Istanbul Classics and Highlights: Full Day with Lunch
Duration: 7 hours
Hidden Istanbul: 4-Hour Walking Tour
Product ID: 4539
Discover a hidden side of Istanbul as you explore Sultanahmet with a local guide. See local mosques, markets, and more, and take in the city’s major attractions. Learn about the Ottoman Empire, and visit the vast Grand Bazaar and a historic spice market.
About this activity
Duration: 4 hours
Printed or mobile voucher accepted
Instant confirmation
Live tour guide
English
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before activity starts
Experience
Highlights
- Explore the back streets and hidden gems of Sultanahmet
- Walk along "Divanyolu," the ancient highway to Rome
- Visit Suleymaniye mosque and get an inside understanding of Islam
- Explore the amazing labyrinth of the Grand Bazaar
- Discover a spice market in the middle of the city
- Wander through the Sahaflar Carsisi (book bazaar), one of the oldest markets in Istanbul
- Hear tales of both Byzantine and Ottoman dramas
Full description
Explore a different side of Istanbul on a 4-hour walking tour that takes in some of the city’s hidden sites. Learn more about the practice of Islam as you stop at mosques with your local guide. Explore street bazaars and taste the local cuisine.
Walk to the Hippodrome of Meydani, where Byzantines enjoyed chariot races. See the Blue Mosque, an Istanbul landmark, before walking along Divanyolu, originally mapped out by Emperor Constantine as a road to Rome, more than 950 miles away.
Explore the Grand Bazaar before making your way through local markets to the famous Old Book Bazaar. Visit Beyazit Camii Mosque to see the beautiful stone and wood craftsmanship and masterful stained glass windows. Pass Istanbul University, built by the reforming Ottoman Sultans, and learn about the education system in Turkey today.
Marvel at the beauty of the Mosque of Süleyman the Magnificent. Visit the royal tombs of Süleyman and his cohort Roxanna. Enjoy sublime city views and pause for tea in the sunken garden.
Continue on to the hectic trading area of Istanbul, where you’ll find crumbling Byzantine buildings and Ottoman architectural relics. Hear stories of how the merchants of the past lived. See the hidden Rustem Pasha Mosque, acclaimed for its stunning Iznik ceramic tiles.
The tour ends in the Spice Bazaar area, where your leader can direct you to a local lokanta (small restaurant) for lunch, or give you some more great Istanbul tips for you to make the most of the rest of your stay.
Walk to the Hippodrome of Meydani, where Byzantines enjoyed chariot races. See the Blue Mosque, an Istanbul landmark, before walking along Divanyolu, originally mapped out by Emperor Constantine as a road to Rome, more than 950 miles away.
Explore the Grand Bazaar before making your way through local markets to the famous Old Book Bazaar. Visit Beyazit Camii Mosque to see the beautiful stone and wood craftsmanship and masterful stained glass windows. Pass Istanbul University, built by the reforming Ottoman Sultans, and learn about the education system in Turkey today.
Marvel at the beauty of the Mosque of Süleyman the Magnificent. Visit the royal tombs of Süleyman and his cohort Roxanna. Enjoy sublime city views and pause for tea in the sunken garden.
Continue on to the hectic trading area of Istanbul, where you’ll find crumbling Byzantine buildings and Ottoman architectural relics. Hear stories of how the merchants of the past lived. See the hidden Rustem Pasha Mosque, acclaimed for its stunning Iznik ceramic tiles.
The tour ends in the Spice Bazaar area, where your leader can direct you to a local lokanta (small restaurant) for lunch, or give you some more great Istanbul tips for you to make the most of the rest of your stay.
Includes
- Local English-speaking guide
- Tour of Sultanahmet, the Grand Bazaar and the Book Bazaar
- Tea at a local tea house
- Visit to the Süleymaniye Mosque complex
- Visit to Rustem Pasa Mosque
What’s Not Included
- Extra drinks
- Additional food
- Tips/gratuities for your guide
Prepare for the activity
Meeting point
Meet at Pudding Shop Lale Restaurant, Divanyolu Caddesi No.6 34400, Sultanahmet, Istanbul. The restaurant is located on the street where the tram lines runs through Sultanahmet, approximately a 3-minute walk from Sultanahmet tram stop.
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Important information
Know before you go
• Tour operates with a maximum group size of 12 participants.
• Please be aware that the standard of dress throughout Turkey is both conservative and modern. On this walking tour you will visit a variety of mosques. To respect this, and for your own comfort, modest clothing is recommended. This means clothing that covers the shoulders and knees for both men and women. Women should bring a scarf (easily purchased in Istanbul) to cover their head.
• The weather in Istanbul is highly variable depending on the time of year. Winters can be freezing cold and it can be extremely hot and humid in summer (June, July, and August).
• The Blue Mosque is being renovated until end of 2020 so some parts of the ceiling might be temporarily covered
• Please be aware that the standard of dress throughout Turkey is both conservative and modern. On this walking tour you will visit a variety of mosques. To respect this, and for your own comfort, modest clothing is recommended. This means clothing that covers the shoulders and knees for both men and women. Women should bring a scarf (easily purchased in Istanbul) to cover their head.
• The weather in Istanbul is highly variable depending on the time of year. Winters can be freezing cold and it can be extremely hot and humid in summer (June, July, and August).
• The Blue Mosque is being renovated until end of 2020 so some parts of the ceiling might be temporarily covered
From US$ 35.44 per person
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Customer reviews
Review summary
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Super Excellent Tour - thanks to our guide Fatih.
The hidden tour was one of the best days we spent in Istanbul. My friend and I were the only two in the group and Fatih - our guide - was very flexible in accommodating our requests. He is very passionate about his job, and proud of Turkeys historical achievements. Fatih met us at the pick-up point on time, and informed us of the schedule. My friend and I were very impressed by Fatih's level of knowledge. We enjoyed listening to the details and wanted to hear more. Fatih's communication skills and English proficiency was unexpectedly perfect. I would highly recommend you ask for Fatih to be your guide for the tour when booking online through GetYourGuide. Wishing you all the best and an unforgettable hidden tour memorable experience.
Read moreSeptember 29, 2016
Felt like a local!
Abdullah, my guide, is Very knowledgeable about the ins and outs of Istanbul. I was alone in the tour so I also had him as my photographer and had all the time that I needed at the Spice Market :). Answered all my questions about the places we visited. Went to areas that are not usually seen by foreign tourists. Had a tea in a cafe overlooking the stunning view of the Golden Horn. Loved the place that I revisited it the next day :)...All in all, this tour is worth recommending and I would love again to have Abdullah as my guide when I go back to Istanbul in July!
Read moreMay 28, 2016
Tried to postpone.
Initially we were to birth on a cruise ship in Istanbul to give us plenty of time to meet the walking group. But our ship was rescheduled to Athens and our flight from there arrived late on the night before the walking tour and thus not giving us enough time to do the tour the next day. I tried to email and called several times to rebook for the following day but was told that I could not do this at short notice. I am terribly disappointed that you have not honoured this bookings which was done from NZ as this delay was not of our making !!! I will not book with you again.
Read moreOctober 23, 2016
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Product ID: 4539
Hidden Istanbul: 4-Hour Walking Tour
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