Istanbul is the largest city in Turkey, with a long and rich history, dating back to the 7th century BC. The city has been ruled by many different empires over the centuries, including the Byzantine Empire, the Ottoman Empire, and the Republic of Turkey. It is home to many important historical and cultural landmarks, including the Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, and the Topkapi Palace. It is a vibrant and cosmopolitan city that offers something for everyone. Whether you are interested in history, culture, shopping, or nightlife, Istanbul has something to offer you.
If multiple attractions catch your eye, consider getting a City Pass. Conveniently pick up a City Transport Card when you arrive at the airport so you can easily get around.
Disclaimer
Part of the job of a travel agent is to save clients time and money. I looked through hundreds of tours and picked out the best tours to book in various categories that are both the best in quality and price.
Prices listed below are subject to change. Rates are typically discounted for larger groups and children, so use the links provided to see the exact cost for your specific scenario and book what is of interest to you.
Istanbul Highlights Tour
Admire the exterior architecture of opulent mosques and discover the amazing history of Istanbul with this guided tour.
Duration
2.5 hours
Availability
Everyday at 10:30am
Price
Free!
Alternative
Sultanahmet Highlights & Pearls of Suleymaniye Walking Tours - $25 per person
Taksim to Galata With Secret Passages - $28 per person
Hop-On-Hop-Off Bus Tour - $37 per person
Golden Horn, Eyüp, Miniatürk & Pierre Loti Tour - $39 per person
Galata and Genoese Afternoon Walking Tour - $39 per person
Afternoon Segway Old City Tour - $45 per person
Evening Segway Old City Tour - $45 per person
Istanbul in Colors: Balat Tour - $67 per person
Fener/Balat Walking Tour, Pierre Loti Hill & Ferry - $82 per person
Jewish District 3-Hour Walking Tour - $117 per person
Istanbul's Asian Side
Already visited Istanbul’s famous tourist spots? It’s time to explore the Asian area of Kadikoy like a local and get a perspective as an Istanbulian. Hit up favorite domestic food spots and more!
Duration
8 hours
Availability
Everyday at 9:30am
Price
$95
Alternative
Asian Side Walking Tour - $28 per person
Full Day Best of Istanbul - $60 per person
Full-Day Imperial & Asia Tour - $72 per person
Gallipoli/Anzac Full-Day Tour - $109 per person
Full-Day Troy Tour - $116 per person
Day Trip to Edirne - $215 per person
2-Day Tour to Gallipoli & Troy - $215 per person
Tour of Garipce Village, Rumeli Fortress and Balat - $220 per person
Dolmabahçe Palace & Spice Bazaar Tour
Explore Istanbul's Dolmabahçe Palace on a guided tour with skip-the-line entry and access its Harem section. Lose yourself in the Spice Bazaar and marvel at the Rustempasha Mosque by architect Sinan.
Duration
2 hours
Availability
Everyday at 9:30am and 2:15pm
Price
$40 per person
Alternative
Topkapi Palace - $28 per person
Galata Tower Entrance - $30 per person
Hagia Sophia and Topkapi Palace - $34 per person
Hop-On Hop-Off Cruise with Guided Palace Tours - $54 per person
Beylerbeyi Palace & Eyup District Tour - $79 per person
2-Day Trip to Cappadocia with Flights
Explore Cappadocia on a 2-day trip from Istanbul and marvel at the iconic fairy chimneys. Enjoy the convenience of flights, accommodation in a cave hotel, airport transfers, and lunch.
Duration
2 days
Availability
Everyday at 5:30am
Price
$430 per person
Alternative
Cappadocia Jeep Safari with Sunrise Hot Air Balloon - $112 per group of 4
Day Trip to Cappadocia with Flight & Lunch - $371 per person
4-Day Trip to Istanbul & Cappadocia - $670 per person
2-Day Ephesus, Pamukkale, & Hierapolis Tour
Explore Cappadocia on a 2-day trip from Istanbul and marvel at the iconic fairy chimneys. Enjoy the convenience of flights, accommodation in a cave hotel, airport transfers, and lunch.
Duration
2 days
Availability
Everyday at 5am
Price
$496 per person
Alternative
Ephesus & House of the Virgin Mary Private Day Trip - $309 per person
Ancient Pergamon Day Trip with Flights - $374 per person
Basilica Cistern Guided Tour
Join a guided tour in the heart of Istanbul’s old town, Sultanahmet, to see the Basilica Cistern. Gain priority museum admission with your professional guide.
Duration
1 hour
Availability
Everyday at 9am and 1pm
Price
$32 per person
Alternative
Hagia Sophia Guided Tour - $16 per person
Archaeological Museums - $21 per person
City Highlights Tour w/Hagia Sophia & Blue Mosque - $34 per person
5-Day Guided Museum Pass - $109 per person
Byzantine Monasteries Full-Day Tour - $132 per person
Ancient Rome Under Istanbul - $140 per person
Princes' Islands Full-Day Tour
Immerse yourself in the history of Istanbul and feel like part of the Ottoman dynasty on a full-day cruise to two of the Princes’ Islands: Kinaliada and Buyukada. The tour also includes a delicious Turkish food tasting and a ride on a golf buggy!
