← Back to Turkey Experiences
Istanbul · Turkey
SKIP-THE-LINE: Secret Treasures of Istanbul PRIVATE Tour w/LUNCH
Starting From
From $87.55 per person
Current Project Expedition rate
Experience inventory, live availability and secure booking provided by
Project Expedition
The Experience
What your day looks like
Experience the very best of Istanbul on this exclusive full-day private tour through the city's most iconic landmarks. Accompanied by your expert local guide, journey across nearly two millennia of history as you explore the magnificent Hagia Sophia, the elegant Blue Mosque, the ancient Hippodrome of Constantinople, the mysterious Basilica Cistern, the opulent Topkapi Palace with its renowned Harem section, and the world-famous Grand Bazaar. Discover the fascinating stories of emperors, sultans, and civilizations that shaped Istanbul into one of the world's most extraordinary cities. Marvel at breathtaking architecture, priceless imperial treasures, stunning mosaics, and hidden underground wonders while gaining unique insights that bring history to life. Designed for travelers seeking a more personalized experience, this private tour allows you to explore at your own pace with the full attention of your guide. With Skip-the-Line access to selected attractions, you can make the most of your time and enjoy a seamless, enriching journey through the cultural, architectural, and historical heart of Istanbul.
At a Glance
The experience, in brief
- Explore Istanbul’s most iconic landmarks, including Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, Blue Mosque, Basilica Cistern, and the Grand Bazaar on a private tour.
- Discover the fascinating legacy of the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires with insights from your expert private guide.
- Skip the ticket lines and make the most of your time with priority access to major attractions.
- Experience the rich history, stunning architecture, and vibrant culture of Istanbul’s Old City in one unforgettable day.
Your Itinerary
Your day, step by step
Day 1
Istanbul
Sightseeing at Hagia Sophia. Meaning Divine Wisdom, Hagia Sophia was the largest building on earth barring the Egyptian Pyramids or the Great Wall of China. Today's Hagia Sophia was built by the Emperor Justinian in 537AD. It was the religious center of the city during the Byzantine period. It was used as a church for 916 years and as a mosque for 481 years, In 1934, by the order of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, it was converted into a museum and has since been open to visitors.
Continued
Istanbul
Sightseeing at Sultan Ahmed Mosque. Built by the Ottoman Sultan Ahmet I in the year 1616, it is located opposite the Hagia Sophia. Blue mosque today is one of the most famous landmarks of the old city with its famous six minarets and magnificent dome. Although it is officially named Sultanahmet Mosque, the (nıck) name Blue Mosque was given to it by the visitors because of the amazing blue tiles decorating the interior walls.
Continued
Istanbul
Sightseeing at Topkapı Palace. As well as being the imperial residence of the Sultan, the palace was also the seat of government for the ottoman empire. It housed the ottoman sultans for nearly 400 years until the Dolmabahçe palace was built. In 1924 it was converted into a museum. Today it is famous with harem, royal treasury, and holy relics sections.
Continued
Istanbul
Sightseeing at Basilica Cistern. is the size of a cathedral; it is 143m long and 65m wide and can hold up to 80,000 cubic meters (or 17.5 million gallons) of water. There are 336 giant columns (mostly Ionic or Corinthian in style) supporting the structure in 12 rows of 28 columns.
Continued
Istanbul
Sightseeing at Hippodrome Of Constantinople. Built by the Roman Emperor Septimus Severus in 203AD, during the Roman period hippodrome was the civil center for the people of the city where once 100,000 spectators could be held. Located in the heart of Sultanahmet surrounded by Blue mosque, Hagia Sophia and Topkapi palace, today it is home to The Egyptian Obelisk (Dikilitaş), The Serpentine Column(Burma sütun), The Constantine Column and German Fountain.
Continued
Istanbul
Local Flavor at Grand Bazaar, Istanbul. With 18 entrances and more than 4000 shops, it is one of the greatest bazaars in the world. It was built between 1455-1461 by Sultan Mehmet the Conqueror. Today, shops selling the same kind of merchandise tend to be congregated in their own streets or inns as it was the original Ottoman system.
Before You Go
What to know before booking
Included
Professional licensed tour guide All sightseeing mentioned in the itinerary Pick up from and drop off to city center hotels / Istanbul Port Land transportation by air-conditioned non-smoking vehicle
Not Included
Admission fees to historical sites Beverages with meal (optional) Tips to the guide and driver (optional) Meals / beverage if needed(optional)
Restrictions
Shoulders and knees must be covered while visiting the Mosque and shoes must be removed.
Meeting & Pickup
Pick up from centrally located Istanbul hotels or cruise port.
Planning Notes
Hotel pickup offered: Yes Confirmation: Manual By Business
Traveler Impressions
What travelers are saying
2025-11-18
5.00 / 5
Fast paced tour to see a lot in one day. Lunch was great with large portions. Our guide was knowledgeable and in tune to members of the group that needed a rest and might need to sit out certain things
2025-06-15
5.00 / 5
Excellent tour and guide
2024-12-01
5.00 / 5
Our guide was very knowledgeable and we learned so much in just a few hours!
2023-10-09
5.00 / 5
Our guide was very good and knowledgeable. I would recommend selecting a day when Topkapi is open as it would have been a much better experience with this guide than the terrible tour for Topkapi I had to book outside of this.
2022-10-28
3.00 / 5
Not quite as advertised. It showed as "easy" and there was a lot of walking involved. Although we were the only two people on the tour, the guide seemed frustrated at us for not knowing exactly how long we wanted to spend at each place. He was knowledgeable.
2022-10-24
5.00 / 5
Our full day tour was fantastic and well worth it. Ali was our tour guide and incredibly knowledgeable and nice. I would recommend Ali to anyone.
Featured Travel