Guided Tours

Istanbul Highlights Full-Day Tour

28663 - Istanbul - Full-Day Istanbul Highlights Tour in Old City with Lunch - 02

28663 - Istanbul - Full-Day Istanbul Highlights Tour in Old City with Lunch - 03

Ancient Egyptian Obelisk of Theodosius in Istanbul

Spend a day walking through Istanbul's Old City with a guide, learning about its history as you come across Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, and more.

Highlights

Explore one of the oldest cities in the world on a 6-hour walking tour with a local guide unveiling its Byzantine and Ottoman histories.
Witness the Blue Mosque's cascading blue tiles and imagine the roar of crowds at the Hippodrome's Obelisk, a remnant of Byzantine glory.
Learn how the Basilica Cistern once supplied water for all of Constantinople and serviced the Ottoman’s grand jewel, the Topkapi Palace.
Keep an eye out for Istanbul's stray cats as you walk through the city, often seen lounging in sunny spots or interacting with locals.
Fun fact: The Obelisk was built in Egypt around 1479 BC and traveled over 2,000 miles by ship to its current location, where it was erected in the 4th century AD.

Inclusions

6-hour guided walking tour of Istanbul’s Old City
English-speaking guide
Entry to Blue Mosque
Headsets for groups of 15 people or more

Exclusions

Entry to Hagia Sophia (EUR 28)
Entry to Topkapi Palace (EUR 45)
Entry to Basilica Cistern (EUR 30)
Lunch

Cancellation policy

You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.

Your experience

Explore a city at the crossroads of culture

Immerse yourself in Istanbul's Old City on this 6-hour walking tour. Your adventure begins near the Blue Mosque, where you’ll meet your guide. Prepare to be mesmerized by the Iznik tiles adorning the facade of the Blue Mosque, and learn about its significance in Islamic architecture. The next stop, the Hippodrome, will transport you back in time to chariot races and roaring crowds. Continue your exploration to the Grand Bazaar, a labyrinthine marketplace overflowing with spices, carpets, and handcrafted treasures. As you lose yourself in the sights and smells, remember that these very shops have served traders for centuries.

Stroll through echoes of empires

Unravel the layers of the Topkapi Palace from the outside, imagining the sultans and concubines who once resided within. Then, move on to Hagia Sophia, where your guide will tell you how the church, built on the site of a pagan temple, later became a mosque. At the Basilica Cistern, marvel at the engineering prowess beneath Istanbul's streets, once storing water for the entire city.

Know before you go

What to bring

Bring along your walking shoes, a water bottle, a hat, sunglasses, and some snacks for comfortable exploration.
Bring local currency or your preferred payment method for meals, souvenirs, and extra delights not covered by the ticket.

What's not allowed

Strict dress code at Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia: Women should not wear knee-length shorts, skirts, or clothing with exposed shoulders or chests. Hair should be partially covered with a scarf. Men should not wear knee-length shorts or clothing with exposed shoulders.

Accessibility

Choose safety and comfort: This experience is not the best fit for mobility issues.

Additional Information

This tour focuses on the exteriors of landmarks and the stories behind them. Entrance fees to Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, and the Basilica Cistern are not included.

My tickets

Your voucher will be emailed to you instantly.
Please arrive at the meeting point 15 mins before the scheduled time of your tour to avoid any delays.
Display the voucher on your mobile phone with a valid photo ID at the meeting point.

Meeting point

Meet your guide at Dsign Cafe.
Address: Binbirdirek, At Meydanı Cd No:10, 34093 Fatih/İstanbul, Türkiye.
Landmark: In front of the Turkish and Islamic Art Museum located on the Hippodrome, right next to Egyptian Obelisk.

Get directions to the meeting point