Private Tour in the Monuments of Ottoman Empire: Skip-the-line
Traveler rating
5.0/5
Based on 1 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Private Tour in the Monuments of Ottoman Empire: Skip-the-line worth booking?
Private Tour in the Monuments of Ottoman Empire: Skip-the-line is a 8-hour experience in Istanbul, Turkey, from €280 per person. It scores 51 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
- 51 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (1)
- Duration
- 8 hours
- From
- €280 per person
The Hippodrome had been a center for sports and entertainment in the old Constantinople, the Eastern Roman Capital, and an important center for politics since sports and politics were closely knit in these times. The Shrine of Holy Wisdom, a marvelous Byzantine basilica built in the 6th century, marks the golden age of Justinianus. The world's largest, oldest, and most attractive covered bazaar, where people have been trading jewelry, carpets, food, perfumes, and even gossiping for centuries! Home to the imperial treasury, cabinet, and the site of the barracks for Janissaries, the army's elite, every corner of the palace mentions the splendor of the Ottomans. While visiting the tombs of Sultans and various essential figures who had a say in the administration of the Ottoman Empire, you both will be fascinated by Ottoman history and have the chance to experience poetry in motion with their delicately constructed and decorated architecture.
What you get
- English speaking and professional tour guide
About this experience
The Hippodrome had been a center for sports and entertainment in the old Constantinople, the Eastern Roman Capital, and an important center for politics since sports and politics were closely knit in these times. The Shrine of Holy Wisdom, a marvelous Byzantine basilica built in the 6th century, marks the golden age of Justinianus. The world's largest, oldest, and most attractive covered bazaar, where people have been trading jewelry, carpets, food, perfumes, and even gossiping for centuries! Home to the imperial treasury, cabinet, and the site of the barracks for Janissaries, the army's elite, every corner of the palace mentions the splendor of the Ottomans. While visiting the tombs of Sultans and various essential figures who had a say in the administration of the Ottoman Empire, you both will be fascinated by Ottoman history and have the chance to experience poetry in motion with their delicately constructed and decorated architecture.
What's included
Included
- English speaking and professional tour guide
Not included
- Lunch
- Admission fees (Topkapi Palace approx. 35 $)
- Personal expenses
- Transportation
What you'll see and do
Hippodrome
The Hippodrome had been a center for sports and entertainment in the old Constantinople, the Eastern Roman Capital, and an important center for politics since sports and politics were closely knit in these times. No wonder that the Hippodrome had been a starting point for revolts and political movements throughout history. Echoes of cries by slaves riding chariots in ferocious races and the inspirational words of intellectuals and poets that lit the flame of public movements have still been reminiscent of those with a powerful imagination.
45 minutes here
Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque
Shrine of Holy Wisdom, a marvelous Byzantine basilica built in the 6th century, marks the golden age of Justinianus. The domed construction of the sanctuary is an architectural innovation and was so lavishly and artistically decorated that Justinian proclaimed, "Solomon, I have outdone thee!". Humankind would have to wait for millennia before building a cathedral that would surpass the gigantic size of Hagia Sophia. Converted to a mosque following the Ottoman conquest of the city, by the order of Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror in 1453, as the young Sultan fulfilled a divine premonition by the Holy Prophet Mohammad himself. In 1935 the building was converted to a museum by the executive order of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of modern Turkey. Hagia Sophia, whose status was converted to a mosque in July 2020, has been taking its visitors on a journey through the multi-layered texture of history as a mosque ever since.
60 minutes here
Grand Bazaar
The largest, oldest, and most attractive covered bazaar in the world, where people have been trading jewelry, carpets, food, perfumes, and even gossiping for centuries! The tour also includes a short demonstration of Turkish rugs.
90 minutes here
Blue Mosque
Sultan Ahmed Mosque, also known as Blue Mosque, arouses admiration with the delicate Ottoman tiles that decorate the shrine’s walls. The floral patterns of the tiles and the well lighted, spacious internal spaces are testimonials of the eternity of the Ottoman spirit.
