
Istanbul Old City Tour From Galataport or Hotels
Traveler rating
4.7/5
Based on 17 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Istanbul Old City Tour From Galataport or Hotels worth booking?
Istanbul Old City Tour From Galataport or Hotels is a 6-hour experience in Istanbul, Turkey, from $299 per person. It scores 58 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 4.7/5 rating across 17 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 58 / 100
- Rating
- 4.7/5 (17)
- Duration
- 6 hours
- From
- $299 per person
You will then be taken to the Hagia Sophia, a UNESCO World Heritage site that served as a cathedral, mosque, and museum throughout its history. Next, you will visit the Blue Mosque, an iconic mosque known for its stunning blue tiles and six minarets. You will then have some free time to explore the Hippodrome, an ancient stadium that once hosted chariot races and other events. Afterwards, you will visit the Topkapi Palace, the former residence of the Ottoman Sultans that now serves as a museum. You will explore the palace's many rooms and exhibits, including the Harem and the Treasury. Finally, the tour ends with a visit to the Grand Bazaar, one of the oldest and largest covered markets in the world. Overall, the Istanbul Full Day Classic Old City Tour is a great way to experience the history and culture of Istanbul in just one day. Stores to Visit: Carpet Showroom
What you get
About this experience
You will then be taken to the Hagia Sophia, a UNESCO World Heritage site that served as a cathedral, mosque, and museum throughout its history. Next, you will visit the Blue Mosque, an iconic mosque known for its stunning blue tiles and six minarets. You will then have some free time to explore the Hippodrome, an ancient stadium that once hosted chariot races and other events. Afterwards, you will visit the Topkapi Palace, the former residence of the Ottoman Sultans that now serves as a museum. You will explore the palace's many rooms and exhibits, including the Harem and the Treasury. Finally, the tour ends with a visit to the Grand Bazaar, one of the oldest and largest covered markets in the world. Overall, the Istanbul Full Day Classic Old City Tour is a great way to experience the history and culture of Istanbul in just one day. Stores to Visit: Carpet Showroom
What's included
Included
- Pick Up & Drop Off
- Public Transport Such as Tram
- Insurance
- Professional Licensed Tour Guide
Not included
- Food & Drinks
- Personal Expenses
- Driver & Guide Tips - Gratitue
- Entrance fee of Hagia Sophia 25 €
- Entrance fee of Topkapi Palace 2000 TRY
What you'll see and do
Hippodrome
It was the center of sport activities of Constantinople. Famous with 4 monuments, The German Fountain of Wilhelm II, Egyptian Obelisk, Serpentine Column, Column of Constantine.
30 minutes here
Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque
Haghia Sophia, is the most famous museum in Turkey and one of the greatest marvels of architecture. Haghia Sophia was built as a church in the 6th century by Emperor Justinian then in 1453 renovated into a mosuqe by Ottoman Emperor Fatih Sultan Mehmet. It was converted into a museum in 1935 and welcoming both local and foreign visitors. (Closed on Monday)
90 minutes here · Admission not included
Blue Mosque
Blue Mosque, was built in the name of Sultan Ahmet with unique 6 minarets. (Closed on Friday)
60 minutes here
TopkapI Palace
Topkapi Palace, which has been home to the Ottoman dynasty for many years, was used educational administrative and art center of state. Get knowledge about the imperial treasury sacred islamic relics, palace kitchens, weapons. (Closed on Tuesday)
90 minutes here · Admission not included
Grand Bazaar Jewelers
Grand Bazaar, is the biggest market and the most attractive shopping center of Istanbul which has lots of shopping oppurtunities with carpets, leather, jewellery, turkish delight, gold, antique tiles etc.. (Closed on Sunday)
60 minutes here
Hagia Irene Museum
Hagia Irene also called as “St. Eirene” Church. It is one of the oldest Byzantium churches in Istanbul, was the 2nd largest church of the Eastern Roman Empire after Hagia Sophia. (Closed on Tuesday)
45 minutes here · Admission not included
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
- Peron Tour Kusadasi/Turkey
Know before you go
- Wheelchair accessible
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Topkapi Palace entrance fee is 2000 TRY. You can pay to the guide for skip-the-line tickets.
- Hagia Sophia entarance fee is 25 €. You can pay to the guide for skip-the-line tickets.
- Guaranteed return on time to cruise
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 17 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
7 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
5 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Food and drink
4 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Pace and timing
4 mentionsSeveral reviewers found the schedule tight or the day long.
Traveler reviews
17 verified traveler reviews for Istanbul Old City Tour From Galataport or Hotels. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Not as good as last year
Sevda, the guide was fantastic and the sights are brilliant. No hotel pick up available ( included in price ?? ), had to pay for entry ( was all included last year, no lunch like last year, and all over in 3 1/2 hours, not 7 hours as described. Refund for no bus pick up ? Refund for taxi fares ?
