Small Group Full-day Istanbul Old City Tour With Lunch & Tickets

You see everything that Turkey has to offer .Lunch was very tasty and plenty of food . Very friendly tour quicksand very knowledgeable.

It gets a lot of the sites in, can be a bit of a problem for people not good on their feet. The lunch was very good.. and the free time to walk the markets was very enjoyable.

had the pleasure of traveling with Shakir and what an amazing experience it was. his commentary throughout the trip was absolutely incredible and fascinating. he's extremely knowledgeable and we were extremely lucky to enjoy istanbul with him. thank you Shakir for your wonderful insights and guidance

Glad we booked this tour! Shakir was a great guide and took us through the major landmarks of the city without it feeling rushed or too slow. His knowledge and expertise was appreciated! The tour was a good value because it includes a solid lunch and entry tickets to each location. There are also audio sets provided so you can listen to the guide’s commentary; I’d only recommend bringing your own headphones if you don’t want to use the ones they give you. Basilica Cistern was really the only other important site left off this itinerary, but it could be easily fit in at the end of the tour. There was a moderate amount of walking, so definitely wear comfortable shoes. Overall, we were very happy with this tour and we left with an unforgettable experience!

Ali is a great guide. Great communicator and a nice sense of humor. He kept it simple but interesting. Lots of history on this tour - I remembered a little from school.

Oh the Coach was v good - the driver came to pick up on time and then Muzzafer guide was simply brilliant- v courteous and explained everything in details and showed everything with lot of calm.

Ali and his driver were awesome. Ali’s knowledge and humor were appreciated as were the hearing devices given so everyone could hear as we walked along. My family felt like they experienced way more Istanbul after this tour. The lunch was absolutely delicious and healthy portions given. Gluten-free substitutions were also provided when made aware. The bus was air conditioned and comfortable. The pickup and drop off was especially appreciated. Wear very comfortable shoes and bring water.

We had a great experience on this tour! Our guide, Muzaffar, and the driver were both fantastic. Everything was well organized and on time. Muzaffar was very friendly and knowledgeable, and took his time explaining everything and answering our questions. We really enjoyed the tour and would definitely recommend it to anyone!

A small group tour is the way to see a lot of stuff and have to explain to you in a situation where you can actually hear it. Our group had six people and it was very great experience. Ali, our tour guide was exceptional. He knew a lot about the city and all the important dates and all the facts about all the mosques. He was a wealth of information. He gave us ample time to see everything and ask all the group members what they really wanted to see and then he made it happen. I would highly recommend this tour if you really want to know the history of Istanbul and what made it the city that it is.

This was an excellent trip. Communication from the company was clear and well timed. Pick up was punctual and the driver did an amazing job negotiating the narrow streets. Not only was the guide, Muzaffar, extremely knowledgable about all of the locations but his tacit knowledge was also very impressive and was delivered with good humour. He is an excellent guide. We would recommend this trip to anyone who is visiting Istanbul for the first time.

An unforgettable experience especially because of our guide Shakir. He was very knowledgeable and friendly and he knew the best places to take photos and how to avoid the crowds. The lunch was very good. We were able to learn a lot about the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sofia, Hagia Eirene and Topkapi Palace. It was a lot of walking, but worth it.

Definitely a must when in Isatnbul. I was fortunate to have Shakir as my guide. He was very knowledgeable and one of the best tour guides I have had the pleasure to be with.

Guide communication was ordinary. Hard to hear, didn’t control group well, hard to pick out in a crowd

Our guide, Mustafa, was excellent and had a lot of information to impart to us. The tour took us to the top attractions of Istanbul and we had enough time in each place. We were picked up from our hotel on time.

Spent a great afternoon with Ali. He was very kind to my mom, who is an elder woman with mobility issues. He held up the walking group so that she could catch up and allowed her to wait for the group while we toured the Hagia Sofia. He was able to point out a store that had good spices and jam, and we had enough time to make our purchases there. Lunch was very enjoyable (despite the objections from the Persian participants) and we enjoyed trying some dishes that we had not yet tried. All in all, I would highly recommend this tour to anyone spending a few days in Istanbul.

Great way to see the landmarks of old Istanbul. Our guide Muzaffer wss most knowledgeable and patient. Made Istanbul come alive.

Muzaffer was excellent, spoke very good interesting. He was very informative and good knowledge. Pick up service from our was first class. Definitely recommend.

Ideal to be able to visit the more important sites of Istanbul, if your time is limited. No waiting in line for tickets.

Unfortunately, our experience with this tour operator fell far below expectations. Communication before and during the tour was poor, we miss our first day tour becouse we didn’t get clear information about meeting time. Luckily we stayed long enough so we managed to reschedule for another day. The biggest disappointment was the pace of the tour. The guide seemed more focused on finishing as quickly as possible than providing an enjoyable and informative experience. We were rushed through the exhibits with very little time to appreciate the history, architecture, and details of the sites we had come to see.

