Discover Istanbul – the perfect private tour for first-time visitors (full day)

The great classics of the old town in one day with your own state-licensed guide: church, mosque and world wonder in Hagia Sophia, the sultans' treasury at Topkapı, 336 columns beneath the city – and breaks whenever you like.

Highlights

• Hagia Sophia – church, mosque, world wonder
• Topkapı Palace with views over the Bosphorus
• Blue Mosque and Hippodrome
• Basilica Cistern with 336 columns
• No queuing: I buy tickets at the guides' counter
• Your own guide, no strangers

Full description

First-time visitors want the places that made Istanbul famous – and someone to explain them. In seven hours you see all four highlights of the old town at ease, without queues and without sales stops.

We start at the Hippodrome, walk through the Blue Mosque into Hagia Sophia, descend into the cistern and spend the afternoon at Topkapı Palace. Lunch where the locals eat. On request we finish at the Grand Bazaar or Spice Bazaar.

What we see

We adapt order and selection to weekday, opening hours, weather and your wishes.

• Hippodrome
  Obelisk, Serpent Column and German Fountain – the square of the chariot races.
• Blue Mosque
  Six minarets and more than 20,000 Iznik tiles.
• Hagia Sophia
  Justinian's dome, the gallery mosaics, 1,500 years of history.
• Basilica Cistern
  The underground palace with the Medusa heads.
• Topkapı Palace
  Courtyards, treasury, relics and the view over Bosphorus and Golden Horn.
• Grand Bazaar or Spice Bazaar
  On request, to finish.

Included

• 7 hours private, state-licensed guide in your language (Mehmet Humayunoğlu or an experienced colleague from his team)
• Planning, coordination and time management of the day
• Headsets for groups of 16 or more
• Meeting point of your choice: hotel lobby, Galataport or Sultanahmet

Not included

• Entrance fees and donations
• Lunch and drinks
• Vehicle and transfers, optional
• Personal expenses, tips

Meeting point

Choose your meeting point in the form: your hotel lobby, the Galataport cruise terminal or Sultanahmet at the fountain between Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque. Please arrive five minutes early; if you are late I wait up to 20 minutes.

You will recognise me by the sign “MeinReiseleiter.de” and the visibly worn guide licence. We confirm meeting point and time with your booking.

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Important information

German, English, Turkish, French, Italian, Spanish – 25 more languages on request.

• Comfortable shoes – Lots of cobblestones in the old town, uphill and downhill.
• Dress code in mosques – Shoulders and knees covered, ladies with headscarf. Scarves are available at the entrance.
• Fridays – We visit mosques only after the noon prayer and adjust the order.