45 minutes here
TopkapI Palace
The Topkapı Palace has been the Imperial residence of the Ottoman Sultans from the 15th to the 19th century. Its design, initially devised by Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror himself and then enhanced by Architect Sinan, hides marks of the rituals and structure of Ottoman hierarchy and the running of state affairs.Home to the imperial treasury, cabinet and the site of the barracks for Janissaries, the elite of the army, every single corner of the palace mentions the splendor of the Ottomans. Apart from the priceless treasury, a distinguished collection of Chinese porcelains, holy relics, Sultan’s attires, and imperial weaponry are exhibited in different palace sections. Admission fee: 500 TRY/per person
240 minutes here · Admission not included
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Istanbul
Hereke Carpets You can see the "Meeting Point" board in front of the store.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Hereke Carpets You can see the "Meeting Point" board in front of the store.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- ar, de, ru, ja, en, it, fr, es
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Mon, Wed, Thu, Sat
- Group size
- Up to 30 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- TRAVELIUM
Know before you go
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Photos
Traveler reviews
1 verified traveler reviews for Private Tour in the Monuments of Ottoman Empire: Skip-the-line. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
A brilliant half day tour.
My business partner and I wanted to take an afternoon break from three days of business meetings to see and feel what Istanbul is like and have a sense of history. Their guide Gurcan Urker was fantastic. Extremely knowledgeable in history. Took us to the Sophia Grand Mosque, toured the nearby square and various monuments, the Cistern, and the ancient bazaar. Gurcan was a master of history, Turkish culture and demographics, pointed out important monuments and sites, and established the major historical references of each. We also wanted to visit the bazaar, where we could purchase gifts to take home and a handmade Turkish rug for our home. Gurcan was great at showing us trusted shops where we could feel confident
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, Sat
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 0
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Who runs this experience
Operated by TRAVELIUM, who run 20 experiences we rank across 1 city, with an average Outty Ranking of 47.0.
See everything TRAVELIUM runsWhy this scores 51
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Private Tour in the Monuments of Ottoman Empire: Skip-the-line: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Istanbul.
How much does Private Tour in the Monuments of Ottoman Empire: Skip-the-line cost?
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Prices start at €280 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 Tour in the Monuments of Ottoman Empire: Skip-the-line 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 Tour in the Monuments of Ottoman Empire: Skip-the-line worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 51 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 Tour in the Monuments of Ottoman Empire: Skip-the-line?
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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 Tour in the Monuments of Ottoman Empire: Skip-the-line 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 Tour in the Monuments of Ottoman Empire: Skip-the-line?
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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 8-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Private Tour in the Monuments of Ottoman Empire: Skip-the-line 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 Tour in the Monuments of Ottoman Empire: Skip-the-line?
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Included: English speaking and professional tour guide. Not included: Lunch; Admission fees (Topkapi Palace approx. 35 $); Personal expenses; and Transportation. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Where is the meeting point for Private Tour in the Monuments of Ottoman Empire: Skip-the-line?
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Hereke Carpets You can see the "Meeting Point" board in front of the store. Hotel pickup is not included, so plan your own transport and arrive 15 minutes early.
What languages is Private Tour in the Monuments of Ottoman Empire: Skip-the-line offered in?
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It is offered in Arabic, German, Russian, Japanese, English, Italian, French 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 Tour in the Monuments of Ottoman Empire: Skip-the-line?
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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 Tour in the Monuments of Ottoman Empire: Skip-the-line 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 Transportation options are wheelchair accessible. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to Private Tour in the Monuments of Ottoman Empire: Skip-the-line if the weather is bad?
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This experience depends on good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.
Ready to lock in your spot?
Pick a date, choose your group, and see the exact price for Private Tour in the Monuments of Ottoman Empire: Skip-the-line.
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