Istanbul City Tour with Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque in Istanbul
Istanbul, Turkey

Istanbul City Tour with Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque

Outty Ranking 72 4.7 · 39 traveler reviews3 hoursFrom $20

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September 2026

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Adults

Age 13 and over

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Age 12 and under

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From, per person$20
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Outty Ranking

72/100

Strongly Recommended. Our proprietary evaluation. How we score

Traveler rating

4.7/5

Based on 39 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

Quick answer

Is Istanbul City Tour with Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque worth booking?

Istanbul City Tour with Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque is a 3-hour experience in Istanbul, Turkey, from $20 per person. It scores 72 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended, based on a 4.7/5 rating across 39 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.

Outty Ranking
72 / 100
Rating
4.7/5 (39)
Duration
3 hours
From
$20 per person

Visit > Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Hippodrome, and Grand Bazaar, Guiding in English, Pick up service provided. This is a customized half-day small group tour to the heart of Sultanahmet. Visit treasures of Istanbul such

What you get

    About this experience

    Visit > Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Hippodrome, and Grand Bazaar, Guiding in English, Pick up service provided. This is a customized half-day small group tour to the heart of Sultanahmet. Visit treasures of Istanbul such as Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque. Learn history about Byzantines, Ottomans, and modern Turks from your expert local guide. Experience shopping in the grand bazaar, which has been the center of shopping for centuries. Walk along the historical hippodrome and see the German Fountain and obelisk

    What's included

    Included

    • Professional licensed English Speakıng guide.
    • Pick Up Service from lısted hotels / Galata Port
    • Local taxes

    Not included

    • Entry Tickets to Sites
    • Tip to the Guide (optional)
    • Personal expenses

    What you'll see and do

    1. Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque

      The ticket is included if you choose the “with entry ticket” option. Meaning Divine Wisdom, Hagia Sophia was the largest building on earth barring the Egyptian Pyramids or the Great Wall of China. Today's Hagia Sophia was built by the Emperor Justinian in 537AD. It was the religious center of the city during the Byzantine period. It was used as a church for 916 years and as a mosque for 481 years, In 1934, by the order of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, it was converted into a museum and has since been open to the visitors.

      60 minutes here · Admission not included

    2. Blue Mosque

      Built by the Ottoman Sultan Ahmet I in the year 1616, it is located opposite the Hagia Sophia. Blue mosque today is one of the most famous landmarks of the old city with its famous six minarets and magnificent dome. Although it is officially named Sultanahmet Mosque,, the (nıck) name Blue Mosque was given to it by the visitors because of the amazing blue tiles decorating the interior walls.

      60 minutes here

    3. Built by the Roman Emperor Septimus Severus in 203AD, during the Roman period hippodrome was the civil center for the people of the city whıch once could hold 100,000 spectators. Located in the heart of Sultanahmet surrounded by Blue mosque, Hagia Sophia and Topkapi palace, today it is home to The Egyptian Obelisk (Dikilitaş), The Serpentine Column (Burma sütun), The Constantine Column and German Fountain.

      Pass by without stopping

    4. Grand Bazaar

      One of the largest covered markets in the world with more than 60 streets and 5000 shops, where you will find in an authentic oriental atmosphere, all kind of gifts, leather clothing, rugs, antiques, jewelry, hand-woven fabrics etc…

      120 minutes here

    Where it starts and ends

    Meeting point

    Istanbul

    The meeting point with your tour guide is the front of the ''German Fountaın. Meeting time is 9:00AM

    Hotel pickup

    Pickup is available for selected locations. Pickup begins about 15 minutes before departure.

    Ends at

    The tour ends in Grand Bazaar

    Options you can book

    • Mini Group Tour With Pick Up

      This Option: MINI GROUP tour with ENGLISH speaking tour guide. Offer pick up from hotels listed on the website For Cruisers:: Pick up time will be given by us according to the cruise arrival times. For Hotel Guests: Has a fİx starting time for hotel guests. You can find the pick-up times in the “Pick-up Locations” section. Duration: 4 hours Pickup included

    • Meet at Starting Point

      This Option: do not offer pick up. The guests meet the guide at tour starting point which is ''German Fountain''. Starting Time: is 9:00AM. The details of the guide, location of meeting point will be shared with the guests 1 day before the tour Mini Group: up to 12 people max with English Speaking tour guide. Duration: 4 hours Pickup included

