Istanbul Old Town Highlights: Full Day Small Group Tour

Discover the main highlights of Istanbul’s old town on a small group tour. Explore UNESCO World Heritage sites, archaeological and natural monuments, and unrivaled artifacts with an expert guide.

Duration: 8 hours
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • Blue Mosque - Our accredited guide will accompany you during your visit and will give you all the detailed explanations about the mosque.
  • Kapali Carsi - Our accredited guide will accompany you during your visit and will give you all the detailed explanations about the bazaar.
  • Hagia Sophia Mosque - Our accredited guide will give you all…
What's Included
  • Transport by air-conditioned minivan (except for hotels in the old city center)
  • Professional English-speaking guide
  • Hotel/port pickup and drop-off (within city center radius)
What's Not Included
  • Museum entrance fees
  • Meals and drinks
  • Pick up and drop off at airports or hotels out of city centre (additional fee)
  • Gratuities
Additional Information

Experience the prime attractions in Istanbul’s ancient district during this intimate full-day trip guided by a professional. Wander the old town, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and marvel at celebrated archaeological attractions, unparalleled artifacts, and stunning natural wonders. You’ll relish the special accommodations we are happy to set up…

Location
Serpent Column
At Meydanı Caddesi
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Y%C4%B1lanl%C4%B1+S%C3%BCtun/@41.0056544,28.9728885,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x14cab9961977e587:0xb392b815015a2638!8m2!3d41.0056504!4d28.9750772
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.7
(701 Ratings)
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Marcia_p
Jul 17, 2025
Wonderful exper - I was going to Africa and had a layover in Istanbul for a day. I booked my tour, there it said it was a three hours tour that was perfect for the day. Mr. Burhan was my guide tour, he seems very knowledgeable about the history of Istanbul and also took me to the Grand Bazaar which he help me to buy some souvenirs from my trip. I was fortunate enough that I was by myself doing this tour. I love it and recommend. Thank you!
Review provided by Viator
Michael_t
Jul 14, 2025
Good tour. - Our guide was very knowledgeable and friendly. Good tour. Mehmet had studied his Turkish history and was very informative.
Review provided by Viator
Poto
Jun 20, 2025
Perfect and stunning Bosphorus and Istanbul tours. - First timers to Turkey. Although we arrived late for our meet and greet at the airport Mustafa was extremely helpful in advising what we can see and do in Istanbul. He advised us on how I can obtain money through working atm machines to taking public transport around. My daughter and I did the Bosphorus boat cruise and Istanbul day tours. And we absolutely loved it perfect guides who knew their city well, articulate and very proud of their heritage. Most importantly they gave us time to explore on our own. The walking tour with Lale was awesome through her knowledge we were taken back through time. I was in a small group which was great and enjoyed the whole entire day. Lale also directed me to a place in the grand bazaar who was well trusted and sold absolutely stunning and beautiful handcrafted jewellery.Thank you Lale! Before Turkey we were in Egypt and Greece and visited sights on our own. But I am glad we did tours with GTS in Istanbul. The transfers to and fro from tour’s hotel and airport was of high calibre as well. Istanbul is a fantastic city full of culture history and vibrancy. Absolutely loved it wish we could have stayed longer. But I will return to see more of the beauty Turkey has to offer.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Cynthia_a
Jun 6, 2025
Istanbul Small Group Tour is Excellent - This small group tour was excellent - our tour guide made all the difference. The group was 7 big - a great size. Our guide explained the history of Istanbul and Turkey as it related to the Blue Mosque and Topkapi Palace and the artifacts in the museum. She pointed out other buildings and their historical significance in the old town. We also went to the Grand Bazaar where the guide provided shopping tips and what to watch out for and ended the day in an art studio to see ceramic made on a wheel. A full educational and cultural day!
Review provided by Viator
Shane_h
May 25, 2025
Great Tour! - Özlem was an incredible guide! She brought the Grand Bazaar, Blue Mosque, and Topkapi Palace to life with her knowledge and stories. The local food stops she shared were delicious and authentic — places we’d never have found on our own. A perfect mix of history, culture, and cuisine. Highly recommended!
Review provided by Viator
Russcity
May 10, 2025
Ms Zeliha the human dynamo! - A lot information on the subject,so you get all necessary details. Our guide was excellent Ms Zeliha she is a human dynamo. She is great at getting ahead of the queues, definitely recommend.
Review provided by Viator
Kathryn
May 7, 2025
Recommend this tour! - Zehlia was great. So knowledgeable. It was a small group so she answered every question. She navigated the crowds really well.
Review provided by Viator
Andreas_r
Apr 23, 2025
Great experience - Fantastic tour guide. Very knowledgeable and good fun. We learned a lot, visited all the locations outlined.
Review provided by Viator
Mario_m
Jul 7, 2025
Good tour - Tour was really good! Guide was knowledgeable and everything was well organized. Had a great time and would recommend it
Review provided by Viator
Newly
Jun 19, 2025
Misleading, Deceptive, and Feels Like a Scam!! - My wife and I took the "Small Group Essentials in Istanbul" tour with Global Travel Services in Turkey in June 2025, and it turned out to be one of the most disappointing and misleading experiences we’ve had while traveling. First, the tour description clearly stated hotel pickup and transportation by air-conditioned minivan, which was a major factor in my booking. However, when we arrived Istanbul, I received a message from the company asking for an extra TRY 2400 per person (approx. $60 USD) — a charge that was never mentioned upfront. Then came the second surprise: despite promising hotel pickup, we were told to go to a meeting point instead. That was already frustrating, but the worst was yet to come — this tour, which was advertised as including transportation, ended up being a WALKING tour, with only transport from a hotel to the first scene. The fourth surprise involved a TRY60 surcharge at the restaurant arranged by Global Travel Services. The restaurant claimed this was for tax, yet our tour guide stated it was a service fee—a contradiction that, along with earlier issues, made us feel we were being scammed. This tour company’s description is blatantly misleading, and their conduct feels like a bait-and-switch scam. Charging hidden fees, breaking promised services, and misrepresenting the nature of the tour is unacceptable. Avoid Global Travel Services in Turkey unless you want to be ripped off and frustrated. Please see screenshots below for their original tour description, how I fight for hotel pickup, the lunch receipt from the restaurant and more.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
From $89
up to 10 guests
1 - Adult
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).