Istanbul Tours

Istanbul, the largest city in Turkey, is rich in historical and artistic resources, explore the top 15 things to do in private Istanbul tours.  It offer's such a beautiful diversity that even if you were in a position to read volumes of books about the city nothing would beat an Istanbul guided private tour.  It is the only way to explore the one city that lies in two continents, however desirable it may be to run through one of the comprehensive guides of the city, better to book a private tour to make your visit more enjoyable.

Let the activities begin!
Private Hidden Wonders of Istanbul Tour
3833 reviews

Full-Day City Tour of Istanbul with Lunch giving you the chance to explore and discover the mysteries of Istanbul all in a day.

From EURO
€240.00
Price varies by group size
40119 customer recommendations
6 to 8 hours Scheduling Private Tour Istanbul
Ephesus and Istanbul Combined Private Shore Excursions
SOLD OUT
Ephesus and Istanbul Combined Private Shore Excursions
2999 reviews

Full-day or Half-day Skip the Line Private Istanbul and Ephesus Combination Full Day Shore Excursions Included Entrance Fees

From USD
$578.00
Price varies by dates and group size
31276 customer recommendations
4 to 5 hours Scheduling Private Tour Lowest price guarantee
Dolmabahce Bosphorus Two Continents Private Tour
2800 reviews

Dolmabahce Palace and two continents tour is full day tour to provide you a chance to see Istanbul beauties from the boat. You can enjoy your time.

From EURO
€518.00
29601 customer recommendations
9 hours Scheduling Private Tour Istanbul
Explore Istanbul On A Private Tour
2656 reviews

Enjoy a tour with a private, professional tour guide and together decide the places you would like to see, focusing on the sights that matter to you.

From EURO
€240.00
Price varies by group size
27941 customer recommendations
8 hours Scheduling Private Tour Istanbul
Ultra Private All-Inclusive Full Day Ephesus Tour From Istanbul
Likely to Sell Out
Ultra Private All-Inclusive Full Day Ephesus Tour From Istanbul
2446 reviews

Includes return flights Istanbul to Ephesus Day Trip with private transport, guide, entrance fees and lunch. Experience an ultra-private all-inclusive Ephesus city tour

From USD
$640.00
27675 customer recommendations
12 to 14 hours Scheduling Private Tour Lowest price guarantee
Private Gobeklitepe Tour from Istanbul
2201 reviews

Visit the earliest man-made structure to ever been discovered on this Private Gobeklitepe tour from Istanbul. With domestic flights.

From USD
$1,580.00
23205 customer recommendations
12 to 14 hours Scheduling Private Tour Sanliurfa
Byzantine & Ottoman Marvels In Half-Day Private Tour
2001 reviews

Tour the wonders of Istanbul on this half-day tour that will take you to Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, the Blue Mosque, Hippodrome and the Grand Bazaar

From EURO
€100.00
Price varies by group size
21510 customer recommendations
5 to 6 hours Scheduling Private Tour Istanbul
Private Guided Tour of Istanbul Jewish Heritage
1900 reviews

Uncover the rich history of the Jewish culture during this privately guided private tour of Istanbul's Jewish Heritage.

From EURO
€141.00
Price varies by group size
20225 customer recommendations
3 to 5 hours Scheduling Private Tour Istanbul
Private Istanbul Highlights Walking Tour
1800 reviews

Walking tour to main attractions of Istanbul.You will visit Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace and Basilica Cistern.

From EURO
€200.00
18635 customer recommendations
9 hours Scheduling Private Tour Istanbul
Full Day Private Ottoman Istanbul Tour
1700 reviews

Witness the must-see wonders of Ottoman Istanbul on this full-day Private Tour: Ottoman Istanbul Full-Day Tour.

From EURO
€240.00
17761 customer recommendations
7 to 9 hours Scheduling Private Tour Istanbul
Istanbul Jewish District Private Tour Full Day
SOLD OUT
Istanbul Jewish District Private Tour Full Day
1550 reviews

The Jewish sites in Istanbul over 400 years had been the part of the life of them since 16th century AD the Saradic Jews saved from Spain.

From EURO
€275.50
€290.00 Save €14.50
Price varies by dates
16350 customer recommendations
6 to 8 hours Scheduling Private Tour Istanbul
2 Days Cappadocia Tour From Istanbul with Cave Hotel and Balloon ride
1209 reviews

See Cappadocia in 2 days with this tour which includes two full-day tours that will ensure you make the most out of your tour by seeing the best sites in Cappadocia.

From EURO
€1,831.00
Price varies by group size
12956 customer recommendations
2 days Scheduling Private Tour Istanbul
3-Day Tour to Cappadocia and Ephesus from Istanbul with Return Flights
1200 reviews

While in Turkey makes the most of your time on this 3-day tour to Cappadocia and Ephesus, with return flights included and with an option for a hot air balloon ride.

