Best of Istanbul: 1, 2 or 3 Days Private Tour with Friendly Local Guide

1- Day Private Istanbul TourDuring the tour, your guide will every day pick you up from your hotel. With the assistance of the guide, you can develop a personalized itinerary that will include all historical highlights that you always eager to see.

You will experience the eternal magic of the Old City. You will marvel at beautiful mosaic halls of the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia Museum, and Cora Museum; gaze at the unbelievable pompous decoration of the Topkapi Palace and wander through the remains of ancient obelisks of the former Hippodrome of Constantinople.The Blue Mosque is an elegant and majestic mosque built in the early 17th century. The edifice is famous for its unique interior. It has six minarets and is decorated with delicately handcrafted tiles of Iznik ceramics in a rich palette of blue color.The Topkapi Palace is a palace complex, the ancient residence of the Turkish sultans in Istanbul. The total area of the palace buildings is 70 hectares, and every square meter soaks in gold, luxury and all kinds of treasures.The Kapali Carsi or Grand Bazaar is one of the largest covered markets in the world. It has 61 streets, 4400 shops, 2195 tailor shops, 18 fountains, 12 mosques, and 12 warehouses. The bazaar rightfully considered the heart and soul of Istanbul is a place where you can feel the magical charm of the EastThe Hippodrome in Constantinople was one of the most grandiose constructions of the Byzantine Empire, built in the 3rd century. It was used as a place for horse rides, gladiator fights, triumphal processions, and festivities. Now it's a lovely square, where you will find the remains of the ancient obelisks that once decorated the grand stadium.The Hagia Sophia is a magnificent pearl of Historic Areas of Istanbul, listed in the UNESCO World Heritage sites. It was originally built as the main Orthodox cathedral during the Byzantine Empire, converted into the main mosque after the Ottoman invasion in 1453, and now is a museum.

2- Day Private Istanbul TourAt local bazaars, you will meet one of the most welcoming nations of the world, the Turks. The Grand Bazaar will amuse you by its massive size and a wide diversity of shining jewelry, colorful clothes, and other peculiar things. The Spice Bazaar will treat you with the most delicious Turkish delights and a cup of strong Turkish coffee.

You will take a relaxing walk on Taksim Square and then go on a cruise over the Bosphorus Strait, the best way to fully observe the city skyline.The Dolmabahce Palace is a lavish historical complex located on the shores of the famous Bosphorus Strait in Istanbul. The palace was built in a completely uncharacteristic Baroque style for Turkish architecture as an unusual imperial whim.Taksim Square is a metropolis district located between the Golden Horn and the Bosphorus Strait. It is the ideal where you can explore the modern life of Turkey, explore famous Istiklal Street, go shopping, and try gastronomy tourism.The Spice Bazaar is a real discovery for those with a sweet tooth. Vendors offer everyone an amazing selection of honey, jerked and smoked meats, all kinds of cheeses, Turkish delight, and the famous Turkish sweets.The Bosphorus is a strait that connects two continents, two civilizations, two different worlds - Europe and Asia. You can take Public Ferry Cruise or Private Cruise to enjoy the stunning view of the city skyline.

3- Day Private Istanbul TourYou will be surprised to find an orthodox church in Turkey. Fener Rum Patrikhanesi has a beautiful and authentic interior and immerses you into a very quiet and peaceful atmosphere.

As the last destination, you can visit the most aristocratic and fashionable district of Istanbul, Kadiköy district. After your tour is over, your guide will drop you off at your hotel.The Galata Tower is an iconic landmark in Istanbul. The building itself is 61 meters high and along with the hill is 140 meters above sea level. You can see it from any part of the historical center of the Turkish capitalFener Rum Patrikhanesi is the official center of orthodox Christian belief in Turkey. The church has a beautiful and authentic interior, dark wood stalls with the heads of griffins on the armrests, a gilded carved iconostasis, and a very quiet and peaceful atmosphere.The Chora Museum is a brilliant architectural monument of the Byzantine period, an ancient church founded in the 4th-5th century and preserved in our time. Most of the survived mosaics and frescoes date from the 11th century and illustrate biblical stories.Pierre Loti Hill is an observation deck on a hill with a panoramic view of Istanbul. It is placed at an altitude of 53 meters above sea level and reveals an amazing view of the Golden Horn and the city.Kadiköy is one of the oldest regions of Turkey. There are few tourists and you can quietly stroll along the old picturesque streets, view Haydarpaşa railway station, and the famous statue of a bull.