Best Seller; Private Guided Istanbul Tour

Recommended by 90% of travelers

Badge of Excellence

Istanbul, Turkey

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

Overview

Explore historic Istanbul with a private guide and driver on this full-day tour with pickup. Check off must-see sights such as the famous Blue Mosque and the Hagia Sophia, then spend time seeking out the perfect souvenirs in the Grand Bazaar. Enjoy a guided tour of the UNESCO-listed Hippodrome, the epicenter of Byzantine Istanbul, and walk in the footsteps of the Ottoman sultans on a tour of the Topkapi Palace.

Make the most of your trip to Istanbul with an expertly-curated half-day tour
Enjoy the flexibility to customize your itinerary to your own preferences
Get personalized attention from your private guide
Pickup and drop-off included from centrally located hotels and cruise port

What's Included

Hotel/Port pick-up and drop-off
Private tour with a local guide
Pickup/drop off service is provided from/to centrally located hotels at European side of Istanbul
Transfers with Local transportation (if need it)

Food and drinks
Entrance Fees

Meeting and Pickup

Pickup points

Select a pickup point

Pickup details

Pickup/drop-off service is provided from/to centrally located hotels on the European side of Istanbul and the Istanbul cruise port You're guaranteed to arrive back at your ship on time, without ever feeling rushed. Enjoy peace of mind with our “don’t port, don’t pay” policy, so you never have to worry about paying for a trip you can’t take.

Itinerary

Blue Mosque

30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Grand Bazaar

1 hour • Admission Ticket Free

Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque

40 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

Hippodrome

20 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

TopkapI Palace

1 hour • Admission Ticket Not Included

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Not wheelchair accessible
Stroller accessible
Service animals allowed
Infant seats available
Most travelers can participate
Children must be accompanied by an adult

A minimum of 2 people per booking is required
This is a walking tour.
Dolmabahce is closed on Mondays.
Grand Bazaar is closed on Sundays.
Topkapi Palace is closed on Tuesdays.
walking problems
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)

Gallery picture 5 (from a traveler's review)

Reviews

4.7

based on 20 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

We perform checks on reviews

Fantastic Istanbul.

Gary_M, Jun 2025

Istanbul was a fantastic city to visit, with a real depth of history and culture to explore. There is an abundance of historical buildings, museums, exhibits etc. that provided fantastic examples of the significant importance this city has been on the history and development of the world. Our experience was truly enhanced by the depth of knowledge and passion that our local Viator guide had for their city. They provided a detailed history from early BC to the present day; highlighting the changing architecture throughout the ages.

Response from Host, Jun 2025

Dear Gary, Thank you for sharing such a thoughtful and detailed review! We're delighted to hear that you enjoyed exploring the rich history and culture of Istanbul. It’s wonderful to know that your experience was further enriched by the knowledge and passion of your guide. We truly appreciate your kind words and hope to welcome you back for more unforgettable discoveries in the future! Melisa Arslan Ada Vegas Travel

Great history of Turkey

Christopher_O, Nov 2023

Wonderful tour. My husband and I were picked up at the port after our cruise and dropped off at our hotel at the end, so convenient. Our tour guide (Cugcuk, I'm sorry I may have spelt that completely incorrect) was amazing. He shared so much knowledge on the history of the area and buildings. We visited the major sights as stated in the description, had lunch at the Grand Bazaar, and had sufficient time to browse around. There was about an hour wait to the Hagia Sofia and unfortunately the Blue Mosque was closed for entry due to Friday prayer. A lot of walking which we were okay with. Overall we really enjoyed this tour and definitely recommend it for your first time in Istanbul.

Response from Host, Nov 2023

Dear Chris! We are so happy to hear that you had a good time with our services. We hope we can welcome you again in our beautiful City! Warmest regards

The guide had special skills

David_F, Oct 2023

Very thorough walking tour that hits all the main must-see spots in central Istanbul. Going as a couple with a guide is much better than being part of a big group! Our guide, Faut, had special skills at getting us through long lines quickly which saved both time and energy. He was also helpful and reassuring about the rules that pertain to visiting mosques. Personally, I could have done without the stops at the carpet and pottery stores; I suggest you tell the guide you would rather do something else unless you are really here to try your skills with a Turkish rug merchant.

Response from Host, Oct 2023

Dear David, We are so happy to hear that you had a good time with our services. We hope we can welcome you again in our beautiful country. Warmest regards.

Rude Guide, Money Wasted

Christina_R, Oct 2023

Our tour guide Naz was unapproachable and abrasive at times. She rubbed us the wrong way from the moment we met, and it impacted our day. Istanbul was so crowded it was difficult to see anything. We got very little value for what we paid for. Naz marched us around the city for at least 5 hours (often losing us in the crowd because she didn’t wait for us) and yet after 5 hours we still saw only 2 of the promised attractions. We also paid for the tickets for Topkapi palace and they didn’t work - we waited in line for over 30 minutes (this tour didn’t allow any skipping the line) only to be denied entry because the tour didn’t arrange the tickets correctly. We should be refunded at minimum for the pre paid tickets that didn’t work, but honestly for the whole experience as we spent a lot of money for a difficult and disagreeable guide (who also took us to her own family’s store for shopping?) We didn’t see half the attractions promised and paid for in this tour. Would not recommend and really put a negative spin on our time in Istanbul.

