Join a full-day Istanbul Old City tour and explore the most important landmarks of the historic peninsula. Visit Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, and the Grand Bazaar with a professional licensed guide. This tour offers a comfortable and well-organized way to discover Ottoman and Byzantine history in one day.
Istanbul Old City Tour Itinerary
Tour Day: Hotel Pickup | Istanbul Old City Full-Day Tour | Hotel Drop-off
Visit Highlights
Hagia Sophia: Discover the iconic Hagia Sophia, one of the most famous landmarks in Istanbul.
Blue Mosque: Visit the beautiful mosque famous for its blue tiles and elegant architecture.
Hippodrome of Constantinople: Explore the historic square that was once the center of public life in Byzantine times.
German Fountain: See the decorative fountain gifted by the German Emperor in the early 20th century.
Obelisk of Theodosius: View the ancient Egyptian obelisk standing in the Hippodrome area.
Serpentine Column: Observe the historic bronze column brought from Delphi in ancient times.
Grand Bazaar: Walk through one of the oldest and largest covered markets in the world.
Topkapi Palace: Explore the former residence of Ottoman sultans and learn about imperial history.
What’s Included
Hotel pickup and drop-off.
Professional tour guide.
Lunch.
What’s Not Included
Hagia Sophia entrance fee.
Topkapi Palace entrance fee.
Personal expenses.
Important Information
Language: The tour is conducted in English.
Duration: 8 hours.
Hagia Sophia: Skip-the-line ticket option is available upon request.
Topkapi Palace: Skip-the-line ticket option is available upon request.
Blue Mosque: Closed to visitors during Friday prayer times.
Grand Bazaar: Closed on Sunday.
Tour Days and Times
Monday: 08:00 AM.
Wednesday: 08:00 AM.
Thursday: 08:00 AM.
Saturday: 08:00 AM.
Sunday: 08:00 AM.
Meeting Point
Your hotel reception in Istanbul.
Istanbul Old City Tour Program
Tour Day: Hotel Pickup | Istanbul Old City Full-Day Tour | Hotel Drop-off
Pickup from your Istanbul hotel and begin the Istanbul Old City Full-Day Tour.
Visits include Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Hippodrome of Constantinople, German Fountain, Obelisk of Theodosius, Serpentine Column, Grand Bazaar, and Topkapi Palace.
Lunch served during the tour.
Drop-off at your Istanbul hotel at the end of the tour.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Istanbul Old City Tour
1. How long does the Old City tour last?
The tour lasts approximately 8 hours, starting at 08:00 AM.
2. Is hotel pickup included?
Yes. Pickup and drop-off from centrally located hotels in Istanbul are included.
3. Are entrance fees included in the tour price?
No. Entrance fees for Hagia Sophia and Topkapi Palace are not included and are paid separately.
4. Is lunch included?
Yes. Lunch at a local restaurant is included in the tour.
5. Is the Blue Mosque open every day?
The Blue Mosque is closed to visitors during Friday prayer times.
6. Is the Grand Bazaar open every day?
No. The Grand Bazaar is closed on Sundays.
7. Is this tour suitable for families?
Yes. This tour is suitable for families, couples, and travelers interested in history and culture.
Discover what our customers have to say about Istanbul Old City Full-Day Tour with our customer reviews.
Iñigo S. 5.0 / 5 Excellent
Our guide started telling stories about the city before we even got off the bus, and I liked that. The walk around Sultanahmet felt easy; even seeing Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque from outside was impressive. Topkapi had a lot of details, sometimes hard to follow but it added meaning. We got a bit of free time in the Grand Bazaar and I just grabbed tea and looked around. Overall a full day, but you end up tired.
Florian B. 5.0 / 5 Excellent
Our guide started explaining things calmly as soon as we got off the bus, and the day never felt rushed. We walked around Sultanahmet, saw Hagia Sophia and the courtyard of the Blue Mosque, then went down into the Basilica Cistern. There was also some free time in the Grand Bazaar, which I liked. The group was well organized, only the crowds in a few spots were pretty intense, but that’s Istanbul I guess.
Théo G. 5.0 / 5 Excellent
Our guide made us feel at ease in the first minutes and the day flowed really smoothly. Walking around Sultanahmet was a nice pace; we saw Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque from outside and heard the stories, then went down into the Basilica Cistern. We had a short break in the Grand Bazaar, no pressure, just fun to look around. By the end my feet were tired but my head was full (in a good way).
Chinonso O. 5.0 / 5 Excellent
Within the first few minutes, the old city just pulled me in. Our guide explained the history of Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque in a calm way, and we didn’t rush through Topkapi Palace. We also had a bit of free time at the Grand Bazaar, I looked for spices and Turkish delight. The day is long but well planned, I was tired but it was worth it.
Jannik F. 5.0 / 5 Excellent
Our guide really knew their stuff and kept the day organized without rushing too much. We walked around the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia area, then went down into the Basilica Cistern. I liked the small details at Topkapi Palace. It was crowded, but the group stayed together and I never felt lost. Long day on your feet, but worth it.
Nikhil S. 5.0 / 5 Excellent
Our guide had such a good way of telling stories that the whole day felt full but not rushed. Just walking around Sultanahmet was a highlight; we saw Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque from outside and got the details, then the Basilica Cistern was cool and a bit spooky. I got a little lost in the Grand Bazaar but it was fun. Pace was nice, only the lunch stop felt a bit short.
