Half Day Customized Tour in Istanbul
Joined 2024
If you have a limited time and still want to see some highlights of Istanbul, this is the perfect option for you!
It's possible to customize your tour and we can make your itinerary together! Here are a few options below
Option 1
Topkapi Palace (+Harem)
Hagia Sophia
Option 2
Topkapı Palace
The Basilica Cistern
The Grand Bazaar
Option 3
Topkapı Palace
The Basilica Cistern
Blue Mosque
Itinerary
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
At your hotel, cruise ship port or a monument such as the German Fountain
Topkapı Palace
Topkapı Palace was the home of the Ottoman royal family from the 15th to the 19th century. It has been a museum since 1924 and is one of the most visited places in Turkiye!
Hagia Sophia (for Option 1), The Basilica Cistern & The Grand Bazaar (for Option 2) or The Basilica Cistern & The Blue Mosque (for Option 3)
It was built as a Roman church between 532 and 537 and turned into a mosque later. I can truly that this breathtaking place is the most iconic building you can see in Istanbul. You'll be amazed by the size of the building and the details of Byzantine mosaics and Ottoman callipgrahy.
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The Basilica Cistern was built as a water reservoir in the 6th century and today it's the largest cistern of Istanbul. This breathtaking place has got 336 marble columns and several spolia/reused materials.
The Grand Bazaar is one of the oldest and biggest covered markets in the world! It's believed that this giant complex has got 4000 shops and 61 streets.
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The Blue Mosque, built by Sultan Ahmed I and officially known as Sultan Ahmed Mosque, is one of the most iconic mosques of Istanbul. It has got hundreds of blue tiles and six minarets which is the only example from the Ottoman era.
End of the tour
We'll finish our tour in the Sultanahmet are where all the monuments above are located. If you want, you can spend more time in the area or I can help you return to your hotel, cruise ship port etc.
Ending Point
Sultanahmet area (and I can help you return to your hotel, cruise ship port etc.
Want to personalize this tour?
This tour can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Click below to send me a message with your requests.
Inclusions & Exclusions
Guide fee, hotel meet-up
Topkapi Palace: 2000 TL
Basilica Cistern: 1300 TL
Hagia Sophia: 25 Euro
Museums only accept Turkish lira or credit card.
Souvenirs
Public Transportation Tickets
Food, Drinks, Snacks
Tour Important Information
Please note that the Blue Mosque is closed from morning to afternoon (2:30 pm) on Friday, Topkapı Palace is closed on Tuesday and the Grand Bazaar is closed on Sunday and Eid holidays. There is a dress code for the mosques.
Important message from the supplier
I can work everyday
Cancellation Policy
- Free cancellation - 8 days prior to meeting time
- 50% Refund - 3 to 7 days prior to meeting time
- No Refund - Within 2 day(s) prior to meeting time
Joined 2024
About Tour Guide Yasin K.
Merhaba (Hello) from a friendly Istanbulite! My name is Yasin, a licenced tour guide who is in love with his city.
Istanbul is more than a regular city. It has been a melting pot of different empires, religions, languages and cultures for centuries! I've been living in this amazing city for 36 years and have about 8 years of experience as a guide. My purpose is not only to show you some historical buildings but also give you a chance to learn more about our unique history, culture-traditions, cuisine, daily life etc.
I am very interested in both Roman/Eastern Roman (Byzantine) and Ottoman heritage of Istanbul, so I can offer you very specific tours that you'll always remember. I have basic information on the old/medieval Greek and can read the Ottoman Turkish. I can also understand caligraphic inscriptions easily. I believe that if you really want to feel the soul of historical buildings, you should know what those inscriptions explain to us. That's why I spent so much time to improve myself in this field.
I also love photography and trying different types of healthy and traditional food. Fortunately, Istanbul gives us a great chance for them. I'll be so happy to help you with them, too!
Feel free to contact me for either a full-day or a half-day tour. I can provide you a complete program or customizable itinerary. Let's explore this amazing city and unique culture together!
Reviews
Kesh H.
“Istanbul - 2 days”
We were a group of 6 traveling from the United States to Turkey April 2025. We were very fortunate to get Yasin K for the Istanbul part of the tour. He is a resident of istanbul for more than 30 years. Yasin was easy to communicate with prior to the trip and was very prompt in giving suggestions which made our planning easy. The 2 days with him was a history lesson. All of us in the group have traveled widely over the last 30 years and have had guides in Asia and Europe. Yasin is in the top tier and one of the best I have had. He is very well educated in multiple areas and his English was excellent. His knowledge of regional history and time lines was easy to understand. He would get into more details if asked and his answers were always to the point. He was willing to give opinions on sensitive issues and it was very balanced. We did the all the usual attractions by walk and also used local taxis to go to other neighborhoods. It was an incredible experience. I recommend him highly and wish him all the best Kesh Hebbar ( USA )
Yasin K.
Thank you so much for your wonderful words! It was my pleasure and hope to see you all again in Istanbul :)
Robin F.
“Fantastic guide”
Yasin's great, excellent english and communications skills, very knowledgeable with good planning. Highly recommend for Istanbul tour. 10/10
Yasin K.
Thank you so much, Robin! It was my pleasure :)
$240/ per group
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