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  • Private and Luxury
  • Private Sightseeing Tours
  • Weather Dependent - Low
  • Bus Tours

Private Customizable Istanbul Day Tour with Licensed Guide

5.0(80 reviews)Istanbul, TurkeyOperated by Popular Travel
  • Duration6 hours – 8 hours
  • GroupPrivate tour
  • TicketMobile or paper ticket accepted
  • LanguagesEnglish

About this activity

Get the most out of your time in Istanbul with a private, licensed guide dedicated entirely to you. This customizable day tour is ideal for travelers who value flexibility and a personal approach.

Tour highlights include: • A private, licensed guide focused exclusively on your interests • A customizable itinerary tailored to your pace and priorities • The freedom to explore iconic landmarks, local neighborhoods, or both • Historical context, cultural insights, and local perspectives throughout the day • Themes such as religious heritage, architecture, local markets, or cultural highlights

This tour is part of our Private Istanbul Experience Collection, offering: • Old City, Bosphorus, or Neighborhoods itineraries — or the option to create your own

Ideal for travelers who prefer a personalized experience over a fixed itinerary, this tour lets you discover Istanbul naturally and effortlessly.

What to expect

6 hours – 8 hours8 stopsPrivate tour

  1. Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque

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

    1 hourAdmission not included

    A masterpiece of Byzantine architecture and one of Istanbul’s most important landmarks, known for its massive dome, mosaics, and rich historical significance. *Please note that as it's not a museum anymore, tour guides don't have skip-the-line priority there. You may need to wait in the security line, in order to avoid queues we suggest departing at 8:30am or 9:00am.

  2. Blue Mosque

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

    30 minutes

    One of Istanbul’s most iconic mosques, famed for its elegant domes, six minarets, and interior adorned with thousands of blue Iznik tiles, reflecting the grandeur of Ottoman architecture.

  3. Hippodrome

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

    15 minutes

    Once the social and sporting center of Byzantine Constantinople, the Hippodrome features historic monuments such as the Obelisk of Theodosius and offers insight into the city’s ancient past.

  4. Basilica Cistern

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

    30 minutesAdmission not included

    An impressive underground reservoir dating to the Byzantine era, known for its atmospheric columns, vaulted ceilings, and the mysterious Medusa head carvings.

  5. German Fountain

    Hippodrome Square, Istanbul, 34122, Turkiye

    10 minutes

    A late-Ottoman landmark gifted by Kaiser Wilhelm II, this elegant octagonal fountain features intricate mosaics and marks the historic heart of Sultanahmet Square.

  6. TopkapI Palace

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

    2 hoursAdmission not included

    The former residence of Ottoman sultans for centuries, this vast palace complex offers insight into imperial life, with courtyards, pavilions, and sweeping views over the Bosphorus and Golden Horn.

  7. Hagia Irene Museum

    Sultanahmet Meydani Topkapi Sarayi 1. Avlusu, Sultanahmet, Fatih, Istanbul, 34122, Turkiye

    15 minutesAdmission not included

    One of Istanbul’s oldest churches, Hagia Irene is a rare example of a Byzantine church that was never converted into a mosque, known for its simple interior and historical significance.

  8. Grand Bazaar

    Istanbul, Turkiye

    1 hour

    One of the world’s oldest and largest covered markets, the Grand Bazaar is a lively maze of shops selling textiles, jewelry, ceramics, spices, and traditional Turkish goods.

Pickup & meeting point

Pickup is included for all travellers.

