The Byzantine Empire History Private Tour in Istanbul
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Not yet rated
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Quick answer
Is The Byzantine Empire History Private Tour in Istanbul worth booking?
The Byzantine Empire History Private Tour in Istanbul is a 2-hour experience in Istanbul, Turkey, from $243 per person. It scores 44 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 44 / 100
- Rating
- Not yet rated
- Duration
- 2 hours
- From
- $243 per person
Discover the ancient ruins of Constantinople in Istanbul Old City. Explore Sultanahmet and learn about the Byzantine history and legends, the last era of the Roman Empire. Extended options: private tour of Hagia Sophia and the Basilica Cistern. Choose one of our excellent tour options tailored to your needs and interests: 2-hour: The Byzantine Empire Tour of the Old City Explore the Sultanahmet Old City and discover the history of the Byzantine Empire. See the Hippodrome, Hagia Sophia (outside only), and more. 3-hour: Old City & Hagia Sophia Visit the Hagia Sophia Mosque, explore the Sultanahmet Old City and discover the history of the Byzantine Empire. See the ancient Hippodrome and more highlights. 4-hour: Old City, Hagia Sophia & Basilica Cistern Visit the Basilica Cistern and Hagia Sophia, explore the Sultanahmet Old City and discover the history of the Byzantine Empire, including the ancient Hippodrome.
What you get
About this experience
Discover the ancient ruins of Constantinople in Istanbul Old City. Explore Sultanahmet and learn about the Byzantine history and legends, the last era of the Roman Empire. Extended options: private tour of Hagia Sophia and the Basilica Cistern. Choose one of our excellent tour options tailored to your needs and interests: 2-hour: The Byzantine Empire Tour of the Old City Explore the Sultanahmet Old City and discover the history of the Byzantine Empire. See the Hippodrome, Hagia Sophia (outside only), and more. 3-hour: Old City & Hagia Sophia Visit the Hagia Sophia Mosque, explore the Sultanahmet Old City and discover the history of the Byzantine Empire. See the ancient Hippodrome and more highlights. 4-hour: Old City, Hagia Sophia & Basilica Cistern Visit the Basilica Cistern and Hagia Sophia, explore the Sultanahmet Old City and discover the history of the Byzantine Empire, including the ancient Hippodrome.
What's included
Included
- History Expert-Guide who fluent in the language of your choice
- - (number of attractions depends on the option selected)
- Free admission to Hagia Sophia (3- and 5-hour options only)
- Free admission to Little Hagia Sophia
- Skip-the-line tickets to Basilica Cistern (5-hour option only)
- The Byzantine Empire History Private Walking Tour of Istanbul’s Old City -
Not included
- Free admission to Hagia Sophia (in 2-hour option)
- Skip-the-line tickets to Basilica Cistern (in 2 and 3-hour options)
What you'll see and do
Meet your guide in front of the World Heritage Center Hotel, Alemdar, Divanyolu Caddesi, Dr. Eminpaşa Sk. No:2, 34110 Fatih/İstanbul, Turkey. Please do not enter the hotel, it is only a meeting point and the staff is not informed about the tour.
10 minutes here
Hippodrome
Discover the ancient ruins of Constantinople in the Old City (Sultanahmet District). You will see the square where the Hippodrome horse and chariot racing stadium stood, and hear amazing stories about daily life in the capital of the mighty Byzantine Empire before its conquest by the Turks. Istanbul has changed a lot during the Ottoman Empire era.
60 minutes here
Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque
The guide will tell you how the magnificent Hagia Sophia transformed from a Roman catholic church to a mosque and show you the ruins of ancient temples, fountains and obelisks. You will pass the 16th-century Blue Mosque and the site where the Great Palace of Constantinople stood. Another point of interest will be the impressive ruins of the 5th-century Bucoleon Palace and the Little Hagia Sophia Mosque, which is a former Greek Eastern Orthodox church built in the 6th century. You will feel closer to Constantinople with every step! discover the ancient ruins of Constantinople in the Old City and visit the Hagia Sophia Mosque. Today, this magnificent mosque is one of the most visited attractions in Istanbul, but during the Byzantine Empire it was a Christian cathedral. Inside, your Expert Guide will explain Hagia Sophia’s Christian &Islamic elements and how it has changed during the country’s transformation from the Byzantine Empire, to the Ottoman Empire, to the new Republic of Turkey.
110 minutes here
Basilica Cistern
Discover the ancient ruins of Constantinople in the Old City and visit the Basilica Cistern and Hagia Sophia. This extended tour includes skip-the-line tickets to Basilica Cistern so you will not waste time queueing at the ticket office. Go underground to the largest of the several hundred ancient cisterns that lie beneath the Old City of Istanbul and discover the secrets of Byzantine engineering!
