Guided Istanbul Old City Tour (Full-Day)
Istanbul, Turkey

Guided Istanbul Old City Tour (Full-Day)

Outty Ranking 57 4.8 · 5 traveler reviews5 hoursFrom $158
Instant mobile ticketSpots available today

Outty Ranking

57/100

Worth a Look. Our proprietary evaluation. How we score

Traveler rating

4.8/5

Based on 5 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

Quick answer

Is Guided Istanbul Old City Tour (Full-Day) worth booking?

Guided Istanbul Old City Tour (Full-Day) is a 5-hour experience in Istanbul, Turkey, from $158 per person. It scores 57 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
57 / 100
Rating
4.8/5 (5)
Duration
5 hours
From
$158 per person

This fullday tour of Istanbul visits sites in the historic area of Istanbul. - Hagia Sophia an important Byzantine structure in Istanbul and one of the world’s great monuments. - Sultanahmet Mosque is known as the Blue Mosque because of blue tiles surrounding the walls of interior design. (Closed on Friday) - The Topkapi Palace once served as the main residence and administrative headquarters of the powerful sultans of the Ottoman Empire during. (Closed on Tuesday) - Hippodrome of Constantinople, located in Sultanahmet/Istanbul, was a public arena mainly for chariot races.- Hippodrome - The Grand Bazaar built in the 15th century, is the oldest covered market in the world. (Closed on Sunday)

What you get

    About this experience

    This fullday tour of Istanbul visits sites in the historic area of Istanbul. - Hagia Sophia an important Byzantine structure in Istanbul and one of the world’s great monuments. - Sultanahmet Mosque is known as the Blue Mosque because of blue tiles surrounding the walls of interior design. (Closed on Friday) - The Topkapi Palace once served as the main residence and administrative headquarters of the powerful sultans of the Ottoman Empire during. (Closed on Tuesday) - Hippodrome of Constantinople, located in Sultanahmet/Istanbul, was a public arena mainly for chariot races.- Hippodrome - The Grand Bazaar built in the 15th century, is the oldest covered market in the world. (Closed on Sunday)

    What's included

    Included

    • Pick up from your hotel
    • Professional English-speaking tour guide
    • Guided Full Day Istanbul City Tour
    • Return transfer to your hotel
    • Transportation in a fully air-conditioned, non-smoking coach
    • Topkapı Palace entry fee

    Not included

    • Personal expenses: Lunches, extras at hotel or additional meals
    • Tipping: Tips for guides and drivers
    • Hagia Sophia entry fee

    What you'll see and do

    1. Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque

      The Hagia Sophia that you can visit today was the primary church of Byzantine Constantinople and was built upon the site of two earlier churches that had been destroyed. Emperor Justinian I (527-565) commissioned the project and had materials brought in from all around his empire for the massive church’s construction. The Hagia Sophia was the most important church of the Christian East. Structurally, it was the first of its design and boasted the largest dome that had yet been engineered which provided a voluminous and well illuminated interior. After Constantinople fell to the Ottomans in 1453, the Hagia Sophia was converted into a mosque and was used as such throughout the Ottoman period. Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the modern Turkish Republic’s most revered founding father and its first Prime Minister, initiated the process to have the Hagia Sophia transformed into a museum which opened for visitors in February 1935.

      60 minutes here · Admission not included

    2. TopkapI Palace

      TOPKAPI PALACE The great palace of the Ottoman sultans from the 15th to the 19th centuries housing an exquisite collection of cyrstal, silver, and Chinese porcelain, robes worn by the sultans and their families, the famous jewels of the Imperial Treasury, miniatures, the Holy Mantle; enshrining relics of the Prophet Mohammed.

