Small Group Tour - Monuments of Istanbul (Morning or Afternoon)
Istanbul, Turkey
- 4 hours (approx.)
- Pickup offered
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
Explore our promoted experiences
Overview
Explore the heart of Istanbul in just a half day on this comprehensive tour with a small group. Traveling with a group of just 15 people or fewer means you'll get personalized attention from your guide and the chance to ask questions. Highlights include Sultanahmet Square, Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, and the Grand Bazaar.
- Guide provides navigation and commentary as you explore
- Convenient hotel pickup at selected properties
- Small group of just 15 people or fewer
- Skip the lines at popular destinations
What's Included
- Professional guide
- Hotel pickup is possible only for morning tour from selected city center hotels
- Guaranteed to skip the long lines
- Gratuities
- Drop Off
- Landing and facility fees
- Hagia Sophia Museum entrance fee is not included
Meeting and Pickup
You can head directly to the meeting point, or request pickup
Itinerary
1
Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque
40 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included
2
Blue Mosque
30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
3
Hippodrome
40 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
4
Grand Bazaar Jewelers
1 hour • Admission Ticket Free
5
Istanbul Shopping Tours
20 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Wheelchair accessible
- Stroller accessible
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- May be operated by a multi-lingual guide
- A current valid passport is required on the day of travel
- Near public transportation
- Please confirm your reservation for pick up time and your hotel details
- Grand Covered Bazaar is closed on Sundays and replaced with and authantic shops around Grand Bazaar
- Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 15 travelers
Supplied by
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Reviews
4.0
based on 33 reviews
Barbara_M, Aug 2025
Our guide was very knowledgeable and provided detailed information on the history and architecture of the Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque. There were only 5 people on our tour so there was no trouble hearing the guide. The tour bus was half an hour late to the meeting point and Viator didn’t provide any alerts or explanation. We were almost ready to give up when the bus finally arrived. We had tried to contact Viator for information about the delay, but were unable to reach them. So 5 stars for the guide and 2 stars for Viator.
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Hi,
Thank you very much for sharing your feedback with us. We are delighted to hear that you enjoyed the tour and that our guide’s knowledge and explanations made your visit to Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque memorable.
We sincerely apologize for the delay of the bus and for the lack of timely communication regarding this issue. Your comments are very valuable to us, and we will make sure to follow up with Viator to improve our coordination and customer support.
We truly appreciate your balanced review and hope to welcome you again on one of our tours, where we will do our best to ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience from start to finish
D_O, Sep 2024
Unfortunately, we had to change our tour from afternoon to morning because we were the only ones on the afternoon tour. We had to sit out the Agia Sophia tour because it wasn’t included on our tour. Also didn’t really need the visit to the shop…
Response from Host, Sep 2024
Hi,
Thank you for your valuable comment, all important for us, there is an option to buy the Hagia Sophia entrance ticket and yoru guide also explained about this option for our guests who buy the toıur without entrance fees,
The tour you booked covers only guiding services,
And about changing, because of operational reasons or not enought guests, sometimes changes and we always ask for our guests upon their possibility
again thank you very mucg for beeing our guests and will take care about your comments
Christopher_W, Jul 2024
This was supposed to be a four hour tour. We were told it would start at 1 and we didn’t get started until 1:20. I was back to our hotel and showered before 5:00.
We had to wait in lines to buy tickets even though the advertisement said skip the lines. The website said it was 8 euros to get into the Haga Sofia, it was 25 euros. Our guide rushed through every site and barely explained anything. We would have been better off just getting the audio tour of the Mosques. It would’ve saved us a lot of time and money.
The information said there would be a one hour tour of the Grand Bazaar. Instead, we were taken to some department store and given a fashion show then subjected to extremely high pressure sales tactics. Then our tour guide stopped about 100 meters from the Grand Bazaar and said the tour was over.
The tour left us feeling like we were taken advantage of and that we should’ve hidden the fact that we were from the United States.
For this being our only day in the city, it left us with a less than favorable opinion of the city of Istanbul. We were really looking forward to seeing this city’s jewel monuments and are very disappointed overall.
Response from Host, Aug 2024
Hi,
Thank you being one of our guests in İstanbul
We understand the situation you experienced
We provide skip the line tickets if you buy the entrance tickets from our guide, optherwise all guests need to use the lines of entrance
About Hagia Sophia entrance ticket, government determined which is Euro 25.- / per person now
Grand Bazaar, we never enter the bazaar with our guests because of their comfort when sopping,
There is no obligation to visit the store and this is offered to you as an option by our guide, whoever wants to go into the store or spend time in the Grand Bazaar
We look forward to see you in İstanbul
Mauro_V, Jul 2024
Sorry no memorable parts, warm day, once again not enough information provided
Then to be taken into a retail store to be sold too was not on the list when booked
Response from Host, Jul 2024
Hi,
Thank you beeing our guest in our tour, about weather unfortunately we cannot do it anything, but the other parts of the tour provided successfully, about retail store, that is an optional thing to visit and no obligation to visit or buy anything, you could easly go directly and visit grand bazaar and look forward to see you again
Al_T, May 2024
I enjoyed the tour guide on this tour.
