Country: Turkey


Explore the city of Istanbul in Turkey, whether on a city break or as part of a longer trip. Short tours and activities for Istanbul and nearby attractions are shown below (where available). You can also check out a wide range of guidebooks from the link above and explore flight and accomodation options from our industry leading partners below.


Turkey's most important city spans Europe and Asia across the Bosphorus and has been capital of three empires - Eastern Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman throughout its history (including its previous incarnations as Byzantium and Constantinople). This has left it with an incredibly rich historical heritage that makes it one of the great cities of the world. The Blue Mosque is perhaps the city's most famous sight, built by the Sultan Ahmet I in the 17th century, with a stunningly impressive scale and elegant design. Aya Sophia was built as a Byzantine Christian church in the 6th century, converted to a mosque after the Islamic takeover in the 15th century and now a museum. Its huge dome and walls include some superb mosaics. The 4th century Hippodrome of Constantine was the site of political demonstrations, chariot races and polo matches. Topaki Palace, built in Islamic style, was the home of the Ottoman sultans for four centuries. Other buildings of note include Suleymaniye Mosque, the Kariye Camii church and the ancient ramparts and aqueduct. One of Istanbul's most famous attractions is the vast Grand Bazaar, a labyrinth of some 4000 covered shops, cafés and restaurants, where you can haggle for jewellery, clothes, sweets and spices.

 

Tours of Istanbul

There are 29 General tours for Istanbul available, click on the icons above for other types of tours.


Price: £244

Duration: 4 days

DETAILS & BOOK

4-Day ANZAC Tour: Istanbul, Gallipoli and Troy

If you only have a few days in Turkey and want to see the major highlights, this is the tour for you. This four-day trip takes you to Troy, Gallipoli and Istanbul, combining Turkey's vibrant capital and surrounding historic sites.


Price: £248

Duration: 4 days

DETAILS & BOOK

4-Day Istanbul City Stay Package

If this is your first time to Istanbul and you want to see all the highlights of this amazing city at a leisurely pace, this is the tour for you. This four-day stay will take you to the palaces of Topkapi and dolmabahce, the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia and there's even time for shopping in the Grand Bazaar to pickup a souvenir or two.


Price: £33

Duration: day tour

DETAILS & BOOK

Asiatic Coast

You will first stop at the Beylerbeyi Palace, a lavishly furnished summer palace of the late sultans. Then it's on to Camlca Hill to witness breathtaking views of Istanbul and Bosphorus. Last but certainly not least you will visit Bagdat Street the most popular street on the Asian side of Istanbul, with elegant boutiques and shops sure to tempt!


Price: £33

Duration: day tour

DETAILS & BOOK

Byzantine and Ottoman Marvels

Enjoy a full morning discovering these marvels. You will visit the Blue Mosque one of the best examples of classical Turkish art. This 17th Century Ottoman Mosque is famous for being the only one in the world with 6 minarets built in the name of Sultan Ahmet. You will then visit the Hippodrome, which is the centre of sporting events (chariot racing etc) and political activities of the old city. Next you will visit St Sophia one of the greatest marvels of architecture constructed as a basilica in the 6th Century and referred to as the 8th Wonder of the World today. You will also view the Suleymaniye Mosque, a masterpiece of famous architect Sinan, built in the name of Suleyman the Magnificent during the 16th Century. Then its on to the Grand Bazaar, a most attractive shopping centre and the biggest souk in the world with nearly 4000 shops of antiques, jewellery, gold, carpets and leatherwear.


Price: £41

Duration: 8 hrs

DETAILS & BOOK

Byzantine and Ottoman Relics

Tour the Sultan Ahmet Center of Istanbul the heart of the Old City from where the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires ruled.


Price: £33

Duration: day tour

DETAILS & BOOK

Byzantine and Ottoman Wonders

Enjoy an afternoon wondering at these delights! Enjoy a visit to the Rustem Pasa Mosque, a 16th Century Ottoman Mosque known to have the best examples of handmade Iznik tiles, not only inside but outside the mosque as well. You will then visit the Topkapi Palace, the imperial residence of Ottoman Sultans exhibiting Chinese porcelain, caligraphy and much more. Then it’s on to the spice market an oriental shopping area where spices, herbs, fruit and vegetables are sold.


