Top Istanbul Private Sightseeing Tours

Prepare to be awed by Istanbul’s magnificent architecture, rich history, and eclectic bazaars as you discover the unmissable highlights of the Old City on this 1-, 2-, or 3-day private tour. Marvel over the glorious Hagia Sophia, learn how the Blue Mosque earned its famous nickname, and see the ancient Basilica Cistern. Tour Topkapi Palace to gain an insight into the lavish lifestyles of the Ottoman sultans and their harem, and browse the legendary Grand Bazaar, where you find everything from carpets to Turkish delight.

Make your Istanbul adventure totally unique with a 1- 2- or 3 day private sightseeing tour. Opt for a single day and see the whole of the Old City, plus the Grand Bazaar. Extend the tour to include a second day and visit the Spice Bazaar, Dolmabahce Palace, Taksim, and Istiklal Street, plus a Bosphorus cruise. Please note that your guide is happy to alter the itinerary completely to accommodate your personal interests.

Experience the finest attractions in Istanbul’s Sultanahmet district during this private, guided day tour of the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia and Topkapi Palace. Marvel at these famous monuments alongside your expert guide who will give you individual attention on this private voyage.

Take the time to explore Istanbul’s most magnificent sites at your own pace with a full-day, guided tour of the city's historic places and landmarks. Follow in the footsteps of charioteers and Roman soldiers at the Hippodrome, then see the arcing tiles of the Blue Mosque. Listen for the whispers of courtiers and sultans inside Topkapi Palace, then see Hagia Sophia’s stunning murals and minarets. Browse the vibrant displays at the iconic Grand Bazaar, with inside tips on the best places to find carpets, handicrafts and local souvenirs.

Enjoy a royal welcome to Istanbul as you’re picked up by a private guide, escorted around the sights in a luxurious Mercedes-Benz minibus and whisked to the front of the queue at the city’s most popular attractions. A great introduction to Istanbul for first-time visitors, this full-day tour includes visits to the historic Hippodrome, the exquisite Blue Mosque and iconic Hagia Sophia. You’ll also experience the lavish lifestyles of the Ottoman Sultans with a tour of Topkapi Palace and spend time browsing the colorful stalls of the Grand Bazaar.

Get an in-depth exploration of Istanbul on this full-day or half-day private tour. Enjoy personalized attention from your guide and stroll through the Sultanahmet neighborhood. Visit the Hippodrome, the Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, the Basilica Cistern, and the Grand Bazaar. Choose to add Topkapi Palace to a full-day itinerary.

Tick through Istanbul’s highlights without hassles or getting lost, and with a guide to reveal their history on this tour. Admire and hear tales of the Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, Blue Mosque, and Hippodrome that you’d probably miss alone, and clearly hear the guide’s commentary.

Taste 10 of Istanbul's top culinary treats on this half-day private food tour. Your guide will walk you through a carefully curated itinerary of the best must-taste foods, including raki, durum, and baklava, among others. This private tour means undivided attention from your guide and plenty of chance to ask questions. You'll find some new favorites and places you'll want to return during the rest of your stay in Istanbul.

Skip the long lines and enjoy a customizable itinerary on this full-day private tour. Meet your guide at your hotel and make your way to Istanbul’s sights. Visit the Blue Mosque, the Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, the Grand Bazaar, the Basilica Cistern, and any other places that are interesting to you. Learn the history of the city from your guide as you stroll.

Benefit from a flexible schedule and personalized attention on this half-day private tour in Istanbul. Perfect for those short on time, this private tour lets you move at your own pace and focus on things that interest you. Highlights can include a tram ride, a funicular ride, the neighborhood of Karakoy, and the Blue Mosque. All private transportation included.

Set sail along the Bosphorus, the meeting point of Europe and Asia, on this evening cruise. Experience Istanbul at its most atmospheric as you cruise past the illuminated city skyline and admire landmarks including Dolmabahce Palace, the Bosphorus Bridge, and the Maiden's Tower. While on-board, tuck into a 3-course dinner and enjoy a variety of entertainment including whirling dervishes, belly dancing, and DJs.

Marvel at Istanbul’s best Ottoman sites during this 4-hour private guided tour of the Hippodrome, Blue Mosque and Topkapi Palace. This tour captures the essence of why the Sultanahmet district is a  UNESCO World Heritage site. You will learn about the history of Istanbul dating back to its former Ottoman days as Constantinople. Plus, hear old stories about the reign of sultans from your expert guide and admire architecture and ancient relics within each famous attraction.

