Istanbul Small-Group City and Secret Streets Tour with Guide

The former capital of the Ottoman Empire, Istanbul is a vibrant city filled with magnificent architecture and a rich history as the bridge between east and west. Perfect for first-time visitors, this in-depth guided walking tour covers the main attractions while also venturing to hard-to-find secret spots. Leave the navigation to your guide, who also provides illuminating commentary.

After meeting your guide at Sultanahmet Square, head off on a scenic stroll through one of the world’s most spectacular cities. Your guide will tell stories from the heyday of Byzantine and Ottoman rule as you wander the picturesque streets. This tour aims to give you an overview of the city, its historic attractions, museums, local arts and traditions etc.

This spacious Roman built cistern shows off impressive Roman engineering was commissioned by Emperor Justinian and built in 532. The largest surviving Byzantine cistern in İstanbul has been backdrop for many movies over time. Its cavernous depths make a great retreat on hot summer days.

This is a small street with beautiful historic houses which are leaning against the wall of Topkapi Palace.

The Caferağa Medresseh is a former medrese and now recognised as an important centre of Turkish classical arts where traditional Turkish handicrafts such as calligraphy, ceramics, jewelry and so forth are taught, made and sold.

Began its life as a church in 532 AD, converted into a mosque after the Turkish conquest of Constantinople in 1453 and now a museum since 1935. By general consensus, it is the most important Byzantine structure and one of the world’s great monuments built under the direction of the Byzantine emperor Justinian I. Part of the UNESCO World Heritage site in Istanbul and famous for its lofty interior, stunning surviving mosaics and the massive dome…

Imperial residence of Ottoman sultans is the subject of more colorful stories than most of the world’s museums put together. Libidinous sultans, ambitious courtiers, beautiful concubines and scheming eunuchs lived and worked here between the 15th and 19th centuries when it was the court of the Ottoman empire. About 24 sultans ruled from the Topkapı Palace for nearly four centuries during the Ottoman Empire’s 600-year reign

“Sultan Ahmet Center”, the heart of the “Old City” from where the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires were ruled

The Walled Obelisk or Masonry Obelisk (Turkish: Örme Dikilitaş) is a Roman monument in the form of an obelisk. It is situated at the southern end of the ancient chariot-racing track of Constantinople’s central barrier, beside the Obelisk of Theodosius and the Serpentine Column.

Constructed as a present from German Emperor Wilhelm II in 1898, it represents one of the most beautiful monuments in Istanbul.

The Hippodrome of Constantinople was a circus that was the sporting and social center of Constantinople. Today it is a square with a few fragments of the original structure surviving. Monuments decorating the Hippodrome include the 3500-year-old Egyptian Obelisk, Serpentine Column…

Sultan Ahmed Mosque, known as the Blue Mosque by many tourists because of its bluish interior decoration( blue tiles surrounding the walls of interior design), is the most important mosque of Istanbul standing next to the Byzantine Hippodrome in the old city center..

Also known as the Serpentine Column, Plataean Tripod or Delphi Tripod, is an ancient bronze column at the Hippodrome of Constantinople (known as Atmeydanı “Horse Square” in the Ottoman period). It is part of an ancient Greek sacrificial tripod, originally in Delphi and relocated to Constantinople by Constantine the Great in 324.

This beautiful square and a great place to make a stop, relax and take photos of Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque.

“Shop till you drop” in Tahtakale, a sub-district of Istanbul’s Eminönü, where you can find anything and everything you are looking for, all for resonable prices.

No visit to Istanbul is complete without stopping by the atmospheric Spice Bazaar with roots dating back to 1660, this is one Istanbul’s most famous bazaars. Vividly coloured spices are displayed alongside jewel-like lokum (Turkish delight) at this Ottoman-era marketplace, providing eye candy for the thousands of tourists and locals who make their way here every day. Stalls also sell caviar, dried herbs, honey, nuts and dried fruits.

• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels
• There is a moderate amount of walking involved

• Shared Tour Option
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  Small Group: Small group tour with Max 8 people. ☆ Choose from 08:30 or 13:00 start times. ☆ Tour is in English.
• Private Guided Tour
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  Private Tour Option: A private guide just for your group. ☆ Book up to 15 people for the same price. ☆ Choose from 08:00, 09:00, 11:00 or 13:30

• English Speaking Professional Guide
• Small-group or private tour (depending on option chosen)

• Gratuities (Recommended)
• Hotel pickup and drop-off

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This tour aims to give you an overview of the city, its attractions, museums, local arts and traditions etc. Museums are seen from outside.

⚠️ Please arrive at least 5 minutes before the activity starts as finding a taxi and traffic congestion are always a problem. The tour starts on time as it is a shared tour with other participants.

Please be advised..

• This Tour is Provided by Tematique Tours.
• Tour Timezone & Starts at Europe/Istanbul.
• Mobile or paper ticket accepted.
• For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
• This Tour is Rated 5 Stars based on 201 valid reviews on VIATOR.
• Minimum 1 Travelers is required to book.
• Maximum 15 Travelers is accepted for booking.