Semi Private - Constantinople Tour of Istanbul: Discovering the Byzantine Empire in Istanbul
Istanbul, Turkey

Semi Private - Constantinople Tour of Istanbul: Discovering the Byzantine Empire

Outty Ranking 46 3.1 · 7 traveler reviews3 hoursFrom $47

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September 2026

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Outty Ranking

46/100

Worth a Look. Our proprietary evaluation. How we score

Traveler rating

3.1/5

Based on 7 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

Quick answer

Is Semi Private - Constantinople Tour of Istanbul: Discovering the Byzantine Empire worth booking?

Semi Private - Constantinople Tour of Istanbul: Discovering the Byzantine Empire is a 3-hour experience in Istanbul, Turkey, from $47 per person. It scores 46 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look, based on a 3.1/5 rating across 7 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.

Outty Ranking
46 / 100
Rating
3.1/5 (7)
Duration
3 hours
From
$47 per person

Walk back to history Discover the splendor of Byzantine Istanbul, the ancient city of Constantinople, on this fascinating 3-hour history tour led by an expert guide. The empire that kick-started Christianity in Turkey (a

What you get

    About this experience

    Walk back to history Discover the splendor of Byzantine Istanbul, the ancient city of Constantinople, on this fascinating 3-hour history tour led by an expert guide. The empire that kick-started Christianity in Turkey (around 330 AD) spawned a rich legacy of religious monuments and architecture, and you’ll see the best examples of these on your tour. Visit a shrine to the Holy Virgin at the Church of St Mary of Blachernae, explore the ruins of ancient Blachernae Palace, walk around the Walls of Constantinople, and more!

    What's included

    Included

    • Professional guide
    • All Fees and Taxes
    • In-vehicle air conditioning
    • Hotel pickup

    Not included

    • Food and drinks
    • Hotel drop-off

    What you'll see and do

    1. Halic

      Natural naval harbour of the Byzantines named as Golden Horn because of its hornlike shape and golden reflection of the glittering waves under sunshine when viewed from the hill tops.

      Pass by without stopping

    2. Venerable Patriarchal Church of St. George

      Visit the Patriarchate at Fener which is the seat of Orthodox Christianity since Constantine The Great’ s declaration of Christianity as the religion of Roman Empire.

      30 minutes here · Admission included

    3. The Walls of Istanbul

      Byzantine City Walls surrounded the Acropolis of Byzantium with 22 kms. long fortification with 96 towers and 9 main gates dating back to the 5th century.

      Pass by without stopping

    4. Patriarchate Of Constantinople

      Visit the Patriarchate at Fener which is the seat of Orthodox Christianity since Constantine The Great’ s declaration of Christianity as the religion of Roman Empire.

      30 minutes here · Admission included

    5. Tekfur Sarayi

      Tekfur Palace (from outside) built in the 12th century adjacent to the city walls. The only surviving pavillion of the Blachernae Palace.

      20 minutes here · Admission included

    6. Chora Museum

      St. Savior in Chora (Kariye Museum), originally a Byzantine monastery with fantastic mosaics and frescoes portraying scenes from the bible, the life and miracles of Jesus.

      60 minutes here · Admission included

    Where it starts and ends

    Meeting point

    Istanbul

    Please be ready in front of Tamara Restaurant at 13:15 and look for blue and white Midibus/Minivan with the logo of Plan Tours and Gray Line

    Hotel pickup

    No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.

    Ends at

    Please be ready in front of Tamara Restaurant at 13:15 and look for blue and white Midibus/Minivan with the logo of Plan Tours and Gray Line

    Before you book

    Cancellation
    For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
    Languages
    de, en, fr, es
    Ticket
    Mobile Only
    Runs on
    Every day
    Group size
    Up to 9 travelers per booking
    Operated by
    Plan Tours - Gray Line Turkey

    Know before you go

    • 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
    • Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
    • Please note: When reconfirming your booking, your local supplier will advise you on alternative meeting points for hotels which are not accessible

    Photos

    Visit Chora Church in IstanbulKariye MuseumPatrairchate of FenerKariye MuseumByzantine City WallsKariye Museum Interior

    What travelers are saying

    Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 7 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.

