The Real Istanbul Full-Day Experience Tour

What You'll Do

Explore the most unique neighborhoods on Istanbul's Asian and European sides
Taste authentic local food all day from favorite street vendors, including lunch
Meet with locals at Turkish schools and workplaces
Catch the rhythm of life at daily bazaars
Cruise the Bosphorus
Unwind at a Turkish bath
End with a filling dinner at a traditional meyhane

Overview

Take a close look at one of the world’s most complex cities on a 14-hour immersive tour of Istanbul. Experience the lively city with a Turkish bath, traditional dinner, and cruise along the Bosphorus as you discover the city like a local.

What to Expect

Get the inside scoop on Istanbul, one of the world’s most intriguing cities and the only one with a foot in 2 separate continents. The 14-hour immersive tour is designed to let you experience a more local side to the city, seeing some of the segregated boroughs, feeling the rhythm of daily life, and discovering the hidden gems of the culinary scene.

It’s ideal for travelers who have already seen the usual sights, and for those who want a more experiential experience. During the day you will explore the most unique neighborhoods on both the Asian and European sides, taste authentic local food all day from favorite vendors, and meet with locals at schools, workplaces and homes.

There will be time to relax at an authentic hamam (Turkish bath), and you will finish with a big dinner in a traditional meyhane. Traveling in groups of no more than 14 people will get you into the pace of everyday life, and there will be time to cruise the Bosphorus (April to November only), as well as visit some of the bazaars and fish markets.

What's Included

Transportation
Food
Turkish bath
Cruise on the Bosphorus

What's Not Included

Drinks

Meeting Point

Walled Column, Hippodrome, Sultanahmet, Istanbul

Istanbul Imperial: Full-day Private City Tour

What You'll Do

Explore the Roman, Ottoman and Byzantine empires of Istanbul
See the site of former chariot races at the Hippodrome
Admire the minarets and blue Iznik tiles of the Blue Mosque
Visit the city's iconic Hagia Sophia, and discover the mix Roman, Byzantine, and Islamic civilizations
Descend to the watery depths of the Basilica Cistern
Shop for souvenir bargains at the immense Grand Bazaar

Overview

Discover the magic of imperial Istanbul on a 7-hour tour with private guide, Visit city highlights, including the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Basilica Cisterns, Topkapi Palace, and more. End at the thrilling Grand Bazaar and pick up some souvenir bargains.

What to Expect

Explore the highlights of imperial Istanbul on a private 7-hour tour that takes in the major attractions of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Being a private tour, the itinerary can be adjusted to fulfill your specific needs and wishes.

From the iconic Hagia Sophia to the Blue Mosque, and from the bustling maze of the Grand Bazaar, to the obelisk of the Hippodrome of Constantinople, you will learn about Istanbul and Turkey's history, culture, and traditions, and gain an insight into the daily life of its inhabitants, discovering aspects of the city that tourists often miss.

Start your tour at the Hippodrome, the former circus where Roman horse-chariots used to race to the cheers of the crowds. Three monuments survive from the original building, including the Egyptian Obelisk, the Serpentine Column, and the Constantine Column.

Continue to the Blue Mosque, a masterpiece of Ottoman architecture that combines Islamic and Byzantine elements. Officially known as the Sultanahmet Mosque, it is the mosque’s striking blue tiles that give it the more common name and make it one of Istanbul’s most iconic attractions.

Move to the nearby Topkapi Palace, former residence of the sultans of Turkey for 400 years and a relic of the glory days of the great Ottoman Empire. In its heyday the palace boasted a population of about 4,000 people and was home to 25 different sultans.

Hagia Sophia embodies the mix of the 3 great civilizations - Roman, Byzantine, and Islamic - and is the next stop on your tour, before going to the fascinating Basilica Cistern, where you will descend into its depths and stare at 1001 columns in the magical subterranean atmosphere.

End at the Grand Bazaar, one of the oldest closed markets in the world. Explore the maze of stalls and galleries and try you hand at bargaining for handmade carpets, evil eye trinkets, and antiques. Listen out for the babble of more than 100 languages, and try a strong Turkish coffee to set you on your way.

What's Included

Private guided tour in English, Italian, or Spanish

What's Not Included

Entrance fees
Transport fees
Lunch

Istanbul Golden Horn Bus Tour & Bosphorus Cruise

What You'll Do

Visit Pierre Loti Hill by cable car
Enjoy a panoramic Golden Horn bus tour
See the sights of Istanbul on a 90-minute Bosphorus cruise

Overview

See the top attractions in Istanbul on a combination panoramic bus tour and Bosphorus cruise. This tour ensures you experience the best Istanbul has to offer, even if you have a limited amount of time. Admire the iconic sights from land and water!

What to Expect

Your tour begins with a pick-up at your hotel and the drive to Pierre Loti Hill, where you’ll take a cable car to the top.

Next you’ll see the highlights of Istanbul on a panoramic Golden Horn bus tour.

Follow this with a 90-minute Bosphorus cruise, following along the shores and taking in many of Istanbul’s iconic sights. A guide on board will provide full commentary.

Admire the views of Dolmabahçe Palace, Leanders Tower, the city’s 2 suspension bridges, Rumeli Hisarı Fortress, and the stunning mansions on the Bosphorus shores.

Disembark near Istanbul’s famous Spice Bazaar for the transfer back to your hotel.

