Best of Istanbul: 3-Day Private Guided Tour

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

Highlights of Topkapi Palace Museum (Topkapi Sarayi): Once the residence and administrative center of the Ottoman sultans, Topkapi Palace served as the heart of the empire for nearly four centuries. Its courtyards, collections, and imperial architecture reveal the grandeur of Ottoman history.

Byzantine Hippodrome / Sultanahmet Square: Formerly used for chariot races and public ceremonies, this historic square preserves important monuments from the Roman and Byzantine periods, including the Egyptian Obelisk. The German Fountain is one of its best-known landmarks today.

Hagia Sophia: Also called Ayasofya or Santa Sofia, Hagia Sophia was commissioned by Emperor Justinian in the 6th century. Its extraordinary architecture and layered past make it one of the most important monuments of both Christian and Islamic heritage.

Blue Mosque: Built for Sultan Ahmed I in the early 17th century, the Blue Mosque is celebrated for its graceful domes, six minarets, and refined Ottoman design. Its impressive scale and balanced proportions make it one of Istanbul’s most recognizable landmarks.

Basilica Cistern: Hidden beneath the streets of Sultanahmet, the Basilica Cistern is a remarkable Byzantine water reservoir supported by hundreds of ancient columns. Its illuminated pathways, Medusa heads, and tranquil atmosphere offer a completely different perspective on Istanbul’s past.

Grand Bazaar: Known locally as Kapali Carsi, the Grand Bazaar is among the world’s oldest and largest covered markets. Its thousands of shops offer ceramics, carpets, leather products, textiles, jewelry, silver, gold, and traditional Turkish handicrafts.

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

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, Bosphorus Bridge, and more. 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.

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.

Kariye Mosque: Formerly a church, now a mosque Kariye Mosque or Chora Church offers a perspective of embracing religions throughout the history for both Muslims and Christians. 

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!

• Grand Bazaar is closed on Sundays so will be replaced with Spice Market if your Istanbul tour is on that day.
• 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.
• 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.