Istanbul Tour
Skip the lines and maximise your time with a private guide, tickets and pickup included.
The Blue Mosque, the first stop of the tour.
Cascading domes and semi-domes.
Hagia Sophia, the Sanctuary of Holy Wisdom.
Inside the dome of Hagia Sophia.
The Basilica Cistern, rebuilt by Justinian.
Walkways between the cistern columns.
The Hippodrome quarter at the end of the day.
Make the most of your time in Istanbul with a private, exclusive skip-the-line tour. Your guide leads you through the city's greatest landmarks while pre-purchased skip-line tickets save you from waiting in queues. Free pick-up and drop-off from city-centre hotels is provided in an air-conditioned vehicle for a comfortable day exploring Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, the Basilica Cistern, the Hippodrome, the Grand Bazaar and more.
Blue Mosque
The Blue Mosque is an important feature of Ottoman history. Its architecture is revered for its grandeur, and the interior boasts intricate design and artwork. Sitting on a hill on top of an old Byzantine palace structure, it stands beside the famed Hippodrome and Hagia Sophia. The exterior combines red granite, marble, pudding stone and porphyry, while the interior adds ceramic tiling and wooden features.
Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque
Hagia Sophia means Church or Sanctuary of Holy Wisdom. Important to Christians as the former seat of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, it is known for its architectural splendour, its art and its rich history, symbolising the consolidation of Roman political and religious power through the ceremonial coronation of emperors.
Basilica Cistern
Explore the unique Basilica Cistern, or Yerebatan Palace, in the Sultanahmet district. Built under the Stoa Basilica and rebuilt by Emperor Justinian in the 6th century, it supplied filtered drinking water to the Great Palace and, after 1453, to Topkapi Palace.
Hippodrome
The story of the Hippodrome of Constantinople begins in ancient times, dating from the early 3rd century AD and built on the orders of Emperor Septimius Severus. It became the ceremonial heart of the city when Constantine the Great made Constantinople the capital of the Roman Empire.
Grand Bazaar
The Grand Bazaar was commissioned by Mehmet II in 1453 and construction began in 1461. Once a wooden structure, it is now entirely built of stone and brick. Its oldest sections, the Cevahir and Sandal Bedestens, are typical examples of classical Ottoman architecture.
Sultanahmet District and Workshops
Enjoy the views of the Sultanahmet area while walking between the sights, then learn about the craft of Turkish rug weaving and try a pottery workshop with a professional artist.
