Istanbul Guided Private Tours
Guided Istanbul Tours
Guided Istanbul Tours by Istanbul Private Tour Guides
Private Istanbul Tours guided by experienced guides. Our guided istanbul tours include the most visited sites in Istanbul such as St. Sophia, Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace as well we also offer you many types of tour options that are totally different than the other itineraries you have been offered. All of our tours are conducted by dynamic, licensed and expert local guides with many years of experience behind them.
Private Istanbul Tours
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Dear Visitors,
All the tours we list below are private tours. We are specialized on only private tours and we do not have group tours.As all the tours are private tours our rates change due to the number of attendance and also location of your hotel so please send us an e-mail for the most accurate costing .
On the other hand as we are a fully licensed travel agency so our tour rates will include museum entrance fee, transportation and Istanbul Private Tour Guide.
Classical Private Istanbul Tour
This is a full day private walking tour, as all the places are less than 5 minutes walking distance from each other. The tour starts at the Hippodrome, a center for sport activities and ceremonies and it is also famous for the chariot races during the Roman and the Byzantine era.
After the Hippodrome we will visit Blue Mosque. The Blue Mosque is the second largest mosque in Istanbul and it was built during the Ottoman Period. It is known for its blue Iznik tiles and being the only Ottoman mosque with 6 minarets.
Then we will visit Topkapi Palace, which was the main palace of the Ottoman Sultans until 1856. Many famous exhibitions are housed in the palace. The Imperial Treasury is another part of the palace and it has an 86 carat diamond on display. We will have a splendid view of the Bosporus and the Golden Horn from the palace.
After here we will have a lunch break and continue to Hagia Sophia, one of the most important buildings in the history of world architecture. Built as a church by the Byzantines and decorated with mosaic tile icons, it then served as a mosque during the Ottoman era. You will definitely be impressed by being in a 1500 years old museum.
The tour ends with a visit to the Grand Bazaar. It is the largest bazaar in the world with its 52 small streets and more than 4000 shops.
For more information and costs E-mail us info@guidedistanbultour.com
Or use the form at our Contact Page
(We aim to reply all mails within 24 hours. )
* Private professional English speaking tour guide.
* All entrance fees to the sites.
* Private transportation by non-smoking air-conditioned vehicles.
Golden Istanbul Tour
This is a special private Istanbul tour including some of the most unique places in the city but also which are difficult to visit on your own. The tour will take you to the roots of historic Istanbul with visit to the monuments of Byzantine and Ottoman cultural heritage. As the places of visit are all located out of the touristic centers, you will also have the chance to visit the current daily local life.
The first stop is Suleymaniye Mosque was built on the order of Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent and constructed by the great Ottoman architect Sinan. The construction work began in 1550 and the mosque was finished in 1557. The mosque is modeled in part on the style of a Byzantine basilica, particularly the Hagia Sophia, which was perhaps a conscious move on the part of the sultan to create a continuity and a symbolic connection with the city's past. Driving along the city walls will end at one of the oldest and most important churches in the city - The Church of Chora - representing fascinating wall paintings which tell the life of Christ in an historical order. Even though the building itself being small, the meaning was great for Byzantines as being founded at the borders of the city and welcoming the visitors. Today the environment is restored and this is a good place to spend time with local artisans and wooden houses.
After the church, we will have a tea-coffee break at one of the most splendid spots of Istanbul with a beautiful view over the Golden Horn - Pierre Loti Hill. Than you will again start drive but that time along the shores of Golden Horn through the towns Fener and Balat which are the old Greek and Jewish living sites. Fener Orthodox Patriarchate is located in the area as well.
After lunch, Our next destination will be the Dolmabahce Palace the last residence for Ottoman Sultans with 365 rooms and 22 saloons. Famous with the great collection of European antiquity, furniture and 4.5 tons chandelier. This will be our last stop after visit we will drive back to your hotel. End of the tour
For more information and costs E-mail us : info@guidedistanbultour.com
Or use the form at our Contact Page
(We aim to reply all mails within 24 hours. )
Included Services:
* Private professional English speaking tour guide.
* All entrance fees to the sites.
* Private transportation by non-smoking air-conditioned vehicles.
* Pick up from the hotel.
* Drop off to the hotel.
Istanbul Food Tour
Special Offers
Locally escorted 8 days of special Turkey tour including Cappadocia and Ephesus
Long day tour to Gallipoli departing from Istanbul. The tour runs with private vehicle and guide for details click here.
Why to take a tour of Istanbul
Istanbul.... A city which is spread across Asia and Europe, separated by the Bosphorus and with a population of 17 million.It was the land for the Romans, Byzantiums and Ottomans.
All of them left something behind: churches, mosques, palaces and cisterns, etc.
However there is more to Istanbul then just its history. Istanbul is also a modern city with thousands of cafes and bars as well as many famous brand shops. So no matter what your interests are, there are plenty of things to do and see in Istanbul.
Let us help you see the real Istanbul from a locals perspective. We have high quality guided Istanbul tours all operated as private Istanbul tours with licensed and experienced guide .
