
Private Old City Guided Tour
Traveler rating
5.0/5
Based on 201 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Private Old City Guided Tour worth booking?
Private Old City Guided Tour is a 5-hour experience in Istanbul, Turkey, from $223 per person. It scores 80 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Exceptional”, based on a 5/5 rating across 201 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 80 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (201)
- Duration
- 5 hours
- From
- $223 per person
This private guided tour aims to give you most important information about history of those beautiful monuments such as Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, Basilica Cistern and Hippodrome so what actually makes special about these places are the history behind of them and that is where the guide will be giving you all details about history and what happened in back of time until present day. The professional tour guide will ccompany you which will make things easier and comfortable in most of the touristic places, museums and palaces the tour guides have the priority can skip the lines. The best part is the tour is customizable for so you can add new places you would like to see or remove the places you don’t want to see.
What you get
About this experience
This private guided tour aims to give you most important information about history of those beautiful monuments such as Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, Basilica Cistern and Hippodrome so what actually makes special about these places are the history behind of them and that is where the guide will be giving you all details about history and what happened in back of time until present day. The professional tour guide will ccompany you which will make things easier and comfortable in most of the touristic places, museums and palaces the tour guides have the priority can skip the lines. The best part is the tour is customizable for so you can add new places you would like to see or remove the places you don’t want to see.
What's included
Included
- Private transportation
- Private professional personal tour guide
- Skip the long line at museums
Not included
- Tips are not included
- Entrance fees
What you'll see and do
Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque
Hagia Sophia (Ayasofya, Santa Sofia) Built in 6th century by Emperor Justinian. It plays a very important role in Christian and Islamic World. After the Ottoman conquest the bells, altar, and sacrificial vessels were removed, and many mosaics were covered to convert church into a mosque.
60 minutes here · Admission not included
Blue Mosque
Blue Mosque: Built in the early 1600s for Sultan Ahmet I of the Ottoman Empire. Blue Mosque is truly a magnificent masterpiece of architecture, with amazingly delicate proportions for a building of such massive scale. Very intresting fact that locals never calls Blue Mosque, we as locals call it Sultan Ahmet Mosque (Camii). There is a lot of intresting information that i would be sharing with you about this beautiful mosque.
60 minutes here
Basilica Cistern
There is a very mysterious place in Sultanahmet, the heart of Istanbul: Basilica Cistern. The Cistern was also used as a venue in many movies and series. Did you watch Inferno, the movie starring Tom Hanks? It was shot in 2016, adopted by Dan Brown’s book. One of the main venues of that movie was Basilica. Basilica Cistern İstanbul or Basilica Palace is one of the most important structures in the history of Istanbul. The features of the columns inside, and the Medusa head, which is especially inverted, attract a lot of attention. There was a basilica where this cistern was built. For this reason, the cistern is called the Cisterna Basilica. Would you like to have some more detailed information about this place, please book our private guided tour to join me to discover... Remember Private guide can skip the lines, handdle your tickets and make your limited time worthile.
60 minutes here · Admission not included
Hippodrome
Byzantine Hippodrome / Sultanahmet Square; where chariot races were held back in Roman Empire times, Egyptian Column from Byzantine Empire era. German Fountain
60 minutes here
Grand Bazaar
Grand Bazaar is a place that keeps lots of vanishing professions alive with their unique culture. It is the world’s oldest, the biggest bazaar where the most variable products are exhibited. The bazaar includes more than 3 thousand shops and it is visited by approximately 400 thousand people. During the Ottoman Empire era, jewelry and precious hand-woven textiles were gathered in Grand Bazaar from all over the country to be sold, and it is a shopping paradise for the ones who especially appreciate traditional textiles and authentic jewelry.
60 minutes here
TopkapI Palace
Topkapi Palace is one of the world’s largest surviving palaces and was built between 1460 and 1478 under the orders of Sultan Mehmed II a few years after he conquered Constantinople. The palace served as the home of the Ottoman Sultans for almost four centuries. It was also the state’s administrative and educational headquarters. The Topkapi Palace complex consists of four main courtyards and many smaller buildings. Female members of the Sultan's family lived in the harem, and leading state officials, including the Grand Vizier, held meetings in the Imperial Council building. The Topkapi Palace is huge place and it needs few hours to discover it. İts just like small village and there are alot of stories and intrigues to tell :) We private tour guides have priority to skip the lonq lines at the museums and Topkapi Palace is museum as well.
