Istanbul Tour
Best of Istanbul: 1, 2 or 3-Day Private Guided Istanbul Tour
The bridge between east and west, Istanbul is a vibrant city with magnificent architecture and a rich history as the former capital of the Ottoman empire. Cover top sites like the Blue Mosque and the Spice Market on this action-packed guided trip, which offers 1-, 2-, or 3-day itineraries to best suit your schedule. Because it’s a private tour, you have plenty of time for questions along the way.
Here you can see the flexible daily tour itineraries below (7 hours per day):
Day 1 - Hagia Sophia, Hippodrome Square, German Fountain, Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, Grand Bazaar.
Day 2 - Bosphorus Cruise by Public Ferry, Dolmabahce Palace, Taksim Square, Istiklal Street, Cicek Passage, Galata Tower (from outside), Spice Market.
Day 3 - Suleymaniye Mosque, Fener and Balat Districts, St. Stephen Church (Iron Church), Pierre Lotti Panoramic Hill by Cable Car, Kadıkoy Market (or alternative sites).
What's included
Private tour
Professional local guide
Guide meets you at central hotels
What's not included
Transportation (from/back to hotel, between sites (unless option selected)
Museum/Ferry/Cable Car Tickets
Lunch
Gratitude (suggested)
Entry/Admission - Hagia Sophia Mosque
Entry/Admission - Bosphorus Strait
Entry/Admission - Dolmabahce Palace
Entry/Admission - Topkapı Palace
Entry/Admission - Galata Tower
Entry/Admission - Pierre Loti Tepesi
Entry/Admission - Kadıköy Çarşısı
Entry/Admission - Haliç
What to expect
Day one begins with a visit to the Hagia Sophia, a 6th-century Byzantine cathedral adorned in spectacular gold mosaics. Learn how the Blue Mosque got its nickname. You also have time to explore the treasures of Topkapi Palace, once home to the Ottoman sultans and their famous harems.
If you opt for a 2-day tour, begin with a visit to the bustling Spice Market, where you can haggle for saffron alongside shoppers. Cruise down the famous Bosphorus, where you might catch sight of river dolphins, explore the vibrant pedestrian street of Istiklal, and make a stop at Galata Tower, a medieval stone monument with incredible panoramas over the city.
The third day covers the Suleymaniye Mosque, the most beautiful of the Ottoman mosques, as well as the Byzantine frescoes in Chora Church. You also enjoy sweeping city views on a cable car ride on Pierre Loti Hill.