    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 12 travelers per booking
    Operated by
    Tour Altinkum Travel

    Know before you go

    • Wheelchair accessible
    • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
    • Public transportation options are available nearby
    • Specialized infant seats are available
    • Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
    • Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
    • Grand Bazaar is closed on Sundays
    • We guarantee that you will be dropped off at the port before your ship onboard time. (for cruise guests)
    • Pick-up times will be updated according to your cruise arrival&departure times. (for cruise guests)
    • Please contact the local provider and confirm your pick-up time before the tour date.
    • Please be advised that for our regular small group tours, a single departure time is available for guests already residing in Istanbul (8:30–9:00). Later departure options have been made available exclusively for cruise passengers arriving by ship.

    Photos

    Istanbul City Tour with Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque in Istanbul, photo 2Istanbul City Tour with Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque in Istanbul, photo 3Istanbul City Tour with Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque in Istanbul, photo 4Istanbul City Tour with Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque in Istanbul, photo 5Istanbul City Tour with Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque in Istanbul, photo 6Istanbul City Tour with Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque in Istanbul, photo 7

    What travelers are saying

    Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 39 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.

    The guide

    9 mentions

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

    Knowledge and storytelling

    9 mentions

    Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.

    Traveler reviews

    39 verified traveler reviews for Istanbul City Tour with Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

    5 star
    32
    4 star
    4
    3 star
    2
    2 star
    1
    1 star
    0
    Sort
    Ted_W · May 2026

    Great Guide, In Spite of Minor Headaches

    Kemal, our guide, was excellent: cordial, professional, friendly, and very knowledgeable. He answered all our questions, demonstrating considerable expertise about the many sites we visited. But Viator should have informed us (in advance) that the Hagia Sophia is undergoing MAJOR renovations and repair of earthquake-related damage. This means a lot of the site is shrouded in scaffolding.

    via Viator

    Michelle_R · March 2026

    Baris tour guide is the Best!

    We lucked out with our guide Baris who was so incredibly knowledgeable in the history of every place we visited. He is a true professional and a really nice guy as well. We learned a lot today but also had a lot of fun with our group. I would highly recommend requesting Baris for your tour in Istanbul.

    via Viator

    Aimee_D · November 2025

    Great tour

    My tour guide was exceptional. He was kind, knowledgeable and answered all the questions with patience. He shared the rich history of all of our sights with his great knowledge. I was left with an appreciation for the city, country and culture. Thank you

    via Viator

    Holly_M · November 2025

    Wonderful tour and guide

    Kemal did such a good job with finding what the people on our tour were interested in by spending the time seeing and providing it. He is very knowledgeable and considerate. He even got us back to our hotel because we were unsure of how to get back.

    via Viator

    Jeremy_R · November 2025

    This is Istanbul essentials but…

    We loved our guide Ali, but I hesitate to recommend this excursion because: 1) exhausting walks, 2) Hagia Sophia entry fee sort of a ripoff at $30, and 3) Grand Bazaar is anything but grand with high prices, aggressive sales tactics, and overwhelming focus on mass-produced tourist items rather than an authentic market experience.

    via Viator

    Good to know

    Duration
    3 hours
    Free cancellation
    Up to 24h before
    Minimum age to book
    All ages
    Availability
    Bookable today
    Runs on
    Every day
    Price range
    $20 to $35
    Hotel pickup
    Available for selected locations
    Booked in 30 days
    14
    Verdict
    Strongly Recommended

    Why this scores 72

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

    Traveler sentiment (30% weight)78
    Review evidence (18% weight)57
    Booking momentum (14% weight)50
    Value for money (12% weight)100
    Listing quality (10% weight)73
    Local standing (8% weight)51
    Booking flexibility (8% weight)100

    Istanbul City Tour with Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque: questions travelers ask

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

    How much does Istanbul City Tour with Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque cost?

    +

    Prices start at $20 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 Istanbul City Tour with Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque take?

    +

    Plan for about 3 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 Istanbul City Tour with Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque worth it?

    +

    It holds an Outty Ranking of 72 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.7/5 across 39 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 Istanbul City Tour with Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque?

    +

    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 Istanbul City Tour with Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque suitable for kids and families?

    +

    Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 3-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.

    How far in advance should I book Istanbul City Tour with Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque?

    +

    Around 14 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 3-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.

    Where does Istanbul City Tour with Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque 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?

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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?

    +

    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.

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