Daily Historical Sites of Istanbul Tour - Private

Highlights of the Historical Sites of Istanbul Day Tour

See the greatest monuments of imperial Istanbul in a single, perfectly planned day on this private historical sites of Istanbul tour, a tailor-made full-day guided excursion arranged just for your own group. With a private vehicle and your personal English-speaking guide, you move through the heart of old Constantinople — from Hagia Sophia and Topkapi Palace to the Blue Mosque, the Hippodrome, the Basilica Cistern and the Grand Bazaar — entirely at your own pace, with no shared group and the freedom to linger wherever you wish on this private Istanbul day trip.

Shore Excursion for Cruise Passengers in Istanbul

Arriving in Istanbul on a cruise ship? The Historical Sites of Istanbul Tour is one of the shore excursions we regularly arrange for cruise guests calling at the port of Istanbul. Because it runs as a private tour, we plan the timing around your ship: your guide and driver meet you at the cruise terminal, and the programme is adjusted to your all-aboard time. Tell us how many hours your ship stays in port and we will confirm that the full programme fits comfortably. Send us your ship name and the date of your call in Istanbul and we will confirm availability.

• Hagia Sophia — the sixth-century basilica of Emperor Justinian, one of the greatest buildings ever raised
• Topkapi Palace — the opulent court of the Ottoman sultans, with the Imperial Treasury, sacred relics and Chinese porcelain
• Blue Mosque — the Sultanahmet Mosque, famous for its cascade of domes and blue Iznik tiles
• Hippodrome of Constantinople — the Obelisk of Theodosius, the Serpentine Column and the Column of Constantine
• Basilica Cistern — the atmospheric underground water palace with its forest of columns and Medusa heads
• Grand Bazaar — one of the world's oldest and largest covered markets, with thousands of shops

This classic full-day tour follows the story of two empires. Hagia Sophia served as the cathedral of Byzantine Constantinople for almost a thousand years before becoming a mosque, while Topkapi Palace was the nerve centre of the Ottoman Empire for close to four centuries, home to its sultans, its harem and its most sacred relics. Between them lies the great square of Sultanahmet, laid out over the Hippodrome where chariot races once thrilled the Byzantine crowds and where the Egyptian Obelisk of Theodosius still stands.

A short walk away, the sixth-century Basilica Cistern hides beneath the streets, its columns reflected in still water, before the day finishes amid the colour and clamour of the Grand Bazaar. This daily excursion in Istanbul is the ideal introduction for first-time visitors who want to cover the essentials with a knowledgeable guide — an efficient, rewarding Istanbul day trip through the living history of the old city. Please note that Topkapi Palace is closed on Tuesdays and the Grand Bazaar on Sundays, and the programme is adjusted accordingly.