
Private Istanbul Old City and Shopping Tour
Traveler rating
4.6/5
Based on 5 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Private Istanbul Old City and Shopping Tour worth booking?
Private Istanbul Old City and Shopping Tour is a 5-hour experience in Istanbul, Turkey, from $55 per person. It scores 61 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 4.6/5 rating across 5 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 61 / 100
- Rating
- 4.6/5 (5)
- Duration
- 5 hours
- From
- $55 per person
Discover the wonder of Istanbul on a flexible private tour with a local guide. This 6-hour tour explores the historic area of Istanbul, including the Blue Mosque and Topkapi Palace. Your guide can also show you the best places to shop for unique Turkish souvenirs. Hotel or port transfer in a private vehicle is available.
What you get
About this experience
Discover the wonder of Istanbul on a flexible private tour with a local guide. This 6-hour tour explores the historic area of Istanbul, including the Blue Mosque and Topkapi Palace. Your guide can also show you the best places to shop for unique Turkish souvenirs. Hotel or port transfer in a private vehicle is available.
What's included
Included
- Pickup / drop off service is provided from/to centrally located hotels at European side of Istanbul
- Professional guide and driver
- Guaranteed to skip the long lines
- Transport by private vehicle
Not included
- Food and drinks
- Entrance fees
What you'll see and do
Blue Mosque
Visit the famous Blue Mosque
30 minutes here
TopkapI Palace
Visit the famous Topkapi Palace
60 minutes here · Admission not included
Hippodrome
Visit the Hippodrome where all the action once happened in Istanbul's old city.
15 minutes here
Grand Bazaar Jewelers
Shop till you drop in the famous Grand Bazaar of Istanbul
60 minutes here
Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque
Visit the beautiful Hagia Sophia
50 minutes here · Admission not included
Where it starts and ends
Hotel pickup
Pickup is included for all travelers. Pickup begins about 10 minutes before departure.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en, es
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- excursions in turkey travel
Know before you go
- Service animals allowed
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- Your itinerary may change due to the COVID-19 Virus as some attractions may be closed.
- A minimum of 2 people per booking is required
- Topkapi Palace is closed to visitors on Tuesdays
- Hagia Sophia is not a museum, open to public sight, so there might be long lines to visit inside, there is no option to skip the line
- Grand Bazaar is closed to visitors on Sundays.
- Dolmabahce Palace is closed to visitors on Mondays.
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
3 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
2 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Small groups
2 mentionsThe group size is repeatedly described as intimate rather than packed.
Food and drink
1 mentionThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Good for families
1 mentionReviewers traveling with kids report it landed well with their group.
Pace and timing
1 mentionSeveral reviewers comment on how the schedule is paced.
Traveler reviews
5 verified traveler reviews for Private Istanbul Old City and Shopping Tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
All the highlights of Istanbul with Shopping included!
Spent a wonderful day in Istanbul with our guide, Sait. He was already waiting for us when we exited the cruise terminal and ushered us into a beautiful Mercedes Sprinter van. We saw the Blue Mosque, Hippodrome and Hagia Sophia in the morning. Stopped at a carpet store. Had an authentic Turkish lunch at a local restaurant. Visited two other great shops. Even though it was a Sunday, they were open w hospitable staff. Special added trip to beautiful Cistern. Ended the day Topkapi Palace which is a destination in itself. Sait knew all the best vendors, gave great advice and his knowledge is unmatched We thoroughly enjoyed our day and highly recommend this tour!
Response from the operator: Thank you so much for taking the time to share your wonderful feedback! We are delighted to hear that you had such an enjoyable day exploring Istanbul with Sait. It means a great deal to us that you appreciated the itinerary, the comfortable transportation, the local experiences, and especially Sait's knowledge and recommendations. We will be sure to pass your kind words on to Sait. We know he will be very happy to hear that he helped make your visit to Istanbul so memorable.
via Viator
Recommended for families
Feel luxury in a big car. Hagia Sophia was truly amazing and I took enough time to see it. However, since you are barefoot, we recommend that you bring your own mask if you are concerned about the smell. Towards the end he took me to the carpet shop and I was insistent, but otherwise it was OK.
