Private: Topkapi Palace, St. Sophia, Blue Mosque, Grand Bazaar, Hipodromme
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September 2026
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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
4.8/5
Based on 41 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Private: Topkapi Palace, St. Sophia, Blue Mosque, Grand Bazaar, Hipodromme worth booking?
Private: Topkapi Palace, St. Sophia, Blue Mosque, Grand Bazaar, Hipodromme is a 8-hour experience in Istanbul, Turkey, from $45 per person. It scores 76 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended”, based on a 4.8/5 rating across 41 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 76 / 100
- Rating
- 4.8/5 (41)
- Duration
- 8 hours
- From
- $45 per person
PRIVATE Full Day tour includes 5 highlights (Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, Hippodrome Square, Grand Bazaar) in Istanbul. Your personal guide and A/C Van will be at your service from meeting till the end of t
What you get
About this experience
PRIVATE Full Day tour includes 5 highlights (Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, Hippodrome Square, Grand Bazaar) in Istanbul. Your personal guide and A/C Van will be at your service from meeting till the end of the tour. • Private Tour for your family and friends • You will decide on departure time • Our tour guide will meet you at the Port/Hotel with your name sign, • Our professional tour guide will be with you from arrival till departure, • You will have flexibilty to spend how much time you want in each site and customize the itinerary, • You do not have to wait for other group members • You may stop to have pictures during your tour. • You may stop for lunch in a local restaurant to taste famous Turkish Kebaps.
What's included
Included
- GUARANTEED On Time Return to PORT
- Private tour
- Professional Private tour guide
- Local tax
- Worry-Free Shore Excursion Guarantee
- Transport by private air-conditioned minivan.
Not included
- Lunch and Drinks
- Gratuities
- Entrance Fees (Our guide will have pre-paid tickets to skip lines)
What you'll see and do
Hippodrome
Our Professional Tour guide will meet guests at Hotel or port Pick up time will be given during your confirmation. Then walk or drive to Hippodrome Square where used to take place for chariot races and the Byzantine riots during Roman & Byzantine period
20 minutes here
Blue Mosque
Blue Mosque, has its fame from its beautiful blue Iznik tiles
20 minutes here
Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque
Hagia Sophia built in 532 AD by Roman Emperor Justinian I. Update for St. Sophia interior visit : Live guiding is not allowed in St. Sophia after the 15th January 2024. Guests have to have their smart phones and headphones during their visit. If guests do not have a headphone, they can buy at the entrance at the cost of 3,5-USD The system is similar to audio guide system. Guests who does not have smart phones will follow the signs and the given informations on the signs .
45 minutes here · Admission not included
TopkapI Palace
Topkapi Palace, was not only the residence of the Ottoman sultans, but also the administrative and educational center of the state. It was constructed between 1460 and 1478 by Sultan Mehmed II, the conqueror of Constantinople. We will visit the Topkapi Palace including weapons section.
120 minutes here · Admission not included
Grand Bazaar
We will visit Grand Bazaar where is one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world, with more than 58 covered streets and over 1,200 shops which attract between 250,000 and 400,000 visitors daily. Opened in 1461, it is well known for its jewelry, pottery, spice, and carpet shops. Drive back to Istanbul port or to your hotel. The end of our services
90 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Hotel pickup
Pickup is included for all travelers. Pickup begins about 15 minutes before departure.
Options you can book
Private Full Day Istanbul Tour
Private Option Suggested pick up time will be given depends upon your cruise arrival time Pickup included
Mini Group (max 10 pax) Option
Mini Group Option: Mini group max 10 pax option Suggested pick up time will be given depends upon your cruise arrival time Pickup included
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 & Small Group Ephesus & Istanbul & Turkey Tours
Know before you go
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- At time of booking, Hotels guests must provide hotel name
- At time of booking, Cruise ship passengers must provide the following information at time of booking: ship name, docking time, disembarkation time and re-boarding time
- Visit to holy places of worship such as churches, monasteries, mosques, synagogues bare shoulders are not permitted, nor shoes in mosques.
- In the event of any museum closures, an alternative similar museum will be visited. On Tuesdays : Topkapi Palace replaced by Underground Cistern, On Sundays : Grand Bazaar will be replaced by Spice Market. Grand Bazaar will be closed on Public holidays, it will be replaced by Arasta Bazaar. Because, Spice Market will also be closed.
- Blue Mosque is open from 14.30 to 16.30 on Fridays
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 41 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
10 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
7 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Small groups
4 mentionsThe group size is repeatedly described as intimate rather than packed.
