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  • Ports of Call Tours
  • Private and Luxury
  • Private Sightseeing Tours
  • City Tours

Istanbul Old City Highlights and Hidden Gems Tour

5.0(74 reviews)Istanbul, TurkeyOperated by Eylem Yalcinkaya (Istanbul Guide)
  • Duration6 hours – 8 hours
  • GroupPrivate tour
  • TicketMobile or paper ticket accepted
  • LanguagesEnglish
  • BookingInstant confirmation

About this activity

You will spend a day with a professional licensed tour guide exploring the beautiful city of Istanbul. You will learn about the history of Istanbul, visit Byzantine and Ottoman monuments from both historical and art historical perspectives. Additionally, you will have the opportunity to taste local food and drinks recommended by a local professional. With the guide's privilege, you will be able to skip some queues. You will also have chance to have detailed information about other importart atractions and recomendations (such as, food restaurants, hamams, shopping, other important touristic routes, etc.) from local guide who is also a world traveller who had travelled 34 countries and many cities all around the world. This multicultural knowledge will be your advantage of planning rest your holiday and you will find many answer for your questions about Istanbul City and Turkey. Upon your request if all members agree we can customize your route which will be tailor-made for your group.

What to expect

6 hours – 8 hours8 stopsPrivate tour

  1. TopkapI Palace

    Cankurtaran Mah. BabI Humayun Cad. No:1, Istanbul, 34122, Turkiye

    2 hours 30 minAdmission not included

    Topkapı Palace / Short Route (Topkapı Palace is closed for Tuesdays if your tour is in Tuesday it will be w/out Topkapı Palace no worries we will still enjoy our day with many others :)

  2. Hippodrome

    At MeydanI Cd No:21, Istanbul, 34122, Turkiye

    30 minutes

    Ancient Roman Hippodrome - open air museum and monuments

  3. Blue Mosque

    Sultanahmet Mah At Meydani Cad No 7, Istanbul, 34122, Turkiye

    30 minutes

    Historical Ottoman Mosque

  4. Basilica Cistern

    Yerebatan Caddesi, No:1/3, Istanbul, 34410, Turkiye

    1 hourAdmission not included

    Underground Cistern from 6th century Byzantine Era. a Unique experience spot

  5. Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque

    Sultan Ahmet, Ayasofya MeydanI No:1, Istanbul, 34122, Turkiye

    1 hourAdmission not included

    The monumental building which is both a museum and a mosque today; had been first built as the biggest operational cathedral in Constantinopolis (today İstanbul) throughout the Byzantine era. As well as today it is for us, it has been very important for both Byzantine and Ottoman Empires, where you can see the layering of architecture and history of art for centuries.

  6. Arasta Bazaar

    Mimar Mehmet Aga Cd. No:2, Istanbul, 34122, Turkiye

    1 hour

    Historical Ottoman Bazaar were we will find many traditional stores and products of Turkiye. If requested we will alsı have some time for mini workshops and tastings.

  7. Sultanahmet Square

    Istanbul, Turkiye

    30 minutesAdmission not included

    We will have 30minutes coffee/tea break. It will be personal expense.

  8. Sultanahmet Square

    Istanbul, Turkiye

    1 hourAdmission not included

    We will have 60minutes lunch break. It will be personal expense.

Pickup & meeting point

You can choose either hotel/location pickup or to meet the guide at the start point.

Pickup starts about 20 minutes before the departure time.

Start

I will be meeting you in front of Puding Shop / Lale Restaurant , I will be holding a card on which "Eylem Yalcinkaya" "Professional Tour Guide" and "Viator Booked Walking Tours" written. It is only 2minutes walking distance from Sultanahmet Tram Station.

End / drop-off

I will be meeting you in front of Puding Shop / Lale Restaurant , I will be holding a card on which "Eylem Yalcinkaya" "Professional Tour Guide" and "Viator Booked Walking Tours" written. It is only 2minutes walking distance from Sultanahmet Tram Station.

Pickup locations1,850

The operator lists 1,850 pickup points. 40 are shown here; choose yours from the full list when you book.