      120 minutes here · Admission included

    3. Blue Mosque

      This mosque was built by Sultan Ahmet I between 1609 and 1616 and is located in the district of old Istanbul that is named after this Ottoman Sultan and it is distinguished by its six slender minarets. The central dome is 43 m in height and 33.4 m in diameter and there are 260 stained glass windows throughout the mosque. Due to the intricately decorated blue, green and red tiles of its interior, it has long been referred to as the Blue Mosque. These tiles, produced and painted by hand in Iznik (ancient Nicaea), are an attraction in and of themselves. The Quranic inscriptions that you will see throughout the mosque were made by Seyyid Kasım Gubari, one of the most famous calligraphers of his time.

      30 minutes here

    4. Hippodrome

      The ancient Hippodrome was the center of Byzantine social life and the scene of fiercely competitive chariot races. It was located in the square that is now in front of the Blue Mosque and is still the site of ancient relics from its glory days. These are the Obelisk of Theodosius, the bronze Serpentine Column, and the Column of Constantine. Remains of the curved end of the Hippodrome wall can be seen on the southwest side of the three monuments.

      20 minutes here

    5. Grand Bazaar

      Your guide will then take you to the GRAND SPICE BAZAAR In this labyrinth of streets and passages are more then 4,000 shops with each trade having its own area: the goldsmiths' street, the carpet sellers, Turkish arts and crafts, such as handpainted ceramic plates, hand-honed copperware, brassware and trays, water ewers, onyx-ware and meerschaum pipes. After your tour, transfer back to your hotel.

      120 minutes here

    Where it starts and ends

    Hotel pickup

    Pickup is included for all travelers. Pickup begins about 30 minutes before departure.

    Before you book

    Cancellation
    For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
    Languages
    en
    Ticket
    Mobile Only
    Runs on
    Every day
    Group size
    Up to 15 travelers per booking
    Operated by
    Apasas travel

    Know before you go

    • Suitable for all physical fitness levels

    Photos

    Guided Istanbul Old City Tour (Full-Day), photo 2Guided Istanbul Old City Tour (Full-Day), photo 3Guided Istanbul Old City Tour (Full-Day), photo 4Guided Istanbul Old City Tour (Full-Day), photo 5Guided Istanbul Old City Tour (Full-Day), photo 6Guided Istanbul Old City Tour (Full-Day), photo 7

    What travelers are saying

    Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 5 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.

    The guide

    5 mentions

    Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.

    Knowledge and storytelling

    2 mentions

    Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.

    Organization

    2 mentions

    Pickup, timing, and logistics are described as running smoothly.

    Photo opportunities

    1 mention

    The views and photo stops come up again and again.

    Small groups

    1 mention

    The group size is repeatedly described as intimate rather than packed.

    Traveler reviews

    5 verified traveler reviews for Guided Istanbul Old City Tour (Full-Day). Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

    5 star
    4
    4 star
    1
    3 star
    0
    2 star
    0
    1 star
    0
    Sort
    Juniper17 · September 2026

    Fantastic tour. Brilliant service from Apasas travel and our guide and driver

    What an amazing 2nd day in Istanbul. Up really early so we beat the queues to the Haiga Sofia, Basilica cistern Grande Bazaar and Hippodrome. Then only a 15 minute wait for the Blue Mosque. Amazing day. Thanks to Apasas travel and I wonderful guide Cenk

    Response from the operator: Dear Guest, Thank you for your wonderful feedback! We’re delighted that you had another amazing day exploring Istanbul and that the early start helped you avoid the queues at the major sights. We’re especially happy that Cenk made your experience even more enjoyable. We truly appreciate your kind words! Kind regards, Apasas Travel Team

    via Tripadvisor

    Focusonnow · October 2024

    Walk all day and see the wonders of Istanbul!

    While our tour guide spoke wonderful English and shared lots of knowledge about Istanbul and the sites. We found his historical sharings very interesting and valuable. He would take us to each place give us a little history and then send us to view the spaces on our own. We did have private car pick up at hotel and drop off but beware there is NO transportation between locations. It is an ENTIRE day of walking! Wear comfortable shoes and be prepared! He pressured us to leave the Grand Bazaar by stressing that the car could not wait and we should hurry to be on time etc etc. but then took us to a carpet store even when we said we felt we could skip the carpet shop. Make of it what you will. We were awed by the Hagia Sofia, enthralled by the Topkapi Palace and truly enjoyed the rich culture of Turkey and on the whole pleased.

    via Tripadvisor

    B5364UDdavidm · May 2023

    Istanbul!!

