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Istanbul · Turkey
SKIP-THE-LINE: Treasures of Istanbul PRIVATE Tour w/LUNCH
Starting From
From $113.20 per person
Current Project Expedition rate
Experience inventory, live availability and secure booking provided by
Project Expedition
The Experience
What your day looks like
Step into the heart of Istanbul and explore the city's most iconic landmarks on this immersive full-day guided tour of the Historical Peninsula. From magnificent imperial palaces and awe-inspiring mosques to ancient Roman monuments and bustling bazaars, you'll discover the layers of history that shaped one of the world's most fascinating cities. Led by an expert local guide, you'll uncover the stories of Byzantine emperors, Ottoman sultans, and modern Türkiye while visiting Istanbul's most celebrated attractions. With skip-the-line access included, you'll maximize your sightseeing time and enjoy a seamless journey through centuries of history, culture, and architectural brilliance.
At a Glance
The experience, in brief
- Discover Istanbul’s legendary Old City, where Byzantine and Ottoman history come alive at every corner.
- Marvel at the breathtaking architecture and worldfamous mosaics of Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque.
- Explore the opulent Topkapi Palace, home to Ottoman sultans, imperial treasures, and sacred relics.
- Wander through the vibrant Grand Bazaar and uncover centuries of culture, craftsmanship, and commerce
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
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 for its harem, royal treasury, and holy relics sections.
Continued
Istanbul
Sightseeing at Hippodrome Of Constantinople. Continue to with Hippodrome; 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 Transfer service from/to Istanbul Hotels / Port Land transportation by air-conditioned non-smoking vehicle
Not Included
Admission fees to historical sites Beverages with meal Tips to the guide & driver (optional) Personal expenses
Meeting & Pickup
Transfer provided from the centrally located Istanbul Hotels or cruise port.
Planning Notes
Hotel pickup offered: Yes Confirmation: Manual By Business
Traveler Impressions
What travelers are saying
2025-11-15
4.00 / 5
good tour, but we should have skipped the two retail shop stops. Some of us were totally uninterested in them.
2025-10-22
4.00 / 5
The guide was not friendly - it was just my husband and I on a private tour. We arranged for a 10 am start time for this walking tour rather than the normal 8:30 am start time, as we had to disembark at 8:30 am and get our luggage to the hotel. He messaged us that morning that he'd meet us at 8:30 rather than 10, and I said that wouldn't work. Not sure if that's what made him crabby or if that is just his personality. It was a bit of an awkward tour.
2024-06-18
5.00 / 5
Fantastic and worth every cent! My family loved it and our guide was fantastic!
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