Hotels & residences40

  • Harbour Suites Old CityKadirga Liman Cad. Kumluk Sok No: 4, Sehsuvar Bey Mah., Istanbul, 34130, Turkiye
  • Atlantis Royal HotelDizdariye Cesmesi Sk. No:53, Binbirdirek, Istanbul, 34122, Turkiye
  • Vardar Palace HotelSIraselviler Cd. No:16, Istanbul, 34433, Turkiye
  • Gulseda Otel ApartTaksim Firini Sk. No:16, Sehit Muhtar Mahallesi, Istanbul, 34435, Turkiye
  • Imagine Istanbul - SultanahmetPertevpasa Sk. No: 57, Emin Sinan Mah, Istanbul, 34126, Turkiye
  • Hotel Inter IstanbulMithatpasa Caddesi Buyuk Haydar Efendi Sokak No 29, Mimar Kemalettin, Istanbul, 34126, Turkiye
  • Union Hotel PortFindikli Celebi HamamI Sk. No 14, Ömer Avnı Mh., Istanbul, 34427, Turkiye
  • Xenia Hotel IstanbulKeresteci Hakki Sokak No 7-9, Sultan Ahmet, Istanbul, 34122, Turkiye
  • AHC Ayasofya Hotel - Special ClassPiyer Loti Cad. No: 1, Istanbul, 34400, Turkiye
  • Meddusa HotelAlemdar Mh. Nuru Osmaniye Cad. No: 5, Cagaloglu, Sultanahmet, Istanbul, 34400, Turkiye
  • Gulhane Corner HotelHudavendigar Cad. Saffeti Pasa Sok. No:12, Hoca Pasa Mah., Istanbul, 34110, Turkiye
  • Chambers of the BohemeKucuk Parmak Kapi Sok. No:13, Chambers of the Boheme, Istanbul, 34433, Turkiye
  • Ess HotelSehit Muhtar Bey Caddesi 23, Beyoglu, Istanbul, 34437, Turkiye
  • Skalion HotelCifte Gelinler Cad. No: 6, Istanbul, 34130, Turkiye
  • Arts Hotel TaksimTopcu Cad. No. 11, Istanbul, 34437, Turkiye
  • Hotel V Plus TaksimKazancI Yokusu, Purtelas Sokak, No:06/A, Cihangir Mahallesi, Istanbul, 34433, Turkiye
  • Akdeniz HotelDivanyolu Cad. Haci Tahsin Bey Sokak No : 7, Sultanahmet, Istanbul, Turkiye
  • Faros Hotel Old CityDivanyolu Cad. No:68, Istanbul, 34122, Turkiye
  • The Marions Suite HotelPurtelas Sok. No:12, Cihangir, Istanbul, 34433, Turkiye
  • Mukarnas Taksim HotelIpek Sok. No:6, Katip Mustafa Çelebi Mahallesi, Istanbul, 34433, Turkiye
  • Kupeli HotelEmin Sinan Hamam Sokak No:4, Emin Sinan Mah., Istanbul, 34130, Turkiye
  • Remall Suites HotelKocatape Mahallesi Feridiye Caddesi Asiklar Sok No 2, Istanbul, 90212, Turkiye
  • Taksim Star HotelSiraselviler Cd No:37, Taksim, Istanbul, 34437, Turkiye
  • B&B TaksimSehit Muhtar Mahallesi AltIn Bakkal Sokak No 4, Istanbul, 34435, Turkiye
  • Titanic City TaksimKocatepe Mah. Lamartin Cad. No:45-49, Kocatepe Mah., Istanbul, 34437, Turkiye
  • Style Star HotelCihangir Mahallesi, Baskurt Sokak 8, Istanbul, 34433, Turkiye
  • Livro HotelCemal Nadir Sok. No:9-11, Hobyar Mah, Istanbul, 34112, Turkiye
  • The Hotel IstanbulBinbirdirek Mah. Binbirdirek MeydanI Sok. No:17, Istanbul, 34400, Turkiye
  • Best Town PalaceIstasyon Arkasi Sokak, 9, Hocapasa Mah., Istanbul, 34110, Turkiye
  • Innpera HotelSiraselviler Cad. No: 15, Istanbul, 34437, Turkiye
  • Istanbul Port HotelKarun Ck. No: 1, Ömer Avni, Istanbul, 34427, Turkiye
  • Aprilis HotelPeykhane Sk. No 4, Binbirdirek Mh, Cemberlitas, Istanbul, 34122, Turkiye
  • Modern SuitesDolapdere Caddesi No: 143-145, Istanbul, 34375, Turkiye
  • Flower Palace HotelHudavendigar Cad, Saffeti Pasa Sk No:11, Hoca Pasa Mah, Istanbul, 34110, Turkiye
  • Royal Bosphorus HotelEbussuud Cad. No:6, Sirkeci-Fatih, Istanbul, 34110, Turkiye
  • Rumours InnUcler Hamami Sk. No:6, Kucukayasofya Mah., Istanbul, 34122, Turkiye
  • Trip Bosphorus Taksim HotelOrdu Caddesi No: 13, Mahmutbey, Istanbul, 34433, Turkiye
  • Sultanahmet Newport HotelPeykhane Sk. No: 15, Binbirdirek Mh. Sultanahmet, Istanbul, 34122, Turkiye
  • Levni Hotel & SpaAnkara Caddesi No: 12, Istanbul, 34127, Turkiye
  • Hotel NezihMithatpasa Cad. Yenidevir Sok. No. 8, Mimar Kemalettin, Istanbul, 34490, Turkiye
  • You may choose to meet the guide at the departure point.
  • You can arrange your pickup point with the operator after booking.