Pickup locations1,175

The operator lists 1,175 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
  • Hotel Inter IstanbulMithatpasa Caddesi Buyuk Haydar Efendi Sokak No 29, Mimar Kemalettin, Istanbul, 34126, 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
  • 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
  • Baran Home Aparts16 KadIrga LimanI Caddesi, Istanbul, Turkiye
  • Akdeniz HotelDivanyolu Cad. Haci Tahsin Bey Sokak No : 7, Sultanahmet, Istanbul, Turkiye
  • Faros Hotel Old CityDivanyolu Cad. No:68, Istanbul, 34122, Turkiye
  • Simper HotelKatip Kasim Mah. Turkeli Cad. Kiziltas Sok. No: 57, Aksaray, Fatih, Istanbul, 34130, Turkiye
  • The Marions Suite HotelPurtelas Sok. No:12, Cihangir, Istanbul, 34433, Turkiye
  • Golden Age HotelTopcu Caddesi No 10, Kocatepe Mah, Istanbul, 34437, Turkiye
  • The Central PalaceLamartin Cad. No: 18, Taksim, Beyoglu, Istanbul, 34437, Turkiye
  • Avantgarde Urban TaksimAbdulhakhamit Caddesi No 40/42, Taksim, Istanbul, 34437, Turkiye
  • Hotel Momento - Special ClassMithat Pasa Cad. Kucuk Haydar Efendi Sk. No:14 BeyazIt, Fatih, Istanbul, 34130, Turkiye
  • Hotel Gedik Pasa KonagiMimar Hayrettin, Gedik Pasa Cd. No:70, Istanbul, 34126, Turkiye
  • Taxim Express HotelCumhuriyet Cad. No: 135, İnönü Mah, Istanbul, 34373, Turkiye
  • Grand Emir HotelNur Sok. No: 9 Beyazit, Sarac Ishak Mah. Soganaga Cami Cad., Istanbul, 34080, Turkiye
  • Oldcity Hotel IstanbulAlaykosku caddesi No 1, Sultanahmet, Istanbul, 34410, Turkiye
  • Madison HotelReceppasa Cad. 15, Istanbul, 34437, Turkiye
  • Istanbul Eser HotelOrhaniye Caddesi No 31, Istanbul, 34110, Turkiye
  • Grand Yavuz HotelPiyer Loti Cd. No:71, Emin Sinan, Istanbul, 34126, Turkiye
  • Lion OtelLamartine Cad No 41, Taksim Talimhane, Istanbul, 34437, Turkiye
  • Taksim Select HotelTopcu Cad. No.19, Taksim, Istanbul, 80090, Turkiye
  • Tan Hotel - Special CategoryDr. Emin Pasa Sok. No 16, Çatalçeşme Meydanı, Istanbul, 34110, Turkiye
  • Feronya HotelAbdulhakhamit Cad. No:58, Istanbul, 34437, Turkiye
  • Sunlight HotelPiyerloti Cad. No: 28, Sultanahmet, Istanbul, 34490, Turkiye
  • Hotel Yasmak SultanEbusuud Caddesi No: 12, Istanbul, 34110, Turkiye
  • DoubleTree by Hilton Istanbul - SirkeciNobethane Cad. Darussaade Sok. No:5, Sirkeci, Istanbul, 34110, Turkiye
  • Golden Crown HotelPiyer Loti Cd. Cemberlitas No : 10, Istanbul, 34490, Turkiye
  • Euro Design HotelHobyar Mah. Ankara Cad. No:24, Istanbul, 34112, Turkiye
  • Taksim Star Hotel BosphorusSiraselviler Caddesi No 37 Taksim, Near Belgium Consulate, Istanbul, 34433, Turkiye
  • Hotel Ipek PalasOrhaniye Cad. No:7, Sirkeci Fatih/i̇stanbul, Istanbul, 34845, Turkiye
  • Nova Plaza Crystal HotelKocatepe Mh. Receppasa Cd. No:7/1, Istanbul, 34437, Turkiye
  • You can arrange your pickup point with the operator after booking.

Pickup instructions

Our guide will meet you at your hotel if it is centrally located. Meeting at the Cruise Ship Port is available for guests arriving by cruise. For guests staying in apartments or Airbnb accommodations, please select a nearby hotel from the list as your meeting point.

What's included

Included

  • Private Professional Licensed Guiding
  • All Taxes
  • Guide meets you at centrally located hotels

Not included

  • Museum/Ferry/Cable Car Tickets (tickets can be arranged in advance to skip long ticket lines)
  • Transportation (from/back to hotel, between sites unless van is booked)
  • Lunch
  • Gratuities (optional)

Good to know

Accessibility & suitability

  • 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
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Traveller requirements

  • Minimum 1 traveller per booking
  • Maximum 15 travellers per booking
  • At least one adult must be included in the booking
  • Age bands: Infant (0–2), Child (3–17), Adult (18–99)

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

Important booking information

Booking cut-off
Bookings close 12 hours before the activity starts.
Confirmation
Manual
Tickets
One per booking
Local time zone
Europe/Istanbul
Product code
61488P3

What you'll be asked when booking

  • Your preferred pickup point
  • Any special requirements
  • Drop-off address
  • How you are arriving
  • Cruise arrival time
  • Cruise ship name

Traveller reviews

5.0/ 580 reviews
  • 578
  • 42

Ratings aggregated from Viator (21) and Tripadvisor (59).

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Ready to book Private Customizable Istanbul Day Tour with Licensed Guide?

From EUR 100 per person · Free cancellation available

Check dates & book

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

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