Istanbul Old City Tour
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September 2026
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Who is going?
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
4.2/5
Based on 5 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Istanbul Old City Tour worth booking?
Istanbul Old City Tour is a 8-hour experience in Istanbul, Turkey, from $82 per person. It scores 59 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 4.2/5 rating across 5 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 59 / 100
- Rating
- 4.2/5 (5)
- Duration
- 8 hours
- From
- $82 per person
Step back in time with our Istanbul Ottoman Empire Tour, a private exploration of the rich heritage of the Ottoman Empire that resides in the city! Whether you're fascinated by the deep history or you want some interesti
What you get
About this experience
Step back in time with our Istanbul Ottoman Empire Tour, a private exploration of the rich heritage of the Ottoman Empire that resides in the city! Whether you're fascinated by the deep history or you want some interesting and stunning places for some photographs. This authentic experience includes your own knowledgeable tour guide, with everything taken care of - just focus on soaking in the Ottoman legacy on this once-in-a-lifetime Istanbul excursion! Discover the city has very much to offer in the way of culture, arts and activities. Whether you’ve promised your extended family a load of souvenirs, catch some assistance and tips from your guide for the best places and spaces to shop until you drop!
What's included
Included
- Hotel Pick Up & Drop Off
- Lunch
- In-vehicle air conditioning
- Professional Licensed Tour Guide
Not included
- Personal Expenses
- Topkapı Palace ticket
- Hagia Sophia ticket
What you'll see and do
Istanbul
Before the tour; Free pick up services from hotels in Fatih, Beyoğlu and Şişli Districts.
30 minutes here
TopkapI Palace
We start our tour with Topkapı Palace; Once served as the main residence and administrative Head Quarters of the powerful Sultans of the Ottoman Empire during 15th century. The Topkapi Palace acquired its current appearance in the 16th century after having gone through several renovations and modifications. It is now a complex that includes four main courtyards interconnected to galleries and passages, a Harem, and several small courtyards, pavilions, and gardens.
120 minutes here · Admission not included
Unquestionably one of the finest and biggest church constructed by the Eastern Roman Emperor Justinian A.D 532 and 537. After the fall of Constantinople in 1453, It served as a mosque until 1935 and it became a museum. In 2020, the site once again became a mosque and welcoming both local and foreign visitors.
60 minutes here · Admission not included
Blue Mosque
Historical mosque in Istanbul, the mosque is known as the Blue mosque because of blue and white iznik tiles surrounding the walls of interior design.
60 minutes here · Admission included
Hippodrome
The ancient Hippodrome, a public venue for chariot races, athletic events and the centre of Byzantine civil life. Famous with 4 monuments, The German Fountain of Wilhelm II, Egyptian Obelisk, Serpentine Column, Column of Constantine.
30 minutes here
Sultanahmet
Stop at a local Turkish restaurant to savor an authentic lunch.
60 minutes here
Grand Bazaar
With over 3000 stores and 61 streets, Istanbul Grand Bazaar it’s one of the world largest covered market and date goes back to 15th century. Unlike any other places, visit to this guaranteed to leave you exhilarated. Charming souvenirs and gifts can be selected from among Turkish crafts, leathers, the World re-owned carpets, brilliant hand painted ceramics, precious jewelleries and many more. (Closed on Sunday and Official Holidays)
90 minutes here · Admission included
Istanbul
After the tour; Free drop off services to hotels in Fatih, Beyoğlu and Şişli Districts.
30 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Istanbul
We meet guests front of The Marmara Taksim Hotel.
Hotel pickup
Pickup is available for selected locations. Pickup begins about 45 minutes before departure.
Ends at
We meet guests front of The Marmara Taksim Hotel.
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
- Mon, Wed, Thu, Sat, Sun
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Funland Travel
Know before you go
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- 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.
The guide
4 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
2 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Value for money
2 mentionsTravelers feel they got more than they paid for.
Organization
1 mentionPickup, timing, and logistics are described as running smoothly.
Traveler reviews
5 verified traveler reviews for Istanbul Old City Tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Not worth it.
Terrible. The guide walked in front of us and very fast. He was hard to understand. And he seemed disorganized. Then all of the sudden he brought us to a store, put us through a fashion show and tried to have us buy. Not at all what I signed for. Then he dropped us at the bazar and told me where to meet him later. I felt uncomfortable with tour so I told him I was done.
via Viator
This tour was amazing!
The guide was very qualified and he obviously took pride in his work and amazed us. The tours of the historical buildings we went were very memorable. For the price it was worth the cost.
via Tripadvisor
Awesome tour, throughly enjoyed it! Best guide ever!
Very good tour to see a lot of old city Istanbul historical sites. If you only have a day to spend touring Istanbul like me, this is a great tour you may want to consider. Our tour guide Emil was amazing! Not only was she informative, educational and professional, she also made it fun and humorous at times. She honestly deserves all 5 stars as a guide. Thank you Emil, Istanbul, and the other great people in my tour group for making this a day to remember indeed!
via Viator
Gk
Outstanding full day and very educational tour with our guide Ceren. Well organised and she did beautiful job explaining and showing us around. Thank you for the wonderful day!
via Tripadvisor
Best company ever, highly recommend
We had wonderful day and great experience, covering all the important sites with full insight details on what we were exploring. Definitely they know their way around and explained things very well. Excellent English and definitely recommend.
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 8 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Mon, Wed, Thu, Sat, Sun
- Hotel pickup
- Available for selected locations
- Booked in 30 days
- 2
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Why this scores 59
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Istanbul Old City Tour: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Istanbul.
How much does Istanbul Old City Tour cost?
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Prices start at $82 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 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 Istanbul Old City Tour worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 59 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.2/5 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 Istanbul 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 Istanbul 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 Istanbul Old City Tour?
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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 8-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Istanbul 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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