From EURO
€970.00
Price varies by group size
12451 customer recommendations
3 days Scheduling Private Tour Istanbul
Full Day Private Istanbul Tour with Lunch
1100 reviews

The Stroll Through Istanbul tour is a great oppotunity to discover the Hippodrome area and Symbols of Istanbul with your professional tour guide.

From EURO
€183.90
Price varies by group size
11518 customer recommendations
4 hours Scheduling Private Tour Istanbul
Visit 2 Continents on a Bosphorus Cruise Full-Day Istanbul Tour with Lunch
1051 reviews

Follow winding streets to domes, minarets and vibrant markets and famous landmarks on a full-day Istanbul Tour and then the chance to cruise along the famous Bosphorus.

From EURO
€130.00
11205 customer recommendations
9 to 10 hours Scheduling Shared Tour Istanbul
2 Day Private Ephesus & Pamukkale Tour From Istanbul
1017 reviews

Our private Ephesus & Pamukkale tour from Istanbul is a 2-day 1-night tour that combines the Aegean pearls Ephesus and Pamukkale in one tour.

From USD
$600.00
Price varies by group size
10464 customer recommendations
2 days Scheduling Private Tour Istanbul
Istanbul Cruise Tour to the Princes Islands with Lunch
1010 reviews

Escape the hustle and bustle of the city life and spend a day sailing, and visit the charming Prince's Islands on this relaxing Istanbul tour with a professional guide.

From EURO
€134.00
10591 customer recommendations
9 to 10 hours Scheduling Shared Tour Istanbul
Tantalise Your tastebuds On This Turkey Real Food Adventure Tour
Likely to Sell Out
Tantalise Your tastebuds On This Turkey Real Food Adventure Tour
1009 reviews

Start and end in Istanbul with this food and culinary tour on a Turkey Real Food Adventure with a 10-day tour package and tasting the delights that are on offer.

From EURO
€5,700.00
10437 customer recommendations
10 days Scheduling Private Tour Lowest price guarantee
Refreshing 3-4 Hour Istanbul Turkish Bath Experience
980 reviews

Try the traditional Turkish bath for a physical and spiritual cleansing experience. A combination of natural lighting and izonic tiles create a sense of calm.

From EURO
€235.60
€248.00 Save €12.40
10178 customer recommendations
3 to 4 hours Scheduling Shared Tour Istanbul
3 Day Tour to The Mesmerising Cappadocia and Pamukkale From Istanbul
936 reviews

With this fantastic tour package, you will get to explore the highlights of Turkey in 3 Days where you will visit 2 of the most famous sights Cappadocia and Pamukkale.

