Best of Istanbul: 3-Day Private Guided Tour

Start Point: Your Istanbul Hotel or Galataport 5

Overview

Istanbul is a timeless city where each step can be observed that speaks of empires, works of art, and cultures that have existed through time.

Enjoy the magnificent Topkapi Palace and find peace in the artistry of the Blue Mosque. Find your romance with the bustling Grand Bazaar, which speaks the language of colorful variety at every turn, and the architecture of the buildings that you see as you cross over the Bosphorus Strait where the two continents meet.

As the days go by, find hidden treasures that Istanbul has to offer such as the calm Pierre Loti Hill or the colorful streets of Balat. From gazing at the Iron Church to having an excellent Turkish cup of tea with a fantastic view of the city from Galata Tower, your experience in Istanbul is guaranteed to give core memories that you will remember forever.

Explore the winding roads where memories can be found, whether in the chambers of Suleymaniye Mosque or the lively atmosphere of the Spice Market. Also, splendid palaces built around the Bosphorus give insight into the lavishness of emperors. 

Get the best of Istanbul over this 3-day private tour while enjoying the history, culture and architecture of Istanbul and let yourself be captivated by the timeless charm of Istanbul and experience its incredible history and landscapes. 


 

Tour Info
Sight To See
  • Hagia Sophia
  • Topkapi Palace Museum
  • Blue Mosque
  • Grand Bazaar
  • Bosphorus Cruise
  • Hippodrome Square
  • Spice Market (Egyptian Bazaar)
  • Dolmabahce Palace
  • Suleymaniye Mosque
  • Pierre Lotti Hill
  • Istiklal Street
  • Cicek Passage
  • Taksim Square
  • Galata Tower
  • Fener and Balat Districts
  • St. Stephen Church (Iron Church)
  • Kariye Mosque (Chora Church)

Itinerary

Your private tour guide will meet you at the hotel lobby or cruise port at the scheduled time to start the Best of Istanbul Tour.

Highlights of Topkapi Palace Museum (Topkapi Sarayi): More than just an imperial residence of Ottoman sultans, it was the seat of the Supreme Executive Council for almost 400 years. Topkapi Palace is a great monument of Oriental architecture that reflects the power of the Ottoman Empire.

Byzantine Hippodrome/Sultanahmet Square: The site of chariot races in Roman times. Its Egyptian Column dates back to the Byzantine Empire. Today, the German Fountain is the centerpiece of the square.

The Hagia Sophia: Also known as Ayasofya or Santa Sofia, was constructed in the 6th century under the patronage of Emperor Justinian. It holds significant historical and religious prominence in both Christian and Islamic traditions. Following the Ottoman conquest, several modifications were made to adapt the structure into a mosque, including the removal of bells, the altar, and sacrificial vessels. Additionally, numerous mosaics were concealed during this transformation. It is important to note that skip-the-line service is not available for active mosques, thus, visitors should expect a queue for the entrance.

The Blue Mosque: Constructed in the early 1600s for Sultan Ahmet I of the Ottoman Empire, stands as a remarkable architectural masterpiece. Despite its massive scale, the delicate proportions of this structure showcase exemplary craftsmanship and artistry.It is important to note that skip-the-line service is not available for active mosques, thus, visitors should expect a queue for the entrance.

Grand Bazaar: Also known as Kapali Carsi, is the largest and oldest covered market in the world, boasting over 4,000 shops. Visitors can explore a wide variety of colorful products, including ceramics, leather goods, rugs, carpets, handicrafts, clothing, silver, and gold.

At the end of your private tour in Istanbul, your guide will accompany you back to your hotel or the Istanbul port.
 

Your private tour guide will meet you at the hotel lobby or cruise port at the scheduled time to start the second day of Best of Istanbul Tour.

The Spice Market: A vibrant indoor bazaar that offers various products, including spices, purses, flavored teas, Turkish delights, nuts, ceramics, and small souvenirs. Situated in Eminönü Square, it serves as the connecting point of the Bosphorus and Golden Horn.