    We joined this tour. The guide (Berk) was enjoyable and knowledgeable. We visited Topkapı Palace, Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, and Grand Bazaar. Istanbul is an amazing city. Highly recommended

    Response from the operator: Dear Sir... Thank you very much for your valuable online review. We are very pleased that you enjoyed our excursion. We wish you all the best again.

    via Tripadvisor

    jamesfalcon1 · January 2022

    I love Turkey and turkish culture

    Turkey was beautiful, Cappadocia Pamukkale and Ephesus I had a nice time,I enjoyed the ephesus and istanbul tour a lot.. Apasas travel organized the ephesus and istanbul tour, they made me very happy,I had an amazing time with his excellent team and guide...thank you very much APASAS TRAVEL you left me a nice memory

    Response from the operator: Thanks for your comment. We hope you will come again

    via Tripadvisor

    JanetN19 · August 2021

    City tour Istanbul

    İ loved the old city tour the atmosphere from the hippodrome and the old town . A good guide who spoke fluent English

    Response from the operator: Thanks for your comment. We hope you will come again

    via Tripadvisor

    Good to know

    Duration
    5 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 Apasas travel, who run 14 experiences we rank across 5 cities, with an average Outty Ranking of 65.7.

    See everything Apasas travel runs

    Why this scores 57

    The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.

    Traveler sentiment (30% weight)80
    Review evidence (18% weight)27
    Booking momentum (14% weight)20
    Value for money (12% weight)39
    Listing quality (10% weight)83
    Local standing (8% weight)53
    Booking flexibility (8% weight)100

    Guided Istanbul Old City Tour (Full-Day): questions travelers ask

    Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Istanbul.

    How much does Guided Istanbul Old City Tour (Full-Day) cost?

    +

    Prices start at $158 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 Guided Istanbul Old City Tour (Full-Day) take?

    +

    Plan for about 5 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 Guided Istanbul Old City Tour (Full-Day) worth it?

    +

    It holds an Outty Ranking of 57 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 Guided Istanbul Old City Tour (Full-Day)?

    +

    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 Guided Istanbul Old City Tour (Full-Day) suitable for kids and families?

    +

    Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 5-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.

    How far in advance should I book Guided Istanbul Old City Tour (Full-Day)?

    +

    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?

    +

    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 5-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.

    Where does Guided Istanbul Old City Tour (Full-Day) start and how do I get there?

    +

    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?

    +

    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?

    +

    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?

    +

    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?

    +

    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 Guided Istanbul Old City Tour (Full-Day)?

    +

    Included: Pick up from your hotel; Professional English-speaking tour guide; Guided Full Day Istanbul City Tour; Return transfer to your hotel; and Transportation in a fully air-conditioned, non-smoking coach. Not included: Personal expenses: Lunches, extras at hotel or additional meals; Tipping: Tips for guides and drivers; and Hagia Sophia entry fee. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.

    Does Guided Istanbul Old City Tour (Full-Day) include hotel pickup?

    +

    Yes, pickup is offered for every traveler from 1059 listed pickup locations in and around Istanbul. Be ready about 30 minutes before the start time. You can also enter a custom pickup address when booking.

    What languages is Guided Istanbul Old City Tour (Full-Day) offered in?

    +

    It runs in English. 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 Guided Istanbul Old City Tour (Full-Day)?

    +

    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.

    What happens to Guided Istanbul Old City Tour (Full-Day) if the weather is bad?

    +

    This experience depends on good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.

    What do travelers say about Guided Istanbul Old City Tour (Full-Day)?

    +

    Across 5 reviews averaging 4.8 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, knowledge and storytelling, organization. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.

    Ready to lock in your spot?

    Pick a date, choose your group, and see the exact price for Guided Istanbul Old City Tour (Full-Day).

    Pick your date