From EURO
€1,338.10
Price varies by group size
9809 customer recommendations
3 days Scheduling Private Tour Cappadocia
Topkapi Palace
1 The Topkapı Palace is considered to be one of the most unique and important architectural sites in Turkey.  The Palace was adapted into a museum after the declaration of the Republic.  Many rulers through history made various additions and alterations to the magnificent Palace, so it increased in size and opulence right up to the XIXth Century.  It stands on one of the seven hills of Istanbul and has a comprehensive archive where many documents and certificates of high historical
Hagia Sophia
2 On a guided private tour of Hagia Sophia Church appreciate the architects' genius and enter church slowly take it all in as you look through the emperor's Imperial Door into the sanctuary. There's a unique lodge for the Sultan where he could enter and leave without being seen.  The mihrab is not centered in the apse because it must point directly toward Mecca, imagine what it must have been like with all of the glass oil lamps lit around the dome.
Blue Mosque
3 Inside you'll see that the Blue Mosque gets its name from over 21,000 pieces of faience covering the walls. The many windows, painting on the ceiling, and the colour of the tiles give the mosque an airy quality that's ruined only partially by the massive pillars the architect found necessary to hold up the dome.  For women whose clothing doesn't meet strict standards, there are robes available at the entrance, free of charge.
Basilica Cistern
4 Across the street from Hagia Sophia, under a little park on Divan Yolu, is the Cistern Basilica (Yerebatan Saray in Turkish the Sunken Palace).  On a guided private tour you can walk downstairs and out onto a platform that is built above the water.  The views from the platform are unique but the scenic views are amazing, and a must see on any sightseeing tour.
The Grand Bazaar
5 The Grand Bazaar Istanbul is a little city inside the city proper.  The number of streets and alleyways are countless with fountains, masjids (small mosques), food stalls, street traders and everything else to serve the daily needs of those that spend all day there.  A Grand Bazaar guided private tour shopping trip is a unique experience and a must-do when you are in Istanbul. 
Dolmabahçe Palace
6 The  Dolmabahçe Palace previously owned by the heir to the throne has now been converted into a museum with magnificent paintings and statues.  Take a sightseeing private tour of the Palace and as you walk throughout the halls, see the paintings of noted artists on exhibition brought home by Sultan Abdülaziz on one of his trips to Europe. Also noted for the place where Kemal Atatürk, the founder of the Turkish Republic, died here in 1938. 
Galata Tower
8 The Galata Tower was used by as a lookout for Galata and Istanbul to prevent the entry of the fleet to the Golden Horn.  Today, the Galata Tower is viewed as a typical spy-tower from the Middle Ages.  Climb to the upper floors, and you can see the spectacular views of the Golden Horn and the city of Istanbul, perfect Galata private tours are freely available. There is a restaurant and a nightclub frequented by tourists and the Istanbul society.  
Süleymaniye Mosque
9 Süleymaniye Mosque on a guided private tour is one of the most beautiful mosques in Islamic culture.  It was built by Mimar Sinan for Kanunî Sultan Süleyman during the years 1550 to 1557. It is a triumph for Mimar Sinan, the great Turkish architect, due to its location since the city takes its silhouette from this mosque. The charm of the interior planning and the elegance of the exterior design is breathtaking. 
Hippodrome of Constantinople
10 See the Hippodrome on private tour it is one of the oldest built in the city, dating from before the time of Constantine.  The first object you pass is a fountain pre-Hagia Sophia send by Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany.  Next, one of the most interesting decorations in the Hippodrome, an obelisk dating from the 15th century B.C., initially from Egypt, brought to Constantinople by the Emperor Theodosius has his figure carved on the pedestal.
Chora Church
11 The beautiful Church of the Holy Savior (Chora Church) sightseeing guided private tour is one of the most unique Byzantine churches in modern day history.  Built in the 5th century, as part of a monastery complex that stood outside the old city walls of Constantinople hence the Church was named "Chora" which loosely translates to the word "outside".  See the gorgeous mosaics and frescoes that represents the best of the Palaeogian Renaissance. 
Maiden's Tower
12 The Maiden Tower is said to have been built in the time of Constantine, also called the "Leander Tower", take a guided private tour and learn about the famous legend of the tower.  The Legend goes that Emperor Constantine had a beautiful baby girl, and a sorcerer told the emperor that his daughter would die from a snake bite.   To save his daughter the emperor built the tower in the middle of the sea which became known as the "Maiden's Tower".
Pierre Loti Tepesi
14 Take a guiding sightseeing private tour and see the best view of the Golden Horn Istanbul by cable car.  From Ayub Mosque to the top of the hill the panoramic views are spectacular.  With an excellent coffee shop and an outdoor relaxation area, you can't go to Istanbul without visiting Pierre Loti.  It is also a super place to have Turkish tea and watch the amazing sunsets.
Spice Bazaar
15 On a private tour of the famous Istanbul spice bazaar constructed in the sixteen hundred's, you will see the amazing multicoloured spices displayed alongside many other unique Turkish food stalls.  The market has a lot to offer tourists from fantastic street food to honey, caviar, dried fruits and nuts.  Have some fun with the vendors about the prices and sample everything on offer your taste buds won't know what hit them.    

Travel Tips for Istanbul

Istanbul is generally pretty safe and petty crime is low. However, be careful around the Old Town as pickpocketing and bag snatching can happen. Avoid hanging out solo in Taksim late at night (after 10 pm), especially on the main street Istikal Cadessi. It is also advisable to not go solo there on the weekends.

So, how long should you stay in Istanbul? Give the city, at least three days if you're coming for the first time. Three days in Istanbul will enable you to see the city's most renowned sights but anticipate a jam-packed schedule if you want to make the most of your time there!

The peak-season months (with the best weather) are from mid-April to June and September to October. During the off-season, you can generally find better deals and smaller crowds, the weather is usually good, and all the sights are open.

This unique city which is admired by its charming nature and the attractive atmosphere is also the symbol of dynamic and modern city life. Istanbul has a multicultural texture and a lively atmosphere that melts the past and future in a single pot which provides a sense of universal history at every step.

So, is Istanbul worth visiting? Definitely, yes! Especially if you're a history enthusiast, Istanbul screams timeless history from every nook and corner. The banks of the mighty Bosporus have witnessed civilizations evolve and wither in the quicksand of time.

The Grand Bazaar was constructed in 1455 as a center for local trade of clothing and jewels. Ottoman Sultan Fatih Sultan Mehmet, commonly known as Mehmed the Conqueror, ordered the construction of two stone buildings where merchants could sell their products and make a profit for the Hagia Sofia Mosque.