Private Guided 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
5.0/5
Based on 1 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Private Guided Istanbul Old City Tour worth booking?
Private Guided Istanbul Old City Tour is a 7-hour experience in Istanbul, Turkey, from $260 per person. It scores 48 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 5/5 rating across 1 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 48 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (1)
- Duration
- 7 hours
- From
- $260 per person
Istanbul has always been a unique city with a heritage of 3 Empires and a true melting pot! I would love to share my experience of 17 years as a Professional Licensed Tour Guide in Istanbul and lead the way for a sophist
What you get
- Professional Tour Guide
About this experience
Istanbul has always been a unique city with a heritage of 3 Empires and a true melting pot! I would love to share my experience of 17 years as a Professional Licensed Tour Guide in Istanbul and lead the way for a sophisticated experience of old town for all my guests! During our tour day together, we will have a chance to explore some of the top historic highlights of Istanbul such as 'Hagia Sophia' , 'Blue Mosque' , 'Basilica Cistern' , 'Hippodrome of Constantinople' and the first Baroque Mosque of the ciy from 1755(Nuruosmaniye Mosque)! And finally we will wonder around the alleys of the oldest mall of the world with thousands of shops, The Grand Bazaar! A unique experience with all the hidden gems of the worldwide famous market place! You will have a lovely taste of Istanbul from all different perspectives! History, culture, food, trading, social life and more! The tour would be a great option for first time visitors as well as couples and families!
What's included
Included
- Professional Tour Guide
Not included
- Lunch
- Gratuities
- Basilica Cistern optional (800 TRY)
- Hagia Sophia Mosque optional (25 euros )
What you'll see and do
Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque
The landmark and masterpiece of Istanbul Old Town since 537! One of the most important churches of Orthodox Christianity ever! Once the seat of Greek Orthodox Patriarch! Currently and active mosque and a partial museum! It offers best examples of Byzantine mosaic art from different centuries! The first architecture of the world with pendentives and flying buttresses! And it used to be the largest Christian cathedral for almost 11 centuries!
75 minutes here · Admission not included
Hippodrome
Once the center of chariot races with a capacity of 30.000 people! And the exact location of Nika Riot in 532 resulted the massacre of thousands and destruction of Constantinople! Adorned with beautiful monuments from all over the Roman Empire and it still holds several special pieces from those days like 'Egyptian Obelisk', 'Column of Serpent' etc.
35 minutes here
Basilica Cistern
The largest water reservoir of the Roman Era with its amazing architecture from 4th century! And definitely an unexpected historic beauty for every visitor. In Istanbul, we have 150 of those cisterns and it had to be the largest among all becuse the Basilica Cistern was the major water reservoir of the royal buildings! A natural set of movies and a great location for special events!
50 minutes here · Admission not included
Blue Mosque
One of the brilliant historic symbols of Istanbul! The most famous mosque of the world known for its unique tile decorations and frescoes! Built up in 1616 by the 16th Sultan of the Ottoman Empire(Ahmed the 1st) and it has six minarets which can be classified as the highest number for an Ottoman mosque! On the inside, it is decorated with thousands of Iznik tiles and painted floral motifs in predominantly blue colours, which give the mosque its popular name. The mosque's külliye (religious complex) includes Ahmed's tomb, a madrasa, and several other buildings in various states of preservation. Its charming beauty is always worthseeing at any time of the day.
50 minutes here
Nuruosmaniye Camii
Designed by a Greek non-Muslim architect named Simeon Kalfa, the Nuruosmaniye mosque was the first monumental Ottoman building to exemplify the new Ottoman baroque style, which introduced baroque and neoclassical elements from Europe. The construction of the mosque complex was commissioned on the order of Sultan Mahmud I in 1748 and completed under his brother and successor, Sultan Osman the 3rd in 1755. It was named as Nuruosmaniye, meaning "The holy light of Osman", after Osman the 3rd!
35 minutes here
Grand Bazaar
The first shopping mall of the world located at one end of the Silk Road! The top reason what makes the city of Istanbul so unique is; Location Location Location!!! The hub of trading culture since 1461 with its thousands of shops! We will go for a very special walking tour of the famous market place with its hidden spots! Bunch of HAN(old business centers located on the sides of the market) buildings would be the part of our walking tour to explore!
180 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Istanbul
Our meeting spot is the old historic Turkish Bath from 1741 -Cağaloğlu Hamam(Turkish Bath)-
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Our meeting spot is the old historic Turkish Bath from 1741 -Cağaloğlu Hamam(Turkish Bath)-
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, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat
- Group size
- Up to 12 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Private & Tailor-Made Tours of Istanbul
Know before you go
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Photos
Traveler reviews
1 verified traveler reviews for Private Guided Istanbul Old City Tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Luxury Travel Advisor Approved!
Oscar is an incredible guide! He is knowledgeable and took time to answer my questions about today’s customs & history of Istanbul. We toured neighborhoods, Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque, the Grand Bazaar, and more. My favorite part about my private tour with Oscar was how engaged he was in his storytelling & his exclusive partnerships within certain vendors at the bazaar. My mission was to find a tea set and we conquered that task! I use my tea set every week. :-) I plan to hire Oscar again for private guiding in future visits to Istanbul where I can focus on culinary experiences with my family. He’s great at what he does and you should consider him for your personal guide to your trips to Istanbul.
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 7 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 0
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Why this scores 48
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Private Guided Istanbul Old City Tour: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Istanbul.
How much does Private Guided Istanbul Old City Tour cost?
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Prices start at $260 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 Private Guided Istanbul Old City Tour take?
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Plan for about 7 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 Private Guided Istanbul Old City Tour worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 48 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 1 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 Private Guided 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 Private Guided Istanbul Old City Tour suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 7-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Private Guided Istanbul Old City Tour?
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Around 0 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 7-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Private Guided 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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