What's Included

English-speaking guide
Boat ticket
Hotel transfers

What's Not Included

Personal expenses
Beverages
Tips

Private Guided 8-Hour Day Tour of Istanbul

What You'll Do

Enjoy a truly memorable private 8-hour guided tour of Istanbul
Shop for Turkish treasures in the Spice Bazaar
Taste the flavors of Turkey, Egypt, and Italy with a traditional lunch
See and learn about the opulent lifestyle of the sultans in Topkapi Palace
See Istanbul's most beloved highlights, such as the Blue Mosque, Basilica Cistern, and more
Get picked up from and dropped off at your hotel or cruise ship in an air-conditioned luxury car

Overview

Enjoy a private 8-hour guided tour of the European Capital of Culture. Roam the bustling Spice Bazaar and encounter extreme opulance at the Topkapi Palace, Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, and Basilica Cistern. Pick-up/drop off from your hotel or cruise ship.

What to Expect

Follow your knowledgeable licensed guide through the winding streets of Istanbul and learn about the ancient monuments that made this city the 2010 European Capital of Culture. You will either be picked up from your hotel or cruise ship and be transported around the city in a luxury air-conditioned car for your 8-hour private tour.

The first stop on the tour is the Hagia Sophia museum/church, a 1500 year old Byzantine jewel. Your guide will teach you about this historic work of architecture before heading to the nearby Basilica Cistern. Glimpse a bygone era of decadence and wealth in the Topkapi Palace. This was built by the Sultan Mehmed II and displays a vast amount of jewels, gold and crystal chandeliers.

After roaming the opulent halls of the Topkapi Palace you too will want to indulge yourself. Treat your taste buds to a well-earned Turkish lunch. You can taste the flavors of Egypt, Greece and Italy in the local sumptuous cuisine. During the afternoon you will be shown around the Blue Mosque, famous for its 20,000 hand painted blue Iznik tiles. End your unforgettable day wandering the bustling Spice Bazaar. Here you will find anything from ceramics to leather to tea and spices. You will have time to shop for souvenirs and gifts before being driven back to your hotel or cruise ship.

What's Included

Licensed guide
Dependable driver
New A/C vehicle
Local postcard

What's Not Included

Entrance fees
Lunch
Tip

Meeting Point

Meeting point varies depending on option booked.

EN, DE, ES, FR, IT, NL, RU, TR, PT-Speaking Guide
Greek or Mandarin-Speaking Guide
Japanese Guide

What to Remember

Please have the "total entrance fees" for your group collected and ready to give to your guide (that way there will be no lost tour time).

Entrance fees:

• Blue Mosque and Spice Market: free
• Hagia Sophia: (free 0-11 yrs) (EUR 11 for 12 yrs and up)
• Basilica: (free 0-7 yrs) (EUR 7 for 8 yrs and up)
• Topkapi Palace: (free 0-11 yrs) (EUR 10 for 12 yrs and up)

Advised: bring comfortable walking shoes, sunscreen, dark glasses, hat, and water.

Istanbul's Golden Horn, Eyüp, Miniatürk & Pierre Loti Tour

What You'll Do

Visit the 3rd most sacred site in the world after Mecca and Jerusalem at the Eyüp Sultan Mosque & Tomb
Take in wonderful panoramas of the Golden Horn on the Teleferique (cable car)
Walk in the footsteps of the poet Pierre Loti and see the café where he got his inspiration
See Turkish life through the ages in miniature at Miniatürk
Shop for colorful souvenirs at a busy shopping center

Overview

Visit Istanbul’s most sacred site at the Eyüp Sultan Mosque and Tomb. Discover why thousands of faithfuls visit everyday. Continue to the famous Pierre Loti Coffee house and explore the Miniatürk miniature attractions.

What to Expect

This half-day tour of Istanbul’s Golden Horn visits the city’s most sacred site and the 3rd most sacred site in the world after Mecca and Jerusalem. The Eyüp Sultan Mosque is visited by thousands of faithful people every day and you will join in as you explore the Mosque of Eyüp-El-Ensari, flagbearer of the Prophet Mohammed.

Eyüp-El-Ensari died in Istanbul during the Arabic siege of the city in the 7th-Century. The old trees, pigeons, praying believers and the large crowd create a mystical and colorful atmosphere around the mosque.

Continue via the Teleferique to the Pierre Loti Coffee House, located on a hill with beautiful trees. Enjoy the wonderful panorama of the Golden Horn and the bird’s eye view of the Horn from the cable car as you ascend 1,800 feet (550 meters) in less than 2 minutes.

The coffee house takes its name from Pierre Loti, the French author and poet who was extremely fond of İstanbul and wrote as he sat in the coffee house while enjoying the views.

Next visit Miniatürk, an open field of miniature scaled models of the best known masterpieces of Turkey that create a fairy-tale environment of İstanbul, Anatolia and the former Ottoman territories.

It reflects the revival of Turkish culture and history in all its magnificence. Countless human models, situated throughout the park, such as a railroad worker, Muslims in a mosque courtyard, Jews praying in a synagogue, and flower sellers, portray the lifestyle of Turkish society through ages.

Spend some time exploring the colorful shopping center, where you can find some of the best souvenirs in İstanbul, before the tour concludes.

What's Included

Air-conditioned transport
Museum entrance fees
Free pick-up and drop off service for centrally located Istanbul hotels

What's Not Included

Refreshments

What to Remember

A minimum of 6 guests is required to operate this tour. Guaranteed departure on Mondays and Thursdays.

• After booking, you need to call the local supplier in order to learn exact time and free shuttle availability.
• Pick-up is only available for centrally located Istanbul hotels. When verifying your booking, your local supplier will advise you on alternative meeting points for hotels which are not accessible
• Free shuttle pick-up is offered between 13:00 and 14:00 (depending on the location of your hotel), and takes 45 to 60 minutes.