60 minutes here · Admission included
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Istanbul
Meet your guide in front of the World Heritage Center Hotel, Alemdar, Divanyolu Caddesi, Dr. Eminpaşa Sk. No:2, 34110 Fatih/İstanbul, Turkey. Please do not enter the hotel, it is only a meeting point and the staff is not informed about the tour.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Meet your guide in front of the World Heritage Center Hotel, Alemdar, Divanyolu Caddesi, Dr. Eminpaşa Sk. No:2, 34110 Fatih/İstanbul, Turkey. Please do not enter the hotel, it is only a meeting point and the staff is not informed about the tour.
Options you can book
2H: The Byzantine Empire Tour
Duration: 2 hours: Explore the Sultanahmet Old City & discover history of the Byzantine Empire. See the Hippodrome, Hagia Sophia outside & more. Expert-Guide: Official 5-Stars Guide who is an Expert in this kind of tours. Guide speaks fluently in chosen language - TUIS009.
4H: OldCity,Hagia&BasilicaCist
Duration: 4 hours: Visit the Basilica Cistern and Hagia Sophia, explore the Sultanahmet Old City and ,: discover the history of the Byzantine Empire, including the ancient Hippodrome. Expert-Guide: Official 5-Stars Guide who is an Expert in this kind of tours. Guide speaks fluently in chosen language - TUIS009.
3H: Old City & Hagia Sophia
Duration: 3 hours: Visit the Hagia Sophia Mosque, explore the Sultanahmet Old City and discover the history of the Byzantine Empire. ,: See the ancient Hippodrome and more highlights. Expert-Guide: Official 5-Stars Guide who is an Expert in this kind of tours. Guide speaks fluently in chosen language - TUIS009.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- de, en, it, fr, tr, es
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Rosotravel - Turkey Tours
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
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Please check your email the day before the tour to receive important information.
- Please note that the number of attractions depends on the selected option. Admissions to Hagia Sophia and Basilica Cistern are not included in the basic 2-hour option.
- Special visitor rules apply in mosques. Non-Muslims cannot enter during prayer hours, and women are only allowed to enter the visitor area. All visitors must undergo mandatory security checks and adhere to mosque etiquette, which includes a modest dress (head scarves for women only; covered shoulders and knees, no hats and shoes for men and women).
- Skip-the-line tickets to the Basilica Cistern allow you to enter faster without purchasing tickets on the spot, but you may have to wait in line for ticket validation and mandatory security checks.
- For the convenience of all guests, it is best to have 1 licensed guide per maximum of 25 guests. If there are 26-50 people in your group, we will provide the service of 2 licensed guides so that all guests can get the best experience, ask questions and hear the guide well.
Photos
Good to know
- Duration
- 2 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $243 to $739
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 0
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Who runs this experience
Operated by Rosotravel - Turkey Tours, who run 9 experiences we rank across 1 city, with an average Outty Ranking of 45.4.
See everything Rosotravel - Turkey Tours runsWhy this scores 44
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
The Byzantine Empire History Private Tour in Istanbul: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Istanbul.
How much does The Byzantine Empire History Private Tour in Istanbul cost?
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Prices start at $243 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 The Byzantine Empire History Private Tour in Istanbul take?
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Plan for about 2 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 The Byzantine Empire History Private Tour in Istanbul worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 44 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (0/5 across 0 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 The Byzantine Empire History Private Tour in Istanbul?
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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 The Byzantine Empire History Private Tour in Istanbul suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 2-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book The Byzantine Empire History Private Tour in Istanbul?
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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 2-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does The Byzantine Empire History Private Tour in Istanbul 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 The Byzantine Empire History Private Tour in Istanbul?
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Included: History Expert-Guide who fluent in the language of your choice; - (number of attractions depends on the option selected); Free admission to Hagia Sophia (3- and 5-hour options only); Free admission to Little Hagia Sophia; and Skip-the-line tickets to Basilica Cistern (5-hour option only). Not included: Free admission to Hagia Sophia (in 2-hour option); and Skip-the-line tickets to Basilica Cistern (in 2 and 3-hour options). Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Where is the meeting point for The Byzantine Empire History Private Tour in Istanbul?
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Meet your guide in front of the World Heritage Center Hotel, Alemdar, Divanyolu Caddesi, Dr. Eminpaşa Sk. No:2, 34110 Fatih/İstanbul, Turkey. Please do not enter the hotel. Hotel pickup is not included, so plan your own transport and arrive 15 minutes early.
What languages is The Byzantine Empire History Private Tour in Istanbul offered in?
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It is offered in German, English, Italian, French, Turkish 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 The Byzantine Empire History Private Tour in Istanbul?
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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 The Byzantine Empire History Private Tour in Istanbul 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 The Byzantine Empire History Private Tour in Istanbul if the weather is bad?
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It generally runs rain or shine, so dress for the forecast in Istanbul. Standard cancellation terms apply: free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start.
What booking options are available for The Byzantine Empire History Private Tour in Istanbul?
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There are 3 options to choose from, including 2H: The Byzantine Empire Tour, 4H: OldCity,Hagia&BasilicaCist, 3H: Old City & Hagia Sophia. Prices and start times differ by option, so compare them on the booking screen.
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