This compact Istanbul package is built for travellers who want a guided introduction to the historic heart of the city while keeping plenty of time for their own discoveries. Over four days and three nights you stay in Istanbul with breakfast every morning, and you are collected at Istanbul Airport on arrival and returned there at the end. Transfers and touring run in an air-conditioned, non-smoking vehicle, and a professional English-speaking guide leads the sightseeing day, so the logistics are taken care of from the moment you land.
The core of the programme is a guided walk through Sultanahmet, the old imperial quarter listed by UNESCO. At the Hippodrome, once the stage for chariot races in Byzantine Constantinople, you see the German Fountain presented by Kaiser Wilhelm II, the Egyptian Obelisk of Theodosius, the bronze Serpent Column and the Column of Constantine. The Blue Mosque, completed in 1616 for Sultan Ahmed I, impresses with its cascade of domes, six minarets and thousands of Iznik tiles, while Hagia Sophia, raised under Emperor Justinian in the 6th century, reveals its vast dome, the light pouring through its windows and the mosaics that have survived for some fifteen centuries.
The rest of the stay is deliberately relaxed. The arrival day is free to settle in, and the third day is entirely yours: rest at the hotel, wander the city at your own pace, or ask us about optional excursions on request. The tour runs on a guaranteed-departure basis with an easy physical level, making it a good fit for first-time visitors, couples and small groups who want a short, well-organised city break in Istanbul with the main Byzantine and Ottoman landmarks covered by a guide. Remember to bring a headscarf for the mosque visits, and note that entrance fees, lunches and dinners are not part of the price.
| Tour type | Shared small group Β· multi-day tour |
|---|---|
| Duration | 4 Days 3 Nights |
| Price | From β¬466 per person |
| Departures | Every day |
| Guide | English-speaking licensed guide |
| Stops | 5 |
| Entrance fees | Not included (paid on site) |
| Booking | Instant request online, confirmation within 24 hours Β· TΓRSAB-licensed operator (A-5751) |
Your full program, day by day β click a day to see every stop.
Your trip begins at Istanbul Airport, where our team meets you after you clear customs and drives you to your hotel. There is no fixed programme for the rest of the day, so you can recover from the flight, take a first walk around the neighbourhood or simply relax. If you arrive early and would like to see more, our team can suggest optional activities on request. The evening is free and you spend the night in Istanbul.
After breakfast at the hotel your guide takes you to Sultanahmet for a tour of the old city. The visit starts at the Hippodrome, added to UNESCO's World Heritage roster in 1985, where Byzantine and Ottoman layers meet: you see the German Fountain gifted by Kaiser Wilhelm II in 1898, the Obelisk of Theodosius brought from Karnak in Egypt, the Serpent Column that once stood at Delphi and the Column of Constantine. Next comes the Blue Mosque, where Ottoman design meets Byzantine influence beneath a dome decorated with blue and green Iznik tiles. The last stop is Hagia Sophia, a 6th-century masterpiece whose dome windows fill the interior with soft light over its mosaics. Afterwards you are driven back to your hotel. A headscarf is needed for both religious sites. Overnight in Istanbul.
Following breakfast, the whole day is at your disposal. You may prefer a slow morning at the hotel, a walk through districts you noticed the day before, or time in the city's cafΓ©s and shops. Optional excursions can be arranged on request at an extra cost. This flexible day is ideal for exploring Istanbul at your own rhythm before the journey home. Overnight in Istanbul.
Enjoy a final breakfast and check out of the hotel at the agreed time. Your driver then takes you back to Istanbul Airport for your onward or homeward flight, which brings our services to a close. We hope this short stay gives you a taste of the city and a reason to return for a longer journey through Turkey.
Istanbul arrival β Istanbul Old City tour β Istanbul free day β Istanbul departure
Modern, comfortable and fully-equipped vehicles β the same fleet we use on your tour.
π₯ 54 Seats
π₯ 37 Seats (2+1 VIP)
π₯ 55 Seats
π₯ 54 Seats
π₯ 50 Seats
π₯ 50 Seats
π₯ 50 Seats
π₯ 46 Seats
π₯ 37+2 Seats
π₯ 37 Seats
π₯ 35 Seats
π₯ 16+1 Seats
π₯ 16+1 Seats
π₯ 12+1 Seats
π₯ 6+1 Seats
Extra day tours you can add along your route β Istanbul arrival, Istanbul Old City tour, Istanbul free day, Istanbul departure.
Daily
Daily
Daily
Daily
Daily
Daily
Daily
Daily
Daily
Daily
Daily
Daily
Fill in your details and we confirm your private departure within 24 hours.
Real, verified reviews from travellers who explored Turkey with us.
My husband and I chose Inca Tour for our honeymoon and we are so glad we did. The boutique hotel selection was beautiful and the Bosphorus dinner cruise was so romantic. Thank you for making our trip special!
It was important for us to have a guide who spoke Russian, and Ender was wonderful. He explained every detail at Dolmabahce Palace. The Princes Islands day trip was a beautiful break from the busy city.
Our guide Ender was incredibly knowledgeable about Turkish history. The hot-air balloon ride at sunrise in Cappadocia was the highlight of our trip. Everything was perfectly organized β from airport pick-up to the last d...
Ender was our Italian-speaking guide and we felt like family. He took us to local spots tourists never see. The hotel choice in Sultanahmet was perfect for walking everywhere.
10+ years later we still talk about our Cappadocia balloon ride and the Bosphorus sunset cruise. Some memories are timeless. Thank you Inca Tour!