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!
• 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.
Book this Free Tour of the Old Town to discover the old part of Istanbul and learn about Roman and Ottoman history, culture and tradition.
What are you going to visit and see during the tour?
- Hippodrome
- The Walled Obelisk
- Obelisk of Theodosius
- Serpent column
- German fountain
- Blue Mosque (outside)
- Haseki Hurrem bathroom (outside)
- Hagia Sophia (outside)
- Topkapi Palace (outside)
- Archaeological Museum (exterior)
- Souk Cesme Street (Old Ottoman Houses)
- Gülhane Park (exterior)
- Eminönü district, the heart of the old part of the city because you can have a view that allows you to see the Golden Horn, the Bosphorus, Galata Bridge, Galata Tower, Soleiman Mosque
- Yeni Camii (New Mosque)
- Spice Market.
Useful information for the travellers:
You can meet the guide he will be waiting with a yellow umbrella!
- It is recommended to bring comfortable and casual shoes.
- Be prepared for any weather conditions and have the right equipment.
- For interior visits of religious buildings ladies can carry a extra scarf and cover.
- When the tour ends you will be able to pay the guru whatever you consider fair. Some will pay €10, others $50. It's up to you! (minimum amount suggested is €10 per person around the world.)
• 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.
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!
With your ticket to the Dolmabahçe Palace, you'll visit an architectural gem in Istanbul on the shores of the Bosphorus. Audio guide included!
• 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.
☆☆☆ PLEASE READ THE INFORMATION BELOW BEFORE BOOKING THE TOUR ☆☆☆
"A rollercoaster journey from mosques to crowded markets, it is a fantastic way to see Istanbul" said one of our clients in the past.
We invite you to discover one of the most amazing cities on earth. This gorgeous city has many interesting stories to be told. Listen it's stories while exploring old town in this walking tour.
Discover the Roman Hippodrome, see the famous Blue Mosque, Haseki Hürrem Baths and iconic Hagia Sophia from outside and awaken your senses at Egyptian Bazaar. Get suprised by the hidden gems, columns and cisterns. Learn the culture and customs and see Istanbul from a local's eye.
The route;
- The Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts
- Hippodrome area
- Obelisk of Theodosius
- Snaked Column
- The Walled Obelisk
- German Fountain
- Blue Mosque
- Haseki Hurrem Baths
- Hagia Sophia
- Basilica Cistern
- Soğukçeşme Street
- Gulhane Park (the garden of Topkapı Palece)
- The street of Historical Restaurants of Hocapasa
- Egyptian Bazaar (Spice Market) - inner visit
- The New Mosque
- Eminönü District with views of Suleymaniye Mosque and Galata Tower.
Are you ready to fall in love with Istanbul?
IMPORTANT NOTES:
RESERVATION IS REQUIRED because we have a limited space in our tours for a better experience.
Please provide a whatsapp number or a valid e-mail adress that you regularly check.
We designed this tour for solo travelers, couples, small groups and families. Big group reservations(more than 6 people including kids) are not accepted even in seperate bookings.
No interior visits during the tour except Egyptian Bazaar.
We end up the tour in front of the EGYPTIAN BAZAAR in Eminönü Square.
The route is not baby stroller friendly. Please consider it before booking.
The tour is only in ENGLISH and provided by History Travel.
Our tours are conducted by professional and licensed tour guides, and it's totally free to book and join the group. Considering that these tours are our guide's full time job to make a living, we recommend rewarding the guide minimum 10 € \ 10 $ per person for her\his job.
• 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!
Are you curious about the history and culture of Istanbul?
Or do you want to do different tour other than the all the things you've seen at the Istanbul?
Make yourself ready to be charmed by the multicultural life of Fener- Balat used to share with many nationalities living in an empire called Ottoman Empire. Greeks, Armenians, Jews, Turks and more living side by side in which you will see a mosque then a church and a synagogue next to each other !
*This tour is a historical walking tour presented by Historian Professional guides.
This Walking Tour Includes :
📌Greek Patriarchate Orthodox
📌Private Marashli Greek Primary School
📌Colorful Stairs
📌Dimitrie Cantemir House Romanian Prince and Lord of Bogdan
📌Church of Saint Mary of the Mongols (No entrance)
📌Phanar Greek Orthodox College
📌Aya Yorgi Metakhion Jerusalem
📌Panagia Paramythia Church
📌Sveti Stefan Bulgarian Church
📌Wooden Minaret Mosque
📌Stair Hill Historic Balat Houses-Unesco Culture Heritage
📌Antiques-Çifit Bazaar( Jewish Bazaar)
📌Ahrida Synagogue( No entrance)
Information for Our Guest
🚫 Please be careful about the clothing regulation as it is stated for the entrance of the churches.
They do not let people enter both
Women and Men = Due to entrance of the church
🚫No shorts
🚫No skirts or dresses above the knee line
🚫No sleeveless tops or dresses
Please also bring a scarf within you for the entrance of the church as well.
When the tour ends you will be able to pay the guru whatever you consider fair. Some will pay €10, others $50 (minimum recommended amount suggested is €10 per person around the world.)
Immerse yourself in Turkish culture with a Turkish bath and massage in Istanbul! Unwind and relax at the Gedikpasa Hammam, a lavish spa that spans 500 years.
• 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.
Experience Istanbul's timeless trilogy in one unforgettable walk. This tour is meticulously designed to reveal the three pillars of imperial power: Sacred Domes (Hagia Sophia & Blue Mosque), Grand Palaces (Topkapi & seaside ruins), and Silent Walls (the ancient land walls).
We start at the Hippodrome, then guide you to the perfect photo spots for the iconic domes. You'll hear the secrets of the Sultans in Topkapi Palace, explore a hidden Byzantine gem in the Little Hagia Sophia, and feel the weight of history at the mighty Theodosian Walls and a newly excavated palace ruin by the sea.
This is a complete journey through 1500 years of history, perfectly connected in a single, seamless walking route.
Book now and walk through the legacy of empires!