Excelent guide (Ali), very helpful. Hagia Sofia is going through renovation, so it is full of scaffoldings

We really enjoyed this tour. Ali was our guide and was very knowledgeable about Istanbul and its history, but also added a bit of humour along the way which we appreciated. You cover a lot of ground during the day, but even though it was quite hot, we found the pace manageable. I also liked that it wasn’t too rigid. At the Grand Bazaar, for example, we were able to wander around on our own and then meet up with the group again afterwards. Another big plus for me was that all the entrance tickets were included in the price. I researched quite a few tours before booking and with many of them you had to pay for the various entrance fees separately. I much preferred knowing the cost upfront and not having to worry about paying for extras throughout the day. The included lunch was also much better than I was expecting and we really enjoyed it. Ali managed to get us into the Harem at Topkapi Palace, even though it wasn’t officially part of the tour, which was a nice bonus. Hagia Sophia is currently under restoration so you don’t get the full effect, but it’s still definitely worth seeing, particularly with a guide who can explain the history and significance of what you’re looking at. Overall, a really good way to see the main sights of the Old Town. We had a great day and would definitely recommend it.

Ali was a fantastic guide! Explained everything that was relevant to whatever we were seeing, along with answering questions as they came by. Very friendly. The food was great as well. I’d say it’s a great tour as a way to see some of the major sites in the city!

Ali was incredible from the very beginning of the tour right through to the end. His knowledge of history, spontaneity, and knack for getting us into the right queues at exactly the right time for each attraction made the whole experience seamless and enjoyable. Best of all, his great sense of humour made what could have been a busy day feel like an absolute pleasure. This tour was truly an excellent way to experience Istanbul in just one day. If you only have one day in Istanbul, book this tour and ask for Ali. He will make your day unforgettable! 🍀

Very poor experience sadly and a bad start to Istanbul. Guide going through the motions. No interest (genuine or otherwise) and half the time walked off ahead without plainly explaining what we were looking at. Poorest tour I have ever been on and got overwhelming sense they are interested in your money only. I would have been happier tipping around by myself in sunny Istanbul!

This was a thorough tour of some key sites of Istanbul. Our guide was very pleasant and knowledgeable. It was a great start to our time in this lovely city

This is an excellent tour; our guide Muzarraf was friendly and has great historical knowledge, the sites we visited are spectacular and it was so good not to have to queue or buy tickets for the museums. The timing of the tour also works very well as there were limited crowds. We highly recommend this experience.

Shakir was a wonderful guide! He was very knowledgeable and expertly handled the full day tour with many stops at Mosques and Palace. He was very patient with my older Mom who did have trouble getting around. This tour does have transport but walking can be harder for less mobile individuals. We had a fantastic lunch and loved the tour. Thanks to Shakir again He made it so fun!

Thanks Ali for his professional guide 👍🏻 Even though it’s my 5th time to Istanbul, I still got some new knowledge and information from this tour 👍🏻 Hope to see you again next time

Full day tour, picked up at accommodation. Visited Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, the palace, brilliant lunch at a local turkish cafe with traditional meal. Optional visits to carpet emporium or leather emporium and the bazaar, whatever your interest is. Shakir was very helpful and savy, gave succinct relevant information, without droning on for no reason - we appreciated that. Luckily, no cruise ships in on the day of our tour, making entry to sites quick/ easy and comfortable. A little bit of walking through central streets and shops, which was great.

I had an incredible experience on my semi-private tour of Istanbul Old City Tour. The small group size made it feel personal and relaxed, giving plenty of opportunities to ask questions and interact with our fabulous guide Muzaffer. Thank you Muzaffer for your knowledge, friendly nature, and for sharing fascinating insights into Istanbul's rich history, culture, and local traditions. Lunch was delicious... good enough for Russell Crowe, good enough for me! Was disappointed to miss the Grand Bazaar as my tour was on a Sunday. If you're looking for a more intimate and informative way to explore Istanbul without the crowds of a large group tour, I highly recommend this experience. It was one of the highlights of my stay in Istanbul, and I left with a much deeper appreciation for this amazing city.

We had an amazing tour. The guide Ali was extremely knowledgeable, courteous and funny which made the whole experience even more enjoyable

Ali Riza Ozdemir was a fantastic guide. Friendly, fun, and very informative. We had a great time touring Istanbul with him.

Our guide Muzaffer was wonderful. Full of terrific stories and very patient with us slow walkers. Tour took us to many of the most interesting sites of Istanbul. Lunch was excellent. Would definitely recommend!

This tour requires lots of walking up hill and over uneven terrain with one bathroom break at lunch time.

