Small Group Tour: Essential Istanbul
Overview
Explore the main highlights of Istanbul’s Old Town on this small-group, full-day tour led by an expert guide. Discover UNESCO World Heritage sites, renowned monuments, and remarkable archaeological treasures as you immerse yourself in the city’s rich history and vibrant culture. Enjoy exclusive privileges designed to enhance your experience and give you a true taste of Turkish heritage. Tours run daily from approximately 09:00 to 17:00 (timing may vary based on hotel location, group size, interests, weather, or queue lengths), with intimate groups of 1–10 people for a more personalized journey.
What's Included
- Transport by air-conditioned minivan. If your hotel is located in centre of old city we don't use it
- Hotel/port pickup and drop-off (hotel locations should be in city centre, please check our radius)
- Professional English speaking guide
- Topkapi Palace skip the line entrance ticket (everyday except Tuesdays)
- Meals and drinks
- Pick up and drop off at airports or hotels out of city centre (additional fee)
- Gratuities
- Underground (Basilica) Cistern skip the line entrance ticket (just for Tuesdays)
Meeting and Pickup
Depends on hotel's location, sometimes we can't use vehicle since vehicles are not allowed in some parts of old city. We don't have free pick up and drop off service from hotels located out of city centre and airports.
Binbirdirek
At Meydanı Cd No:53, 34122 Fatih/İstanbul, Türkiye
Detailed check-in instructions, including the exact address, are provided with your booking confirmation.
Beyazıt
34126 Fatih/İstanbul, Türkiye
Detailed check-in instructions, including the exact address, are provided with your booking confirmation.
What To Expect
Book Online
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Blue Mosque
45 minutes Admission Ticket Free
Grand Bazaar
1 hour Admission Ticket Free
Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque
30 minutes Admission Ticket Free
Hippodrome
45 minutes Admission Ticket Free
TopkapI Palace
2 hours 30 minutes Admission Ticket Free
Additional Info
- Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
- Wheelchair accessible
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- For the ladies, a headscarf and decent dress covering shoulders and legs are required during their visit to mosque. You can carry your own scarf to cover your head but please note disposable scarves are provided at the entrance of every mosque (.available at a charge).
- Please be aware of that there is a lot of walking in this tour. We can't use vehicle between sites since centre of Sultanahmet area is closed to traffic.
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Please Note:Topkapi Palace is closed on Tuesdays and replaced with Underground Cistern. The Grand Bazaar is closed on Sundays and will be replaced with Spice Bazaar.
- Our accredited guide will give you all the detailed explanations about the world famous historical building from outside of the mosque. General entrance of mosque is available only for Turkish citizens. Foreign tourists can only visit Gallery Section with an additional entrance fee (25 Euro per person). Gallery section visit of Hagia Sophia is not included in our tour.
- While visiting a mosque in Istanbul, women need to cover their heads, shoulders, knees. You can carry your own scarf to cover your head but please note scarves are provided at the entrance of every mosque (available at a charge). If you are wearing leggings, tights or skirts, wraps will be provided at the entrance (available at a charge).
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 10 travelers
Frequently Asked Questions (7)
Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Small Group Tour: Essential Istanbul?
Cancellation Policy
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Activity code: C-7603P1
Traveler Photos
Reviews
Average 4.79 out of 5 stars based on 672 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).
- Transport by air-conditioned minivan. If your hotel is located in centre of old city we don't use it.
- Hotel/port pickup and drop-off (hotel locations should be in city centre, please check our radius).
- Professional English speaking guide.
- Topkapi Palace skip the line entrance ticket (everyday except Tuesdays).
- Meals and drinks.
- Pick up and drop off at airports or hotels out of city centre (additional fee).
- Gratuities.
- Underground (Basilica) Cistern skip the line entrance ticket (just for Tuesdays).
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 Small Group Tour: Essential Istanbul is as follows:
- Wheelchair accessible
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- For the ladies, a headscarf and decent dress covering shoulders and legs are required during their visit to mosque. You can carry your own scarf to cover your head but please note disposable scarves are provided at the entrance of every mosque (.available at a charge).
- Please be aware of that there is a lot of walking in this tour. We can't use vehicle between sites since centre of Sultanahmet area is closed to traffic.
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Detailed check-in instructions – including meeting point address, Google map, and parking information – for Small Group Tour: Essential Istanbul 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
- Transport by air-conditioned minivan. If your hotel is located in centre of old city we don't use it
- Hotel/port pickup and drop-off (hotel locations should be in city centre, please check our radius)
- Professional English speaking guide
- Topkapi Palace skip the line entrance ticket (everyday except Tuesdays)
- Meals and drinks
- Pick up and drop off at airports or hotels out of city centre (additional fee)
- Gratuities
- Underground (Basilica) Cistern skip the line entrance ticket (just for Tuesdays)
Additional Info
- Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
- Wheelchair accessible
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- For the ladies, a headscarf and decent dress covering shoulders and legs are required during their visit to mosque. You can carry your own scarf to cover your head but please note disposable scarves are provided at the entrance of every mosque (.available at a charge).
- Please be aware of that there is a lot of walking in this tour. We can't use vehicle between sites since centre of Sultanahmet area is closed to traffic.
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Please Note:Topkapi Palace is closed on Tuesdays and replaced with Underground Cistern. The Grand Bazaar is closed on Sundays and will be replaced with Spice Bazaar.
- Our accredited guide will give you all the detailed explanations about the world famous historical building from outside of the mosque. General entrance of mosque is available only for Turkish citizens. Foreign tourists can only visit Gallery Section with an additional entrance fee (25 Euro per person). Gallery section visit of Hagia Sophia is not included in our tour.
- While visiting a mosque in Istanbul, women need to cover their heads, shoulders, knees. You can carry your own scarf to cover your head but please note scarves are provided at the entrance of every mosque (available at a charge). If you are wearing leggings, tights or skirts, wraps will be provided at the entrance (available at a charge).
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 10 travelers