Price: £240

Duration: 3 hrs

DETAILS & BOOK

Cosmopolis - Istiklal Street Private Walking Seminar

A private tour of Istanbuls famous Istiklal Street heart of the citys 19th and 20th diplomatic quarter and resonant with the sights and smells of a place that is part Middle Eastern and part European.


Price: £54

Duration: 3 hrs

DETAILS & BOOK

Cosmopolis - Istiklal Street Small Group Walking Seminar

A group tour of Istanbuls famous Istiklal Street heart of the citys 19th and 20th diplomatic quarter and resonant with the sights and smells of a place that is part Middle Eastern and part European.


Price: £20

Duration: 3 hrs

DETAILS & BOOK

Golden Horn Bus Tour and Bosphorus Cruise

Go on a bus tour around Golden Horn walk through the Spice Bazaar and then cruise the Bosphorus one of the most beautiful sights in the world. It is a strait between the two continents of Europe and Asia.


Price: £240

Duration: 3 hrs

DETAILS & BOOK

Hagia Sofia Private Walking Seminar

Enjoy this private scholar-led tour of the Hagia Sofia one of the most important buildings in the world.


Price: £54

Duration: 3 hrs

DETAILS & BOOK

Hagia Sofia Small Group Walking Seminar

Enjoy this group scholar-led tour of the Hagia Sofia one of the most important buildings in the world.


Price: £31

Duration: 4 hours

DETAILS & BOOK

Hidden Istanbul

After a basic Orientation of the must sees and a visit to the grand Blue Mosque we get off the beaten track to discover Hidden istanbul. We explore the Grand Bazzar, Suleymainye Mosque Complex, Rustem Pasha Mosque with our local guide who points out the best photographic opportunities. We also head into the hectic trading district before delving in to the local Markets to treat our taste buds and following our noses to the Famous Spice market to taste test authentic Turkish Delight.


Price: £30

Duration: 4 hrs

DETAILS & BOOK

Hidden Istanbul - Small Group Tour

Visit the monumental Aya Sofya church-turned-mosque now a museum then walk up the Divanyolu and explore the Grand Bazaar. Pass by the Book bazaar along the way and continue to Suleymaniye Mosque Complex with the local guide who points out the best photographic opportunities and time to try turkish tea in the picturesque hidden garden. Return to the busy and lively bazaar area after passing the impressive Istanbul University.


Price: £240

Duration: 3 hrs

DETAILS & BOOK

History and Continuity in Istanbul - Private Walking Seminar

A private tour of the neighborhoods along the Golden Horn starting from Fener the Greek patriarchate continuing to Balat and ending in Eyup.


Price: £54

Duration: 3 hrs

DETAILS & BOOK

History and Continuity in Istanbul - Small Group Walking Seminar

A group tour of the neighborhoods along the Golden Horn starting from Fener the Greek patriarchate continuing to Balat and ending in Eyup.


Price: £30

Duration: day tour

DETAILS & BOOK

Imperial Istanbul Half-day Tour: Hagia Sophia and Grand Bazaar

Discover Imperial Istanbul on this half-day sightseeing tour. Visit Hagia Sophia, which is today one of the most magnificent museums in the world, the Blue Mosque Hippodrome with its Egyptian Obelisk, a remarkable pink granite monumnet built 3,500 years ago by an Egyptian pharoah. Last but not least experience the Grand Bazar of Istanbul.


Price: £41

Duration: day tour

DETAILS & BOOK

Istanbul in One Day Sightseeing Tour: Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Grand Bazaar

This comprehensive sightseeing tour of Istanbul provides the perfect introduction to the fabled city that spans Asia and Europe. On this one day sightseeing tour you will see how old meets new when you visit Istanbul's four must-see historic sites.


Price: £30

Duration: day tour

DETAILS & BOOK

Istanbul Ottoman Relics Half-Day Tour: Topkapi Palace and the Mosque of Soleman the Magnificent

Spend the afternoon exploring Istanbul's Ottoman past at the enchanting Topkapi Palace and the Mosque of Soleman the Magnificent, the biggest Mosque in Istanbul.