Istanbul is an amazing city ! This tour shows you the highlights and their tour guides and drivers are top notch- highly recommend

Shakir was very knowledgeable and connected his stories between each site so you can see the whole historical picture. He was honest and told us not to buy anything from the grand bazaar as it is 3x the price compared to other places like the spice bazaar. The tour started right on time as they picked everyone up (who are in the same area) via separate buses and had a meeting point. He also made sure to repeat himself so the information would stick. It sucked that the Hagia Sophia was covered and under construction because of the paint deteriorating due to the humidity. The lunch was delicious as well. We got Turkish lentil soup & got to choose our main course (skewers or doner). The drinks were an extra charge (but a bottle water was 20 lira) which isn’t bad. We didn’t have cash, but they allowed us to pay using card. It was a lot in one day & I wish we had a little more time to take photos, but it was fun overall. The full day tour ended around 4pm. There was people who only had half day tour or another different tour (like boat ride & spice bazzar) who separate from the group after. But I found it very organized and a great time.

Tour guide -Muzaffar and the driver were fantastic. Great tour.. on time , professional.. guide took the time to explain everything for us. 100% recommend this tour to everyone.

Ali, you're a star. Fun and kind and lots of knowledge about the history and culture of the city. We could feel his passion for his work. Thank you for looking after us.

Fantastic tour and awesome lunch, led by an outstanding tour guide - Celal! Celal was very knowledgeable, kind, courteous, and extremely funny! Thank, Celal, for making this a memorable anniversary trip for my wife and I!!

My guide, Muzaffer, was incredibly resourceful and kind. He made me feel genuinely welcome in Turkey and led a wonderful tour, sharing thoughtful historical insights about each place we visited. Throughout the day, he was flexible, patient, and very attentive to ensuring a great experience. Among all my days in Istanbul, the day I spent touring with him was the one I enjoyed the most. I highly recommend him to anyone looking for a knowledgeable and warm guide. 😊

This was a fantastic tour! Our guide, Ali, was incredibly knowledgeable and friendly. We truly enjoyed every moment and highly recommend this experience!

Great city tour with a great guide who was very knowledgeable. Tickets already included to enter each place which is a plus. Highly recommend.

Great tour of the highlights of Sultahnamet (Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Topkaki Palace). Our guide Ali was wonderful. Highly recommend.

Brilliant day exploring the Old City! Ali was a fantastic guide - highly knowledgeable, friendly and funny. Ali made sure our day ran seamlessly with ticket purchases, delicious lunch and time to immerse ourselves in the incredible Istanbul history.

We had an excellent one-day tour of historic Istanbul with Mehmet Şakir Karadibek. He was extremely knowledgeable, professional, and engaging, bringing the city’s rich history and culture to life in a clear and enjoyable way. The tour was well paced, thoughtfully organized, and made the most of our limited time. Highly recommended for anyone wanting a meaningful introduction to Istanbul.

We had an outstanding experience exploring Istanbul with our English speaking guide, Mr. Ali. He was warm, patient, sharp-witted, and deeply knowledgeable, with a gift for storytelling that made the city’s layered history feel alive and relevant. From the Ottomans to modern Turkey, Ali connected the dots in a way that was both insightful and engaging. We covered many of Istanbul’s most iconic sites together, including Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, the Basilica Cistern, the Spice (Egyptian) Market, and a beautiful Bosphorus cruise, with time around Ortaköy Mosque and the Karaköy area as well. At each stop, Ali went beyond surface facts, weaving in historical context, cultural nuance, and small details that most guides simply gloss over. What truly stood out was how well he connected with our teenagers. They stayed engaged throughout, asked thoughtful questions, and came away genuinely excited about what they learned. That is no small feat, and it speaks volumes about Ali’s approach and personality. Ali was also exceptional with local recommendations. His suggestions for restaurants and shopping were spot-on—authentic, high-quality, and perfectly suited to what we were looking for as a family. Every recommendation elevated our experience. If you’re visiting Istanbul and want a guide who combines deep knowledge, humor, patience, and an ability to engage both adults and teens, Mr. Ali is exceptional. He played a big role in making our time in Istanbul truly memorable, and we would recommend him without hesitation

We came to Istanbul for our honeymoon and booked our tours with this company. All of the tours were wonderful. We had a great time and enjoyed a high-quality experience throughout. They were very helpful in every aspect. Thank you very much — we highly recommend them.

A special thank you to Mehmet Salir Karadbek who provided an amazing tour that felt like a walk through time. His profound knowledge of Istanbul’s rich history, paired with his passion for sharing the city’s culture, created one of the most meaningful experiences i have ever had. From historic landmarks to the everyday rhythms of local life, he brought Istanbul to life with depth, warmth, and insight. It was a tour I will cherish forever.

Our guide was incredible! Shakir spoke great English and was very professional. We had a great time and learned a lot. Highly recommend adding an extra day or 2 on to your cruise and experience a taste of Istanbul.