Top Istanbul activities
Top Istanbul landmarks
Beyond Istanbul
Istanbul trip ideas
Best of Istanbul: 1, 2 or 3-Day Private Guided Istanbul Tour
Istanbul, Turkey
From $200.00
per group (up to 8)
Select Date and Travelers
up to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
- 7 to 21 hours
- Pickup offered
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
Explore our promoted experiences
Overview
Prepare to be awed by Istanbul’s magnificent architecture, rich history, and eclectic bazaars as you discover the unmissable highlights of the Old City on this 1-, 2-, or 3-day private tour. Marvel over the glorious Hagia Sophia, learn how the Blue Mosque earned its famous nickname, and see the ancient Basilica Cistern. Tour Topkapi Palace to gain an insight into the lavish lifestyles of the Ottoman sultans and their harem, and browse the legendary Grand Bazaar, where you find everything from carpets to Turkish delight.
Flexible daily itineraries:
Day 1 - Hagia Sophia, Hippodrome Square, German Fountain, Blue Mosque, Basilica Cistern, 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).
- Exclusive Istanbul tour led by a private guide
- Comprehensive tour of the city over one, two, or three days
- Explore the local streets on a walking tour of the city
- Customize the itinerary according to your schedule
What's Included
- Private tour
- Professional local guide
- Guide meets you at central hotels
- Transportation (from/back to hotel, between sites (unless option selected)
- Museum/Ferry/Cable Car Tickets
- Lunch
Meeting and Pickup
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Pickup details
*FOR LAST MINUTE BOOKINGS AND LATE DEPARTURES, as museums and some sites will be closed around 17:30 pm, alternative tour sites will be advised by the tour guide during the tour. *Tour guide meets you at central Istanbul hotels or Galata Port. If the hotel is not centrally located, the meeting point will be in front of the German Fountain. If van service is not chosen your guide will pick you up at centrally located hotels on foot. If private van service is booked, please note that there will be a surcharge if your hotel is located outside of the city center or on the Asian Side.
What To Expect
When booking this immersive, private tour of Istanbul, choose a duration that works best for your schedule. See many of the city’s most important attractions and monuments, all in one day—or extend to a two- or three-day experience for a complete introduction to the city.
On the first day, meet your guide directly at your centrally located Istanbul hotel. This experience is tailored to your schedule and interests, and you can pick from numerous departure times and customize your itinerary. Set off on foot to really soak in the city’s ambiance, and visit numerous landmarks in the Historic Areas of Istanbul UNESCO World Heritage Site, including the Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque or Basilica Cistern. Then, visit the lavish Topkapi Palace (entry own expense) before finishing at the Grand Bazaar. With your guide’s in-depth storytelling, you’ll learn more about the sights than you’d discover on your own.
If you choose to extend to the second day, enhance your visit with a Bosphorus cruise by public ferry and a trip to Dolmabahce Palace. Follow your guide through the crowds to see Taksim Square, Istiklal Street, Cicek Passage, and the exterior of the Galata Tower.
And if you explore on a third day, more sights await discovery, including the Suleymaniye Mosque, the evocative Fener and Balat neighborhoods and the Bulgarian St. Stephen Church. Cap off your experience with a cable car ride to the Pierre Loti Hill.
On the first day, meet your guide directly at your centrally located Istanbul hotel. This experience is tailored to your schedule and interests, and you can pick from numerous departure times and customize your itinerary. Set off on foot to really soak in the city’s ambiance, and visit numerous landmarks in the Historic Areas of Istanbul UNESCO World Heritage Site, including the Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque or Basilica Cistern. Then, visit the lavish Topkapi Palace (entry own expense) before finishing at the Grand Bazaar. With your guide’s in-depth storytelling, you’ll learn more about the sights than you’d discover on your own.
If you choose to extend to the second day, enhance your visit with a Bosphorus cruise by public ferry and a trip to Dolmabahce Palace. Follow your guide through the crowds to see Taksim Square, Istiklal Street, Cicek Passage, and the exterior of the Galata Tower.
And if you explore on a third day, more sights await discovery, including the Suleymaniye Mosque, the evocative Fener and Balat neighborhoods and the Bulgarian St. Stephen Church. Cap off your experience with a cable car ride to the Pierre Loti Hill.