Please feel free to contact us is you have any questions
From kebabs to baklava to Turkish delight, Turkish food is famous the world over. While many people have enjoyed more than the odd kebab in their time, there is so much more to Turkish food than just kebabs as you will discover on the Private Istanbul Walking Food Tour.
The tour takes you off the beaten track so you can sample the real tastes of Istanbul and experience delicious Turkish delicacies you may not have known existed. While discovering local markets you will also gain an overview of Turkish history and culture while appreciating the unique architecture of Istanbul. Whether you are a food expert or just love food the Istanbul Food Tour will fulfil your eating dreams.
The tour will start when you are picked up from your hotel and begin with a walk around the Spice market. Where you will have a chance to see where locals have been buying their spices for hundreds of years. We will then walk from Galata bridge to Karakoy where we have our Turkish breakfast which includes Turkish menemen, sucuklu omlet, kaymak and honey. Then we will catch a metro up to Pera and walk along the famous Istiklal street. We will make a tea stop and you will have the chance to learn how to play backgammon.
In the afternoon we will catch a ferry to from the European side of Istanbul to the Asian side to Kadikoy (Kalkedon ancient name that means city of the blind) where you are going to taste Mersin's tantuni or if you are feeling adventurous maybe be have liver wrap. We will continue to the fish market where you can sample stuffed or fried mussels as well as pickles. Turkish people love their pickles and we will visit a shop that only sells pickles.
A Turkish food tour would not be complete without sampling Turkish coffee and desserts. So after indulging we will then catch a ferry back to the Europe side of Istanbul where the tour will conclude.
For more information and costs E-mail us : info@guidedistanbultour.com
Or use the form at our Contact Page
(We aim to reply all mails within 24 hours. )
Included Services:
* Private professional English speaking tour guide.
* All food samples listed on the web site and even more.
* Public transportation fees.
* Pick up from the hotel.
* Drop off to the hotel.
Museums of Istanbul
If you are seeking for a great cultural activity in Istanbul and want have an excellent experience of Istanbul museums this tour will cover all your expectations.
The Private Istanbul Tour starts with a pick up from your hotel by your guide and driver.The first stop will be the Archeology Museum of Istanbul . The Istanbul Archaeological Museum houses over one million objects, the most extraordinary of which are the sarcophagi that date back as far as the 4th century BC. The museum excels, however, in its rich chronological collection of locally found artifacts that shed light on the origins and history of the city.
Then you will visit Turkish and Islamic Art Museum. Its beautiful building has been given to the Grand Vizir Ibrahim Pasha as a gift from Sultan Suleyman in 1520. Turkish and Islamic Works Museum exhibits almost all periods and all types of Islamic art. It has a collection exceeding forty thousand works.
After the lunch break we walk over to the celebrated Church of Holy Wisdom (Haghia Sofia). The original building was completed in AD 537 and part of its extraordinary appeal is simply the fact that it’s still standing! Once inside, as you look up into the great dome that inspired generations of Ottoman architects (notably MinarSinan) it is easy to understand the awe that medieval travellers must have felt when they first stepped over the threshold. The immense scale of the building becomes even more apparent when you head up to the cavernous gallery level, where the best of the original mosaics can be viewed.
Our last stop will be the Mosaic Museum located in the Sultanahmet area of Istanbul, contains a small yet evocative collection of mosaics, found on the spot by archaeologists looking for remains of the Byzantine imperial palace. Experts believe that they date from the reign of Justinian the Great (r. 527–565). The tour ends with a drop back to your hotel.
Above program can not be operated on Mondays.
Mosaic Museum is replaced with Underground Cistern on Wednesdays
For more information and costs E-mail us : info@guidedistanbultour.com
Or use the form at our Contact Page
(We aim to reply all mails within 24 hours. )
Included Services:
* Private professional English speaking tour guide.
* All entrance fees to the sites.
* Private transportation by non-smoking air-conditioned vehicles.
Jewish Heritage Istanbul Tour
This is another full day tour. You will be meet by your guide at 09.00am at your hotel. Than drive to downtown Beyoglu & Pera and walk down Istiklal Avenue to the Galata quarter, a Jewish community neighborhood for centuries with many synagogues and bustling street life. There we visit the Ashkenazi Synagogue, which serves the community of European Jews. En route, see the cosmopolitan nature of the city passing historic diplomatic posts, handsome old houses, fashionable boutiques and cafes.
We will give a break at Galata Tower, once the high-point of the city, which has a spectacular views over the city. Also visit the Neve Shalom Synagogue, the largest modern synagogue in the city center to a strong Jewish community. After we will visit the Jewish Museum in this area. Later in the afternoon, we cross to the Western shore of the Golden Horn to take a stroll through the atmospheric old streets in the Jewish quarter of Balat, where many Jewish immigrants settled to help repopulate the city under Sultan Bayezid II. Today the Star of David can be seen on the facades of some buildings. Also in this colorful area, we visit the Ottoman Baroque style Ahrida Synagogue, with beautiful furnishings, including the bema (pulpit) shaped like the prow of a ship. Drop off to the hotel. End of the Tour.