Response from the operator: お褒めの言葉をいただき、誠にありがとうございます。お客様に素晴らしいお時間を過ごしていただけたことを、心より嬉しく存じます。
via Viator (translated)
Best way to see Istanbul
Private Istanbul Old City & Shopping Tour Went October 2 We loved our tour of Istanbul with Musa. He was the best tour guide. He was very helpful, knowledgeable and friendly. He was always looking out for us in the crowds. He knew how to get in the Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque & Blue Mosque quickly. There were so many tour groups there. Musa saved us so much time! Musa met us at the Cruise Port too. He was there early and let us know exactly where he would meet us. We also went to the Grand Bazaar. He looked out for us so we could get good deals on our purchases. He suggested a local restaurant to enjoy good local cuisine! Musa went out of his way to make our visit to Istanbul so memorable. This is the best way to see Istanbul and the tour was very reasonable ! Request Musa you will be so happy you did!!
Response from the operator: Thank you for your kind and detailed words. We are so glad that you had a great time with Mr Musa. Your feedback is valuable to us, and we look forward to the opportunity to serve you again in the future.
via Tripadvisor
Private Old Istanbul Tour
Nice leisurely tour of the major sites in Old Istanbul. Topkapi Palace was closed, but Utku took us to the Galata Tower instead. Not being in a group of 12 or 20 made the experiences SO much better!
Response from the operator: Dear Chris , Thank you so much for your detailed and kind review! We are so glad you had a good tour with Mr. Utku. Your feedback is greatly appreciated, and we hope to have the pleasure of welcoming you back on another tour in the future. Thank you for recommending us! Warmest regards,
via Viator
We had a wonderful...
We had a wonderful experience.Our tour guide was Utku and he is a true gem. Such a kind and knowledgable guy. I was with my Mom who is 74 yo and he was great making sure the tour was geared towards what we wanted to see. It was the best part of our short trip.
Response from the operator: Dear Tiencia , Thank you so much for your detailed and kind review! We are so glad you had a good tour with Mr. Utku Your feedback is greatly appreciated, and we hope to have the pleasure of welcoming you back on another tour in the future. Thank you for recommending us! Warm regards,
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 5 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $55 to $95
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 2
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Who runs this experience
Operated by excursions in turkey travel, who run 3 experiences we rank across 2 cities, with an average Outty Ranking of 47.5.
See everything excursions in turkey travel runsWhy this scores 61
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Private Istanbul Old City and Shopping Tour: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Istanbul.
How much does Private Istanbul Old City and Shopping Tour cost?
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Prices start at $55 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 Istanbul Old City and Shopping Tour take?
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Plan for about 5 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 Istanbul Old City and Shopping Tour worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 61 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.6/5 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 Private Istanbul Old City and Shopping 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 Istanbul Old City and Shopping Tour suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 5-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Private Istanbul Old City and Shopping 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 5-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Private Istanbul Old City and Shopping 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 Private Istanbul Old City and Shopping Tour?
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Included: Pickup / drop off service is provided from/to centrally located hotels at European side of; Professional guide and driver; Guaranteed to skip the long lines; and Transport by private vehicle. Not included: Food and drinks; and Entrance fees. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Does Private Istanbul Old City and Shopping Tour include hotel pickup?
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Yes, pickup is offered for every traveler from 3213 listed pickup locations in and around Istanbul. Be ready about 10 minutes before the start time. You can also enter a custom pickup address when booking.
What languages is Private Istanbul Old City and Shopping Tour offered in?
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It is offered in English and Spanish. 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 Private Istanbul Old City and Shopping 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 Private Istanbul Old City and Shopping Tour wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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The operator notes: Specialized infant seats are available. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to Private Istanbul Old City and Shopping 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 Private Istanbul Old City and Shopping Tour?
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Across 5 reviews averaging 4.6 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, knowledge and storytelling, small groups. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works. One thing to know: Several reviewers comment on how the schedule is paced.
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