Price: £30

Duration: day tour

DETAILS & BOOK

Istanbul Two Continents Half-Day Tour

From the opulent palaces of Istanbul's European shore to magnificent views from the city's Asian side, this leisurely four-hour afternoon tour shows you the best of magical Istanbul.


Price: £22

Duration: 4 hours

DETAILS & BOOK

Old & New Istanbul

Get to know both the old and new in Modern Istanbul, take a stroll through exciting Taksim and Beyoglu, check out the latest in Fashion, Art and food, Explore the back streets and passages to secret courtyards in the other side known as Pera, Visit Greek, Armenian and Catholic Churches in an Islamic country, Enjoy Turkish coffee and have your fortune told, Discover the secrets of Galata once home to the Jews in Istanbul.


Price: £21

Duration: 4 hrs

DETAILS & BOOK

Old and New Istanbul - Small Group Tour

Get to know both the old and the new Istanbul! Take a stroll through exciting Taksim and Beyoglu. Check out the latest in fashion art and food. Explore the back streets and passages to secret courtyards in the other side known as Pera. Visit Greek Armenian and Catholic churches in an Islamic country. Enjoy Turkish coffee and have your fortune told. Discover the secrets of Galata once home to the Jews in Istanbul.


Price: £240

Duration: 3 hrs

DETAILS & BOOK

Ottoman Architecture - Private Walking Seminar

Enjoy this private tour of the great mosques of Istanbul led by an architectural historian.


Price: £54

Duration: 3 hrs

DETAILS & BOOK

Ottoman Architecture - Small Group Walking Seminar

Set out on this group tour of the great mosques of Istanbul led by an architectural historian.


Price: £60

Duration: day tour

DETAILS & BOOK

Princes Island

After breakfast, enjoy a full day sightseeing tour to the Princes’ Islands by public boat. Cruise in the Marmara Sea to the Princes Islands with a stop at Buyukada, a popular resort with sandy beaches and pinewood scenery. Once known as the pleasure island of Byzantine Princes, enjoy a tour of the Island by horse drawn carriage, then a spot of lunch by the Sea of Marmara. After lunch there is some free time for you to sight see and shop before returning to Istanbul.


Price: £54

Duration: day tour

DETAILS & BOOK

Private Half-day Tour: Imperial Istanbul - Hagia Sophia and Grand Bazaar

Discover Imperial Istanbul on this private half-day sightseeing tour. Visit Hagia Sophia, which is today one of the most magnificent museums in the world and look for a bargain at the Grand Bazaar. At the Hippodrome see the famous obelisk from Egypt, a remarkable pink granite monument built 3,500 years ago by an Egyptian pharoah.


Price: £54

Duration: day tour

DETAILS & BOOK

Private Half-Day Tour: Istanbul Ottoman Splendour - Topkapi and Suleymaniye Mosque

Spend the afternoon exploring Istanbul's Ottoman past at the enchanting Topkapi Palace and the superb Suleymaniye Mosque on this private half-day tour.


Price: £54

Duration: day tour

DETAILS & BOOK

Private Half-Day Tour: Istanbul's Two Continents

From the opulent palaces of Istanbul's European shore to magnificent views from the city's Asian side, this leisurely four-hour private afternoon tour shows you the best of magical Istanbul.


Price: £87

Duration: day tour

DETAILS & BOOK

Private Tour: Istanbul in One Day Sightseeing Tour including Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia and Topkapi P

Take a hassle-free tour of Istanbul's most famous attractions with your own private guide to lead the way. You'll enjoy personalized attention on your private tour of magical Istanbul and its signature sights: the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia and Topkapi Palace.


Price: £69

Duration: day tour

DETAILS & BOOK

Private Tour: Istanbul's Jewish Heritage

Discover Istanbul's Jewish culture on this private half-day tour. Visit the Galata Tower, one of the most prominent landmarks in the city on the European side.You will also visit the synagogues of Neve Shalom, Ashkenaz and Ortakoy.

Book Flights to and Accomodation in Istanbul

Plan your trip to Turkey by booking best value flights and accomodation with our industry-leading partners.