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.
A superb overview of Istanbul and a must for any short-term visitor to the city. The Blue Mosque takes your breath away, while the magnificent Haghia Sophia and Topkapi Palace hold tales told over centuries. Dont try and figure them out for yourself a Private Guide will illuminate your tour and make the experience far more worthwhile. The Grand Bazaar is a crazy rabbit-warren of a place but offers a great chance to practise your haggling for traditional Turkish goods. The tour finishes close to a waterpipe bar, which is the perfect place to relax and take in the experiences of a memorable day.
Reviewed by: T L, United States of America, September 2009
We were picked up from the cruise port right on time and then taken to our hotel at the end of the tour. Our guide was very informative and spoke perfect English. The meal at the Topkapi Palace was good and quick. We saw lots during the day, and with the traffic in Istanbul it was nice to have someone else do the driving! Carpet demo was interesting, no one in our group bought any rugs, so even though we did feel pressured it wasn't that intense. Would advise anyone going to Istanbul to take this tour to get the "basics" in all in one day.
Reviewed by: Jane R, United States of America, July 2009
Was very beautiful,plenty time to see everything!
Reviewed by: Thiago M, United Kingdom, June 2009
Enjoyed it immensely, guide was extremely knowledgeable and courteous. Didn't care for the Grand Bazaar and think maybe replacing it with visiting the "Basillica" would have been more in line, but overall a wonderful day.
Reviewed by: Eddie M, Germany, January 2009
I was the only person, so it was essentially a private tour. The guide was wonderful. He was friendly and very knowledgeable. He gave me enough time to walk around each place on my own. We had a nice lunch inside the Topkapi Palace, and I got addicted to apple tea. The only part of the tour I didn't care for was the visit to the rug gallery. Since I was the only person, they had a captive audience. Though I did see many beautiful carpets, I didn't know enough to actually invest in one. I had to resist giving into the sales pitch. What I was more interested in were the ceramic tiles and brilliant plates they had. Most of the sites are close to each other, so you'll walk most of the time. I didn't mind it because everything was so interesting. It was almost a visual overload. Just remember a lot of these places do not allow flash photography, so bring a camera that can take good photos at slow speed. Also, no photos allowed at all of the artifacts inside the Topaki Palace. The visit to the Grand Bazaar was mainly just a walk-through at the end of the tour. My hotel was only a block away so I went back in the evening and bought some souvenirs. There's much to see in the old part of Istanbul, and the tour covers the most essential places. Many guidebooks recommend a few other places like the archeological museum and Suleymaniye mosque, which one can explorer on his or her own.
Reviewed by: Jackson Y, United States of America, December 2008
Picked up at the port of Istanbul. Very accommodating. Added information from tour guide was excellent.
Reviewed by: James P, United States of America, November 2008
I would definitely recommend this tour. We had a wonderful day in Istanbul. Our guide was very knowledgeable and helpful. We booked with Viator instead of the cruise ship which had the exact same tour but was double the price of Viator.
Reviewed by: Sharron P, Canada, November 2008
A really worthwhile tour. We learnt so much more by having a guide.
Reviewed by: nicola T, United Kingdom, November 2008
I was the only person on the tour. Tour guide was an excellent guide. Definitely a tour to do when you first arrive in Istanbul. The lunch at the Topkapi Palace was great too. Incredible view of the Bosphorus from the restaurant terrace. Best tour of my trip. Thanks!
Reviewed by: Coleen F, United States of America, November 2008
This was a great tour to do with a group as the guide was very informative and gives you a wealth of information you would not get going to these sites on your own. We only had a few people in our group which made the tour seem private. The lunch included was really good and pick up was right on time. This is a great way to see the city.
Reviewed by: Deanne S, United States of America, October 2008
We were met at the end of the Ship's gangway and left back at the same spot. That is what I call good service. The tour guide was very approachable and gave a lot of information regarding the sights. I will most certainly use VIATOR again.
Reviewed by: Brian M, United Kingdom, October 2008
Absolutely fabulous. Great guide and alot of fun!
Reviewed by: William D, United States of America, October 2008
Really good trip. Just 8 of us in a very comfortable, clean, air-conditioned minibus. The driver was good, and the guide was just excellent. So much better than doing it from the cruise ship. Included a very good lunch. I shall be using Viator again!
Reviewed by: John C, United Kingdom, September 2008
Great personal tour of so many important sites...great historical input by our guide....hardly enough time in the day for everything.
Reviewed by: Nat K, United States of America, September 2008
There was only one other couple in the tour with us which made it feel almost like a private tour. Our tour guide was very knowledgeable and we learned a lot of Turkish history from him. We liked that he explained about each of the sites first and then gave us some free time to do our own exploring and to take photos. He spoke perfect English. He wasn't the chatty type though he would answer questions when asked. Basically he did his job, nothing more and nothing less. We still enjoyed the tour very much nevertheless!
Reviewed by: Anonymous, United Arab Emirates, August 2008
