Tours, sightseeing tours, activities & things to do | Viator.comIstanbul in One Day Sightseeing Tour: Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Grand Bazaar
based on 52 reviews of Istanbul in One Day Sightseeing Tour: Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Grand Bazaar
Read what other Viator.com travelers think about the Istanbul in One Day Sightseeing Tour: Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Grand Bazaar. What they loved, what they liked and what they think could be improved, it's all here to help you make the most of your next trip.
Our guide was ok, but he took us to places that was not in the itinerary, a spice bazaar, carpet dealer and that "stole" valuable time from the sights we're supposed to see. We felt some pressure to buy things, which we're not interested in. We had booked a sightseeing tour not a shopping tour. He did not guide much, but was there if we had questions. His English was ok.
Reviewed by: Anonymous, Norway, October 2008
While the tour guide was quite pleasant and very knowledgeable about the sites visited, unfortunately he spoke too fast and he walked too fast. There were times we had to run to catch up with him. Also, we would have preferred that he talk slowly and walk slowly at the sites instead of standing in one place for half an hour explaining what we were going to see when we were right in front of it. Again, as a person, the guide was charming. He was just too fast on everything.
Reviewed by: Anonymous, United States of America, June 2008
Topkapi Palace, Aya Sofya and Blue Mosque well worth seeing. Lunch at Topkapi Palace less than ordinary. We had enjoyed excellent meals elsewhere in Turkey, so this was a real disappointment. I would prefer the tour to cost less and purchase our own meal. Then the guide took us to a carpet retailer under the pretense of showing us how carpets were made. We politely told the guide we did NOT wish to purchase a carpet and please could we go to the Grand Bazaar as per the schedule. Well, 2 hours later we got to the bazaar. We missed out on going to experience the Turkish baths because of this.
Reviewed by: Judi S, Australia, May 2008
The tour itself was nice and since we were the only ones on it we really got the private tour! However, the tour only lasted 4 to 5 hours instead of the written 8. The tour guide was ok but his English unfortunately was not. I must say that I feel a bit ripped of since I got the feeling we were rushed through the tour.
Reviewed by: Stanley T, Netherlands, November 2007
The program itself was fantastic, but our guide wasn't. She cared about the time, to tell us shortly everything and after she relaxed or chatted with other guides. The program was told to be from 9-17, and when we saved time on those shops where we had to go with her and I wanted to stay in the downtown until the promised time it was refused, because she sad we only can stay in particular places for the time which is in the itinerary. Horrible guide! The driver and the car were excellent!!
Reviewed by: Zsolt J, Hungary, March 2007
Over all this was our least favorite tour as our quide was not very good. She was rude and basically ignored us. Istanbul was my least favorite visit in Europe because of her! I have no desire to see Istanbul again.
Reviewed by: Kathleen K, United States of America, July 2009
It started OK but the guide did not give you much time to spend at each place. We had to constantly ask for an additional 15-30 minutes at the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia etc frustrating! We had completed three of the most important sites in Istanbul before lunch and left with the Grand Bazaar for the entire afternoon! Although the tour was supposed to be till 5pm, it ended with the guide leaving us at the beginning of the Grand Bazaar at 3 pm to explore on our own! I would rather have spent more time at the palace and mosque and Hagia Sophia. It was almost like a private tour because we were the only ones but I couldn't help feeling that the guide would have been more interested if there were more people!
Reviewed by: Chantele P, United Arab Emirates, July 2009