Pickup instructions

I can pick you up from Galataport terminal gate exit with a board your name written on. After you book your tour you can also text me for a hotel pick up. This is only valid for central hotels (Taksim, Sultanahmet, Sirkeci, Pera, Galata, Karaköy Districts) This pick up is only a meeting with guide. Then we will either walk or use public transportation together.

What's included

Included

  • Professional Licensed Tour Guide (English Speaking)
  • Culturel Heritage Professional Guide
  • Archeology Professional Guide

Not included

  • As tour will be a whole day programme we will have 60 minutes lunch break and 30 minutes coffee/tea break
  • Coffee and/or Tea
  • Museum Entrance Fees > Topkapı Palace: 2750TL /per person (approx. $61)
  • Museum Entrance Fees > Basilica Cistern: 2250TL /per person (approx. $49)
  • Museum Entrance Fees > Hagia Sophia: 25€/per person

Good to know

Accessibility & suitability

  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
  • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
  • Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness

Traveller requirements

  • Minimum 1 traveller per booking
  • Maximum 7 travellers per booking
  • Age bands: Traveler (0–120)

Additional information

  • This is a walking tour. After I meet you at the meeting point, in our route, we won't be using any transportation. All the attraction points stated in the route are in historical center and close to each other. Our walking time in between the points, and waiting for the ticket queues etc. are all inclueded in the durations. So depending on the day and group it will be a minimum 6 hours maximum 8 hours route.

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.

Important booking information

Booking cut-off
Bookings close 4 hours before the activity starts.
Confirmation
Confirmed immediately after booking.
Tickets
One per booking
Local time zone
Europe/Istanbul
Product code
474297P1

What you'll be asked when booking

  • Age of each traveller
  • Date of birth
  • First name of each traveller
  • Last name of each traveller
  • Passport expiry date
  • Nationality
  • Passport number
  • Your preferred pickup point
  • Any special requirements
  • Drop-off address
  • How you are arriving
  • Cruise arrival time
  • Cruise ship name

Traveller reviews

5.0/ 574 reviews
  • 574

Ratings aggregated from Tripadvisor (74).

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Ready to book Istanbul Old City Highlights and Hidden Gems Tour?

From EUR 240 per group · Free cancellation available

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Activity information provided by Viator, an authorized travel partner. Gateera does not operate this activity.

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