LandmarksFree cancel
30 minutes
1 / 28
- Cultural Tours
- Half-day Tours
- Excellent Quality
- Short term availability
Istanbul Old City: Basilica Cistern - Blue Mosque - Grand Bazaar
- Duration3 hours
- GroupShared · max 8
- TicketMobile or paper ticket accepted
- LanguagesEnglish
- BookingInstant confirmation
About this activity
Visit the historic ‘old town’ of bustling Istanbul on this tour. Photo opportunities await at Sultanahmet’s notable religious sites including the Underground Basilica Cistern and Blue Mosque. Wander through aromatic spice markets after exploring the Byzantine heritage of the Hippodrome. Witness the Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman Empire influences in this part of Turkey's great metropolis.
⦿ Tour the historic reference points of the old town with an English speaking tour guide ⦿ Benefit from a smaller tour group that can be customised to your interests ⦿ Sample Turkish delights in the Grand Bazaar and visit a local carpet workshop ⦿ Enjoy the best scenery of Istanbul from Blue Mosque
What to expect
Basilica Cistern
Yerebatan Caddesi, No:1/3, Istanbul, 34410, Turkiye
Largest of several hundred ancient Byzantine cisterns built by Byzantine Emperor Justinian I (527-565). Huge underground Roman water source held up with 336 marble columns covering 9,800 sq. meters.
Blue Mosque
Sultanahmet Mah At Meydani Cad No 7, Istanbul, 34122, Turkiye
A popular tourist site, sits next to the Hagia Sophia, and continues to function as a mosque today. The Blue Mosque, as it is popularly known, was constructed between 1609 and 1616 during the rule of Ahmed I. Hand-painted blue tiles adorn the mosque’s interior walls. The Sultan Ahmed Mosque has five main domes, six minarets, and eight secondary domes with traditional Ottoman architecture and is considered to be the last great mosque of the classical period.
Hippodrome
At MeydanI Cd No:21, Istanbul, 34122, Turkiye
The Hippodrome of Constantinople was a circus that was the sporting and social center of Constantinople. Today it is a square with a few fragments of the original structure surviving. Monuments decorating the Hippodrome include the 3500-year-old Egyptian Obelisk, Serpentine Column...
Sultanahmet Square
Istanbul, Turkiye
This beautiful square and a great place to make a stop, relax and take photos of Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque.
Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque
Sultan Ahmet, Ayasofya MeydanI No:1, Istanbul, 34122, Turkiye
The Church of Divine Wisdom, a fifteen hundred years old splendid monument, is a must see in Istanbul, built to be the world’s largest place of worship by Emperor Justinian in 532 AD.
Grand Bazaar
Kalpakcilar Cad. Sorguclu Han No: 22, Beyazıt Mah., Istanbul, 34126, Turkiye
Grand Covered Bazaar
Historic Areas of Istanbul
Istanbul, 34093, Turkiye
The historical city of Istanbul, the only city in the world located on two continents, was the capital of three great empires; Roman, Byzantine and the Ottoman Empire.
Pickup & meeting point
There is no pickup — all travellers meet at the start point.
Start
Meet your guide outside 'FOODIE-IST CAFE AND BRASSERIE,' just a 2-minute walk from the (T1) Sultanahmet tram stop. Your guide, easily identifiable by their tour guide badge, will be waiting for you at the cafe entrance.
End
Redemption
⚠️ Please arrive at least 10 minutes before the scheduled start time. Finding a taxi and navigating Istanbul traffic can sometimes take longer than expected, so we kindly recommend allowing a little extra time for your journey. As this is a shared experience with other participants, the tour will begin promptly at the scheduled time. Thank you for your understanding.
What's included
Included
- Basilica Cistern entry ticket (*if all-inclusive option selected)
- Professional Guide
- Small Group
Not included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Gratuities
- Basilica Cistern
Good to know
Accessibility & suitability
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Traveller requirements
- Minimum 1 traveller per booking
- Maximum 8 travellers per booking
- At least one adult must be included in the booking
- Age bands: Infant (0–6), Child (7–12), Adult (13–99)
Additional information
- Modest clothing is recommended when visiting the Sultanahmet Blue Mosque. Shorts and skirts should be below the knee. Women are kindly asked to cover their heads and any exposed shoulders with a scarf or shawl. If you do not have suitable clothing, complimentary coverings are available at the entrance, including overalls and headscarves.
- The Blue Mosque has one tourist entrance for all visitors. There is no skip-the-line option, so waiting time may occur depending on the crowd. We kindly ask for your understanding and patience.
- IF ALL INCLUSIVE OPTION IS NOT SELECTED: Entrance to Basilica Cistern (€45 per person) is not included in the tour price.
- The Grand Bazaar is closed on Sundays. On Sundays, we visit the Spice Market (Egyptian Market) instead, allowing you to enjoy another of Istanbul’s historic and vibrant markets.
- Total walking distance approx. 3–4 km with frequent stops; includes stairs at Basilica Cistern and uneven surfaces in Sultanahmet
Languages
- Guide
- English
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- 1+ days before100% refund
- 0–1 days before0% refund
- This experience requires good weather. If it's cancelled due to poor weather, you'll be offered a different date or a full refund.
- This experience requires a minimum number of travellers. If it's cancelled because the minimum isn't met, you'll be offered a different date or a full refund.
Important booking information
- Booking cut-off
- Bookings close 1 hour before the activity starts.
- Confirmation
- Confirmed immediately after booking.
- Tickets
- One per booking
- Local time zone
- Europe/Istanbul
- Product code
- 66000P19
What you'll be asked when booking
- Any special requirements
Traveller reviews
4.8/ 5127 reviews
Ratings aggregated from Viator (62) and Tripadvisor (65).
You might also like
Cruises & Boat
5 hours
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Go Fishing Dubai 5 hours Trolling & Regular Fishing
Day TripsFree cancel
1 hour
MuseumsFree cancel
1 hour
Ready to book Istanbul Old City: Basilica Cistern - Blue Mosque - Grand Bazaar?
From EUR 62 per person · Free cancellation available
Activity information provided by Viator, an authorized travel partner. Gateera does not operate this activity.