both for an amazing 2 days!!

Response from Host, Nov 2024

We're delighted to know that you had such a wonderful time with Volkan guides. Our guides are passionate about sharing the beauty and history of Istanbul, and we're glad they were able to provide you with an unforgettable experience. Thank you for choosing us.

Great tour in a short amount of time

Kinny_L, Jun 2024

Selim is a very knowledgeable guide who is passionate on what he does. Volkan is also along keeping us on track and heading towards the right direction. The pair just work so well together that they make this 8+ hr tour very enjoyable.

Response from Host, Jul 2024

Thank you so much Dear Kinny, we hope to see you again in Türkiye Best regards

Good historical tour with a nice tour guide!

Lee_Z, Jul 2023

Great tour from a fun tour guide! Our guide, Aytac, was very personable and made it fun for the whole family! He was sure to pace the trip correctly through Istanbul making it fun for the whole family. We were picked up form the terminal by our guide and brought to a van which dropped us off at city center. We paid for the $100 upcharge for the van and felt this may not have been worth it (metro tickets are quick and cheap) but it was nice at the end of the day to not have to stand on the metro. Next we walked around the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia which we felt was the best order to experience it (worth the wait in line). Afterwards, we had lunch at a beautiful rooftop restaurant. We have a small complaint here (and why this review is 4 stars) is that it was never clarified that we would be eating with our guide and paying for his lunch (~35 euros). That said, he helped us pick nice traditional Turkish meals which we may not have been able to do on our own. Finally, we went to the Bazaar, which was nice to see. But I wish we had pushed to go to the palace instead. The Bazaar area that we went to was less cloth stalls, and more run-down strip mall. As someone who is interested in history/culture, I wish I had went to the palace instead. That gives us good reason to come back to Istanbul!

Response from Host, Jul 2023

Dear Lee, thank you for your feedback. We are glad to hear that you and your family had fun. I would like to clarify the situation regarding the lunch, normally guide asks you where you want to have lunch, since you wanted to go to Ottoman cuisine, our guide had to accompany you. Thank you for your understanding. Hope to see you again, glad to meet you

Great service

Lynn_D, Jun 2023

Serkan was a very knowledgeable guide. Very accommodating and knew the best way to accomplish our goals for the day. We highly recommend him. Lynn and Louie

Response from Host, Jun 2023

Hello Dear Lynn, thank you for your feedback. Hope to see you again. Volkan

Tolle Tour mit einem tollen Guide

Helene_L, Sep 2023

Es war ein wunderbarer Tag. Unser Guide der Mustafa war echt toll. Man hat es gemerkt , dass er die Stadt und die Geschichte seiner Stadt liebt und diese ganz toll wiedergeben kann. Seine Gelassenheit und Ruhe ist faszinierend. Sehr schade dass wir nur diesen einen Tag hatten. Aber wir kommen wieder nach Istanbul. Die Stadt und seine Geschichte ist faszinierend. Danke an Mustafa er hat wirklich alle unsere Wünsche uns erfüllt. Ich würde diese Tour jedem empfehlen.