Please note that Jewish Synagogue needs entrance Permissions:
All advance entry permissions necessary for entering the synagogues are arranged by us prior to the tour. Advance reservations advised.
For more information and costs E-mail us : info@guidedistanbultour.com
Or use the form at our Contact Page
(We aim to reply all mails within 24 hours. )
Included Services:
* Private professional English speaking tour guide.
* All entrance fees to the sites.
* Private transportation by non-smoking air-conditioned vehicles.
Pera Walk with Bosphorus cruise by private yacht
You are going to meet with your guide at 09.00 am at the hotel reception. We will catch a minibus up to Taksim, also known as Pera and is one of the main centres of Istanbul. Walking down Istiklal Street, the main street in Taksim, you will feel like you are walking down a European Street, with many famous clothing shops, such as mango and topshop as well as a number of Starbucks and more than 3,000 street cafes, pubs and restaurants. Taksim is almost the best place to experience the nightlife of Istanbul.
Our walk will take us to Galata tower, one of the first towers built in the world and where you can see a 360 degree view of Istanbul from the top of the tower.
Than we will meet with our minibus and drive to Kabatas where we will meet with our private yacht. The best way to see Istanbul with all its beauty is to take a boat trip. This water dividing Istanbul two continent . The boat tour will be 2 hours long. While the boat moves between Asia and Europe you will be charmed by Ottoman Houses, Bridges, the Maiden's Tower, Ortakoy and Buyuk Mecidiye Mosque, Ciragan Palace, Dolmabahce Palace, Beylerbeyi Palace, Kuleli Naval Academy, Rumeli and Anadolu Fortresses ...
After the Bosphorus tour you are going to transfer back to your hotel.
For more information and costs E-mail us : info@guidedistanbultour.com
Or use the form at our Contact Page
(We aim to reply all mails within 24 hours. )
Included Services:
* Private professional English speaking tour guide.
* Entrance fee to the Galata Tower.
* 2 hours Private Yacht tour.
* Private transportation by non-smoking air-conditioned vehicles.
* Pick up from the hotel.
* Drop off to the hotel.
Istanbul Intense Tour
Our first stop in the morning is the splendid Topkapi Palace, seat of the Ottoman Empire for over 400 years, from 1465 to 1856.
You begin at Bab-I-Ali, the principal gateway into the palace, known for centuries as the Sublime Porte. You walk through the Second Courtyard and visit the imperial kitchens, where kebabs caught fire in 1665 creating a major conflagration, which then spread through the palace causing widespread damage. In the Third Courtyard you see the Private Audience Chamber and arrive at the Imperial Treasury, which houses a fine collection of jewellery including the celebrated Topkapi Dagger. The Fourth Courtyard contains delightful gardens and kiosks, most of which enjoy views across the Bosphorus. The Baghdad Kiosk is a delight and the interior is richly decorated with Iznik tiles Nearby,the Circumcision Room is also beautifully decorated with fine Iznik tilework.
Along the western side of the palace is the Harem, and your tour also includes a visit to these imperial family quarters. You see the rooms of the Valide Sultan (Queen Mother) along with numerous courtyards and salons. Particular highlights are the Private Chambers of Murat III, built by Sinan in 1578. The walls are covered with a classic blue Iznik tile with red highlights, a prototype that was never
duplicated. Also the Privy Chamber of Ahmed III (often referred to as the Fruit Room because of its interior décor) and two apartments at the south- western end, popularly known as ‘the cage’; when the practice of fratricide was abandoned, brothers of the sultan (seen as a threat to the throne) were sequestered in these rooms, where they either went crazy or languished in the lap of luxury – or both.
After lunch you then walk over to the celebrated Church of Holy Wisdom (Haghia Sofia). The original building was completed in AD 537 and part of its extraordinary appeal is simply the fact that it’s still standing! Once inside, as you look up into the great dome that inspired generations of Ottoman architects (notably MinarSinan) it is easy to understand the awe that medieval travellers must have felt when they first stepped over the threshold. The immense scale of the building becomes even more apparent when you head up to the cavernous gallery level, where the best of the original mosaics can be viewed.
Your final visit is to the stunning Mosque of Rustem Pasa. Rustem Pasa was Chief Vizier (aka World’s Greatest Treasurer) during the reign of Suleiman the Magnificent. Among other idiosyncrasies, he used to sell vegetables from the Palace gardens to bolster the royal coffers! He was also a great collector of tiles, which wereused liberally to decorate this wonderful mosque. Note, particularly, the floral panel in the portico, to the right of the main entrance, which showcases some of the finest examples of tile work from the Iznik kilns.
Your tour ends here, but the Egyptian Bazaar (Misir Carsisi) is very close so you might want to wander over to have a look
For more information and costs E-mail us : info@guidedistanbultour.com
Or use the form at our Contact Page
(We aim to reply all mails within 24 hours. )
Included Services:
* Private professional English speaking tour guide.
* All entrance fees to the sites.
* Private transportation by non-smoking air-conditioned vehicles.
* Pick up from the hotel.
* Drop off to the hotel.