Sultanahmet District
15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Hippodrome
15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
German Fountain
15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Sultanahmet Square
15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Hagia Sophia Mosque
1 hour • Admission Ticket Not Included
Blue Mosque
1 hour • Admission Ticket Free
Basilica Cistern (Pass By)
Grand Bazaar
1 hour • Admission Ticket Free
Bosphorus Strait
2 hours • Admission Ticket Not Included
Dolmabahce Palace
1 hour • Admission Ticket Not Included
Taksim Square
1 hour • Admission Ticket Free
Topkapi Palace
2 hours • Admission Ticket Not Included
Istiklal Caddesi
45 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Galata Tower
10 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included
Misir Carsisi (Spice Market)
45 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Cicek Pasaji
10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Suleymaniye Mosque
1 hour • Admission Ticket Free
Balat
2 hours • Admission Ticket Free
Fener Rum Patrikhanesi
45 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Historic Areas of Istanbul
10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Pierre Loti Tepesi
30 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included
KadIkoy CarsIsI
1 hour 30 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included
Halic
30 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included
Bulgarian Orthodox Church
45 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Stroller accessible
- On Fridays, Hagia Sophia or Blue Mosque will be visited from outside because of the worship.
- Dolmabahce Palace is closed on Mondays. Due to museum regulations, live guide service is not available at Dolmabahce Palace.
- Tour guides don't have skip-the-line priority in Hagia Sophia. You may need to wait in the security line, in order to avoid queues we suggest departing at 8:30am or 9:00am.
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
- Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
Traveler Photos
See more
Reviews
5.0
4,873 reviews
Patricia_N, May 2024
Our guide helped us navigate crowded areas and got us into the cisterns quickly. Gave us excellent information. He picked us up and dropped us off at the port. We were able to see so much of Istanbul in one day thanks to him.
aematheny, May 2024
Fantastic experience! Our guide, Ozan, was so fun and friendly, and extremely knowledgeable. We opted for hotel pickup, and he and our driver did an amazing job. The tour was able to be curated to our top interests and we loved all the commentary. It was helpful to be with someone who could help bypass the crowds and hit all the highlights in our limited time. Ozan's recommendations were perfect. Highly recommend!
Monica_W, May 2024
Our guide, Fatma, made the tours fantastic. She knew all the best places & times to go to all the venues we wanted to see. She was very knowledgeable & enjoyable to spend 2 days with - money well spent! We were extremely satisfied with our experience.
zahirreesha, May 2024
We had an excellent two day tour of Istanbul with our guide Serkan. He was very helpful and he wouldn’t have been able to navigate the city quite so easily without him guiding us. Our tour coincided with Labour Day here in Turkey, and Serkan did a great job at planning our itinerary around this to ensure that we still got to see all the attractions. It was a great way to see the city in a short span of time!
mysl550mercedes, Apr 2024
We had a great time in Istanbul. Our tour guide Ezgi Palabiyik was very knowledgeable and easy to understand. She helped us in many ways, which we are very grateful for it.
Diana_D, Apr 2024
Excellent experience. We had a full day tour of Istanbul with our cruise ship, but there were places we didn't get to see. This tour allowed us to customize exactly what we wanted to see. Our guide was terrific. Excellent English. Very patient with us. Answered our questions. Gave us insight into history, customs, and the sites. Took us to a great place for lunch. We toured the Topkapi Palace, Archeological Museum, Gulhane Park to see the tulips, and the Spice Market. He navigated the tram with us which was no small effort considering it was very crowded at the end of Ramandan. Was very impressed by his knowledge of everything from the sultans to the archeology museum. Highly recommend this company!!!
Claudia_C, Apr 2024
Excellent knowledge of the guide and a very efficient way to fast rack lines and see as much as possible and get personal guide and explanations. Helps you get around, use the transport network and a good orientation. Just make sure to tell your guide if you need a rest break!
Ikram_F, Apr 2024
From the moment the tour begins, Istanbul enchants you with its unique blend of history and modernity. This Tour offers an immersive experience that takes you through the city's most iconic landmarks, each with a tale as old as time.
The Hagia Sophia, with its majestic dome and intricate mosaics, stands as a testament to the
city's Byzantine and Ottoman past. The Blue Mosque, another jewel in Istanbul's crown, mesmerizes with its six minarets and stunning blue tiles. The bustling Grand Bazaar is a kaleidoscope of colors, scents
Our tour guide Emerye is the heart of the experience bringing the city's history to life with their knowledge and passion. He navigate through the streets with ease, sharing anecdotes and historical facts that enrich the journey. His expertise is evident as he answer every question with depth and enthusiasm.
Enrique_D, Apr 2024
A must do in Istanbul.
Our guide, Gaye, was amazing. She spoke Spanish and English and made our tour enjoyable.
Lucila_T, Apr 2024
We had a great experience with a knowledgeable and fun personality guide Uklu. Our three day tour was full of exciting experiences. We highly recommend this tour.
