
Old Istanbul Gems Full Day Private Tour
Traveler rating
5.0/5
Based on 22 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Old Istanbul Gems Full Day Private Tour worth booking?
Old Istanbul Gems Full Day Private Tour is a 8-hour experience in Istanbul, Turkey, from $250 per person. It scores 68 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 5/5 rating across 22 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 68 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (22)
- Duration
- 8 hours
- From
- $250 per person
Sultanahmet is where ancient empires converge. You’ll explore landmarks from the Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman eras, offering a rare chance to witness the seamless layers of history in one place. Hagia Sophia: A masterpiece that transitioned from a Byzantine cathedral to an Ottoman mosque and now a modern mosque, showcasing architectural genius and cultural harmony. Blue Mosque: Renowned for its six minarets and stunning blue İznik tiles, it's a masterpiece of Ottoman design. Topkapı Palace: The opulent home of sultans, filled with treasures and sacred relics. Hippodrome:This ancient social center hosted chariot races and political events, bringing the Roman and Byzantine past vividly to life. Grand Bazaar: One of the world’s oldest covered markets, offering an immersive shopping experience and a chance to witness Turkish craftsmanship firsthand.
What you get
About this experience
Sultanahmet is where ancient empires converge. You’ll explore landmarks from the Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman eras, offering a rare chance to witness the seamless layers of history in one place. Hagia Sophia: A masterpiece that transitioned from a Byzantine cathedral to an Ottoman mosque and now a modern mosque, showcasing architectural genius and cultural harmony. Blue Mosque: Renowned for its six minarets and stunning blue İznik tiles, it's a masterpiece of Ottoman design. Topkapı Palace: The opulent home of sultans, filled with treasures and sacred relics. Hippodrome:This ancient social center hosted chariot races and political events, bringing the Roman and Byzantine past vividly to life. Grand Bazaar: One of the world’s oldest covered markets, offering an immersive shopping experience and a chance to witness Turkish craftsmanship firsthand.
What's included
Included
- Professional guide
- Guaranteed to skip the long lines
Not included
- Drinks during lunch
- Tips / Gratuities
- All else not specifically mentioned in the inclusion section
- Lunch
- Entrance fees
What you'll see and do
TopkapI Palace
Explore the sprawling former residence of Ottoman sultans: wander through its four courtyards, visit the Imperial Treasury and gaze upon the Sacred Relics. Don’t miss the opulent Harem quarters and panoramic views over the Golden Horn.
120 minutes here · Admission included
Marvel at this 1,500‑year‑old masterpiece, once the world’s largest cathedral and later an imperial mosque. Admire its soaring dome, intricate mosaics and the seamless blend of Christian and Islamic art.
60 minutes here · Admission included
Hippodrome
Once the social and sporting center of Constantinople, the ancient chariot‑racing stadium is now an open square dotted with monuments: the Obelisk of Theodosius, the Serpent Column and the German Fountain.
30 minutes here
Blue Mosque
Stand beneath six elegant minarets and a cascade of domes in this living house of worship. Inside, over 20,000 hand‑painted İznik tiles in shades of blue lend the mosque its popular nickname.
60 minutes here
Grand Bazaar
Lose yourself in one of the world’s oldest and largest covered markets. Browse over 4,000 shops offering carpets, ceramics, jewelry, spices and souvenirs, and practice your haggling skills in the labyrinthine alleys.
120 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Istanbul
Meeting point
Istanbul
Your guide will welcome you with the BarefootPlusTravel flag.
Hotel pickup
Pickup is available for selected locations.
Ends at
Returns to the starting point
Ends at
Your guide will welcome you with the BarefootPlusTravel flag.
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, Fri, Sat, Sun
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- BarefootPlus Travel
Know before you go
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- 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 22 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
6 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Food and drink
6 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Knowledge and storytelling
5 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Good for families
3 mentionsReviewers traveling with kids report it landed well with their group.
Photo opportunities
2 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Organization
2 mentionsPickup, timing, and logistics are described as running smoothly.