Bosphorus Cruise: This tour is operated with a public ferry, allowing you to see Istanbul's European and Asian sides. You'll pass by the Galata Tower, Dolmabahce Palace, Beylerbeyi Palace, Rumeli Fortress, old Ottoman villas, the Bosphorus Bridge, and mosques. Your best memories of Istanbul will be from the Bosphorus. Please let us know if you prefer the Private Yacht Option for the Bosphorus Cruise.

Dolmabahce Palace: This palace boasts elegance and beauty, with luxurious decorations, chandeliers, rugs, crystals, and ceramic fireplaces. It sits right on the Bosphorus and features gorgeous furnishings, paintings, and porcelains specifically made for Dolmabahce.

Taksim Square: A critical location that represents modern Turkey and has been the site of significant historical events.

Cicek Passage: A structure that combines traditional and modern construction methods and reflects the architectural style of the Ottoman Empire. Great food joints, cafes, shops, bars, and nightclubs near Taksim Square surround it.

Istiklal Street (Istiklal Caddesi) and Galata Tower: Along with the embassies of European countries, are located nearby.

At the end of your private tour in Istanbul, your guide will accompany you back to your hotel or the Istanbul port.

Your private tour guide will meet you at the hotel lobby or cruise port at the scheduled time to start the third day of Best of Istanbul Tour.

The Suleymaniye Mosque: Beyond the question, the largest and most impressive mosque in Istanbul. From its terrace, it boasts breathtaking views of the Golden Horn and Bosphorus.

Fener District: Explore Istanbul's rich religious history by stopping at the Church of St. George. Since the 1600s, the church has been the location of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople. It is recognized as the religious center of the Eastern Orthodox Religion.

Balat District: Winding streets with lines of drying laundry and century-old Ottoman houses in reds, blues, and greens, along with art galleries and design shops near water.

St. Stephen Church: Located on the shore of Golden Horn. It is known as the Iron Church because it was entirely made of iron in the 19th century.

Pierre Loti Hill & Cable Car: Offers visitors a great view of the Golden Horn. Take the cable car to the top and enjoy the beautiful scenery while drinking Turkish coffee or tea.

Rahmi Koc Museum: This industrial and cultural museum was built by the famous Koc family. The family has been a leading force in Turkey's industrial sector since the early 20th century.

***Alternative options for visiting Rahmi Koc Museum include taking a public ferry to Kadikoy Neighborhood or visiting the Istanbul Archaeological Museum.

At the end of your private tour in Istanbul, your guide will accompany you back to your hotel or the Istanbul port.

This is the end of our service. We sincerely hope to welcome you as our guest again!
 

  • Topkapi Palace is closed on Tuesdays.
  • Grand Bazaar is closed on Sundays so will be replaced with Spice Market if your Istanbul tour is on that day.
  • Dolmabahce Palace is closed on Mondays.
  • Children aged 7 and under are free of charge. Please make sure that you have passport copies of children as we have to verify their ages at museums for free tickets.
  • If one of the mosques are not visited, Basilica Cistern will be visited as a replacement.
  • On Fridays, Hagia Sophia entrance will be restricted between 12:00pm - 14:30pm and Blue Mosque will be restricted until 14:30pm.
  • On Fridays, Kariye Mosque (Chora Church) is closed due to the prayer times.

Inclusions & Exclusions

Inclusion
  • Private Tour
  • Licensed Tour Guide
Exclusion
  • Transportation by Private Van (Optional)
  • Airport Transfers (optional)
  • Private Yacht (Optional)
  • Museum Tickets & Attraction Fees
  • Meals & Drinks
  • Gratitudes (suggested)

Cancellation Policy

24 Hour - Free cancellation

You are eligible for a full refund if you cancel your booking at least 24 hours before the scheduled start time of the experience.

However, if you cancel within 24 hours of the start time, no refund will be issued, and we will not be able to accept any modification requests during this period.

Please note that all cancellation deadlines are based on local time.