...
Compare Similar Experiences
Current
Best of Istanbul: 1, 2 or 3-Day Private Guided Istanbul Tour
4,866
21 hours
Free Cancellation
From
$200.00
Customers Who Bought This Tour Also Bought
- Shore Excursions
- Rail Tours
- Private and Luxury
- Bus Tours
- City Tours
- Private Sightseeing Tours
- Walking Tours
- Ports of Call Tours
- Cultural Tours
- Historical Tours
- Full-day Tours
- Day Trips
- On the Ground
- Cultural Tours
- Day Trips
- Shore Excursions
- Private and Luxury
- Private Sightseeing Tours
- Tours, Sightseeing & Cruises
- Istanbul
- Shore Excursions - Varna
- Rail Tours - Varna
- Private and Luxury - Varna
- Bus Tours - Varna
- City Tours - Varna
- Private Sightseeing Tours - Varna
- Walking Tours - Varna
- Ports of Call Tours - Varna
- Cultural Tours - Varna
- Historical Tours - Varna
- Full-day Tours - Varna
- Day Trips - Varna
- Shore Excursions - Izmir
- Rail Tours - Izmir
- Private and Luxury - Izmir
- Bus Tours - Izmir
- City Tours - Izmir
- Private Sightseeing Tours - Izmir
- Walking Tours - Izmir
- Ports of Call Tours - Izmir
- Cultural Tours - Izmir
- Historical Tours - Izmir
- Full-day Tours - Izmir
- Day Trips - Izmir
- Shore Excursions - Pamukkale
- Rail Tours - Pamukkale
- Private and Luxury - Pamukkale
- Bus Tours - Pamukkale
- City Tours - Pamukkale
- Private Sightseeing Tours - Pamukkale
- Walking Tours - Pamukkale
- Ports of Call Tours - Pamukkale
- Cultural Tours - Pamukkale
- Historical Tours - Pamukkale
- Full-day Tours - Pamukkale
- Day Trips - Pamukkale
- Sultanahmet District Tours & Tickets
- Istanbul Museum of Modern Art (Istanbul Modern Sanat Müzesi) Tours & Tickets
- Anadolu Kavagi Tours & Tickets
- Church of Saints Sergius and Bacchus (Kücük Ayasofya Camii) Tours & Tickets
- Aqua Florya Shopping Center (Aqua Florya Alisveris Merkezi) Tours & Tickets
- Anzac Cove (Anzak Koyu) Tours & Tickets
- Kadikoy Market (Kallavi Kadiköy) Tours & Tickets
- Maiden’s Tower (Kiz Kulesi) Tours & Tickets
- Serpent Column (Yilani Sütun) Tours & Tickets
- Ural Ataman Classic Car Museum Tours & Tickets
- Istanbul SEA LIFE® Aquarium Tours & Tickets
- Beyazit Mosque (Beyazit Camii) Tours & Tickets
- Istinye Park Tours & Tickets
- Aga Turkish Bath (Aga Hamami) Tours & Tickets
- Eyüp Tours & Tickets
- Fener District Tours & Tickets
- Dolmabahce Palace (Dolmabahce Sarayi) Tours & Tickets
- Pierre Loti Hill (Pierre Loti Tepesi) Tours & Tickets
- Galata Tower (Galata Kulesi) Tours & Tickets
- Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge Tours & Tickets
- Grand Bazaar (Kapali Çarsi) Tours & Tickets
- Blue Mosque (Sultanahmet Camii) Tours & Tickets
- Süleymaniye Mosque (Süleymaniye Camii) Tours & Tickets
- Bosphorus Bridge (Bogazici Koprusu) Tours & Tickets
- Spice Bazaar (Misir Carsisi) Tours & Tickets
- Hagia Sophia (Ayasofya) Tours & Tickets
- Topkapi Palace (Topkapi Sarayi) Tours & Tickets
- Art & Culture
- Audio Guides
- Classes & Workshops
- Food & Drink
- Kid-Friendly
- Likely To Sell Out
- Outdoor Activities
- Seasonal & Special Occasions
- Tickets & Passes
- Tours, Sightseeing & Cruises
- Cruises & Sailing
- How to Get Around
- Private and Luxury
- Sightseeing Tours
- Adventure Tours
- City Tours
- Hop on Hop Off Buses
- Night Tours
- Observation Decks
- Private Sightseeing Tours
- Sightseeing Cruises
- Sightseeing Passes
- Skip the line Tickets
- Skyscrapers & Towers
- Tours by Duration
- Travel & Transportation Services
- Unique Experiences
© 1997-2024 Viator, Inc.