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.
☆☆☆ 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.
• 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.
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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• Explore the main residence and administrative headquarters of the Ottoman sultans.
• Admire the lavish interiors, see the brilliant artifacts on display, and bask in the glory of the Ottoman Era.
• Visit the Harem section and see the lavishly decorated marble hallways, and arched doorways with over 400 rooms!
• Upgrade your ticket to include guided, skip-the-line access to the Blue Mosque, famed for its striking blue tiles, or Hagia Sophia, Istanbul’s iconic Byzantine landmark.
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!
• 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, and an option to choose between an expert guided tour or a multilingual audio guided tour.
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.)
The Basilica Cistern is a must-see in Istanbul. By booking this ticket, you’ll walk among its 336 columns and admire its unique lighting.
• 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 unlimited soft drinks, 2 or unlimited alcoholic drinks, and optional round-trip hotel transfers for a seamless evening.
Step into the fascinating world of old Istanbul and discover the city where empires, cultures, and continents meet. This unforgettable walking tour takes you through the heart of the historic peninsula, where Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman history comes alive through monuments, hidden streets, local stories, and timeless traditions.
Together with an official licensed local guide, you will explore the most iconic landmarks of the Old Town while also experiencing the atmosphere of Istanbul beyond the guidebooks.
During the tour, you will see:
* Hippodrome Square
* The Walled Obelisk
* Obelisk of Theodosius
* Serpent Column
* German Fountain
* Blue Mosque (outside visit)
* Hurrem Sultan Hammam (outside visit)
* Hagia Sophia (outside visit)
* Topkapi Palace (outside visit)
* Archaeological Museum (exterior)
* Soğukçeşme Street and its beautiful Ottoman houses
* Gülhane Park (exterior)
* Eminönü District — with breathtaking views of the Golden Horn, the Bosphorus, Galata Bridge, Galata Tower, and Süleymaniye Mosque
* Yeni Camii (New Mosque)
* The colorful Spice Bazaar
Useful Information:
📍 Your guide will be waiting at the meeting point with a YELLOW UMBRELLA.
👟 Comfortable walking shoes are strongly recommended.
🌦 Please be prepared for changing weather conditions.
🧕 For visits around religious sites, women may wish to bring a scarf or extra cover.
💛 This is a tip-based walking tour. At the end of the experience, you are welcome to contribute whatever you feel the tour was worth. Some travelers give €10, others €50 — every contribution is appreciated. (The recommended minimum contribution worldwide is around €10 per person.)
If you want to experience Istanbul like a local, hear incredible stories from centuries of history, and discover hidden corners of the city with passionate guides, this tour is made for you.
A cruise along the Bosphorus is a must for every trip to Istanbul! We'll sail around the Golden Horn, the oldest quarter in this Turkish city.
• 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!
Discover the vibrant heart of Istanbul on this immersive walking tour through the bustling streets of Beyoğlu and Taksim. Starting at the iconic Taksim Square, you’ll explore a rich tapestry of history, culture, and architecture, visiting notable landmarks such as:
- Taksim Square 🚋
- The Republic Monument
- Hagia Triada Church ⛪
- Rumeli Passage
- Rooftop View
- The Flower Passage (Çiçek Pasajı)
- European Passage
- Three Horan Church ⛪
- Fish Market
- Galatasaray High School
- Passage Hazzopulo
- St. Antoine Church ⛪
- Turkish Coffee Tasting
- The Galata Dervish Lodge
- Galata Tower 🏰
This walking tour offers a perfect blend of history, culture, cuisine, and stunning architecture — a memorable journey through Istanbul’s most captivating neighborhoods.
- The coffee tasting and rooftop access are both free of charge.
- Since our tour has a limited capacity of 25 people, please cancel your booking as soon as possible if you decide not to join us.
- You can reach the meeting point by taking the “M2” Metro line and getting off at the “Taksim” stop.
- Or if you are coming from around the Blue Mosque, you can use the “T1” train line and get off at the last stop ‘Kabataş’ and then transfer to the “F1” Taksim-Kabataş Finiküker line to reach Taksim.
Note I : We will visit the Galata Tower from the outside
Note II: Our tour will end in front of Galata Tower
Note III: This walking tour is based on the history of the place.
Note VI: For the comfort of all participants, we recommend that infants and toddlers under 4 years old do not join the walking tour.
Note V: Our tour welcomes individuals, duos, and small family/friend groups. Please note: We do not accept bookings for groups larger than six people (including all children), regardless of whether they are booked individually.
Note VI: As our tours are tip-based, we kindly ask for a minimum tip of $15 per person. Tips in any currency equivalent to $15 (such as approximately 700Turkish liras) are welcome.
• With full-day validity, your ticket allows you to explore the tower at your convenience, whether it’s a morning visit or a sunset experience at this protected national monument.
• Ascend to the upper levels via a swift elevator ride and step onto the observation deck for 360° views of Istanbul’s skyline, including the Golden Horn and the Bosphorus Strait.
• Explore the Galata Tower’s past through exhibits detailing its transformation from a medieval watchtower to a prison and later, an astronomical observatory.
• Upgrade your experience to get a downloadable multilingual audio guide, enjoy a hosted entry experience with a local expert, or go on a guided Old Town tour.
Welcome to Kadıköy, Istanbul's vibrant heartbeat on the Asian side of the city!
Join us on this adventure through its bustling streets and alleys, where the aroma of delicious street food mingles with the excitement of its nightlife.
Discover hidden gems known only to locals, savoring a rich tapestry of flavors from traditional Turkish snacks to contemporary delights.
As the sun sets, immerse yourself in Kadıköy's lively nightlife scene, where trendy bars and cozy cafes offer the perfect setting for relaxing and enjoy the local vibe. Get ready to eat, drink, and explore the eclectic charm of Kadıköy like never before!
(You can buy the food to go during the tour or go back to the restaurants after the tour. This is a walking tour.)
Please follow the meeting point instructions has been given on the app.We have other Atatürk monuments on the Asian side. The right one is given by the link.