Response from Host, Nov 2023

Dear Christina, First of all thank you for your review. It was a very crowded day in Istanbul. Unfotunately we cannot do anything about the crowded in the town. We arranged your Topkapi Palace tickets but there was a problem with the counter that's why you waited a little. Rest assured that we will take your opinions about the guide into consideration. This is the first time we get this comment about Naz. Normally, her reviews are perfect.. However, I would like you to know that, as a result of our research, neither the guide nor his family has a place like the one you mentioned and the tour completed as at promised hours. We hope we can welcome you again in our beautfiul country near future. Best regards.

Good easy way to see the city

Bonnie_W, Oct 2023

Istanbul is very crowded and busy. This was a great way to see it without feeling overwhelmed. Our guide was very informative and let us set our own pace.

Response from Host, Oct 2023

Dear Bonnie, We are so happy to hear that you had a good time with our services. We hope we can welcome you again in our beautiful country. Warmest regards.

5 star

Rita_S, Oct 2023

our guide was amazing, he took the time to show us all we could see in the time we had. it was a wonderful experince

Response from Host, Oct 2023

Hello Rita, We are so happy to hear that you had a good time with our services. We hope we can welcome you again in our beautiful country. Warmest regards.

A walking tour

David_J, Oct 2023

It was a great tour with a wonderful tour guide, however it was a walking tour. The car drops you off then you walk all day. Be prepared.

Response from Host, Oct 2023

Hello David, We are so happy to hear that you had a good time with our services! Yes, this a walking tour because no vehicle is permitted in the tour area. We hope we can welcome you again in our beautiful country. Warmest regards.

Old Town and blue mosque

audrey_c, Sep 2023

This was a great tour. Our guide orchun knew how to navigate through the area and reduce the amount of time spent standing in lines with everyone else. So much to see in one day, lots of walking but well worth the effort.

Response from Host, Sep 2023

Dear Audrey, We are so happy to hear that you had enjoy your Istanbul Tour with Us. Your feedbacks are very valuable for us. We hope we can welcome you again in our beautiful country. Warm Regards.

Beautiful Istanbul

Alnoor_M, Jun 2023

My wife and I had a wonderful time in Istanbul. Thanks to this excursion and more importantly to Naz, our guide. She was friendly and courteous and made sure we were comfortable and made sure we covered all the sites. We highly recommend this excursion.

Response from Host, Jun 2023

Dear Alnoor, Thank you so much for taking the time to write a review and to share your recent experience with our company. It's a great pleasure for us to hear that you enjoyed your trip with Ada Vegas Travel. Your feedback always motivates us to serve you better. We are looking forward to welcoming you on your next trip in the very near future. Warmest Regards

Disappointed that the tour did not cover everything promised due to large crowds.

tdmcleod, May 2023

We were not able to see all of the places on the tour because of long lines. The guide kept saying we should have started earlier but we were not told this before the tour. Istanbul is a very large and crowded city and everything takes time. Luckily we visited the Grand Bazaar the day before or that would have been a missed opportunity as well. The Topkapi Palace was very impressive as was the Blue Mosque but that andcthe hippodrome was the extent of our tour.

Response from Host, May 2023

Dear Terry, Thank you for your review. You started your tour at 08:30am which is the perfect timing for the tour. Kindly note that Hagia Sophia is opened to public and that's why we cannot help you on the issue of skip the line. You complite the tour succesfully with maximum effort our guide. We hope we can welcome you again in our beautiful country. Best regards.

amazing tour

maryfgburke, May 2023

Our guide, Seref, was amazing. Obviously, loves his job and was so knowledgeable, patient and plenty of time for our questions. Would recommend this man to anybody doing this tour

Response from Host, May 2023

Dear Mary, it is great to hear that you had a good time with our tour with Mr. Seref! We hope we can welcome you again in our beautiful country. Your views and comments are valued for us. Warmest regards

Un tour inolvidable

Pablo_M, Sep 2023

Si viajas en crucero esta es una de las mejores opciones. La agencia te recoge con una van de alta gama muy cómoda en la propia terminal de cruceros para llevarte directo a la zona monumental mientras el guía te hace una introducción. Nuestra guía Banu organizó con previsión los lugares a los que queríamos ir dándonos tiempo más que suficiente para poder explorar por nuestra cuenta lugares como el Palacio Topkapi o el Gran Bazar tras las explicaciones y sin agobios. Tuvimos tiempo de ver también Santa Sofía, la Mezquita Azul y el Hipódromo con unas maravillosas explicaciones. Incluso hubo tiempo de comer algo típico turco en un pintoresco restaurante y de comer un buenísimo Baklava de una de las mejore pastelerías de Estambul. Con esta opción no dependes de un grupo largo y tú marcas los ritmos con sugerencias de un guía más que cualificado.

Response from Host, Sep 2023

Hola estimado Pablo! Muchas gracias por sus comentarios. Los comentarios son muy importantes para nosotros, porque nos motivan a mejorar cada vez mas. Saludos :)

La excursión perfecta

Sandra_H, Aug 2023

Fántastico. La atención, la profesionalidad, la amabilidad, la entrega, el recorrido, las explicaciones. Fue una sorpresa, no conocíamos VIATOR y nos ha encantado la experiencia que hemos tenido, sin lugar a dudas, para repetir y recomendar.