Small Group Full-Day Istanbul Old City Tour with Lunch & Tickets
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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
4.9/5
Based on 87 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Small Group Full-Day Istanbul Old City Tour with Lunch & Tickets worth booking?
Small Group Full-Day Istanbul Old City Tour with Lunch & Tickets is a 7-hour experience in Istanbul, Turkey, from $70 per person. It scores 81 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Exceptional”, based on a 4.9/5 rating across 87 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 81 / 100
- Rating
- 4.9/5 (87)
- Duration
- 7 hours
- From
- $70 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) and Topkapı Palace. 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
- 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
TopkapI Palace
Then we visit the Topkapı Palace, the residence of early and mid-era Ottoman Sultans. It was principal residence of the Ottoman Sultans and the center of administration of the Ottoman Empire from 15th to 19th century. During our visit we will see the fabulous Imperial Treasury, the Baghdad Kiosk, Holy Relics and the Kitchen Section including one of the world’s finest collections of Chinese celadon ceramics. The Harem is also located inside the palace which was forbidden to anyone except the Sultan. Drive back to the hotel at the end of the tour. Note: Harem Section not included on the tour
105 minutes here · Admission included
Hagia Irene Museum
Our next stop, Hagia Eirene, the Church of the Holy Peace, is one of the few churches in Istanbul that was never converted into a mosque. Hagia Eirene reputedly stands on the site of a pre-Christian temple and has the distinction of being the first church built in Byzantium as it was converted into the capital of the Eastern Roman Empire.
15 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
- Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun
- 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 88 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
8 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
7 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Food and drink
5 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Traveler reviews
88 verified traveler reviews for Small Group Full-Day Istanbul Old City Tour with Lunch & Tickets. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Great experience - highly recommend
This is an excellent tour; our guide Muzarraf was friendly and has great historical knowledge, the sites we visited are spectacular and it was so good not to have to queue or buy tickets for the museums. The timing of the tour also works very well as there were limited crowds. We highly recommend this experience.
via Viator
Shakir was wonderful guide!
Shakir was a wonderful guide! He was very knowledgeable and expertly handled the full day tour with many stops at Mosques and Palace. He was very patient with my older Mom who did have trouble getting around. This tour does have transport but walking can be harder for less mobile individuals. We had a fantastic lunch and loved the tour. Thanks to Shakir again He made it so fun!
via Viator
I like it 👍🏻
Thanks Ali for his professional guide 👍🏻 Even though it’s my 5th time to Istanbul, I still got some new knowledge and information from this tour 👍🏻 Hope to see you again next time
via Tripadvisor
full day tour seeing main sites and turkish lunch.
Full day tour, picked up at accommodation. Visited Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, the palace, brilliant lunch at a local turkish cafe with traditional meal. Optional visits to carpet emporium or leather emporium and the bazaar, whatever your interest is. Shakir was very helpful and savy, gave succinct relevant information, without droning on for no reason - we appreciated that. Luckily, no cruise ships in on the day of our tour, making entry to sites quick/ easy and comfortable. A little bit of walking through central streets and shops, which was great.
Response from the operator: Thanks a lot for your kind words! We're happy you enjoyed your time with us. Safe travels, and see you next time.
via Viator
Thank you Muzaffer!
I had an incredible experience on my semi-private tour of Istanbul Old City Tour. The small group size made it feel personal and relaxed, giving plenty of opportunities to ask questions and interact with our fabulous guide Muzaffer. Thank you Muzaffer for your knowledge, friendly nature, and for sharing fascinating insights into Istanbul's rich history, culture, and local traditions. Lunch was delicious... good enough for Russell Crowe, good enough for me! Was disappointed to miss the Grand Bazaar as my tour was on a Sunday. If you're looking for a more intimate and informative way to explore Istanbul without the crowds of a large group tour, I highly recommend this experience. It was one of the highlights of my stay in Istanbul, and I left with a much deeper appreciation for this amazing city.
Response from the operator: Thanks for your wonderful feedback! We're happy to hear you had such a nice experience.
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 7 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun
- Price range
- $70 to $150
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 30
- Verdict
- Exceptional
Why this scores 81
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Small Group Full-Day Istanbul Old City Tour with Lunch & Tickets: 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 Tour with Lunch & Tickets cost?
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Prices start at $70 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 Tour with Lunch & Tickets 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 Tour with Lunch & Tickets worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 81 out of 100, which we label "Exceptional". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.9/5 across 87 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 Tour with Lunch & Tickets?
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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 Tour with Lunch & Tickets 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 Tour with Lunch & Tickets?
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Around 30 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 Tour with Lunch & Tickets 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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