Enjoy a guided tour in the heart of Istanbul's old town, Sultanahmet. Visit the Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, and Basilica Cistern with priority admission at the museums and skip the line entry.
About this activity
- Free cancellation
- Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund
- Reserve now & pay later
- Keep your travel plans flexible — book your spot and pay nothing today.
- Duration 4 hours
- Check availability to see starting times.
- Skip the ticket line
- Live tour guide
- German, English
- Wheelchair accessible
- Private group available
Experience
Starting location:
Ersoy Bufe
Sultanahmet District
Visit, Guided tour (15 minutes)
Basilica Cistern
Visit, Guided tour (30 minutes)
Hagia Sophia
Visit, Guided tour (1 hour)
Topkapi Palace
Visit, Guided tour (2 hours)
For reference only. Itineraries are subject to change.
- Visit the highlights of Istanbul on a shared group or a private guided tour
- Explore the world-famous Hagia Sophia and the Basilica Cistern
- Learn about the Ottomans on a guided tour through the Topkapi Palace
- Benefit from having a local guide for priority admission and skip-the-line entry
Join a guided tour to discover Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia, and the Basilica Cistern in Istanbul. Benefit from priority admission at the museum ticket offices to skip the long lines and head in faster. Meet your guide in the Sultanahmet neighborhood at an easy spot and check out Istanbul's greatest monuments on a walking tour. Start with the Basilica Cistern, wander around the “Subterranean Palace” and learn about its history. See the underground pillars and learn about Byzantine architecture. Walk on the wooden walkways over the water until the famous upside-down Medusa heads. Next, visit the Hagia Sophia and witness the most significant site of the Greek Orthodox religion in Istanbul and learn how it was converted into a mosque after the Ottoman conquest of Constantinople. Explore the stunning monument with elements of a mosque and a church standing next to each other. Admire the basilica’s stunning dome and minarets, and countless mosaics, paintings, and Roman columns.
Learn how the impressive İznik tiles were added over time in the Mosque, how the stunning Virgin Mary mosaic was made, and why the Ottomans chose to bury their sultans in the courtyard. Continue to Topkapi Palace to explore the splendor of the Ottoman Empire. Discover the complex of buildings, pavilions, and courtyards was a self-contained city, which most inhabitants rarely left. Explore the outer-terraced gardens and admire the view over the Golden Horn. Admire cupboard doors inlaid with mother of pearl and tortoiseshell and stunning Iznik tiles with verses from the Quran. The tour ends with a visit to the holy relics and the imperial kitchens. You can choose to visit the Harem at your own pace.
- Tour guide
- Shared or private walking tour (depending on the option chosen)
- Skip-the-line ticket for Basilica Cistern
- Skip-the-line ticket for Topkapi Palace
- Transportation to the meeting point
- Harem entry
Select participants and date
Participants
Date
We meet at Ersoy Bufe. This is a small food kiosk just by the side of the Hippodrome in Sultanahmet Square. It is across the German Fountain. Your guide will be in front of the Ersoy Bufe with a sign that says, “Walks in Europe.”
Open in Google Maps ⟶What to bring
- Headscarf
Not allowed
- Shorts
- Short skirts
- Sleeveless shirts
Know before you go
- You will have to pass through airport-style security
- Expect long lines to enter the Hagia Sophia, especially during local holidays.
- Hagia Sophia and Topkapi Palace may be closed unannounced due to high-level state visits.
- Basilica Cistern has 50 steps going down and then up. There is no lift.
- A visit to the Harem is not included in the guided tour but you can choose to visit at your own leisure.
- Please choose to bring your earphones for the headsets.