He was very knowledgeable and always took time to answer people's questions.
The tour also includes a fifteen minute fashion show at a specific retailer.
Response from Host, May 2024
Thank you,
we are happy when we receive good reviews that make us to improve our services
look forward to see you again in our tours
Francine_R, Apr 2024
Very organized. Met at meeting point and all was ready. Guide was friendly and extremely knowledgeable and passionate about history of the monuments and of Istanbul. Pace was good, neither rushed nor too long. Guide was very attentive about where members of his group were at all times. Definitely recommend this tour.
Response from Host, May 2024
Thank you
we are trying to be the best for our guests
Look forward to see yoıu in İstanbul again
Madeline_S, Mar 2024
Very upset and disappointed. The tour guide didn’t arrive, and when I contacted him 20 minutes AFTER the tour should have started (we arrived 15mins early- so had been already waiting more than 30mins), he said it was because we were the only people to book that tour for the day. There was no prior notice or contact to tell us it was not happening. Absolutely appalling and upsetting. He said our options were that we could wait at that spot for another few HOURS and he will send a tour guide to us, or do a completely different tour in a completely different district, or reschedule - all very inconsiderate options for travelers who don’t have the luxury of time. We were very upset and disappointed. Plus we are still waiting for our refund. Do not recommend booking this.
Response from Host, Apr 2024
Hi,
Sorry for the things happened to you, sometimes this kind of things happen because of not enough people on the tour, we offered options to you but you did not accepted any of them, additionally you do not need to write these kind of bad e-mails to any providers for your requests which we dont accept as well.
we cancelled and you will get refund
If you will be here again, we will be happy to provide services for you
All the best
TeddyLouise_J, Nov 2023
Ii loved our guide, he was knowledgeable, patient, and loved his countr.y. The weather was perfect
N
N
N
Response from Host, Nov 2023
Thank you for your nice e-mail
we do our best to make guests happy
Vladimir_B, Oct 2023
Very knowledgeable guide, perfect English, a lot of interesting information. Both Blue Mosque and Sofia are absolutely amazing.
Response from Host, Oct 2023
Thank you, lok forward to see you again in our tours
Benita_S, Jul 2023
The friendly guide took our family on a personal and informative tour of the crucial monuments of Istanbul. My 10-year old also enjoyed the tour and learned a lot.
Response from Host, Jul 2023
Thank you,
We are ready to promote Turkiye for any age of our guests
Happy to hear that you enjoyed
Emily_C, Jun 2023
We loved this tour. We got to see a lot of the city. After the tour ended, we were given ideas of where to go and what to see. It was extremely helpful. We all agreed this was the best tour we were on.
Response from Host, Jul 2023
Thank you
We love your valuable comments
Look forward to see you again in our tours
Thats our pleasure
William_H, Jun 2023
great tour, omut was a great guide, knowledgeable and friendly. only reason for 4-stars is the organization of the tour company that omut works for. First, the Viator voucher had two different start times on it, 1300 and 1330, so we had to wait a half hour, so we ate something in the restaurant (meeting point). Then 3 people on the tour were on a bus that was stuck in Istanbul traffic, and were in touch with omut by telephone, so the tour didn't start until 1345 or 1350. I don't know if this was just a city bus, or the transfers that were offered by the tour operator or viator.
anyway the tour was fine, and yes we did stop in a leather goods store at the end for a 6-minute sales presentation, as often happens in these countries, but it was fast, and not high-pressure at all, unlike the comments from others on this site. it was not a big problem.
anyway great tour with omut, we would do it again. thank you omut
Response from Host, Jun 2023
Thank you for your valuable comments, that make us to improve our services
we will do our best to fix the problems you had and again thank your for your valuable comments
Kimberly_E, May 2023
I enjoyed that this was a small group walking tour. I was able to see the sights I missed the last time I was in Istanbul.
