Istanbul: Full-Day City Highlights Tour with Lunch
Kapali Carsi, Istanbul
Explore Istanbul’s most visited places such as the Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, Hippodrome, and Grand Bazaar. Enjoy a full-day experience with a knowledgeable guide in a small group.
Overview
This full-day guided group tour in Istanbul is ideal for first-time visitors wanting to explore key historic sites and local markets.
Highlights
- Customized full-day group tour with a local guide
- Visit Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, and Sultanahmet Square
- Shop with locals at the Grand Bazaar
- Learn about Byzantine, Ottoman, and modern Turkish history
- Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant
Description
Begin your day with hotel pickup in an air-conditioned vehicle, then visit Istanbul’s key landmarks with skip-the-line access. Start at Hagia Sophia, which served as a church for 916 years and a mosque for 481 years.
Next, explore Topkapi Palace, the former Ottoman imperial residence and government seat now serving as a museum featuring the harem, royal treasury, and holy relics.
Continue to Sultanahmet Square, originally the Hippodrome of Constantinople built in 203 A.D. It once held 100,000 spectators and today features the Egyptian Obelisk, Serpentine Column, Constantine Column, and German Fountain.
Visit the Blue Mosque, built by Ottoman Sultan Ahmet I in 1616, known for its six minarets and blue tile interiors, located opposite Hagia Sophia.
End your tour with a stroll through the Grand Bazaar, one of the world’s largest covered markets with over 4,000 shops and 18 entrances, offering insight into everyday local life.
Includes
- Full-day sightseeing tour
- Local guide
- Lunch at a local restaurant
- Hotel pickup from central Istanbul hotels (Taksim, Beşiktaş, Sultanahmet)
- Transportation by air-conditioned vehicle
Excludes
- Topkapi Palace entry fee
- Hagia Sophia entry fee
- Drinks with lunch
- Optional tips
Important Information
- Topkapi Palace is closed on Tuesdays; Basilica Cistern will be visited instead
- The Grand Bazaar is closed on Sundays
Cancellation Policy
Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
Booking Tips
Wear comfortable shoes for walking and bring water. The best time to visit is in the morning to avoid crowds, especially at Hagia Sophia and Topkapi Palace.
