İstanbul: Full Day Guided Old City Tour
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September 2026
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Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
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Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
5.0/5
Based on 19 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is İstanbul: Full Day Guided Old City Tour worth booking?
İstanbul: Full Day Guided Old City Tour is a 8-hour experience in Istanbul, Turkey, from $75 per person. It scores 73 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended”, based on a 5/5 rating across 19 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 73 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (19)
- Duration
- 8 hours
- From
- $75 per person
Istanbul Old City Tour with Art Historian Tour Guide Experience Istanbul's timeless sights on a full-day tour of the city's stunning historic places. Listen for the ancient echoes of pounding hooves and charioteers at Hi
What you get
About this experience
Istanbul Old City Tour with Art Historian Tour Guide Experience Istanbul's timeless sights on a full-day tour of the city's stunning historic places. Listen for the ancient echoes of pounding hooves and charioteers at Hippodrome Square and spot the distinctive tiles of the Blue Mosque. See the Byzantine mosaics and minarets of Hagia Sophia, then follow in the footsteps of powerful sultans, courtiers, and generals at Topkapi Palace. Continue your tour in the vibrant Grand Bazaar, browsing bright displays of handicrafts, carpets, and souvenirs. We will visit Hippodrome, Hagia Sophia Museum, Blue Mosque, Grand Covered Bazaar, Topkapi Palace, Sultan Tombs. End of the tour we will drop you off at your hotel. Let's start to explore Istanbul. The first visit is to Ancient Hippodrome. It was the center of sports activities in Constantinople. Blue Mosque, as known as the Sultanahmet Mosque, is a breath-taking building is one of the most majestic Ottoman mosques in all of Turkey.
What's included
Included
- Lunch
- Museum entrance tickets
- In-vehicle air conditioning
- Professional Tour Guide
Not included
- Alcoholic beverages
- Museum Entrance Tickets (Topkapi Palace 2750 TRY, Hagia Sophia 25 Euro)
What you'll see and do
Hippodrome
The Hippodrome of Constantinople was a circus that was the sporting and social centre of Constantinople, capital of the Byzantine Empire. Today it is a square named Sultanahmet Meydanı in the Turkish city of Istanbul, with a few fragments of the original structure surviving.
30 minutes here
German Fountain
The German Fountain is a gazebo styled fountain in the northern end of old hippodrome, Istanbul, Turkey and across from the Mausoleum of Sultan Ahmed I. It was constructed to commemorate the second anniversary of German Emperor Wilhelm II's visit to Istanbul in 1898.
10 minutes here
Obelisk of Theodosius
The Obelisk of Theodosius is the Ancient Egyptian obelisk of Pharaoh Thutmose III re-erected in the Hippodrome of Constantinople by the Roman emperor Theodosius I in the 4th century AD.
10 minutes here
Serpent Column
The Serpent Column, also known as the Serpentine Column, Plataean Tripod or Delphi Tripod, is an ancient bronze column at the Hippodrome of Constantinople in what is now Istanbul, Turkey
10 minutes here
Column of Constantine
The Column of Constantine, also known as the Burnt Stone or the Burnt Pillar, is a Roman monumental column constructed on the orders of the Roman emperor Constantine the Great in 330 AD. It commemorates the declaration of Byzantium as the new capital city of the Roman Empire.
10 minutes here
Blue Mosque
Sultan Ahmed Mosque is a historic mosque located in Istanbul, Turkey. It remains a functioning mosque, while also attracting large numbers of tourist visitors. It was constructed between 1609 and 1616 during the rule of Ahmed I. Its Külliye contains Ahmed's tomb, a madrasah and a hospice.
45 minutes here
Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque
Hagia Sophia is the former Greek Orthodox Christian patriarchal cathedral, later an Ottoman imperial mosque and now a museum in Istanbul, Turkey. Built in AD 537 in the Middle Ages, it is famous for its massive dome. It was the world's largest building and an engineering marvel of its time.
60 minutes here · Admission not included
TopkapI Palace
The Topkapı Palace, or the Seraglio, is a large museum in the east of the Fatih district of Istanbul in Turkey. In the 15th and 16th centuries it served as the main residence and administrative headquarters of the Ottoman sultans.