Response from Host, May 2023
Thank you
look forward to see you in İstanbul again
And your comments are important
Ruchi_G, May 2023
Nice walking tour however I was first informed I should cancel as the grand bazar was closed and I was the only person signed up and then he wanted me to do the tour the morning of my arrival
Then I was waiting at the Tamara hotel and it was the most useless cafe
Response from Host, May 2023
Hi,
sometimes, because of operational reasons, we might change the timings, but we are happy to hear that you enjoyed the tour
Julian_U, Mar 2023
The guide did his best and was good but the fact he had to translate 4 x times in English, Italian, Spanish and French meant the tour had no rhythm and we missed out on so much interaction with the guide. We liked the guide but it was poorly organised.
Response from Host, Mar 2023
Thank you for your comments and that help us to improve us
That make us well organized
Kathryn_A, Jan 2023
Ike was knowledgeable, personable. Pace was good. Pick up and drop off timely and convenient. We would recommend this tour!
Response from Host, Jan 2023
Thank you for beeing our guests in Istanbul
All valuable
look forward to see you in Istanbul again
Cindy, Nov 2022
Our guide on Monday, November 14 was great. He was so patient with the tour members and answered countless questions from me without any irritation
Response from Host, Nov 2022
Hi Cindy,
Thank you for your valuable feedback, that is very important fıor us
look forward to see you in İstanbul and our services again
JavierJose_L, Oct 2022
Top notch service. Our tour guide, Ali, was an amazing leader throughout the journey. He was funny, kind, and knew how to explain things fluently and easily. He took very good care of our group, mostly of me and my partner. We had to go earlier from the tour for another tour and he set everything up so that we could get there in time. Forever grateful of Ali and how he treated us. On the other hand, the tour was beautiful. We had the chance to visit Haga Sophia, Blue Mosque, Hippodrome and the Grand Bazaar. There was even time for us to enter a local store and have an experience inside.
Response from Host, Oct 2022
Thank you for your valuable comment
look forward to see you in ıstanbul again
Russell_H, Jul 2022
The tour of the monuments was great with knowledgeable guide. However it was spoilt be ending in a leather store with a heavy sales pitch. No description in your description. Very tacky and a reason not to go. .
Response from Host, Jul 2022
Hi,
your comments are valuable for us
you should inform that you can eiter visit the shop or directly to visit grand bazaar
there is no compulsory
we will be more clear about programs
all the best
AnnaMargaret_B, Jun 2022
Late pick up no conversation I was not told it was a walking tour it was not on my booking that it was a walking tour I am over 80 years d and would not have booked had I known it was a walking tour the tour guide was not good at English and rarely spoke I had to abandon the tour as I could not walk that far I tried to e plain this to him but he did not understand or close not to very in satisfied with this tour operator
Response from Host, Jun 2022
Hi
Thank you for your rewiev
Unfotunately you picked up a late because of heavy traffic in the city
Your guide is a professional English speaking licenced guide and you were the only one on the tour and remember that you started the tour and visited some part and than you wanted to left
You did not tell your guide you wanted to walk slowly or stop and rest
Aboutthe tour program, it is clearly mentioned that is a waling tour. Additionally Sultanahmet center is closedto traffic sowe have to make a walking tour
Thank you very much for understanding look forward to see you in Istanbul again
fazlin_v, Jun 2022
Omer was absolutely fabulous. He was very knowledgeable about the various heritage landmarks and made the tour quite enjoyable . Was a group of 20 but everyone seem to get on well with each other . Definitely worth doing and worth doing. Collected from my hotel .
Response from Host, Jun 2022
Hi,
we are very happy to hear your valuable comments
Lokk forward to see you in Turkiye again
ChantellevanNiekerk, May 2022
The guide was very good, I liked his sense of humor.
However ,I did not like that we went to a Very expensive leather place and it felt like we were "obligated" to buy something
Response from Host, Jun 2022
Thank you very much for your interesting with our tour and enjoyed
There is no obligation any of our programs
Look forward torward to see you again
All the best
A_H, Aug 2021
Our local guide, a lovely lady named Emel, was very knowledgeable and entertaining. The tour bus drove all the way to the hotel and we had the most luxurious tour. Thank you, Viator, thank you, Emel!
Response from Host, Aug 2021
Hi,
what a lovely review,
We hope to see you in Istanbul again
All the best
Aislou_D, Apr 2021
Good walk through old town and famous sites. Pity Blue mosque is being renovated. Absence of hoards of tourists was a blessing.
Response from Host, Apr 2021
Hi Aislou
Your comments are valuable for us and happy to hear that you enjoyed from our tour
We look forward to ser you in İstanbul again
All the best
Michael_M, Jul 2020
Ayktul was fabulous! Very knowledgeable and also helped us to navigate Turkey and the next day gave us help with navigating the highways!
Response from Host, Jul 2020
Hi Michael
Thank you for kind comment, that is valusble for us
We look forward to see you in our tours again
All the best
lidija_j, Feb 2020
Our tour guide, Emal, was very informative and exceeded our expectations. Great value for money. I highly recommend this tour!
