Best Istanbul Sultanahmet Old City Tour with Lunch and Transfer

Recommended by 97% of travelers

Badge of Excellence

Istanbul, Turkey

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

Overview

See the highlights of Istanbul’s historic center without worrying about getting lost in the city’s winding lanes with this tour, which covers many of the city's most important attractions in just one day. Explore the halls of Topkapi Palace, browse for souvenirs in the Grand Bazaar, check out the famous Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque, and enjoy an included lunch of Turkish fare.

Round-trip transfers from your hotel included for ease
Learn about Istanbul past and present from your guide
Dine on an included lunch of Turkish fare
Travel in the comfort of an air-conditioned vehicle

What's Included

Air-conditioned vehicle
Lunch
Skip the Line ticket
Pick up & Drop off
Certified English/French Speaking Guide

Topkapı Palace Entry Fee (2750 TL )
Hagia Sophia Entry Fee ( 30 Euro)
Soda/Pop

Meeting and Pickup

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

Pickup points

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Pickup details

About 8 km far from meeting point.

Meeting points

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End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

Start time
.7:30 am

Itinerary

TopkapI Palace

2 hours • Admission Ticket Not Included

Bilgins Cağaloğlu

30 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Grand Bazaar

45 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Sultanahmet Mosque Information Center

30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque

30 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

Sultanahmet District

30 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Sultanahmet Square

30 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Blue Mosque

30 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Hippodrome

30 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Not wheelchair accessible
Near public transportation
Infants must sit on laps
Not recommended for travelers with back problems

Not recommended for pregnant travelers
No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
Most travelers can participate
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 71 travelers

Supplied by

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

Traveler Photos

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Gallery picture 5 (from a traveler's review)

Reviews

4.8

based on 101 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

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Sort by: Most insightful

Great Walking Tour

Chris_R, Jun 2026

Great walking tour of the Old Town. Ege was a fantastic tour guide, very nice and very knowledgeable about all the history.

Response from Host, Jun 2026

Thanks a lot for your good review.Hope to see you again.

Insightful & indulging!

S_K, May 2026

One of the most insightful experiences through Viator! Our operator Ege was too kind and thoughtful, answering all our queries patiently. We took almost 3hrs at Topkapi! Really wanted the overall tour to last a little longer so we could cover more like the Chora Church, the million stone (zero point) etc. Just a thought :- Lunch could have been richer with more options like lamb or turkey and at least one drink like Ayran or a quick coffee (instead of just water). Chicken was overcooked & fibrous, not soft & succulent. Please note, the tour offers more of Islamic history than Constantinople’s longer Roman origins. If you want to offer a fuller experience, I’d say offer both parts of it. The city’s origins go far beyond the Ottomans. However, full stars for Ege and our wonderful tourmates we luckily had! It was such an indulging affair. Thanks and cheers :) Namaste from India!

Response from Host, May 2026

Thanks a lot for your good review.Hope to see you again.

We very enjoyed the...

Luan_L, Apr 2026

We very enjoyed the tours. The driver was punctual and careful. The operator was courteous and friendly. The tour guide was very professional and knowledgeable the whole location. Definitely We will recommend my friends.

Response from Host, Apr 2026

Thanks a lot for your good review.Hope to see you again.

Great Guide, But Not Worth the Package Price

Chizuru_H, Apr 2026

Ege is a great tour guide, and I do recommend him. However, the tour package itself is overpriced for what you get, especially since many of the locations are free. It’s honestly better to plan and visit these places on your own.

Response from Host, Apr 2026

Thanks for your review.Like you mentioned,tour was serviced as promised.Tour includes lunch,guide and transfer.You experienced this service.There is no mistake or any wrong by us.You should know that travel agencies are not charity and your tour price is cheap, not expensive.That is why please kindly remove your review because ıt does not reflect true.Have a great life.

The itinerary was ok but...

