Small Group Full-Day Istanbul: Old City, Bosphorus Cruise & Lunch
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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
4.7/5
Based on 232 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Small Group Full-Day Istanbul: Old City, Bosphorus Cruise & Lunch worth booking?
Small Group Full-Day Istanbul: Old City, Bosphorus Cruise & Lunch is a 7-hour experience in Istanbul, Turkey, from $45 per person. It scores 83 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Exceptional”, based on a 4.7/5 rating across 232 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 83 / 100
- Rating
- 4.7/5 (232)
- Duration
- 7 hours
- From
- $45 per person
Discover Istanbul's rich Culture and history with our experienced guides. Skip the Museum Ticket Queues with your guide. Visit Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Hippodrome, Brief Handicraft Presentation next to Grand Bazaar (
What you get
About this experience
Discover Istanbul's rich Culture and history with our experienced guides. Skip the Museum Ticket Queues with your guide. Visit Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Hippodrome, Brief Handicraft Presentation next to Grand Bazaar (Optional, guest may opt to explore the bazaar on their own), Spice Bazaar and take a Cruise on The Bosphorus, the strait that separates Europe and Asia. Lunch included. Why You Should Choose This Tour ✔ Door-to-door service with hotel pick-up and drop-off (Centrally located hotels on the European side; pick-up begins up to 1 hour before tour start) ✔ All entrance tickets included — no separate payments on the day ✔ Lunch included — no need to plan or budget extra ✔ Small-group experience for a more personal and relaxed tour Enjoy Istanbul without worrying about tickets, transport, or unexpected costs.
What's included
Included
- Boat Fee
- Museum Tickets
- Lunch
- All Fees and Taxes
- In-vehicle air conditioning
- Professional Licensed Guiding
- Pick up & Drop Off from centrally located hotels on the European Side
Not included
- Drinks
- Gratuities (optional)
- Please review the additional notes on your ticket for the appropriate dress code for mosque visits
What you'll see and do
Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque
Pick up from the hotel and join the group. We begin our tour with a visit to Hagia Sophia Museum, which is considered one of the Eight Wonders of the World, occupies a unique place in the history of architectures one of the rare works of this size and age that still survives.
45 minutes here · Admission included
Blue Mosque
Our next visit will be The Blue Mosque, which takes its name from the world famous exquisite blue Iznik tiles decorating its interior. Also it is the only imperial mosque in the world that was originally built with six minarets. Note: Blue Mosque is reserved for Prayer on Fridays. On Fridays, we visit the mosque from the exterior.
30 minutes here
Hippodrome
We continue to the Hippodrome Square, the sporting and social center of old Byzantium, held 100,000 spectators and featured objects from all corners of the empire such as the Egyptian Obelisk, and the Serpent Column.
15 minutes here
Grand Bazaar
Brief Handicrafts Presentation & Lecture (Optional Attendance) next to the Grand Bazaar. Guest may opt to skip the presentation and explore Grand Bazaar on their own. Meeting back and drive to Lunch. Note: Grand Bazaar is closed on Sundays.
60 minutes here
Istanbul
3 Course Lunch (Beverages under your own expenses) *Vegetarian menu is also available
75 minutes here
After the lunch, we will visit the Egyptian Spice Bazaar, second largest covered bazaar in Istanbul after Grand Bazaar. It is well-known for its herbalists; the Egyptian Bazaar offers traditional natural medicines, spices, flower seeds, roots and shells of rare plants along with dried nuts and fruits, deli products and various Turkish Delights.
30 minutes here
Halic
After the Spice Bazaar we will drive along the shore of Golden Horn which is an inlet of the Bosphorus and it is the natural harbor of Old Istanbul.
Pass by without stopping
Bosphorus Strait
Then we will embark our boat for an unforgettable Cruise on the Bosphorus, the strait runs through the unique Istanbul that stands up on two different continents between Asia and Europe. During the cruise, we will have a chance to view the peerless sights ornamenting the Asian and European shores such as 19th century wooden mansions, Rumeli Fortress built only in 3 months by Mehmet the Conquerer, Anatolian Fortress, fanciful Dolmabahce and Beylerbeyi palaces, and hunting lodges.
90 minutes here · Admission included
Where it starts and ends
Hotel pickup
Pickup is included for all travelers. Pickup begins about 60 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
- Popular Travel
Know before you go
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- *** When visiting religious buildings such as Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque, it is required to cover your shoulders and knees. A light scarf is sufficient. Scarfs can be purchased from the mosques if needed.
- *** On Fridays, the Blue Mosque is closed to touristic visits until the end of the Friday prayer. For this reason, on Fridays, Blue Mosque will be visited from the courtyard only.
- Not recommended for travellers with walking difficulties
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 232 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Knowledge and storytelling
8 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
The guide
7 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Food and drink
4 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Photo opportunities
2 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Organization
2 mentionsPickup, timing, and logistics are described as running smoothly.
Traveler reviews
232 verified traveler reviews for Small Group Full-Day Istanbul: Old City, Bosphorus Cruise & Lunch. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
I recommend you to check this out and get yourself some nice experience
The tour was fun and seeing a bunch of beautiful buildings and the guild was knowledgeable and friendly
via Viator
Fantastic Tour Guide - VERY informative.
This was a WONDERFUL day! We went on April 29th 2026 - Our tour guide was amazing and VERY knowledgeable. He is a NATIONAL tour guide and had the Green Badge. I cannot spell his name correctly but I hope he sees this review! we were met promptly at the meeting place and the tour was very efficient and well timed. I LOVED the "overview" so we could get an idea of the layout of the city. It is a VERY big city so this was a great way to start our visit. The lunch was at a local family-owned restaurant and was DELICIOUS. Thank you so much for this experience. We loved it. Highly recommend.
Response from the operator: Thanks for your review. We're happy to hear everything went well
via Tripadvisor
Ali getting us to see as much as possible.
I had a great tour. Ali was very knowledgeable and good with the group. Had a great time with him. He kept us interested and moving to see as much as possible in this short of time as we had.
Response from the operator: We're glad you enjoyed your time with us. Thank you for your support
via Tripadvisor
Excellent guide, very...
Excellent guide, very knowledgeable, allowed enough time to look round, take photos, and appreciate all that was Istanbul.
Response from the operator: Thank you for your review. We are glad to hear you enjoyed the tour. We look forward to welcome you again in Turkey.
via Viator
Excellent 1 Day Istanbul tour!
Excellent guide. Took personal care of us. Good pace of showing. Provided all details of sites. Good lunch at restaurant.
Response from the operator: Thank you for your feedback! We’re happy you had a lovely tour. We look forward to seeing you again in Turkey.
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 7 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $45 to $95
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 81
- Verdict
- Exceptional
Why this scores 83
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Small Group Full-Day Istanbul: Old City, Bosphorus Cruise & Lunch: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Istanbul.
How much does Small Group Full-Day Istanbul: Old City, Bosphorus Cruise & Lunch 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 Small Group Full-Day Istanbul: Old City, Bosphorus Cruise & Lunch take?
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Plan for about 7 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 Small Group Full-Day Istanbul: Old City, Bosphorus Cruise & Lunch worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 83 out of 100, which we label "Exceptional". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.7/5 across 232 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 Small Group Full-Day Istanbul: Old City, Bosphorus Cruise & Lunch?
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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 Small Group Full-Day Istanbul: Old City, Bosphorus Cruise & Lunch suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 7-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Small Group Full-Day Istanbul: Old City, Bosphorus Cruise & Lunch?
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Around 81 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 7-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Small Group Full-Day Istanbul: Old City, Bosphorus Cruise & Lunch 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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