Duration
9 hours
Availability
Everyday at 10am
Price
$25 per person
Alternative
Sapanca Lake Mahmudiye and Masukiye Tour - $28 per person
Bursa UludaÄŸ Mountain Tour & Cable Car Ride - $30 per person
Bosphorus Dinner Cruise with Drinks & Turkish Show
Sail on the Bosphorus on this boat tour in Istanbul with dinner, unlimited drinks, and optional hotel transfers. Enjoy cultural performances by whirling dervishes, belly dancers, and folk dancers.
Duration
3 hours
Availability
Everyday at 8:30pm
Price
$45 per person
Alternative
Bosphorus and Golden Horn Cruise - $13 per person
Bosphorus Sunset Cruise with Wine on a Luxury Yacht - $25 per person
Turkish Night on the Bosphorus Dinner Cruise - $39 per person
Bosphorus Cruise, Bus Tour, & Cable Car Ride - $40 per person
Istanbul Combo Tour: Old City & Bosphorus Cruise - $63 per person
Bosphorus and Black Sea Cruise - $77 per person
Whirling Dervishes Ceremony and Mevlevi Sema
Experience the Mevlevi Sema ritual at the Kizlaragasi Medrese in the heart of Istanbul. Marvel at the musical performance and hypnotic whirling dervishes during your Turkish vacation.
Duration
1 hour
Availability
Everyday at 7pm
Price
$22 per person
Alternative
Rhythm of the Dance Show - $37 per person
Belly Dance Show + Dinner - $83 per person
Pub Crawl
If you’re in Istanbul on a Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, or Saturday, and looking for the best night out ever join this pub crawl and head to 3 of the top bars, pubs, and clubs in the city and enjoy free admission.
Duration
7 Hours
Availability
Wednesday - Saturday at 9pm
Price
$27 per person
Alternative
Party Pub Crawl with Party Bus - $29 per person
Traditional Turkish Dinner
Enjoy a unique 9 course seasonal sharing menu, created with traditional recipes, paired with raki (Turkey's traditional alcoholic drink), at this friendly dinner in the center of Istanbul.
Duration
4 hours
Availability
Everyday at 8pm
Price
$54 per person
Alternative
Turkish Coffee Making & Fortune Telling Workshop - $45 per person
Roman Aqueduct, Sehzade Mosques &Fatih Local Food Market - $66 per person
Istanbul Kebab Crawl Walking Tour - $67 per person
Food Tour - $70 per person
Istanbul Market/Foodie Tour, Cooking Class & Late Lunch - $96 per person
Half-Day Turkish Coffee Tasting and Tour - $10 per person
Aga Hamami Turkish Bath
Aga Hamami is a historical hammam, also known as Turkish Baths, and one of the oldest in Istanbul. The hammam is beautifully decorated, extremely authentic, and very well priced.
Duration
1 hour
Availability
Everyday from 10am to 3pm
Price
$44 per person
Alternative
Turkish Bath at 5th Century Old Bath - $65 per person
Private Turkish Bath Experience at a Hammam - $130 per person
Instagram Istanbul Photoshoot
Istanbul visitors hoping to snap some fantastic vacation photos shouldn't settle for smartphone selfies when you can book a photographer to take great photos for you. With this photo shoot experience, just meet-up with your photographer-guide and enjoy a shoot with the iconic buildings in the background.
Duration
1 hour
Availability
Everyday from 8am to 6pm
Price
$84 per person
Alternative
Guided Instagram-Spots Tour - $89 per person
Flying Dress Photo Shoot - $100 per person
Istanbul Photo Shoot Tours - $135 per person
Turkish Mosaic Lamp Workshop
Get ready for a unique experience with our hands-on Traditional Turkish Mosaic workshop! Experienced instructors will guide you through the techniques of this 500-year-old craft using a geometric template. Create your own masterpiece, with the option to choose from a classic design or create your own! Unleash your creativity and join us today!
Duration
2 hours
Availability
Everyday at 9am and 6pm
Price
$60 per person
Alternative
Private Marbling Paper Art Workshop - $50 per person
Madame Tussauds
See some of your favorite celebrities cast in wax with an entrance ticket to Madame Tussauds in Istanbul. Get up close to the rich and famous from the past and present in the worlds of the arts, sport and more.
Duration
At your leisure
Availability
Everyday from 11am - 7pm
Price
$24 per person
Alternative
Museum of Illusions - $17 per person
LEGOLAND Discovery Center - $24 per person
Quad Bike Safari
Rooting for a fun and cool activity to join in between your sightseeing in Istanbul? This ATV and Zipline Tour is definitely what you are looking for! Have a blast with friends or family members, scream your enthusiasm out, and get to feel your adrenaline levels increasing like never before!
Duration
At your leisure
Availability
Everyday from 10am - 2pm
Price
$90 per person
Alternative
Watergarden Mall Extreme Ziplining Adventure - $31 per person
SEA LIFE Istanbul
Discover amazing sea creatures at SEA LIFE Istanbul, where you can walk under water, get up close to Europe's largest collection of sharks, touch a starfish and much more.
Duration
At your leisure
Availability
Everyday from 10am - 6pm
Price
$24 per person
Alternative
Istanbul Aquarium - $22 per person
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