Istanbul Old City Highlights and Hidden Gems Tour
Overview
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's Included
- Culturel Heritage Professional Guide
- Archeology Professional Guide
- Professional Licensed Tour Guide (English Speaking)
- Tea and coffee Coffee and/or Tea
- Lunch As tour will be a whole day programme we will have 60 minutes lunch break and 30 minutes coffee/tea break
- 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
Meeting and Pickup
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.
Alemdar
Divan Yolu Cd. No:6, 34400 Fatih/İstanbul, Türkiye
Detailed check-in instructions, including the exact address, are provided with your booking confirmation.
This activity ends back at the meeting point.
Detailed check-in instructions, including the exact address, are provided with your booking confirmation.
What To Expect
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TopkapI Palace
2 hours 30 minutes Admission Ticket Free
Hippodrome
30 minutes Admission Ticket Free
Basilica Cistern
1 hour Admission Ticket Free
Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque
1 hour Admission Ticket Free
Arasta Bazaar
1 hour Admission Ticket Free
Sultanahmet Square
30 minutes Admission Ticket Free
Sultanahmet Square
1 hour Admission Ticket Free
Additional Info
- Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
- Wheelchair accessible
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- 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.
Frequently Asked Questions (9)
Q: Will I get seasick on Istanbul Old City Highlights and Hidden Gems Tour?
Cancellation Policy
Still have questions?
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Activity code: C-474297P1
Traveler Photos
Reviews
Average 5.00 out of 5 stars based on 65 traveler reviews collected by City Balloon Tours and partner sites such as Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor
Additional Info
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Frequently Asked Questions (9)
The answers provided below were previously given in response to questions from City Balloon Tours customers.
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If you have any doubts about becoming seasick on the water, we recommend taking a Dramamine® Motion Sickness Relief tablet the night before your trip. Some people recommend taking it the night before your cruise and then again that morning so you will not feel so drowsy.
Feb 2023- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.
- Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (+03).
- Culturel Heritage Professional Guide.
- Archeology Professional Guide.
- Professional Licensed Tour Guide (English Speaking).
- Tea and coffee. Coffee and/or Tea.
- Lunch. As tour will be a whole day programme we will have 60 minutes lunch break and 30 minutes coffee/tea break.
- 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.
This tour requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
Apr 2025There is no minimum age for this tour, so bring your wee one along for an adventure..
Apr 2025If a date or time is not listed on the calendar, it’s sold out or unavailable for another reason. Support cannot assist further if a date or time is not on the calendar.
If you find a date and time that works for you, book it NOW because things always sell out at this time of year.
Apr 2025Accessibility information for the Istanbul Old City Highlights and Hidden Gems Tour is as follows:
- Wheelchair accessible
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Detailed check-in instructions – including meeting point address, Google map, and parking information – for Istanbul Old City Highlights and Hidden Gems Tour will be included in your confirmation email from City Balloon Tours. Please be sure to double and triple check your email address is correct at checkout so this important email makes its way to you!
Mar 2024Once your refund is processed, it usually shows on your card statement within 5–10 business days. The exact timing depends on your bank or card issuer.
Want it sooner? When you cancel, choose Receive a refund to my wallet instead. The credit is in your Wallet straight away and is applied automatically at checkout on your next booking when you’re signed in with the same email. You can see your balance any time in My Wallet.
If you paid part of your booking with Wallet credit, that part always goes back to your Wallet. Trip protection isn’t refundable.
Oct 2026What's Included
- Culturel Heritage Professional Guide
- Archeology Professional Guide
- Professional Licensed Tour Guide (English Speaking)
- Tea and coffeeCoffee and/or Tea
- LunchAs tour will be a whole day programme we will have 60 minutes lunch break and 30 minutes coffee/tea break
- 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
Additional Info
- Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
- Wheelchair accessible
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- 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.