Traveler reviews
41 verified traveler reviews for Private: Topkapi Palace, St. Sophia, Blue Mosque, Grand Bazaar, Hipodromme. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Private Tour of Istanbul
We had an excellent private tour of Istanbul with our guide Leyla. The hotel pickup was on time and Leyla really took the time to explain the history of each location we visited. We had visited some of the locations previously but having a well-informed and friendly guide made all the difference! I would highly recommend this tour to anyone wanting to better understand the history of this beautiful city!
Response from the operator: Dear Angela, Your kind words will be shared with our entire team, who will be thrilled to know they helped create this memorable experience. We will share your kind message and opinions with your guide. Thank you on behalf of her. We would be delighted to see you in our wonderfull country again. Curio Travel Team
via Tripadvisor
Disinterested tour guide
Tour guide Elgi chatted with driver during our "custom, private tour" (did not point out sites or provide any history). She became increasingly disinterested when we informed her that we were more interested in sites/learning about her beautiful country's history than being brought to stores she clearly had arrangements with to shop. The owner of one of the shops made an antisemitic comment.
via Viator
Topkapi and others
Day well spent. Though it rained the entire day. We did end up seeing all sites. Tour guide was quite knowledgable and knew the history well…
Response from the operator: Hello, We don't know how to thank you enough for your comment. Your feedback is precious and has been proudly share with the entire team. Our colleagues' dedication to our guests is fully rewarded when we received such wonderful comments. We will share your kind message and opinions with your guide. Thank you on behalf of her/him. We would be delighted to see you in our wonderful country again. Curio Travel Team
via Viator
One of the BEST private tours we’ve ever taken in years of travel
Our long anticipated private tour of several sites in Istanbul started off in grand style when we met our personal guide Emel, a very stylish and attractive young Turkish woman. She was just delightful! Her English was perfect and with one of us having hearing difficulty, she was so easy to understand. We met our driver and proceeded to our first stop. Hagia Sophia. The area was very crowded with tourists, but Emel knew just how to maneuver through the crowd and quickly get us in. In addition to sharing lots of historical details of the site, she was also crowd-savvy and watched to see that our little three-some didn’t get engulfed in larger tour groups that were swarming everywhere. This was very much appreciated. Our next destination was the Topkapi Palace. We toured the various parts of the palace including the harem area and the palace treasury. Emel explained what life was like for those that were part of the Ottoman collective family. Very interesting. Then she was able to adjust our day to find time to see the Blue Mosque instead of the grand bazaar. By early afternoon the lines to get into the Blue Mosque were daunting, but Emel worked her magic and we were able to enter the mosque and see the beauty inside. Our last stop was a walk through the old Roman hippodrome where chariot races and other sporting events were held back in the day. Emel arranged for our driver to meets us there and take us back to Galataport where we reboarded our ship. All in all, we could not have asked for a better experience. It was difficult to say goodbye since we felt we were now dear friends and not just tourists and guide. We counted ourselves so very fortunate to have shared the day with Emel. We highly recommend Emel at Curio Travel. She’s the best!
Response from the operator: Hello, Thank you very much for taking the time to share your kind words. We are delighted to hear that your experience with us exceeded your expectations, and your compliments have been shared with our team with great pleasure. We will share your kind message and opinions with your guide. Thank you on behalf of her. We would be delighted to see you in our wonderfull country again. Curio Travel Team
via Tripadvisor
Excellent way to avoid crowds and lines
Private guide to see the Istanbul major attractions is the way to go. We skipped long lines and many crowds. All of the sights were amazing; so glad we saw them this way. Our guide, Onur, was very good!
Response from the operator: Dear Amy, Your kind words will be shared with our entire team, who will be thrilled to know they helped create this memorable experience. We will share your kind message and opinions with your guide. Thank you on behalf of him. We would be delighted to see you in our wonderful country again. Curio Travel Team
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 8 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $45 to $179
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 14
- Verdict
- Strongly Recommended
Why this scores 76
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Private: Topkapi Palace, St. Sophia, Blue Mosque, Grand Bazaar, Hipodromme: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Istanbul.
How much does Private: Topkapi Palace, St. Sophia, Blue Mosque, Grand Bazaar, Hipodromme cost?
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Prices start at $45 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: Topkapi Palace, St. Sophia, Blue Mosque, Grand Bazaar, Hipodromme 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 Private: Topkapi Palace, St. Sophia, Blue Mosque, Grand Bazaar, Hipodromme worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 76 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.8/5 across 41 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: Topkapi Palace, St. Sophia, Blue Mosque, Grand Bazaar, Hipodromme?
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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: Topkapi Palace, St. Sophia, Blue Mosque, Grand Bazaar, Hipodromme 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 Private: Topkapi Palace, St. Sophia, Blue Mosque, Grand Bazaar, Hipodromme?
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Around 14 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 Private: Topkapi Palace, St. Sophia, Blue Mosque, Grand Bazaar, Hipodromme 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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