180 minutes here · Admission not included
Grand Bazaar
The Grand Bazaar in Istanbul is one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world, with 61 covered streets and over 4,000 shops on a total area of 30,700 m², attracting between 250,000 and 400,000 visitors daily.
90 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Istanbul
The guest who stays out of our pick up route, can meet our guide at the meeting location at 8.45 am.
Hotel pickup
Pickup is available for selected locations. Pickup begins about 45 minutes before departure.
Ends at
The guest who stays out of our pick up route, can meet our guide at the meeting location at 8.45 am.
Options you can book
Without Hotel Transfer
Without Hotel Transfer
İstanbul: Full Day Guided Tour to Old City
Pickup included
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
- Bosphorus Cruise Tours Istanbul
Know before you go
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 19 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Knowledge and storytelling
9 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
The guide
8 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Traveler reviews
19 verified traveler reviews for İstanbul: Full Day Guided Old City Tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Best
Best service and Melih is very polite and Nice person
Response from the operator: Thank you very much for your kind review! We’re delighted to hear that you enjoyed the service. We’ll be especially happy to share your lovely words with Melih. Your appreciation means a lot to us, and we hope to welcome you on board again in the future!
via Tripadvisor
AMAZING NEHED!!
NEHED WAS AWESOME!Very knowledgeable, friendly and patient. I would recommend her wholeheartedly to anyone visiting Istanbul. Teşekkürler very much Nehed! Harikaydın!!
Response from the operator: Thank you very much for your wonderful review and recommendation. We are delighted to hear that Nehed made your Istanbul experience so special with her knowledge, friendliness, and patience. We will be very happy to share your kind words with her. Teşekkürler, and we hope to welcome you again in Istanbul.
via Tripadvisor
Absolutely worth money we paid
The tour was really fantastic. Murad our guide- full of energy , with great knowledge of culture and history of Stambul not only let us see but also feel the spirit of this vibrant city
Response from the operator: Thank you very much for your fantastic feedback. We are delighted to hear that you enjoyed the tour and that Murat’s energy, knowledge of Istanbul’s culture and history helped you feel the true spirit of this vibrant city. Your kind words mean a lot to us, and we hope to welcome you again in Istanbul.
via Tripadvisor
Our guide was excellent...
Our guide was excellent and gave us an informative and thorough tour. Fatih was a very knowledgeable guide with many insights to Istanbul.
Response from the operator: Thank you very much for your kind feedback. We are delighted to hear that you enjoyed the tour and found it informative. It is great to know that Fatih’s knowledge and insights made your experience even more special. We hope to welcome you on board again soon.
via Viator
Entertaining walking tour!
Thank you for a memorable day! Our guide Fatih was very passionate about Istanbul and knowledgeable about its history. He conveyed the information in a very pleasant way which made the trip entertaining for us. After the official part of the tour, he even took us to the Süleymaniye Mosque, from where we had a great view towards Galata! Highly recommended!
Response from the operator: Thank you for your wonderful review! We’re so happy to hear that Fatih’s passion for Istanbul and his deep knowledge of its history made your tour both informative and enjoyable. Visiting the Süleymaniye Mosque is always a beautiful way to end the day, and we’re delighted you enjoyed the view toward Galata. We truly appreciate your kind recommendation and hope to welcome you again soon for another memorable experience!
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 8 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $75 to $120
- Hotel pickup
- Available for selected locations
- Booked in 30 days
- 7
- Verdict
- Strongly Recommended
Why this scores 73
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
İstanbul: Full Day Guided Old City Tour: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Istanbul.
How much does İstanbul: Full Day Guided Old City Tour cost?
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Prices start at $75 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 İstanbul: Full Day Guided Old City Tour take?
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Plan for about 8 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 İstanbul: Full Day Guided Old City Tour worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 73 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 19 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 İstanbul: Full Day Guided Old City Tour?
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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 İstanbul: Full Day Guided Old City Tour suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 8-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book İstanbul: Full Day Guided Old City Tour?
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Around 7 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 8-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does İstanbul: Full Day Guided Old City Tour 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 Best of Istanbul 1, 2 or 3-Day Private Guided Istanbul Tour, Istanbul Luxury Bosphorus Yacht Cruise with Asian Side Stop, ISTANBUL BEST: Iconic Landmarks Full Day PRIVATE Guided City 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.
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