Traveler reviews
22 verified traveler reviews for Old Istanbul Gems Full Day Private Tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Great Experience
We had a great experience and everything was incredibly easy from start to finish. Güler was wonderful to work with and made the entire process of organizing and customizing our itinerary very simple. Communication was excellent throughout, and she was always responsive and flexible in accommodating what we wanted to see and do. The tours themselves were fantastic, and everything was very well coordinated. They managed to fit everything we wanted into a short amount of time without it ever feeling rushed. The entire experience was smooth, personalized, and stress-free. I would definitely recommend Güler and BarefootPlus Travel and her team to anyone visiting Istanbul.
via Tripadvisor
Great Turkish tour agency!
Ms.Gular was very helpful in planning our 3 days of private cars, drivers and English speaking guides in Kusadasi and Istanbul, Turkey. My wife and I were very pleased with the itineraries she developed. Ms. Deniz in Ephesus, Ms. Ceren and Mr. Malih in Istanbul were terrific and made the sites spectacular to visit. Ms. Gular's communications were prompt and helpful. I highly recommend using this business for your excursions in Turkey.
via Tripadvisor
Amazing Day in Istanbul!
Guler and Osman were excellent to work with! Despite a short notice, they were able to arrange an excellent guide in Dilshad, we loved hearing stories from her and she was very patient and knew all the short cuts to save us times from long lines. We covered the Topaki Palace, Hagia Sofia, Basilica Cistern and the Blue Mosque, she was also able to help us find a yum vegetarian lunch.
via Tripadvisor
Family world schooling in Turkiye
We worked with our amazing operator Guler to create a family friendly tour (3 and 9 year olds) including Istanbul and Cappadocia. She suggested full day tours in both cities and paired us with two wonderful guides. Our kids were entertained while learning alongside us parents, and we appreciated their expertise when recommending food stops and lookouts. She suggested some hands-on learning opportunities like cooking and pottery lessons and set us up with amazing family accomodations that worked perfectly for our family. (Especially the walkout terrace for hot air balloon viewing) I would highly recommend using this travel company if you are looking to bring your family to Turkiye. Thank you Guler!
via Tripadvisor
Top notch
Had great experience with Diana: we visited the places we wanted, the tour guide tailored duration and focus of each of the locations to our preferences, picked us up at the hotel and dropped us off there as well, helped us to choose lunch option. Her English was great and she maintained excellent conversation both with us and with locals, for instance with museum staff. The agency was flexible adjusting to our existing tickets and providing tickets we could not book online and helping buying tickets on the spot. Overall that felt like a first class experience - 100% 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, Fri, Sat, Sun
- Hotel pickup
- Available for selected locations
- Booked in 30 days
- 8
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Why this scores 68
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Old Istanbul Gems Full Day Private Tour: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Istanbul.
How much does Old Istanbul Gems Full Day Private Tour cost?
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Prices start at $250 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 Old Istanbul Gems Full Day Private 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 Old Istanbul Gems Full Day Private Tour worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 68 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 22 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 Old Istanbul Gems Full Day Private 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 Old Istanbul Gems Full Day Private 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 Old Istanbul Gems Full Day Private Tour?
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Around 8 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 Old Istanbul Gems Full Day Private 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 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 Old Istanbul Gems Full Day Private Tour?
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Included: Professional guide; and Guaranteed to skip the long lines. Not included: Drinks during lunch; Tips / Gratuities; All else not specifically mentioned in the inclusion section; and Lunch. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Does Old Istanbul Gems Full Day Private Tour include hotel pickup?
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Yes, pickup is offered, or you can meet at the start point instead from 4 listed pickup locations in and around Istanbul.
What languages is Old Istanbul Gems Full Day Private Tour 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 Old Istanbul Gems Full Day Private Tour?
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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 Old Istanbul Gems Full Day Private Tour wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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The operator notes: Wheelchair accessible; Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller; Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap; and Specialized infant seats are available. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to Old Istanbul Gems Full Day Private Tour 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 Old Istanbul Gems Full Day Private Tour?
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Across 22 reviews averaging 5.0 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, food and drink, knowledge and storytelling. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
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