Turkey · City Tours

Istanbul Shore Excursion: Private Old City Tour W/ Licensed Guide

5 Hours Round trip from Pickup service provided in Istanbul. Easy pace

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The journey

Trip highlights

01 Private Istanbul shore excursion for cruise travellers
02 Visit the Hippodrome, Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, and Grand Bazaar
03 Explore Istanbul’s Byzantine and Ottoman heritage with a licensed guide
04 Customizable experience at your own pace
05 Port pickup and drop-off included
06 Public transport such as tram included
07 Shopping opportunities for carpets, leather, jewellery, Turkish delight, gold, and antique tiles

Make the most of your time in port with a private Old City tour of Istanbul’s most iconic landmarks. Designed for cruise travellers, this shore excursion combines major historic sights with the flexibility of a personalized experience, letting you explore at a comfortable pace with your licensed guide.

Visit the Hippodrome, Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, and the Grand Bazaar while learning about the city’s rich Byzantine and Ottoman heritage. The tour includes port pickup and drop-off, public transport such as tram, and time to browse local shopping stops including a carpet showroom and leather factory.

Visit the Hippodrome, Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, and the Grand Bazaar while learning about the city’s rich Byzantine and Ottoman heritage.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 5 Hours

Tour type Private

Activity level Easy

Accommodation Not included

Transport Included

Wheelchair access No

City Istanbul

Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

Hippodrome

Hippodrome, was the center of sport activities of Constantinople. Famous with 4 monuments; The German Fountain of Wilhelm II, Egyptian Obelisk, Serpentine Column and Column of Constantine.

Haghia Sophia

Haghia Sophia, is the most famous museum in Turkey and one of the greatest marvels of architecture. (Closed on Monday)

Blue Mosque

Blue Mosque, as known as the Sultanahmet Mosque, this breath-taking building is one of the most majestic Ottoman Mosques in all of Turkey. Also it was built with unique 6 minarets. (Closed on Friday)

Topkapi Palace

Topkapi Palace, which has been home to the Ottoman dynasty for many years, was used for educational administrative and as the art center of the state. Get knowledge about the imperial treasury sacred islamic relics, palace kitchens and weapons. (Closed on Tuesday)

Grand Bazaar

Grand Bazaar, is the biggest market and the most attractive shopping center of Istanbul which has lots of shopping opportunities with carpets, leather, jewellery, turkish delight, gold, antique tiles etc.. (Closed on Sunday)

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map — Round trip from Pickup service provided in Istanbul. 1 city · 5 Hours

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

All Local Taxes
Professional Licenced Tour Guide
Insurance
Public Transport Such as Tram

What's Not Included

Personal Expenses
Driver & Guide Tips - Gratitue
Food & Drinks
Admission fee to Hagia Sophia 25 €
Admission fee to Topkapi Palace 2750 TRY

Know before you go

WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE
PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION NEARBY
INFANTS MUST SIT ON LAPS
Not stroller accessible
Not suitable for pets
Infant seats unavailable
Wheelchair accessible
Not wheelchair accessible
GUARANTEED ON TIME RETURN TO THE CRUISE.
PRIVATE TOUR ONLY FOR YOUR PARTY.
EXCLUSIVE PERSONALIZED TOUR.
FOR CRUISE TRAVELERS.
Topkapi Palace entrance fee is 2750 TRY. You can pay to the guide for SKIP-THE-LINE tickets.
Hagia Sophia entarance fee is 25 €. You can pay to the guide for skip-the-line tickets.
Over 7 people must use headset at Hagia Sophia.
Pick-up: The tour includes a pick-up service from the Galataport, pick-up and drop-off by public transport such as tram, etc...

Drop-off: The tour concludes with a drop-off at the Galataport cruise port in Istanbul, allowing guests to easily return to their cruise ship.