Things to Do in Istanbul
• Skip the lines and explore Basilica Cistern with a local expert or a multilingual audio guide.
• Choose a self-guided audio tour to explore at your own pace or join a local guide for expert commentary and insider stories that bring this underground marvel to life.
• Upgrade your experience to include a guided tour of Hagia Sophia with skip-the-line access, allowing you to explore two of Istanbul’s most iconic landmarks in one seamless visit.
• **Fun fact:** The Basilica Cistern is home to two upside-down Medusa head statues, which are believed to have been repurposed from ancient Roman temples, adding an air of mystery to the site.
Book Istanbul's most comprehensive free walking tour today!
💎 We cover Istanbul's Old City (Constantinople) in a highly comprehensive tour that covers over a dozen sites including the must-see sites, hidden gems and local hang-out spots. Moreover, we not only cover Istanbul’s past, but also it’s present day situation in a moderate pace that leaves enough room for questions & interaction. This tour has it all.
Why Book a Tour With Us?
➕ More Coverage
We simply cover a bigger area and more topics. Just look at our route map, we cover 4 different neighborhoods and over a dozen places. Plus, we talk about everything from history to modern day Istanbul, daily life and society.
🎨 Independent & Boutique
We don't hire people. We are two locals who do our own tours. We're artisans. We're boutique.
🔥 Full Dedication
We don't have another occupation. This is all we do, all we think about. We give it our 100%.
✅ Must-See Sites AND Lesser-Known Sites
We cover the essentials, but we also cover local hang-out spots hidden in the Old City.
📚 Online Library Access!
We provide you with a very comprehensive online library with PDF guides ranging from food to activities & pubs and much more!
🏝️ No Rush, No Stalling
We don't rush, we don't stall. Moderately paced. We cover a lot of places and topics, but we also give space for interaction, communication and questions.
IMPORTANT:
🗓️ Due to high demand and group size limit in season, we need reserved bookings to be able to accommodate our guests in our groups. Please book in advance.
🙏 This is our main and only occupation, we hope you understand and appreciate our efforts and dedication by contributing a reasonable amount at the end of the tour.
See availability now & reserve your spot before it gets full!
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Are you interested in discovering Istanbul's most colorful neighborhoods? Explore these historic and charming neighborhoods on this tour of Fenet and Balat!
• Wander beneath the 56-meter-high dome, admire the Deësis mosaic of Christ, and take in the calligraphic medallions that define the interior.
• Head up to the upper gallery for sweeping views of the vast nave, where intricate Byzantine artistry meets majestic Ottoman design.
• For an even richer experience, upgrade your visit with options like a guided tour of the Hagia Sophia History & Experience Museum, or explore the Basilica Cistern and Blue Mosque with a multilingual audio guide.
Istanbul is the only city in the world situated on two continents. No Istanbul trip will be complete without seeing the Asian side of the city. This tour will start on the European Side and finish on the Asian Side of Istanbul, namely Üsküdar neighborhood, where you will get to see actual local life rather than the tourist bubble. We will take the ferry from Eminönü. Don’t worry about the tickets, I will have my Istanbul card with enough credits for all of us 🙂
Here are some highlights of the tour:
EUROPEAN SIDE:
Ahmed III Fountain
Topkapı Palace (non ticketted parts)
Hagia Irene (from outside)
Archeology Museum (from outside)
Gulhane Park
Sirkeci Train Station
A small Bosphorus tour with the ferry.
ASIAN SIDE:
Ahmed III fountain (Yes, again! :))
Mihrimah Sultan Mosque
New Mother’s Mosque
Food streets of Usküdar.
Bosphorus walk
Dolmabahce and Ciragan Palaces (outside)
Turkish Bath with reasonable prices.
Useful information for the traveler:
-No ticket is needed for any place we will enter.
-You may want to bring a scarf to enter the mosques. (Mosques lend scarves too)
-When the tour ends you will be able to pay the guru whatever you consider fair. Some will pay 15, other $50. It's up to you!
Looking forward to meeting you!
• Take in the grandeur of Hagia Sophia’s Upper Gallery, look up at its golden mosaics, and uncover centuries of imperial history with your audio guide.
• Explore the hidden terrains of the Basilica Cistern, where rows of ancient columns stand in water and the haunting Medusa heads wait in the shadows.
• Enjoy the comfort of exploring Istanbul’s most iconic landmarks with skip-the-line tickets, an expert guided tour, and multilingual audio guides, all in one day.
Discover Istanbul with the no 1 Free Tour in English!
