Small Group Tour of Istanbul's Top Sites: A Deep Dive into Islamic, Turkish, Roman and Greek History

You will visit the most important museums of Istanbul in 4 hours with your experienced tour guide. You will understand Islam better, hear the story of Turkish, Roman and Greek history in Istanbul

Duration: 4 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • German Fountain - We will see the German fountain and understand the historical connection Turks with Germany
  • Blue Mosque - we will walk in the garden of the Blue mosque and talk about the Islam. Blue mosque is under restoration and we will cover another mosque instead.
  • Hagia Sophia Mosque - We will enter Hagia Sophia and will understand how it was constructed by the Greeks as a church and how it was converted into a mosque.

starting 15th January 2024, Hagia Sophia entrance fee will be 25 Euros apply all foreginers.

  • Basilica Cistern - We will cover the Basilica Cistern and your guide will skip the lines and it require an entry fee ( 450 TL, please have it in cash so your guide can buy the ticket without waiting at the line )
  • Kapali Carsi - We will smell the spices, see secret streets of Grand Bazaar.
  • Corlulu Ali Pasa Medresesi - We will see an old madrasah turned into a coffeehouse and we will finish our tour with a Turkish cofffee.
What's Included
  • Tea or Turkish Coffee
  • Skip the line at the ticket gate of Basilica Cistern and Hagia Sophia
  • Licensed Guiding Service
What's Not Included
  • Lunch
  • Gratuities to the guide
  • Entry Fee of Basilica Cistern ( 900 TL per person )
  • Entry fee to Hagia Sophia, 25 Euros per person.
Additional Information
  • Please note entry fee of Basilica Cistern is 900 TL per person, 25 Euros for Hagia Sophia and you can pay to your guide so he can get ticket for you without waiting.
Location
Pudding Shop Lale Restaurant
Divan Yolu Caddesi
Meeting Poing is Pudding Shop Lale Restaurant. The restaurant is located on the street where the tram lines run through Sultanahmet, an approximately 1-minute walk from the Sultanahmet tram stop. We will be at the meeting point with yellow umbrella
Cancellation Policy

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

Customer Ratings
4.9
(101 Ratings)
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Tina_m
Jun 30, 2024
Best Guide EVER - Salih was an amazing guide, the best I've had in multiple countries! He was waiting for me at the meeting spot and even though it ended up being just the two of us he gave me the whole experience. Every site he had history, pictorial guides, and examples, which all helped make the past come alive. He spoke excellent English and Spanish as well, so there was no issue understanding the information he was giving me. He knew exactly when to go to each monument so that we would have the shortest wait times possible. The amount of knowledge he imparted, both historical and practical, was invaluable. I felt like I got the best of each site in the tour, and he made sure I had time to take photos (I am a photographer). Much appreciated was the rest in the cafe for a cold drink because I was hot as heck after the intense sun. No pushy vendor tours in the Bazaar either, he instead told me how to get to the more affordable local bazaar and how I could find the yarn section of that market before we parted ways. I can't say enough about how fantastic, fun, and educational he is as a guide. Worth every penny and more!
Review provided by Viator
Tim_meadows
May 28, 2024
Alternative Istanbul Tour - This was the Free Tour of Alternative Istanbul which hit many of the lesser known highlights of Istanbul. It was a great cultural experience, and definitely hit places that we wouldn't have found on our own. The guide was quite informative, and while he intentionally did not make it so much of a historical tour, he did focus on the cultural components of what it means to be Turkish. Highly recommended!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Tinkertech
May 17, 2024
Must do walking tour!! - Our guide walked slow enough for me to keep up using my cane. He waited until everyone was around him before he started speaking and he was very knowledgeable. He also assisted us in making fun choices for the rest of our trip. Free walking tours Istanbul is a great idea with multiple choices!! This is the career of the guides. They study many years to be certified for this position. Thank you!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
M1958jblisas
Mar 24, 2024
Fantastic experience in Istanbul! - Imram was a really fantastic guide. We learned a great deal about modern and historical Turkey while seeing the sights. He was wonderful to answer our children’s questions and we wish we had time to go on his culture tour as well. Definitely recommend.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Lawrencew620
Mar 19, 2024
A very good intro to Istanbul. - I did Imran’s tour and it was excellent. He is extremely professional and knowledgable. I got a good overview of the city and its history. I liked it so much I did the alternative tour the same afternoon. Thanks Imran!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Ingrid_d
Mar 19, 2024
Worthwhile experience ! Very much recommend - Our tour guide was very well informed; funny and friendly. We all immensely enjoyed our tour of the historical sites.
Review provided by Viator
Jordiemac1
Mar 12, 2024
A great introduction to Istanbul - A great way to get your bearings for the city and also discover the history behind some of the most famous attractions/buildings
Review provided by Tripadvisor
618nithir
Jul 23, 2024
Overwhelming amount of information - Our tour guide was insanely knowledgeable. At each stop he shared an overwhelming amount of historical information. As a History teacher, this could have been simplified. Most tourists don’t require such a detailed explanation especially considering the hot, humid conditions of the city. You’ll definitely walk away informed if you can stay cool & focused!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Johnraul
Mar 29, 2024
magnificent city - Istanbul is a beautiful city, with several mosques, friendly people, where I stayed in Sultanameh I basically got around by tram, in addition to standing in steep areas with stone floors that make walking difficult in general. It is a pleasant experience.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Gioele20
Jun 5, 2024
Guida Nadir arrogante inadatto - Good morning. My name is Giorgio Pini (already your client) and I have reserved a free tour of Istanbul for two people, in Spanish, for June 5th at 10.30am. The guide is called Nadir. At 10.15 we are at the indicated point: main entrance to the Blue Mosque!! We don't know Istanbul and we have no internet or wifi. We ask 3 people in charge of the Mosque if that was the main entrance and they confirm that it is the only entrance and exit from the Mosque (the others are closed... so they tell us and we can only believe and trust). We wait half an hour until 10.45 then we return to the hotel and have the guide call us... who responds in an agitated and rude manner to the hotel officials who, despite this, take us back to the square and search with us while maintaining contact telephone with the guide ... without finding him (!!!) too (!!!). Search, search, search, moving further each time until we reach the most important, but closed entrance... the hotel official leaves us. The guide is controversial (and I respond by inviting him to continue doing his job). While explaining to the group, he declares that the final tip must be at least ten euros each (possibly more)... having heard this absurd psychological imposition, accompanied by the suggestion to warn if one leaves the group to avoid driving costs, we inform the group guide that we give up the visit. We believe that this person is not suitable to carry out that service and must be more discerning, taking into account the limits and needs of the foreigners he welcomes and accompanies.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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up to 15 guests
1 Adult
September 2024
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