Khasru_R, Feb 2026

The itinerary was ok but the service provided by the tour guide was not good. He was always russhing, cutting corners and was not professional at all. The places he was supposed to spend 45 mins, he stayed 10 mins and when asked why he was not following the schedule, he said those are all lies. We did not like it.

City Tour but moved very fast and lunch was average

C_O, Feb 2025

Signed up to this tour because of the numerous 5 star reviews on Viator. Tour guide was knowledgeable but walked very fast and tour felt rushed and very soft spoken so couldn't really hear most of the dialogue though he was a nice man. After the tour I've been messaged and called and texted to the point of feeling harrassed to give this tour a 5 star. The lunch wasn't that great. Honestly I wish I did another tour.

Response from Host, Feb 2025

Thank you so much for review.we tried to to give the best for you.Clearly that you are not happy about some reasons.you could say in the tour to talk loudly for talking soft.This is a small thing to solve in the tour.Secondly the lunch is average and preferred by everyone ın Sultanahmet area.Even if ıt was not ok you could just ask guide for it.We could also change it in the tour.These are that simple things are only solved by clients warnings.ı am sorry for disturbing you.It is our right to ask for review.But we are having clients thank to your reviews.

Great Experience!

SIDDHARTHA_B, Jan 2025

Had the best experience with Acar and Yusuf as our guides. They made sure we got enough time at every monument, helped us with pictures and all the necessary information. I was unwell in the morning of the tour, and I thought I’d have to cancel but Yusuf was so kind as to bring us to the group a little later during the day. Thank you for a great experience and accommodating our needs.

Response from Host, Jan 2025

Thanks A lot.Hope see you again.

highly recommend

matthew_w, Dec 2024

The tour is wonderful, all the arrangements is fine,the tour guide explained clearly, big shuttle car, gand reat food, although our hotel was not on the pick-up list, the manager picked us up from our hotel to the meet point. high recommend

Response from Host, Dec 2024

Thanks a lot.Hope see you again

This Is A Most Do Tour

Jimmi_L, Dec 2024

I would highly recommend this tour without a doubt! From the moment I booked the tour, Yusuf stayed in constant communication with me and provided great Customer Service. He even reached out to me a few times during the tour to inquire of my satisfaction throughout the day! It was nice to make his acquaintance when he came to meet me personally at the end of the day. Now about the tour and guide. Being a tour guide myself in Atlanta, Georgia, USA , I can honestly say...Nyzil was amazing! With her 10 ten years of experience, she was not only extremely personable and knowledgeable on everything; even answering our many questions throughout the 7 hours we spent together. There were only 3 of us on the tour so she was able to give us her undivided attention! When I booked the tour, I didn't actually realize that it was a walking tour and we did a lot of it throughout the areas we toured. At Bilgin's (a stop) I purchased a beautiful leather jacket after seeing a short fashion show in their showroom. The Grand Bazaar was just that...wow! I made a few purchases there as well. I was picked up and returned back to my Fox Hotel location exhausted yet wonderfully fulfilled! I want to express my gratitude for such an awesome experience and will always remember the great time I had with Yusuf and his professional team of drivers and tour guide! Thank you very much for making my first time in Istanbul very memorable! Continued success! Many Blessings...

Response from Host, Dec 2024

Thank you too much. Hope see you again.

Il faudrait revoir le...

Nathalie_G, Apr 2025

Il faudrait revoir le concept pour éviter au guide de traduire dans deux langues différentes, car perte de temps pour tous et grande fatigabilité pour le guide qui a été exceptionnel.

Response from Host, Apr 2025

Thanks a lot for your good review.We will try better for it.Hope to seee you again.

Excelente!!

Veronica_B, Jan 2025

Muy buen tour, todo perfecto! Grupo reducido que nos permitió hablar con nuestro guía, quien estuvo muy atento a lo que cada uno consultó. El almuerzo estaba muy rico también. Lo pasamos muy bien !