120 minutes here · Admission not included
Where it starts and ends
Hotel pickup
Pickup is included for all travelers. Pickup begins about 15 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
- Private Istanbul Tours & Airport Transfers
Know before you go
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 197 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
6 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
6 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Photo opportunities
2 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Small groups
2 mentionsThe group size is repeatedly described as intimate rather than packed.
Traveler reviews
197 verified traveler reviews for Private Old City Guided Tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
5 Star Service
Let’s start with the most important part of any trip, communications. Private Istanbul Tours was 5 star hero’s with communications. From the moment I book the excursion to meeting at the pick up location, there was clear communications of what to wear, where to meet, and what to expect. Next, our guide Aydin was simply outstanding. Aydin rearranged our day to accommodate prayer times to maximize our time at Sultanahmet Camii (Blue Mosque) and Hagia Sophia. Something that really surprised us was the Basilica Cistern. It was amazing how well preserved and how large the cistern is. Aydin explain that cisterns are throughout Istanbul and how the cisterns were used during sieges of the city. Aydin is also a champion photographer and will tell you the perfect spot to take pictures so you can remember the trip. Overall 5 star treatment and superior service.
via Tripadvisor
Stylish Benz
Fuad did a great job taking us to the airport in his spacious luxury Mercedes 8 seater-stylish
via Tripadvisor
Great Private Tour with Mr. Aydin ⭐️
We had a wonderful day exploring Istanbul with our private tour guide, Mr. Aydin. We visited Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, Basilica Cistern, and the Grand Bazaar. Each place was very interesting, and having a private guide made everything much easier and more enjoyable. Mr. Aydin was very friendly, helpful, and patient. He explained the history of each place in a simple and interesting way, so it was easy to understand. He also gave us enough time to enjoy the places and take photos without feeling rushed. 😊 For lunch, he also took us to a very nice restaurant, which we really enjoyed. We did not have to wait in the regular lines at the places we visited, which was a big plus. Our driver was also helpful and drove us safely back to our hotel. Overall, we really enjoyed our day with Mr. Aydin. Thank you for making our Istanbul trip so enjoyable and memorable! ✨
Response from the operator: What a wonderful review 👏 Thank you
via Tripadvisor
Great tour guide
It was amazing tour! Specially the tour guide, his knowledge about history is fascinating! He skipped long queues and get us in major sights so certainly recommended
via Tripadvisor
Magical Istanbul with the Right Guide
Our tour guide, Aydin, was everything we hoped for. He was very knowledgeable and helpful. He navigated us through the ticketing processes and past the lines and had a friendly and enthusiastic energy that kept our group engaged for our entire afternoon. We will definitely seek him out on our return trips to İstanbul and recommend to all our friends!
via Tripadvisor
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
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 70
- Verdict
- Exceptional
Why this scores 80
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Private Old City Guided Tour: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Istanbul.
How much does Private Old City Guided Tour cost?
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Prices start at $223 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 Old City Guided 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 Old City Guided Tour worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 80 out of 100, which we label "Exceptional". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 201 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 Old City Guided 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 Old City Guided 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 Old City Guided Tour?
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Around 70 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 Old City Guided 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 Old City Guided Tour?
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Included: Private transportation; Private professional personal tour guide; and Skip the long line at museums. Not included: Tips are not included; and Entrance fees. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Does Private Old City Guided Tour include hotel pickup?
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Yes, pickup is offered for every traveler from 2056 listed pickup locations in and around Istanbul. Be ready about 15 minutes before the start time. You can also enter a custom pickup address when booking.
What languages is Private Old City Guided 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 Private Old City Guided 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.
What happens to Private Old City Guided 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 Old City Guided Tour?
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Across 201 reviews averaging 5.0 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, knowledge and storytelling, photo opportunities. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
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