The 15 Best Tours and Day Trips in Istanbul

Best of Istanbul 1, 2 or 3-Day Private Guided Istanbul Tour - Timing, closures, and practical planning

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 8,922 reviews · 7 to 21 hours (approx.) · from $100Our pick

Choose one to three private days with a licensed guide such as Mustafa, Merve, Burak, or Tuba. Walk Sultanahmet, visit Hagia Sophia and Topkapi, cruise the Bosphorus, explore Balat, and shape the schedule around your interests.

“Numan Taşdoğ is hands down the best tour guide we’ve ever had. His knowledge spans the city’s Roman, Byzantine, Ottoman, and modern history, and he has an incredible ability to read his guests—knowing when to go deep and when to keep things light. He treats his guests like people, not tourists, and never pushes a personal or commercial agenda. When we asked for authentic food, he took us off the beaten path to an amazing restaurant packed with locals. When we showed interest in art, he patiently stayed with us while we explored and customized pieces at a local lamp shop. He also guided us to a trusted jewelry store…”

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Blue Mosque Tours, Guided, Hagia Sophia Tours, Tickets, Tour Reviews, Tours

Istanbul: Blue Mosque & Hagia Sophia Guided Tour w/ Tickets

2.Blue Mosque & Hagia Sophia Guided Tour w/ Tickets

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 3,600 reviews · 2.5 - 3 hours · from $39

Walk through Istanbul’s Blue Mosque, Hippodrome, and Hagia Sophia with a licensed English or German-speaking guide. The 2.5 to 3-hour small-group tour includes headsets, reserved Hagia Sophia entry, and Galataport pickup with a tram ride to Sultanahmet. Guides such as Kaan, Emre, Murat, and Umut are often praised for clear storytelling.

“An unforgettable tour – absolutely amazing! This tour was simply fantastic! Our guide Hasan was incredibly warm, knowledgeable, and full of passion. He shared so many insights and stories with us, bringing Istanbul’s rich history truly to life. We started with the Blue Mosque, where Hasan explained every detail - the symbolism, the architecture, and fascinating background stories that you’d never find in a guidebook. Then we continued to the Hagia Sophia, where he shared not only historical facts but also deep cultural and personal insights. His calm, friendly manner and his impressive expertise made this tour the absolute highlight of our Trip. We can wholeheartedly recommend Hasan and this...”

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Audio Tours, Bosphorus Sightseeing Cruises, Cruises & Boat Tours, Guided, Istanbul Self-Guided Audio Tours, Self-Guided Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Istanbul: Bosphorus Sightseeing Cruise Tour with Audio Guide

3.Bosphorus Sightseeing Cruise Tour with Audio Guide

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 2,694 reviews · from $8Best value

Cruise between Europe and Asia for two hours, passing palaces, mosques, Ottoman mansions, bridges, and Maiden’s Tower. You’ll have live commentary in five languages, an 11-language audio guide, free WiFi, restrooms, and unlimited Turkish tea and Nescafé. Tarik is among the helpful staff members praised for making check-in easy.

“Best trip Tarîk is very handsome and very friendy !! thanks you so much”

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Princes Islands Tours from Istanbul, Tour Reviews, Tours

Istanbul: Princes Islands Tour with Heybeliada and Buyukada

4.Princes Islands Tour with Heybeliada and Buyukada

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 2,305 reviews · 8 hours · from $18

Spend eight hours cruising from Istanbul to Heybeliada and Büyükada, with a guide such as Oktay or Suleyman, lunch on board, island free time, and sea views. You can walk, swim in summer, rent a bicycle, or pay for an electric vehicle ride. Hotel pickup is optional.

“I liked everything , except the fact that the photographer was trying to sell us our pictures which we didnt asked for at an overpriced rate. In fact, from my experience most Istanbul tours are trying to sell us things ..”

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Blue Mosque Tours, Guided, Tour Reviews, Tours

Istanbul: Blue Mosque Guided Tour

5.Blue Mosque Guided Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,910 reviews · 1 hour · from $19

Meet your English-speaking guide by Dsign Cafe and the Egyptian Obelisk for a 60-minute Blue Mosque tour. Expect courtyard history, Iznik tiles, Ottoman details, and practical tips, with free time inside afterward. Guides such as Buse, Hal, Alex, and Miss Kiss are praised for clear storytelling.

“Buse was absolutely excellent for our Blue Mosque tour. She answered our group’s questions flawlessly and we look forward to another tour 😎 !!!”