Looking to explore Istanbul in an authentic, fun, and stress-free way? This is the tour you’ve been waiting for! At Free Tour Istanbul, we’ll take you on an unforgettable journey through the best-kept secrets of this magical city.
Why Choose Us?
🌟 Passionate Local Guides:
Our guides don’t just tell stories—they make you feel part of Istanbul’s rich culture from the very first moment.
📍 Unique Stops:
Not your typical tourist tour—we visit hidden gems you won’t find elsewhere.
🎙️ 100% in English:
Fluent Spanish guides make every story clear, engaging, and enjoyable.
⏰ The Perfect Duration:
With over two hours of exploration, you’ll fully immerse yourself in Istanbul’s charms without it feeling too long.
💰 You Decide the Price:
It’s a free tour! Pay at the end what you think the experience is worth.
What Can You Expect?
🔹 Immerse yourself in Istanbul’s most iconic landmarks and hidden gems.
🔹 Learn the fascinating stories of the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires—told in a fun, easygoing way.
🔹 Capture unforgettable memories at legendary sites like:
- Hagia Sophia
- Blue Mosque
- Topkapi Palace (free first courtyard)
- Basilica Cistern (Sunken Palace)
- Roman Hippodrome
- German Fountain
- Bosphorus Strait... and much more!
Enjoy fun facts and anecdotes throughout the tour that will make you laugh and learn along the way.
Plan Your Visit with These Tips!
📍 Meeting Point:
We’ll meet at the circular water fountain between the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia.
🚗 Plan Ahead:
Not staying in Sultanahmet? Allow extra time for traffic to arrive stress-free.
👥 For Large Groups:
Groups of more than six? Please contact us to arrange a private tour.
Book Your Spot Now
Spots fill up fast—don’t miss your chance to explore Istanbul like never before! Walk through streets brimming with history, colors, and life, and create unforgettable memories (and maybe even new friendships!).
📅 Daily Tour:
10:30 AM and 14:00 PM in Sultanahmet.
🔗 Reserve your spot now on our website/app and get ready for an adventure!
• Glide past Istanbul’s top sights like Galata Tower, Dolmabahce Palace, Ortaköy Mosque, Hagia Sophia, and Topkapi Palace.
• Savor a flavorful Turkish dinner with mezze, fish or meat dishes, spring rolls, and pasta, all while you watch sword shows and folk dances.
• Upgrade your experience with 2 alcoholic drinks, round-trip hotel transfers, or choose a sunset cruise, with the option to add drinks and snacks for an even more memorable evening.
We’ll begin at the Hippodrome, where emperors once watched chariot races, and explore the stories behind the Walled Column, Serpentine Column, Egyptian Obelisk, and German Fountain. From there, we’ll admire the glowing beauty of the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia, their silhouettes unforgettable under the night sky.
We’ll continue to the Basilica Cistern, standing above the hidden world beneath the city, and see the elegant Hürrem Sultan Hamam, a gift of love from a sultan to his queen.
You’ll hear unforgettable stories, feel the city’s soul, and see Istanbul like never before.
By night, Istanbul feels like a dream—quiet, glowing, unforgettable. Come and experience it with me.
• Stroll through the stunning rooms, as the audio guide delves into stories of the sultans who once lived here, the palace’s role in shaping Ottoman history, and the lavish ceremonies held in the Ceremonial Hall.
• With the audio guide in 10 languages, you can discover the palace at your own pace in your preferred language, making the experience as immersive and personalized as you like.
• Want to see more of Istanbul? Upgrade your ticket to include a scenic 90-minute Bosphorus cruise, complete with audio commentary on the city’s most iconic waterfront landmarks.
• Did you know that the Dolmabahçe Palace is home to the world’s largest Bohemian crystal chandelier? Weighing in at over 4.5 tons, this sparkling masterpiece was a gift from Queen Victoria of England!
How do you get the most out of your precious time in Istanbul?
You leave that to us. We have guided tens of thousands of people in our years of experience entirely focused on Istanbul and we are both born-and-raised locals of this city. We will deliver the most compact and crucial information you need in only 2 hours.
This is the info you need before deciding where to spend your money and time on:
✅ What are the must-see sites, their brief history
✅ Visiting hours, ticket prices
✅ How and when to avoid queues
✅ Where to eat good cheap food
✅ Where to get good cheap drinks
✅ How to haggle in bazaars
✅ What activities you shouldn't miss out on
✅ Lesser-known hidden gems of Istanbul
✅ How to avoid scams/tourist traps
✅ How to get around/transportation
✅ Bonus information and resources ++
Warning!
By the end of the tour, you'll learn and have access to so much information about Istanbul that it might take a few hours to digest. Might want to do that over a nice cup of Turkish coffee after lunch.
