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ISTANBUL BEST Full-Day PRIVATE Guided Tour :TOP Historic Sites

425 Reviews 4.95 out of 5 stars Based on 425 reviews collected by City Balloon Tours and TripAdvisor | Recommended by 99% of reviewers |
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Istanbul, Turkey
Don't miss out!
On average, this is booked 17 (0) days in advance.

5 to 6 hours (approx.)
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English
and 1 more
Spanish
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Overview

This full Day Private guided tour covers the major Sightseeings of Istanbul without waiting in ticket lines and with this day tour You will visit the top sites of İstanbul in one day such as ; Blue mosque-Hagia Sophia-Topkapi palace -Basilica cistern-Hippodrome and Grand bazaar .historical places can be visited easily with short distances by walking

BRIEFLY
1- BLUE MOSQUE : 400 year old mosque built by the Ottoman Empire in the 17th century AD

2- HAGIA SOPHIA : 1500 hundred year old church from the 6th century-Roman time right now partly mosque and museum

3- TOPKAPI PALACE : 500 year old imperial palace of Ottoman Empire .( closed on Tuesdays )

4 Basilica cistern : underground water tank from the 6th century AD by the Roman Empire to provide the water to the city

4 HIPODROM the area where chariot races were held

5 -Grand bazaar: 500 year old bazaar from the ottoman time together with 3500 shops inside (closed on Sundays )

What's Included

  • The tour will end once the itinerary has been completed
  • Cultural Heritage; Handicrafts & Art presentations
  • Roman and Ottoman Historical Major Attractions
  • Lunch
  • Museum entrance fees/you can use credit card to buy museum tickets while on tour from ticket offices
  • Transportation İs not included because the Tour is by walking
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Meeting Location

Meeting point

Sultan Ahmet
Ayasofya Meydanı No:1, 34122 Fatih/İstanbul, Türkiye

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Detailed check-in instructions, including the exact address, are provided with your booking confirmation.

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

What To Expect

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Our secure website provides real-time availability, instant confirmation, and free, no-hassle cancellations up to 24 hours before your tour begins.
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Blue Mosque

1- BLUE MOSQUE :Blue mosque is a 400 hundred year old imperial mosque and it was built by the Ottoman Empire in the 17.th century AD. • It is famous for its twenty thousands blue ceramic tiles. Inside, you are going to see the beautiful blue tiles of the mosque together stained glass windows .. • There is a dress code for visiting the mosque; Women need headscarf and long dresses/ pants to cover the knee and men also need long pants to cover their kneesIt is free to get in
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30 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque

2- HAGIA SOPHIA : today it is partly under restorationHagia Sophia is one of the oldest cathedrals of Constantinople/ Istanbul and it was built by the Eastern Roman Empire in the 6th century AD. And still standing for 1500 years with its huge dome. • It was used as a cathedral for about a thousand years during the Roman period and then it was converted into a mosque after the Ottoman Empire took over the city in 1453 • Today it is partly used as a mosque and museum together. Inside, you will see icons and motifs from the Roman period and additions from the Ottoman period•There is a dress code to enter. Women need headscarf and long dresses that cover the knee and men also need pants to cover their knees
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40 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Topkapi Palace Museum

3- TOPKAPI PALACE :Topkapi palace is an imperial palace with a large complex that hosted the 600-year-old Ottoman empire for about 400 years. It is was built by the ottoman sultan Mehmet the II. In the 15th century AD. after capturing Constantinople. •It was used as the residence of ottoman sultans and the imperial palace of the empire .•in many rooms you will see objects from the Ottoman periodAttention; • (TOPKAPI PALACE IS CLOSED on Tuesdays ) •(Tour guides are not allowed to accompany you in “some “private large exhibition rooms of the palace because of the large group of guided tours )
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2 hours Admission Ticket Free

Basilica Cistern

4- BASILICA CISTERNIt was built as underground water tank / reservoir in the 6th century AD by the Roman Empire to provide the water to the city . Today it is used as a museum since it is not an active tank anymore. When you go down approximately 10 meters underground, you will feel in a mysterious underground city together with so many pillars and colorful lights .It has served as a filming location for some movies such as From Russia with Love (1963) – James Bond and Inferno (2016) – Tom Hanks, based on Dan Brown’s novel.
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30 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Hippodrome

6- HIPPODROME•The square we call the hippodrome today was built by Emperor Constantine the Great in the 4th century AD after he chose the city as the new capital of the Roman Empire•The hippodrome was basically used for chariot races and it was the most popular activity in the city . •Today in the hippodrome you will see the Egyptian obelisk from Egypt, the serpent column from Greece, the German fountain from Germany and the walled obelisk from the city.
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20 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Grand Bazaar

5- GRAND BAZAARGrand bazaar is a 500 year old historical market&bazaar from the ottoman time and it was built in 1461 . Inside there are 3.500. Shops for , ceramic , spice , sweets , delight , jewelry and hand made rugs . As part of the market you will witness the demonstration of cultural heritage embroidery handicraft and clay pot demonstrations Grand bazaar is CLOSED ON SUNDAYS
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1 hour Admission Ticket Free

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Additional Info

  • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Not recommended for pregnant travelers
  • 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

Frequently Asked Questions (8)

Q: What is the cancellation policy for the ISTANBUL BEST Full-Day PRIVATE Guided Tour :TOP Historic Sites?

A: You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund. 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). Read more Apr 2025

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.

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Activity code: C-304094P3

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Reviews

4.95
425 reviews

Average 4.95 out of 5 stars based on 425 traveler reviews collected by City Balloon Tours and partner sites such as Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor

5 stars
412
4 stars
9
3 stars
1
2 stars
3
1 star
0
Don't miss out!
On average, this is booked 17 (0) days in advance.

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What's Included

Activity name

  • The tour will end once the itinerary has been completed
  • Cultural Heritage; Handicrafts & Art presentations
  • Roman and Ottoman Historical Major Attractions
  • Personal Licensed Private Guide
  • Lunch
  • Museum entrance fees/you can use credit card to buy museum tickets while on tour from ticket offices
  • Transportation İs not included because the Tour is by walking
  • Topkapi palace
  • Hagia Sophia
  • Basilica cistern

Additional Info

Activity name

  • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Not recommended for pregnant travelers
  • 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

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