Private Istanbul Old City Tour : Basilica Cistern, Hagia Sophia & Blue Mosque
Discover Istanbul’s fascinating Byzantine and Ottoman heritage on this private half-day tour. Explore the remarkable Basilica Cistern, the iconic Hagia Sophia, the beautiful Blue Mosque, and the historic Hippodrome. Enjoy a personalized experience with your professional local guide, with visits tailored to your interests, available time, and site opening conditions. Experience the highlights of Istanbul’s Old City at a comfortable pace.
Itinerary
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
Galata Port & Hotels & Airbnb
- Meet your guide at your centrally located hotel, Airbnb, or Galataport Cruise Terminal. This private tour is flexible and can be customized to your interests whenever possible. Alternative meeting points are available if needed.
Hippodrome & Sultanahmet Square
Sultan Ahmet, Ayasofya MeydanI No:1, Istanbul 34122 Turkiye
Basilica Cistern
Sultanahmet Mah. At Meydani Cad No 7, Istanbul 34122 Turkiye
Hagia Sophia
Cankurtaran Mah. BabI Humayun Cad. No:1, Istanbul 34122 Turkiye,
Grand Bazaar
Kalpakcilar Cad. Sorguclu Han No: 22 Beyazıt Mah., Istanbul 34126 Turkiye
Ending Point
Grand Bazaar & Port & Hotel & Airbnb
Want to personalize this tour?
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This tour can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Click below to send me a message with your requests.
Inclusions & Exclusions
* Private tour with a licensed professional tour guide
* Meet your guide at your centrally located hotel, Airbnb, or Galataport Cruise Port
*Public transportation ( tram )
* Personalized experience at your own pace
* Return to your centrally located hotel or Galataport Cruise Port
* Entrance fees
* Food and drinks
* Private vehicle
* Personal expenses and gratuities
Tour Important Information
-Not wheelchair accessible
-Service animals allowed
-Near public transportation
-Children must be accompanied by an adult
-On Fridays, the Blue Mosque will be visited from the outside only, as it is closed to tourists during Friday prayers.
-This is a walking tour
-Please dress modestly when visiting mosques. Women should bring a headscarf to cover their hair. Both women and men should wear clothing that covers the knees.
-The Grand Bazaar may be closed on certain public and religious holidays. The itinerary may be adjusted accordingly.
Important message from the supplier
All tours can be customized for you. Send me a message with your requests!
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
About Tour Guide Nazmiye E.
As a licensed professional guide in lstanbul,l offer authentic and personalized experiences in the Old City and along the Bosphorus.Travelers choose me for clear communication, reliable local knowledge and a friendly approach that makes each tour smooth, engaging and memorable.l focus on more than just sightseeing-l help guests truly experience Istanbul through its history, culture and local atmosphere.
Reviews
Angela R.
“Great Trip”
Nazmiye our guide in Istanbul, was very outstanding - friendly, knowledgeable, helpful and informative. Very happy with the Guide service and helping us to learn to navigate the city on the first day. The meeting point from the ship was well communicated and everything went smoothly to make a very comfortable day of visiting the Istanbul sights we were excited to see!
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Nazmiye E.
Thank you so much, Angela, for your lovely review! It was truly a pleasure meeting you both and showing you around Istanbul. I’m so happy to hear that you enjoyed the day and that I could help make your first experience in the city comfortable and easy. I really enjoyed spending the day with you and hope you left Istanbul with wonderful memories. Wishing you both many more amazing travels! Warm regards, Nazmiye
Sanober S.
“Another Fantastic Day with Nazmiyeh”
Our second day with Nazmiyeh was just as fantastic as the first. We explored Topkapi Palace and enjoyed a beautiful Bosphorus cruise, and once again she was prompt, professional, exceptionally knowledgeable, and incredibly engaging throughout. She explained everything so well and shared many fascinating details that truly brought the history to life. Her warm and friendly nature made the entire experience even more enjoyable. I’m so glad I chose Nazmiyeh as our guide in Istanbul. She made both days memorable for our family and I would highly recommend her to anyone visiting the city.
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Nazmiye E.
Thank you so much for your wonderful comment! l am very happy to hear that you enjoyed the Topkapi Palace and Bosphorus tour. Your recommendation means a lot to me, and I hope to welcome you back to Istanbul again one day!
Sanober S.
“A Fantastic Tour We Will Never Forget”
Nazmiyeh was an absolutely wonderful tour guide and truly made our day in Istanbul special. Her knowledge and passion for the history and culture of the city were exceptional, and she explained everything in such an engaging and easy-to-understand way. What stood out the most was how patient and warm she was with my son, who had endless questions throughout the tour. She answered every single one thoughtfully and made him feel genuinely involved and excited to learn. He enjoyed every moment of the experience. Nazmiyeh also went above and beyond the planned itinerary by taking us to a pottery demonstration, which ended up being one of the highlights of the day for my son. He absolutely loved getting the chance to try pottery himself and was so excited about the whole experience. Beyond being an excellent guide, Nazmiyeh is a truly warm, kind, and lovely person. By the end of the tour, it honestly felt like we had spent the day with a friend rather than just a guide. We are so grateful for such a memorable experience and would highly recommend her to anyone visiting Istanbul.
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Nazmiye E.
Thank you so much for your incredibly kind words. It truly means a lot to me that you and your family enjoyed the tour. It was such a pleasure spending the day with you, and I especially loved seeing your son’s curiosity and excitement throughout the experience. His questions made the tour even more enjoyable for me as well! I’m so happy he enjoyed the pottery experience — seeing his enthusiasm there was one of the highlights of my day too. Thank you again for your warmth, kindness, and wonderful company. I’m very grateful our paths crossed in Istanbul, and I hope to welcome you back again someday. Wishing you and your family many more beautiful travels together!
$230/ per group
Other Popular Art, Culture, & Historical Tours in Istanbul
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Byzantium, Constatinople and Istanbul; A Historical Journey at Old Town
Two big civilisations to talk and visit their exciting structures all around the old town of Istanbul. A palace, a mosque, a church/mosque, and an underground water tank.
Byzantium, Constatinople and Istanbul; A Historical Journey at Old Town
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Asian Side Tour: Üsküdar-Kadıköy
Discover the authentic local life of Istanbul on this unforgettable Asian Side Tour. Stroll through the historic streets of Üsküdar, enjoy stunning views of the Bosphorus, and experience the vibrant, youthful atmosphere of Kadıköy with its colorful markets, cafés, and street art. This tour offers the perfect blend of history, culture, and modern Istanbul — all in one day.
Asian Side Tour: Üsküdar-Kadıköy
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Istanbul Highlight Walking Tour
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.
Istanbul Highlight Walking Tour
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Landmarks of İstanbul
İstanbul is an amazing city with 2700 years of history as the capital of two empires. With this tour we are starting the day with the oldest structure of Constantinople, the Hippodrome and the Egytian Obelisk. Then we are visiting two more landmarks from the Roman era, 1500 years old Hagia Sophia and Basilica cistern. After our inside visits to the Roman landmarks, we'll see Blue Mosque from outside and walk to the Grand Bazaar to enjoy this 600 years old Ottoman bazaar with 4000 shops.
Landmarks of İstanbul
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