    Knowledge and storytelling

    2 mentions

    Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.

    Traveler reviews

    7 verified traveler reviews for Semi Private - Constantinople Tour of Istanbul: Discovering the Byzantine Empire. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

    5 star
    1
    4 star
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    Leah · May 2015

    Interesting tour. It was nice to get...

    <p>Interesting tour. It was nice to get out to other neighbourhoods during our stay. The Chora church was beautiful, definitely worth seeing. Our tour was much shorter than the advertised duration however and it would've been nice to have the extra time to explore.</p>

    via Viator

    CarrieAnn G · March 2015

    This tour was ok - a good supplement to...

    <p>This tour was ok - a good supplement to the other main tours if you have more days. I would recommend doing the others first.</p>

    via Viator

    Anne M · November 2014

    This was good as far as it went but it...

    <p>This was good as far as it went but it was a very short tour i.e under 2 hours total [ although the hotel transfer was 90 minutes each way]. It was very interesting to visit the lovely Chorea Monastary and 2 Orthodox churches. However that was it. I had mainly booked the tour to be able to actually walk about on the walls of Constantinople but we had no more than a quick glimpse as we drove past on the bus so that was disappointing. Many of the people on the bus had also been on a tour in the morning and were not that mobile and the weather was not great so possibly the tour was shorter than usual.</p>

    via Viator

    Ilias A · September 2014

    The tour was great! The staff was...

    <p>The tour was great! The staff was knowledgable and took us to so many places I wouldn't had been able to find on my own. I recommend the tour for art historians and also for many Greeks who want to discover the beauty and history of the Byzantine Empire</p>

    via Viator

    Milorad_V · August 2014

    very well organized and presented...

    <p>very well organized and presented history of the Byzantine Empire</p>

    via Viator

    Good to know

    Duration
    3 hours
    Free cancellation
    Up to 24h before
    Minimum age to book
    All ages
    Availability
    Bookable today
    Runs on
    Every day
    Hotel pickup
    No pickup, meet at start point
    Booked in 30 days
    2
    Verdict
    Worth a Look

    Why this scores 46

    The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.

    Traveler sentiment (30% weight)48
    Review evidence (18% weight)32
    Booking momentum (14% weight)20
    Value for money (12% weight)61
    Listing quality (10% weight)75
    Local standing (8% weight)0
    Booking flexibility (8% weight)100

    Semi Private - Constantinople Tour of Istanbul: Discovering the Byzantine Empire: questions travelers ask

    Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Istanbul.

    How much does Semi Private - Constantinople Tour of Istanbul: Discovering the Byzantine Empire cost?

    +

    Prices start at $47 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 Semi Private - Constantinople Tour of Istanbul: Discovering the Byzantine Empire take?

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    Plan for about 3 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 Semi Private - Constantinople Tour of Istanbul: Discovering the Byzantine Empire worth it?

    +

    It holds an Outty Ranking of 46 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (3.1/5 across 7 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable most popular in Istanbul, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.

    Can I cancel or reschedule Semi Private - Constantinople Tour of Istanbul: Discovering the Byzantine Empire?

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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 Semi Private - Constantinople Tour of Istanbul: Discovering the Byzantine Empire suitable for kids and families?

    +

    Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 3-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.

    How far in advance should I book Semi Private - Constantinople Tour of Istanbul: Discovering the Byzantine Empire?

    +

    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?

    +

    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 3-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.

    Where does Semi Private - Constantinople Tour of Istanbul: Discovering the Byzantine Empire 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?

    +

    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?

    +

    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?

    +

    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.

    Ready to lock in your spot?

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