Istanbul Highlights – Skip-the-Line Full-Day Old City Experience
Overview
Full-Day Istanbul Highlights Tour
Step into the rich tapestry of Istanbul’s past on this immersive full-day experience. Travel through time and uncover the stories of Roman Byzantium, Byzantine Constantinople, and Ottoman Istanbul as you explore the city’s most iconic landmarks.
Tour Highlights
Hippodrome of Constantinople – once the vibrant center of Roman social and political life
Blue Mosque – a masterpiece of Ottoman architecture, famous for its blue İznik tiles
Topkapi Palace – the residence of Ottoman sultans for over 400 years
Grand Bazaar – one of the world’s oldest and largest covered markets
Experience Istanbul with Ease
Enjoy skip-the-line assistance at selected sites, allowing you to make the most of your time while avoiding long ticket queues.
Discover the city in comfort with a professional licensed guide and seamless organization throughout the day.
What's Included
- Lunch
- Entrance fees of Topkapı Palace Museum
- Guaranteed to skip the long lines
- Fuel surcharge
- Hotel pickup and drop-off (selected hotels only)
- Professional guide
- Drinks
- Gratuities
- Entrance fees of Hagia Sophia Museum €25
Meeting and Pickup
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
Book Online
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Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque
1 hour Admission Ticket Free
TopkapI Palace
2 hours Admission Ticket Included
Blue Mosque
25 minutes Admission Ticket Free
Hippodrome
30 minutes Admission Ticket Free
Grand Bazaar
1 hour Admission Ticket Free
German Fountain
10 minutes Admission Ticket Free
Obelisk of Theodosius
15 minutes Admission Ticket Free
Bilgin Rug House
30 minutes Admission Ticket Free
Additional Info
- Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- Vegetarian option is available, please advise at time of booking if required
- Tour price includes A/C transportation, guidance in multiple languages, entrance fees of Topkapı Palace, lunch and taxes
- Drinks are not included during the lunch
- Please kindly be ready by the hotel reception 10 minutes before departure time
- Guests who prefer not to spend time at courtesy transfers should be ready at our departure point 10 minutes before given departure time (09:00am)
- Non smoking on our tours but all tours make frequent stops
- Local Experiences Istanbul is not responsible for loss or theft of personal belongings during the tour
- Guests who do not want to wait at the long queues of Hagia Sophia Museum, they can buy the ticket from their guide
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 10 travelers
Frequently Asked Questions (7)
Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Istanbul Highlights – Skip-the-Line Full-Day Old City Experience?
Cancellation Policy
Still have questions?
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Activity code: C-103596P7
Traveler Photos
Reviews
Average 5.00 out of 5 stars based on 2 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 (7)
The answers provided below were previously given in response to questions from City Balloon Tours customers.
Filter by:
- 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).
- Lunch.
- Entrance fees of Topkapı Palace Museum.
- Guaranteed to skip the long lines.
- Fuel surcharge.
- Hotel pickup and drop-off (selected hotels only).
- Professional guide.
- Drinks.
- Gratuities.
- Entrance fees of Hagia Sophia Museum €25.
There is no minimum age for this tour, so bring your wee one along for an adventure. This tour requires at least one adult to accompany children..
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 Highlights – Skip-the-Line Full-Day Old City Experience is as follows:
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- 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 Highlights – Skip-the-Line Full-Day Old City Experience 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
- Lunch
- Entrance fees of Topkapı Palace Museum
- Guaranteed to skip the long lines
- Fuel surcharge
- Hotel pickup and drop-off (selected hotels only)
- Professional guide
- Drinks
- Gratuities
- Entrance fees of Hagia Sophia Museum €25
Additional Info
- Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- Vegetarian option is available, please advise at time of booking if required
- Tour price includes A/C transportation, guidance in multiple languages, entrance fees of Topkapı Palace, lunch and taxes
- Drinks are not included during the lunch
- Please kindly be ready by the hotel reception 10 minutes before departure time
- Guests who prefer not to spend time at courtesy transfers should be ready at our departure point 10 minutes before given departure time (09:00am)
- Non smoking on our tours but all tours make frequent stops
- Local Experiences Istanbul is not responsible for loss or theft of personal belongings during the tour
- Guests who do not want to wait at the long queues of Hagia Sophia Museum, they can buy the ticket from their guide
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 10 travelers
