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Istanbul Highlight Walking Tour

Istanbul Highlight Walking Tour

Art, Culture, & Historical

Joined 2026

Zeynep K.

5.00 / 5

(1 reviews)

Identity Verified

Interview-Based Quality Checks

Istanbul

English (Native), Turkish (Native)

5 hours

Private tour (only you and Zeynep K.)

Up to 6 people

Explore Istanbul’s greatest highlights on this classic walking tour. Visit the Hippodrome, Blue Mosque, and Hagia Sophia, uncovering the stories of Byzantium and the Ottomans. Descend into the magical Basilica Cistern, enjoy a short lunch break, then navigate the Grand Bazaar’s hidden corners. End at the peaceful Süleymaniye Mosque with stunning city views.

Itinerary

This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!

09:30 AM

Meeting Point

Sultanahmet Tram Stop (T1)

- We can meet at the Sultanahmet Tram Stop (T1) or your hotel lobby - whatever works for you!

Hippodrome Square (Sultanahmet Square)

A brief and easy introduction to Istanbul, followed by a walk through the ancient Byzantine Hippodrome and its surviving monuments.

Visit to the Blue Mosque (Sultanahmet Mosque)

Guided visit to one of Istanbul’s most iconic Ottoman imperial mosques, located in the heart of the historic square.

Visit to Hagia Sophia Mosque

A guided visit highlighting Hagia Sophia’s conception, architecture, and mosaics, as well as its transformation from a Byzantine cathedral into an Ottoman imperial mosque—one of the city’s greatest symbols.

Basilica Cistern (Yerebatan Sarnıcı)

A short visit exploring Istanbul’s underground water systems and the impressive engineering of the Byzantine era.

Lunch / Snack Break

Time to rest, hydrate, and enjoy a light lunch or snack before continuing the walk.

Grand Bazaar Visit

A guided walk through the world-famous Grand Bazaar, including Cevahir Bedesten (the oldest and most historic section) and Zincirli Han. Free time for browsing, photos, and shopping recommendations.

A guide is especially helpful in the bazaar’s dizzying labyrinth of streets and passageways.

Visit to Süleymaniye Mosque

Visit to the magnificent Süleymaniye Mosque, famous for its powerful story and architecture. Built on one of Istanbul’s hills, it offers stunning views of the city, along with peaceful gardens and a quieter atmosphere away from the crowds.

Ending Point

Süleymaniye Mosque or your hotel

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

What‘s included

*Guide fee

What‘s not included

*Admission Ticket Fees (per person in your group):

- Hagia Sophia (25 Euro)

- Basilica Cistern (1950 Turkish Liras)

*Lunch or snacks

Tour Important Information

* This is a walking tour with several hours on foot, so comfortable shoes are essential.

* The route includes uneven streets, cobblestones, and some stairs, so it may be challenging for guests with mobility issues.

* This tour is not recommended for those with severe knee/back problems.

* Wheelchair accessibility is limited, especially at the Grand Bazaar and some historical sites.

* Modest dress is required for mosque visits: shoulders and knees must be covered. Women should bring a scarf for head covering (can also be provided at entrances).

* Mosques may be closed during prayer times, and certain hours during Friday prayers (we can adjust tour day accordingly).

* Entrance fees are not included unless stated otherwise

* The Grand Bazaar may be closed on Sundays and public holidays.

* Please let me know in advance if you have any dietary restrictions or food allergies for the lunch/snack break.

* Please bring water, especially in summer, as Istanbul can get very hot.

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 2026

Zeynep K.

5.00 / 5

(1 reviews)

Identity Verified

Interview-Based Quality Checks

About Tour Guide Zeynep K.

I was born and raised to Turkish parents in the suburbs of Chicago, I moved to Istanbul after earning my degree in History from Western Illinois University. Before becoming a tour guide, I spent eight years working as a journalist at The Washington Post’s Istanbul bureau. Istanbul is my favorite place in the world, and I love sharing my passion for the city with visitors.

Reviews

Seth T.

5 / 5

Jul 14, 2026

Istanbul Highlight Walking Tour

Jul 14, 2026

Istanbul

5 hours

“Top class expert”

We had a wonderful full-day tour of Old Istanbul with Zeynep, and she was truly exceptional. Her English is at a native level, as she was born in the United States and spent more than 20 years there. Her professional background is equally impressive: she is an accomplished journalist who reports from Turkey for The Washington Times and has an extraordinary understanding of modern Turkish society, politics, and culture. With this background, Zeynep brings remarkable breadth and depth of knowledge to Istanbul’s many civilizations and historical periods. Her explanations are detailed, accurate, and engaging, but what makes her especially unique is her ability to adapt the tour to the interests and prior knowledge of the group. She can make the discussion highly technical and sophisticated, or provide an accessible introduction for visitors who are new to the subject. She is also extremely family-friendly and has a natural ability to involve children and keep them engaged throughout the tour. Zeynep is a genuinely remarkable and rather unique individual. We highly recommend her to anyone looking for an intelligent, flexible, and memorable tour of Istanbul.

Zeynep K.

Thank you so much for your incredibly kind words. It was a real pleasure spending the day with you and your beautiful family, and I'm so glad you enjoyed the tour. I truly appreciate you taking the time to write such a thoughtful review. Wishing you many more wonderful travels, and I hope our paths cross again someday.