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!
👇👇👇👇👇
Treat yourself to a moment of relaxation in Istanbul by enjoying a Turkish bath and massage at Beethoven Premium Spa. Tradition and luxury come together!
• 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.
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!
• 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.
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 (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:
-If your group is bigger than 6 people, please book it as price committed tour.
-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.
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.
• Learn about the city’s history with an audio guide as you sail past waterfront attractions like the Ottoman Beylerbeyi Palace and the Byzantine Maiden’s Tower.
• Indulge in a 3-course meal with soft drinks or alcoholic beverages while enjoying vibrant shows like Whirling Dervishes, folk dancing, and belly dancing.
• Tailor your cruise with standard or VIP dining, a choice of menus, VIP seating, VIP lounge access, and optional hotel transfers in an air-conditioned vehicle.
Welcome and peace be with you all🤲!
Being a tourist in Turkiye as world's one of the most visited muslim majority country, we would like invite you to explore and experience islamic culture with the tour route we exclusively design for you!
The tour calls walkers from non Islamic world to have an awareness Islamic Spirituality trough a two and half hour walk.
In this tour you will be able to meet with Islamic Art✒️ and practising muslims 👳♀️👳🏽♀️ & volunteers 🧕👨.
Plus you will be able to have an idea about food🍗 culture of Turkish Muslims as well on the route.
Here is the walking route that in our heart to conduct with you.
📍Sinanpasha Ottoman Education Madrassah
An religious education complex of the Ottoman period
📍Suleymaniye Cultural Info Center and Terrace of Suleymaniye
A non government organisation run by volunteers
📍Residental Local Neighbourhood
non touristic parts of old city
📍 Pantokrator Monastery (currently Zeyrek Mosque)
An Unesco Heritage in old city of Istanbul
📍 Istanbul University (from outside)
with its monumental gate
📍 Beyazıt Tower (from outside)
A fire observation tower of Ottoman's Istanbul
📍 Local Markets of the residential area
known as Ladies Market
📍 Valens Roman Aqueduct
900 meters waterway aueduct from 4th century
📍 Zeyrekhane Panoramic View Point of Old City
facing to the Golden Horn River
📍 Instagrammable spots
📍 Local food and drink points on the route
❗ Any currency of cash will be accepted.
❗ The tour is not friendly with walkers age under 14
❗At the final tour point we have a bus station(3 mins) and T5 tram station(8 mins) where you will be able to find buses to go central areas of city like Taksim, Karaköy, Eminönü.
❗ Dress modestly or bring your scarf & longer skirt/trousers. Otherwise you need to use the ones used commonly & given by the visiting points.
Can't wait to walk with you!
• 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.
DISCOVER THE BLUE MOSQUE AS NO ONE TELLS YOU!
Go beyond the postcard view and step into a living masterpiece of Islamic art and architecture. This immersive, expert-led tour is your key to understanding the Blue Mosque, from its grand courtyard to its breathtaking interior.
Join Dr. Sib, a licensed guide and researcher, for a concise yet deeply enriching journey. We don't just look at the monuments; we uncover the stories, symbols, and history etched into every tile and dome.
- Note: If you are a group and would like the tour at a different time, please contact me. I will try to arrange it if possible.
📜 What You Will Experience & Discover:
- The Exterior: Decode the mosque's majestic silhouette. Learn the meaning behind its six minarets and cascade of domes, and understand the architectural genius of its founder, Sedefkâr Mehmet Ağa.
- The Interior (Guaranteed Entry): Step inside to witness the awe-inspiring space that gives the mosque its name. We'll explore:
- The 21,000+ hand-painted Iznik tiles that create its famous blue hue.
- The intricate calligraphy and what these Quranic verses represent.
- The architectural balance of the central dome and the significance of the mihrab, minbar, and sultan's loge.
- This isn't just a sightseeing stop. It's a focused, in-depth exploration led by an expert.
Essential Tour Details:
💰 Pricing | After the tour, you decide the value, some pay €15 per person (~750 liras) while others pay €50 depending on satisfaction and budget. EUR, USD, GBP accepted.
📍 Meeting Point | Serpent Column
👗 Dress Code | Modest dress is mandatory. Shoulders and knees must be covered. Scarves are provided for women.
🎯 Perfect For: Travelers with limited time who want a deep dive into one of Istanbul's most iconic site.
Have questions about a private tour?
Dr. Sib offers tailored experiences in Arabic, English, Persian, Turkish, Kurdish and Spanish. Feel free to contact!
Have a nice trip, 🚀🛸
Dr. Sib
[Istanbul Free Tour] [Blue Mosque inside] [Dr. Sib] [Small Groups]