Response from Host, Feb 2020
Hi
Thank you for your valuable comments
And happy to hear that you enjoyed our services
Look forward to see you again in our services
All the best
Local Experiences İstanbul
SilviaCarolina_M, May 2024
Ninguno, explique mi esposo estaba débil tras su cirugía bariatruca y no fueron capaz de cambiarme el tour como solicitaba.
Response from Host, May 2024
Unfortunately last minute cancellation is not available since you informed us after the tour start so that was impossible to accept
If you book another tour with us we will be happy to assist you
Mariella_H, Jul 2022
No recogen del hotel. Avisan 1 dia antes que no iran y que vayas por tu cuenta al punto de encuentro.
Response from Host, Jul 2022
Thank you very much for your valuable comments
that help us tp improve our service
all the best
Mnica_D, Apr 2022
Nos pusieron wl tour en otro horario sin avisar y sin pedir ni una disculpa. Hay que decir que el tour está bien. El guía daba buena información. Digamos que todo correcto. Lo mínimo que uno espera por el precio pagado. Aunque también es cierto que para 35 euros por persona la única diferencia con los free tour de propinas es que en este sí que entras a las dos mezquitas. Pero ambas son gratis y den entrada libre. Podrían acortar los ratos en que te llevan a tiendas y para que compres... pasar por una tienda fina de tapetes es interesante pero se convierte en una encerrona. Y sobre nuestra mala experiencia, comoramos el tour de la mañana, y nos llegó confirmación para la mañana, pero cuando escribimos para preguntar por el sitio de encuentro nos respondieron que teníamos el tour por la tarde. A pesar de adjuntar el comprobante que ponía por la mañana, nunca aceptaron su error y no aceptan reembolso. Tuvimos que cambiar el plan del día y cancelar otra cosa para poder hacerlo por que ellos insistían en que estábamos por la tarde. Teniendo un mail de confirmación y un cupón que ponía por la mañana. Nunca lo aceptaron ni se disculparon.
Response from Host, Apr 2022
Estimada Mónica,
Es muy agradable tenerte en nuestros tours,
Y nos alegra ver que disfrutó de nuestro programa turístico y guías.
Todo está bien hasta ahora, pero sobre el programa del tour, usted elige la salida de la mañana para el tour de la tarde. Y lamentamos haber malinterpretado su partida.
Por supuesto, puede hablar y discutir con Viator sobre el reembolso de la diferencia.
Para nosotros lo más importante es tu felicidad
tu felicidad es más importante que 5-10 euros
Espero que esté satisfecho
mis mejores deseos
From
-20%
$38.40
per personWas $48.00
up to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
Compare Similar Experiences
Current
Special Offer
Small Group Tour - Monuments of Istanbul (Morning or Afternoon)
33
4 hours
Free Cancellation
From
$48.00
$38.40
Customers Who Bought This Tour Also Bought
Attractions in Istanbul, Turkey
- Galatasaray High School (Galatasaray Lisesi) Tours & Tickets
- Tombs of Osman and Orhan (Osman Gazi Türbesi) Tours & Tickets
- Yedikule Fortress (Yedikule Hisari Müzesi) Tours & Tickets
- Eyup Sultan Mosque Tours & Tickets
- Bosphorus Bridge (Bogazici Koprusu) Tours & Tickets
- Golden Horn (Haliç) Tours & Tickets
- Rustem Pasha Mosque (Rüstem Paşa Camii) Tours & Tickets
- Maiden’s Tower (Kiz Kulesi) Tours & Tickets
- Serpent Column (Yilani Sütun) Tours & Tickets
- Church of Saints Sergius and Bacchus (Kücük Ayasofya Camii) Tours & Tickets
- Emirgan Park (Emirgan Korusu) Tours & Tickets
- Sapanca Lake (Sapanca Gölü) Tours & Tickets
- Istanbul Museum of Modern Art (Istanbul Modern Sanat Müzesi) Tours & Tickets
- Eyüp Tours & Tickets
- Miniaturk (Miniatürk) Tours & Tickets
- Anzac Cove (Anzak Koyu) Tours & Tickets
More attractions near Istanbul, Turkey
- Hagia Sophia (Ayasofya) Tours & Tickets
- Bosphorus Tours & Tickets
- Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmet Camii) Tours & Tickets
- Topkapi Palace (Topkapi Sarayi) Tours & Tickets
- Basilica Cistern (Yerebatan Sarayi) Tours & Tickets
- Hippodrome (Sultanahmet Meydani) Tours & Tickets
- Dolmabahce Palace (Dolmabahce Sarayi) Tours & Tickets