Best of Istanbul: 1, 2 or 3-Day Private Guided Istanbul Tour

1. Days: İstanbul

Highlights of Topkapi Palace Museum; (Topkapi Sarayi) More than just an Imperial Residence of Ottoman Sultans. It was seat of Supreme Executive Council for almost 400 years long. Topkapi Palace is a great monument of Oriental architecture which resembles power of Ottoman Empire.

Byzantine Hippodrome / Sultanahmet Square; where chariot races were held in Roman Empire times, Egyptian Column from Byzantine Empire time. Today German Fountain is cornerstone of square.

Hagia Sophia (skip the line service is not available for active mosques – there is a queue for the entrance); (Ayasofya, Santa Sofia) Built in 6th century by Emperor Justinian. It plays a very important role in Christian and Islamic World. After the Ottoman conquest the bells, altar, and sacrificial vessels were removed, and many mosaics were covered to convert church into a mosque.

Blue Mosque (skip the line service is not available for active mosques – there is a queue for the entrance); built in the early 1600s for Sultan Ahmet I of the Ottoman Empire. Blue Mosque is truly a magnificent masterpiece of architecture, with amazingly delicate proportions for a building of such massive scale.

Grand Bazaar; (Kapali Carsi); the largest and oldest covered markets in the world with over 4,000 shops. You can find colourful products of ceramic, leather, rugs, carpets, handicrafts, clothes, silver, and gold.

After completing your private Istanbul tour here, your private guide will accompany you on the way back to your Hotel or Sultanahmet Square.

2. Days: İstanbul

Spice Market; A colorful indoor bazaar and has lots of shops offering a variety of products. Some of them are spices, purses, flavored teas, Turkish delight, nuts, as well as ceramics, and small souvenirs. Spice Bazaar is located in Eminonu Square which is the connection place of Bosphorus and Golden Horn.

Bosphorus Cruise; is operated with public ferry to see both Istanbul’s European and Asian side. On the way we see Galata Tower, Dolmabahce Palace, Beylerbeyi Palace, Rumeli Fortress, old Ottoman villas, Bosphorus bridge, mosques. Your best Istanbul tour memories will be in Bosphorus. * Please advise if you prefer Private Yacht Option for Bosphorus Cruise.

Dolmabahce Palace; Elegance and beauty with most luxury decoration, chandeliers, rugs, crystals, ceramic fireplaces. Beautiful palace, right on the Bosphorus with gorgeous furnishings, paintings, porcelains made for Dolmabahce.

Taksim Square; A great place defining modern Turkey which witnessed important historical moments.

Cicek Passage; A combined structure of traditional and modern construction methods and architecture style by Ottoman Empire is reflected here. Cicek Passage has very good food joints, cafes, shops, bars, night clubs around Taksim.

Istiklal Street; (Istiklal Caddesi) and Galata Tower along with embassies of European countries in Taksim.

After finishing your private Istanbul trip here, your private guide can drop you off back to your Hotel or Sultanahmet Square.

3. Days: İstanbul

Suleymaniye Mosque; is the largest mosque in Istanbul and impressive both inside and out. Suleymaniye terrace offers lovely views of the Golden Horn and Bosphorus.

Fener District; Continue exploring Istanbul’s rich religious history with a stop at Church of St. George. Since 1600s, the church has been the location of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople. It is recognized as the religious center of Eastern Orthodox Religion.

Balat District; lines of drying laundry stretch across steep, winding streets. Century-old Ottoman houses lean against each other in a combination of reds, blues, and greens. And art galleries and design shops along water.

St. Stephen Church; Located on the shore of Golden Horn. Known as Iron Church because it’s made entirely of iron in 19th century.

Pierre Lotti Hill & Cable Car; offers great view of Golden Horn for visitors. Take cable car to reach the top and enjoy beautiful scenery while drinking Turkish coffee or tea.

Rahmi Koc Museum; here we visit industrial and cultural museum built by famous family of Koc. The family were leading power of Turkish Republic in industrial field since early period of 20th century.

Alternative sites for Rahmi Koc Museum; Kadikoy Neighborhood by public ferry or Istanbul Archaeological Museum

After ending your private Istanbul tour here, your private guide can drop you off back to your hotel or Sultanahmet Square.