Take advantage of extended layover time in Istanbul on a round-trip tour of city highlights from the airport, customized to suit your interests and schedule. Zip with ease between iconic sights such as the Hagia Sophia, Grand Bazaar, or Topkapı Palace, and benefit from historic and cultural insights provided by your professional guide.

Experience Istanbul’s timeless sights on a full-day tour of the city’s stunning historic places. Listen for the ancient echoes of pounding hooves and charioteers at Hippodrome Square and spot the distinctive tiles of the Blue Mosque. See the Byzantine mosaics and minarets of Hagia Sophia, then follow in the footsteps of powerful sultans, courtiers, and generals at Topkapi Palace. Finish your tour in the vibrant Grand Bazaar, browsing bright displays of handicrafts, carpets, and souvenirs.

Instead of driving around Istanbul all day in a stuffy tour bus, discover the city’s beauty in style on this relaxing sunset cruise down the Bosphorus, the waterway that marks the border between Asian Turkey and European Turkey. From the open-air deck of your luxury yacht, see riverside landmarks like the Dolmabahçe Palace, the Ortaköy Mosque and the Rumeli Fortress, all lit by the beautiful dusk light.

Istanbul is one of the world’s greatest cities, and this hop-on hop-off tour offers a truly flexible way to explore it. Board your open-top, double-decker bus at any stop along the two routes, and enjoy the views as you listen to the audio commentary. Then, create your own sightseeing itinerary as you hop on and off at any of the stops to visit highlights such as the spectacular Topkapi Palace, the UNESCO-protected Hagia Sophia, the Egyptian Bazaar, and more. Your ticket is valid for 1, 2, or 3 days and entry to select attractions.

Step aboard a cruise in Istanbul for a few hours to see the sights along the coast of the Bosphorus, all the way to the Black Sea. As you travel, sit down for a 2-course lunch accompanied by soft drinks and coffee or tea. You'll get great photo ops of the sights from the water, and stop in the fishing village of Anadolu Kavagi to visit the ancient fortress there. Book ahead to make sure you check this must-do cruise off your list.

Explore the heart of Istanbul in just a half day on this comprehensive tour with a small group. Traveling with a group of just 15 people or fewer means you'll get personalized attention from your guide and the chance to ask questions. Highlights include Sultanahmet Square, Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, and the Grand Bazaar.

Cruise along the waters of the Bosphorus and the Golden Horn. This guided 2-hours boat tour. View the Asian and European sides of Istanbul and admire the palaces, wooden villas, bridges and all of the unique maritime landscapes.

Uncover the sacred practice of the mystical Sufis at an authentic Mevlevi Sema Ceremony held at Istanbul’s Hodjapasha, and witness the 800-year-old tradition that has been preserved on UNESCO’s list of Intangible Heritage of Humanity. Be mesmerized by the bizarre yet beautiful sight of the Whirling Dervishes as they perform their unique spiritual rituals during an hour-long show, including a live orchestra and 360-video projections.

Experience somber battlefields and historic World War I memorial sites during this guided day trip to Gallipoli from Istanbul. With an expert guide, visit heartbreaking sites on the Gallipoli peninsula where Australian, New Zealand and Turkish soldiers lost their lives during a merciless WWI campaign. Hear rare stories about the fallen troops at famous sites including Lone Pine, ANZAC Cove, Ari Burnu Cemetery and the Nek.

See Istanbul lit up for the night as you sail between Europe and Asia on this lively Bosphorus dinner cruise, aboard a spacious double-decker boat. Soak up the atmosphere as whirling dervishes spin and belly dancers twist and shake, while Istanbul’s historic skyline glides by. Your package includes dinner, performances and round-trip coach transfers from central hotels: alcoholic drinks can be purchased at the cash bar.

Step aboard a cruise between Europe and Asia on the Bosphorus to enjoy dinner and shoreline views. Eat a 3-course menu of traditional Turkish meze accompanied by soft drinks and alcohol. In addition to enjoying views of the sites on shore—such as the Fatih Sultan Mehmed Bridge and the Bosphorus Bridge—enjoy a show of traditional Turkish entertainment.

Visit Turkey’s most famous battle sites from ancient times to WWI on a full-day tour of Troy and Gallipoli from Istanbul. Take in the UNESCO-listed archeological dig at Troy, where Spartan and Achaean warriors laid siege during the Trojan War. Follow in the footsteps of the ANZAC troops that stormed fortified beaches along the Dardanelles, and explore their battlefields, trenches and cemeteries.