expedia
A group of people standing and looking at a historic building with domes and minarets. 1
A logo with a crescent and star design and the text 'ISTANBUL CURATED'. 2
A cityscape with a prominent mosque and minarets in the background. 3
A group of people sitting on steps in front of a large, ornate building with a red door. 4
An interior of a grand building with ornate architecture, including a large chandelier and intricate ceiling designs. 5
By Istanbul Curated
Free cancellation available
Price is RM 682 per adult
See tickets

Features

  • Free cancellation available
  • 6h
  • Mobile voucher
  • Instant confirmation
  • Multiple languages

Overview

  • A private walking tour of Istanbul's old city with a licensed guide who tells it through its legends, with the option to finish with a personal shopper in the Grand Bazaar. 638+ reviews at 4.90 across many different platforms.

    Walk from Gülhane Park to Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, the Hippodrome, and the Basilica Cistern. At the Grand Bazaar you choose: shop with your guide (allow 2 hours) or walk on to Süleymaniye Mosque. On the way, find out why one angel's face in Hagia Sophia is uncovered and which minaret was made of jewellery.

    Tickets are not included: Hagia Sophia is €25 and the Basilica Cistern about ₺1.950 per person (2026 prices, they may change). We will buy your tickets together at the gate.

    Good to know:
    • Meet at the entrance of Gülhane Park facing the tram line (Alemdar Cd. No:30).
    • 4 to 6 hours, private, in English, Spanish or Turkish.
    • Coming by cruise? Tell us your all-aboard time.

    Istanbul Curated - TÜRSAB License No: A-14135

Activity location

  • Gulhane Park
    • Alemdar Mah. Alemdar Cad. Eminonu/Cagaloglu, Fatih,
    • 34122, Istanbul, Turkiye

Meeting/Redemption Point

  • Tarihi Çeşme
    • No:30 Alemdar Caddesi
    • 34122, Cankurtaran, İstanbul, Türkiye

Check availability

Istanbul Private Old Town and Shopping Tour in Grand Bazaar

  • Activity duration is 6 hours6h
    6h
  • English
Price details
RM 408.68 x 2 AdultsRM 817.36
Paid at activityRM 546.74
Total
Price is RM 1,364.10

What's included, what's not

  • Inclusions
    Coffee, tea and water during the tour
  • Inclusions
    Licensed private guide
  • Exclusions
    Hagia Sophia entry ticket
  • Exclusions
    Basilica Cistern entry ticket

Know before you book

    • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
    • Public transportation options are available nearby
    • Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Activity itinerary

Gulhane Park

  • 20m
This amazing park with full of roses and tulips was once the backyard of Ottomans, here we can take lovely pictures and breathe the atmosphere of a royal family garden.

Hagia Sophia Mosque

  • 20m
  • Admission ticket not included
Hagia Sophia is the most remarkable historical site of the city. There are too many legends to talk about here, I will tell you the brief story of the temple and then go into details, one by one. The entrance of the place is 25 Euros and is not included in the price of the tour. If you want to go, you have to let me know beforehand so I can get the tickets in advance to avoid the lines. Hagia Sophia: entry ticket not included (€25 for foreign visitors). We will buy your tickets together at the gate.

Sultanahmet Square

  • 30m
This square was the main square of two big Empires, Roman Empire and Ottoman Empire and it still has the significant importance. I will tell you the whole story of it starting from Constantine the Great to nowadays. We will go on a terrace for taking pictures and talking generally about the whole history of the area.

Blue Mosque

  • 20m
We will go into the Blue Mosque to envy the amazing tiles of the place and talk about the history of it.

Hippodrome

  • 20m
We will be standing on the site of historical hipodrome and I will show you the remaining of the hipodome. Plus, there are going to be some interesting stories that I will be telling about whatever has happened on the area.

Basilica Cistern

  • 20m
  • Admission ticket not included
See the amazing underground water storage a.k.a Basilica Cistern, where you will feel like being in an underground palace. This place hides lots of beauties and sculptures with hidden stories behind that you will unveil with us! Basilica Cistern: entry ticket not included (about ₺1.950, 2026). We will buy your tickets together at the gate.

Cemberlitas Sutunu

  • 10m
The Avenue of Constantine the Great, we will learn why there is a column and what happened to the statue on it.

Kapali Carsi

  • 15m
4.000 store marketplace. Almost 600 years old history. One of the most remarkable places in Istanbul. Here, you have a choice. If you were already planning to come to Grand Bazaar for shopping anyways, as I am an expert guide on the bazaar (You can see I have another tour just focusing on Shopping in Grand Bazaar), I will help you with your shopping and once your shopping is done we will end the tour here. In my expertise, the shortest shopping takes 2 hours. If you are not interested in shopping, then we will go on with the other places that are after here. However, in case you want to do shopping, you have to let me know beforehand so I can curate a personalized route for you in the bazaar. Of course, I will recommend you amazing stores with great quality and help you bargain. (Most of the guides do not bargain, just leave you at random stores and wait outside, I act more like a personal shopper.)

Beyazit Square

  • 10m
In case you decide to not do shopping and go on with the other places to see, we will see one of the main squares of the Roman Empire and where Istanbul University is located now. We will be talking about the history around here and we will see so many cats on the venue.

Suleymaniye Mosque

  • 30m
The Balcony of Istanbul. One of the most important and best viewed Imperial Mosques of Istanbul. We will finish our tour while resting with the beautiful view here. Again, we will only come here if you want to not do shopping in the bazaar.

Location

Activity location

  • LOB_ACTIVITIESLOB_ACTIVITIES
    Gulhane Park
    • Alemdar Mah. Alemdar Cad. Eminonu/Cagaloglu, Fatih,
    • 34122, Istanbul, Turkiye

Meeting/Redemption Point

  • PEOPLEPEOPLE
    Tarihi Çeşme
    • No:30 Alemdar Caddesi
    • 34122, Cankurtaran, İstanbul, Türkiye

Best Deals on Things to Do

Experience the wonders of the world up close with great deals on things to do near and far. Expedia offers one-of-a-kind activities that allow you to explore Istanbul your way. Whether you love nature, culture, food or a bit of adventure, we have the perfect activity for you.

Top experiences in Istanbul

With so many things to do in Istanbul, planning the perfect day out may seem like a daunting task. Expedia is here to take the hassle out of finding the best attractions, tours and activities in Istanbul. Families, couples and business travellers can all find the perfect activity in Istanbul to create life-long memories with the help of Expedia.