Thando M. 5.0 / 5 Excellent
Our guide made the city make sense the moment we got off the bus. The stops around Sultanahmet were packed but we never felt rushed. Hagia Sophia was impressive even from outside, we had a quick breather in the Blue Mosque courtyard, and the Basilica Cistern was the real surprise (cool and a bit spooky). Free time at the Grand Bazaar was nice, the bargaining part got tiring :) By the end I was walking a lot, but everything clicked in my head.
Rihards K. 4.0 / 5 Very Good
Our guide put us at ease right after we got off the bus, and the day flowed pretty smooth. Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque were crowded of course, but the explanations made it easier to take in. I liked the courtyards of Topkapi Palace the most, and we still had a bit of free time to wander in the Grand Bazaar. Only downside, lunch stop felt a bit rushed and I wanted longer at a couple spots.
Nils K. 4.0 / 5 Very Good
Our guide set a calm, organized tone right away. We walked around Sultanahmet, saw Hagia Sophia from outside, and the Basilica Cistern felt like a cool break. The Grand Bazaar was fun but a bit too crowded, and the lunch stop was just ok. Still, the schedule made sense and we mostly kept to the timing.
Yassine B. 5.0 / 5 Excellent
Our guide made everyone feel comfortable in the first minutes, and the day flowed nicely. We walked around Sultanahmet, saw Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque, and spent time in the courtyards of Topkapi Palace. In the Grand Bazaar we got a little lost, but that was part of the fun. The history explanations were not boring, more like small stories. Lunch was simple but filling. By the end my feet hurt, but worth it.
Raghav S. 5.0 / 5 Excellent
Our guide started telling stories from the first minute and the day just flew. We walked around Sultanahmet, saw Hagia Sophia and the mosques from outside, and I got a bit lost in Grand Bazaar but it was fun. The history part wasn’t boring, he kept it simple. Lunch wasn’t fancy but filling. By the end my feet hurt, but worth it.
Thando K. 4.0 / 5 Very Good
What stuck with me was walking through the Hippodrome and suddenly feeling how layered the city is. Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque were busy, but our guide kept the group together and shared little stories while we waited. Topkapi felt a bit rushed, I wanted a bit more time there. Overall a solid full day, just quite tiring.
Salim K. 4.0 / 5 Very Good
Our guide made us feel comfortable from the first minute and kept the day easy. We walked around Sultanahmet, saw Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque, then moved on to Topkapi Palace and the Basilica Cistern. The history bits were nice, not too lecture-like. Only thing, we rushed a little in the Grand Bazaar and the toilet breaks were sometimes late. Still a really enjoyable day overall.
Chinaza O. 5.0 / 5 Excellent
Our guide was cracking small jokes even before we got off the bus, so it felt easy from the start. We walked around Sultanahmet, saw Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque from outside, and the courtyards of Topkapi were calmer than I expected. They gave us a bit of free time at the Grand Bazaar and I managed to buy lokum without getting lost :) It was tiring but the pace made sense, and the stories never felt too much.
Rizky S. 5.0 / 5 Excellent
Our guide started telling stories right away and I didn’t get bored the whole day. Walking around Sultanahmet, seeing the details of Hagia Sophia, and the cool air inside Basilica Cistern felt really nice. We got a bit lost in the Grand Bazaar but it was fun. The pace was full-on but still organized, and the breaks came at the right time.
Razan K. 5.0 / 5 Excellent
It felt more calm and easy than I expected. The guide kept us moving around Sultanahmet without stress, and explained Topkapi Palace and the Basilica Cistern with nice details but not too much. The short stop near the Grand Bazaar was a good break. Long day, yes, but the pace was balanced and we still had time for photos.
Bautista G. 5.0 / 5 Excellent
What stayed with me most was how the city felt once the afternoon light hit. Our guide explained the stories behind Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque in a simple way before the crowds got too heavy, and I never felt lost. Basilica Cistern was cool and kinda magical, then we had time in the Grand Bazaar to bargain a bit (I’m not very good at it). It’s a long day but it flowed nicely.
Bethany R. 5.0 / 5 Excellent
I expected it to be more hectic, but the day actually flowed really well. Our guide explained the details at Topkapi Palace and gave us little pauses around Sultanahmet Square so you could take it in. The Basilica Cistern was cool and a bit spooky, loved that. We also had a short bit of free time in the Grand Bazaar, didn’t get lost :) Tired by the end but happy.
Nandini S. 5.0 / 5 Excellent
Our guide’s way of telling stories pulled me in right away, so the day didn’t feel long. Walking around Sultanahmet and seeing Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque from outside, then going down into the cool Basilica Cistern was my favorite part. Grand Bazaar was a bit too crowded, but that’s Istanbul. Overall it felt calm and well paced.
Javier C. 5.0 / 5 Excellent
Our guide made it feel like he really loved the city from minute one. We walked around Sultanahmet, saw Hagia Sophia from outside, then went to the Blue Mosque and the Hippodrome area. The details at Topkapi Palace were my favorite, not boring history talk. We had free time in the Grand Bazaar and I bought spices and some lokum. Long day but it went smooth, only a bit crowded and my feet were dying :)
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