
Cruise Shore Excursion - Best of Istanbul
Traveler rating
4.8/5
Based on 5 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Cruise Shore Excursion - Best of Istanbul worth booking?
Cruise Shore Excursion - Best of Istanbul is a 7-hour experience in Istanbul, Turkey, from $169 per person. It scores 56 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 4.8/5 rating across 5 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 56 / 100
- Rating
- 4.8/5 (5)
- Duration
- 7 hours
- From
- $169 per person
Discover the Old City (Best of Istanbul) with a private professional tour guide and private deluxe vehicle. With priority passes there is no standing in queues and you decide how long to stay in each place and when to move on.
What you get
About this experience
Discover the Old City (Best of Istanbul) with a private professional tour guide and private deluxe vehicle. With priority passes there is no standing in queues and you decide how long to stay in each place and when to move on.
What's included
Included
- Full course Lunch at a local Restaurant
- All Fees and Taxes
- In-vehicle air conditioning
Not included
- Entrance Fees to the Museums and Sites
What you'll see and do
TopkapI Palace
You will be visiting the Palace with our Professional Tour Guide. He/She will be guiding you..
120 minutes here · Admission not included
Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque
You will be visiting the Museum with our Professional Tour Guide. He/She will be guiding you..
60 minutes here · Admission not included
Blue Mosque
You will be visiting the Mosque with our Professional Tour Guide. He/She will be guiding you..
30 minutes here · Admission included
Hippodrome
You will be visiting the area with our Professional Tour Guide. He/She will be guiding you..
30 minutes here · Admission included
Grand Bazaar Jewelers
You will be visiting the Bazaar with our Professional Tour Guide. He/She will be guiding you..
90 minutes here · Admission included
Where it starts and ends
Hotel pickup
Pickup is included for all travelers. Pickup begins about 60 minutes before departure.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- ja, en, es
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- City of Sultans
Know before you go
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 5 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Knowledge and storytelling
5 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
The guide
4 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Food and drink
3 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Organization
1 mentionPickup, timing, and logistics are described as running smoothly.
Pace and timing
1 mentionSeveral reviewers comment on how the schedule is paced.
Traveler reviews
5 verified traveler reviews for Cruise Shore Excursion - Best of Istanbul. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Istanbul highlights with lunch
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Our tour with Kemal Aslan in Istanbul was absolutely outstanding! He was incredibly knowledgeable, friendly, and patient, bringing the history of the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, and Topkapi Palace to life with fascinating stories and insights. Kemal kept the pace comfortable and made sure we saw all the highlights (and a few hidden gems!). His passion for Istanbul’s history and culture made the experience unforgettable. Highly recommend him to anyone visiting this amazing city!
Response from the operator: Thank you very much for choosing our services. We all hope to see you in Turkey with a longer trip..
via Tripadvisor
Best of Istanbul
Our tour guide was very good, very knowledgeable. His English was v good. The only issue I really had with this tour is the following. We paid for an all day tour, including lunch and we got this. But there’s a fairly significant entrance fee to the Sophia and the Palace. The tour people would be well advised to simply include these in the ticket price. In our particular situation over 90% of the group did not want to pay an extra hundred euros to go through the Palace when they had just paid for the Sophia, so these tour organizers should simply say here is your price and everything is included.
Response from the operator: Thank you very much for choosing our services. We all hope to see you in Turkey with a longer trip..
via Tripadvisor
Great visit to Istanbul
Visits to the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia were enhanced by our knowledgeable guide. In the Grand Bazaar the guide showed the best shopping opportunities.
Response from the operator: Thank you very much for choosing our services. It was our great pleasure to serve you.. We all hope to see you again in Turkey with a longer trip..
via Viator
Great Tour
Great experience. Our guide was superb, very knowledgeable but so easy to listen to. She made the tour,
Response from the operator: Thank you very much for choosing our services. It was our great pleasure to serve you.. We all hope to see you again in Turkey with a longer trip..
via Viator
Great tour guide!
If you're traveling to Turkey and need a fabulous tour guide, we'd recommend Ahmet Gulmez! He was our tour guide in Istanbul. He speaks English, was friendly, very knowledgeable about the local sites (Hagie Sophia, Blue Mosque, etc), has his masters as a historian, made us feel safe and stayed with us throughout the day to help navigate the Grand Bazaar and shopping. He also recommended a delicious place for lunch.
Response from the operator: Thank you very much for choosing our services. It was our great pleasure to serve you.. We all hope to see you again in Turkey with a longer trip..
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 7 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 2
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Who runs this experience
Operated by City of Sultans, who run 20 experiences we rank across 2 cities, with an average Outty Ranking of 58.0.
See everything City of Sultans runsWhy this scores 56
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Cruise Shore Excursion - Best of Istanbul: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Istanbul.
How much does Cruise Shore Excursion - Best of Istanbul cost?
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Prices start at $169 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Istanbul usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Cruise Shore Excursion - Best of Istanbul take?
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Plan for about 7 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Istanbul is not rushed.
Is Cruise Shore Excursion - Best of Istanbul worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 56 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.8/5 across 5 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Istanbul, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Cruise Shore Excursion - Best of Istanbul?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Cruise Shore Excursion - Best of Istanbul suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 7-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Cruise Shore Excursion - Best of Istanbul?
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Around 2 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Istanbul can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Istanbul and add a light layer if any part of the 7-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Cruise Shore Excursion - Best of Istanbul start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Istanbul within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Istanbul?
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On Outty we rank every Istanbul experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Princes Islands Blue Journey from Old City Istanbul, Famous Istanbul Pub Crawl #1 Nightlife Experience, Best of Istanbul 1, 2 or 3-Day Private Guided Istanbul Tour. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Istanbul?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Istanbul?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
What is included in Cruise Shore Excursion - Best of Istanbul?
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Included: Full course Lunch at a local Restaurant; All Fees and Taxes; and In-vehicle air conditioning. Not included: Entrance Fees to the Museums and Sites. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Does Cruise Shore Excursion - Best of Istanbul include hotel pickup?
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Yes, pickup is offered for every traveler from 1 listed pickup location in and around Istanbul. Be ready about 60 minutes before the start time. You can also enter a custom pickup address when booking.
What languages is Cruise Shore Excursion - Best of Istanbul offered in?
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It is offered in Japanese, English and Spanish. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Cruise Shore Excursion - Best of Istanbul?
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Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.
Is Cruise Shore Excursion - Best of Istanbul wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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The operator notes: Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap; and Not recommended for pregnant travelers. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to Cruise Shore Excursion - Best of Istanbul if the weather is bad?
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It generally runs rain or shine, so dress for the forecast in Istanbul. Standard cancellation terms apply: free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start.
What do travelers say about Cruise Shore Excursion - Best of Istanbul?
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Across 5 reviews averaging 4.8 out of 5, recurring themes include knowledge and storytelling, the guide, food and drink. Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted. One thing to know: Several reviewers comment on how the schedule is paced.
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