Response from the operator: Thank you for sharing your experience. It's a great pleasure for us to hear that you enjoyed your trip with us. Your feedback always motivates us to serve you better. We are looking forward to seeing you again. Kind Regards, TURKEY TRAVEL SERVİCE
via Viator
Must do if you are in İstanbul for the first time
Our guide is very knowledgeable. The tour is not rushed and very relaxing. Small group and amazing experience! Highly recommended
Response from the operator: Thank you for sharing your experience. It's a great pleasure for us to hear that you enjoyed your trip with us. Your feedback always motivates us to serve you better. We are looking forward to seeing you again. Kind Regards, PERON TOUR
via Tripadvisor
Perfect Tour to see the Old Town of Istanbul
We had a great sightseeing tour with Baris of the Istanbul Old Town which included the Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Basilica Cistern, Hippodrome and Grand Bazaar. Baris did an excellent job explaining the history of these places along with very good descriptions and stories. The pace was just right and not rushed. The tour included lunch which was delicious and filling. I highly recommend this tour especially if you don’t have a lot of time in Istanbul and want to see many places in a day. It was unfortunate that the Topkapi Palace was closed that day (Tuesday) but the Basilica Cistern was an interesting site to visit as well.
Response from the operator: Thank you for sharing your experience. It's a great pleasure for us to hear that you enjoyed your trip with us. Your feedback always motivates us to serve you better. We are looking forward to seeing you again. Kind Regards, PERON TOURS
via Tripadvisor
Not Quite What is Quoted for Tour
Our tour guide was great but the experience was not quite what was listed by Viator. The only location where you do not have to wait in line because you have a guide is Topkapi Palace. You must wait in line at the Blue Mosque and Aya Mosque. Lines at Aya Mosque are very long. This is not made clear. This is one of the reasons we booked a tour, to skip the lines. No transportation in air conditioned cars as listed. No stop for lunch. We asked our guide and he did take us to a great doner place in the Grand Bazaar. But there is no plan to stop for lunch, even if on your own, so you need to ask. It is a long day, we started at 9:30a and finished just after 5p. And, the most disappointing part is that the tour takes you to a shop to watch a leather fashion show, yes, a fashion show and then expects you to shop at the location. This is not what tourists pay for to have a tour. Very disappointed. I’ve given a few stars as our tour guide was very good, very attentive and provided good information.
Response from the operator: We apologize for any confusion regarding the inclusion of shop visits in our İstanbul Full Day Old City Tour. As stated in the itinerary, these visits are a part of the tour experience and provide an opportunity for guests to learn about local crafts and products. We understand that not all guests may wish to participate in these visits and we will ensure to make this clearer in the future. We are glad to hear that our tour guide provided good information and was attentive during the tour. We apologize for any inconvenience caused by the lack of air-conditioned transportation and lunch arrangements. We will take this feedback into consideration to improve our services in the future.
via Viator
The guide was very...
The guide was very knowledgeable about the historical sites we visited in the morning. After lunch though, we spent over two hours at very expensive shops that we were told would educate us on how to spot fakes in the grand bazaar. This was not the case, and I felt like the time was wasted waiting around as the shop owners tried to sell us things we did not want. Also, though this tour had a starting time of 9am, we did not start until 10am when the Aya Sophia opened to tourists.
Response from the operator: Thank you for the 4-star review. Your positive feedback about our tour and guide makes us happy.
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 6 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
- 6
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Who runs this experience
Operated by Peron Tour Kusadasi/Turkey, who run 24 experiences we rank across 4 cities, with an average Outty Ranking of 54.0.
See everything Peron Tour Kusadasi/Turkey runsWhy this scores 58
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Istanbul Old City Tour From Galataport or Hotels: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Istanbul.
How much does Istanbul Old City Tour From Galataport or Hotels cost?
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Prices start at $299 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 From Galataport or Hotels take?
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Plan for about 6 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 From Galataport or Hotels worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 58 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.7/5 across 17 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 From Galataport or Hotels?
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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 From Galataport or Hotels suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 6-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Istanbul Old City Tour From Galataport or Hotels?
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Around 6 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 6-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Istanbul Old City Tour From Galataport or Hotels 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 Istanbul Old City Tour From Galataport or Hotels?
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Included: Pick Up & Drop Off; Public Transport Such as Tram; Insurance; and Professional Licensed Tour Guide. Not included: Food & Drinks; Personal Expenses; Driver & Guide Tips - Gratitue; and Entrance fee of Hagia Sophia 25 €. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Does Istanbul Old City Tour From Galataport or Hotels include hotel pickup?
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Yes, pickup is offered for every traveler from 453 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 Istanbul Old City Tour From Galataport or Hotels offered in?
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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 Istanbul Old City Tour From Galataport or Hotels?
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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 Istanbul Old City Tour From Galataport or Hotels wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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The operator notes: Wheelchair accessible; and Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to Istanbul Old City Tour From Galataport or Hotels 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 Istanbul Old City Tour From Galataport or Hotels?
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Across 17 reviews averaging 4.7 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, knowledge and storytelling, food and drink. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works. One thing to know: Several reviewers found the schedule tight or the day long.
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