We'll meet
In the most central place in Old Town Istanbul, in front of the massive Egyptian Obelisk. Then we'll walk you through the Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman history, all the way to modern-day Istanbul.
And btw, we don't do giant groups, and it's the season! So if you're thinking this is it, then Check Availability by clicking the red button and book your place right now!
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See you soon! 😉
• Admire Istanbul’s landmarks from the open deck, including Dolmabahce Palace, Ortakoy Mosque, Galata Tower, and the Bosphorus Bridge.
• Skip the long queues with fast-track pier entry and meet a friendly marine officer who shares your route map and highlights key sights to watch for along the way.
• Upgrade to a dinner cruise for a 4-course Turkish meal, two alcoholic drinks, and unlimited soft drinks as you enjoy live entertainment, folk dance, and DJ shows.
Tour Details
Ready to get lost?
Don’t worry, I’ll find you again – right in the heart of Istanbul!
This walking tour is all about discovering the soul of the city: the magical Grand Bazaar (where even Google Maps gets confused 🤯) and the magnificent Süleymaniye Mosque with its million-dollar view (don’t worry, it’s free).
Along the way, we’ll explore secret courtyards, hidden hans, and chat with local shopkeepers who have more stories than Netflix. You’ll smell the spices, taste the sweets, and maybe even learn how to bargain when buying a carpet or a art pieces like tiles (pro tip: don’t lose your guide or they will definitely sell you one 🙂 !).
1. Çemberlitaş Column (Column of Constantine)
“Where the Roman Empire once had its Google Maps pin!” 🏛️
We’ll start at this ancient column, built by Emperor Constantine himself in the 4th century. It has seen fires, crusaders, sultans… and now you!
2. Nuruosmaniye Mosque
“The Baroque side of Istanbul.” ⛪
One of the first Ottoman Baroque mosques – elegant, light-filled, and often overlooked. Perfect spot to understand how East met West in architecture.
3. Grand Bazaar
“Where losing yourself is part of the fun.” 🛍️
Get ready for 4,000+ shops, endless carpets, spices, lamps, jewelry… and stories behind them. Don’t worry – I’ll show you the quieter corners and secret hans where the real magic happens.
4. Sahaflar Çarşısı (Book Bazaar)
“Where books smell older than your grandparents’ vinyl collection.” 📚
A hidden gem for book lovers! We’ll stroll through the historic book bazaar, once home to scholars, poets, and now quirky little shops.
5. Süleymaniye Mosque & Complex
“The crown jewel of Mimar Sinan.” 🌅
We’ll finish at Istanbul’s most majestic mosque, perched above the Golden Horn. The view? Absolutely Instagram-worthy. The stories? Even better – sultans, architects, and the daily life of old Istanbul.
• See priceless jewels, rich living quarters, and beautiful architecture. Learn more with an audio guide available in 5 languages.
• Explore the peaceful gardens, pavilions, hidden sanctuaries, kitchens, and more.
• Elevate your experience by upgrading your ticket to enjoy a guided tour of Basilica Cistern and Topkapı Palace with an English-speaking guide.
• Fun fact: The Byzantine Church of Hagia Eirene was located in the first courtyard of the palace but was converted into an armory.
Tour details:
Would you like to capture the essence of this city in a fun and informative way in couple of hours? Then this tour is a must-do for you!
Capital city of both Roman and Ottoman Empires, Istanbul has a lot to tell you about those civilizations. While visiting its Hippodrome and talking about the monumental columns and obelisks on it we will talk about the Roman heritage in the city. Visiting one of the most elegant mosques of Architect Sinan, we will have a chance to see a classic Ottoman Mosque and talk about its past and present. We will also see a traditional Bazaar, a Hamam, learn about the Blue Mosque take amazing photos and finally learn about the amazing history of Hagia Sophia.
- German fountain
- Hagia Sophia (from outside)
- Blue Mosque (inside)
- Hippodrome
- The Walled Obelisk
- Obelisk of Theodosius
- Serpent column
- Sokullu Mehmet Pasha Mosque*
- Arasta Bazaar
- Nakkaş Cistern
- Hurrem Sultan Hamam
Useful information for the traveler:
-No ticket is needed for any place we will enter.
-I use audio headsets during the tour so you will hear me easily even when we walk and talk.
-When the tour ends you will be able to pay the guru whatever you consider fair. Some will pay 15, others $50. It's up to you! (Guruwalk recommends a minimum of 15 Euros per person).
-The agency for my tours is Eyupsultan Travel A-10425
Looking forward to meeting you!