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Bursa Day Trips from Istanbul, Lunch Experiences, Tour Reviews, Tours

Istanbul: Bursa & Uludag Tour with Lunch & Cable Car Option

6.Bursa & Uludag Tour with Lunch & Cable Car Option

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 1,879 reviews · 12 - 13 hours · from $30

Spend 12 to 13 hours traveling from Istanbul to Bursa and Uludağ with an English or Arabic-speaking guide. Visit the Green Mosque, Green Tomb, historic plane tree, local food shops, and mountain resort. Lunch is included, while ATV rides, ski equipment, chairlifts, and the cable car may cost extra.

“Luckily we witnessed snow in Uludag mountain in Bursa❤️ The guide was really helpful and hospitable. Made us entertained throughout the trip with pickup and drop off at hotel”

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Basilica Cistern Tickets, Blue Mosque Tours, Hagia Sophia Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Istanbul: Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, & Basilica Cistern Tour

7.Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, & Basilica Cistern Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 1,806 reviews · 3.5 hours · from $58

Spend 3.5 hours in Istanbul’s Old City with an English-speaking guide such as Ali, Buse, or Michael. Visit the Blue Mosque, Basilica Cistern, and Hagia Sophia’s visiting area and upper gallery, with skip-the-ticket-line access at the latter two and an audio guide for self-paced exploring.

“our guide was incredible..he was extremely knowledgeable about the history of these places. time flew by.”

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Audio Tours, Hagia Sophia Tours, Istanbul Self-Guided Audio Tours, Self-Guided Tours, Skip the Line, Tickets, Tour Reviews, Tours

Istanbul: Hagia Sophia Skip-the-Line Ticket with Audio Tour

8.Hagia Sophia Skip-the-Line Ticket with Audio Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 1,767 reviews · from $42

Enter Hagia Sophia through the ticket line with an instant QR pass, then explore its second-floor visiting areas with an English audio guide. Choose a small-group tour led by guides such as Furkan, Ilke, or Oğuzhan, or book a private guide for a more personal visit.

“Oguzhan was very knowledgeable and had good communication skills.”

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Guided, Tickets, Topkapi Palace Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Istanbul: Topkapi Palace and Harem Guided Tour with Ticket

9.Topkapi Palace and Harem Guided Tour with Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 1,726 reviews · 3 hours · from $55

Spend three hours at Topkapi Palace and its Harem with a live English or German-speaking guide. Guides such as Mert, Furkan, Elif, and Emre are praised for lively Ottoman history, while skip-the-line tickets help you reach the courtyards, royal rooms, and Harem faster.

“We had a great experience with our tour guide, Furkan, who was very kind, accurate and gave us a lot of interesting information about Topkapi Palace and Harem, and about the life at the time of the Sultans. Recommended!”

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Fener and Balat Tours, Guided, Half-Day, Istanbul Walking Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Walking Tours

Istanbul: Fener Balat Half-day Guided Walking Tour

10.Fener Balat Half-day Guided Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 1,711 reviews · 3 hours · from $20

Walk Fener and Balat with an English-speaking guide such as Yunus or Kübra. Visit the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate and Bulgarian Iron Church, see Cantemir Palace and colorful houses, learn about Istanbul’s Greek, Armenian, Jewish, and Bulgarian communities, and finish with Turkish coffee.

“Well guided walking tour. Worth visiting Fener Balat, very interesting. Highly recommended 😊.”

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Full-Day, Guided, Istanbul City Highlights Tours, Lunch Experiences, Tour Reviews, Tours

Istanbul: Full-Day Highlights Tour with Guide and Lunch

11.Full-Day Highlights Tour with Guide and Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 1,662 reviews · 7 hours · from $37

Cover Istanbul’s old city with a licensed guide, visiting Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, Hippodrome, Topkapi Palace, and Grand Bazaar. Lunch is included, but Topkapi and Hagia Sophia admission costs extra. Guides such as Baris, Kemal, and Zeynab are frequently assigned.

“Baris our guide was excellent. He knows the history, he is courteous, patient and just funny enough to not deviate much from the topic. Got a great group of people as well making the tour even more special.”

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Basilica Cistern Tickets, Blue Mosque Tours, Hagia Sophia Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Istanbul: Blue Mosque, Basilica Cistern, & Hagia Sophia Tour

12.Blue Mosque, Basilica Cistern, & Hagia Sophia Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 1,634 reviews · from $78

Meet near the Egyptian Obelisk for a three-hour walking tour of Sultanahmet. An English-speaking guide leads you through the Blue Mosque and Basilica Cistern, then explains Hagia Sophia from outside. The Cistern ticket is included, but Hagia Sophia costs an extra €30.

“Our guide Buse was amazing. Very knowledgeable and friendly. She did a great tour!”

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Full-Day, Lunch Experiences, Princes Islands Tours from Istanbul, Tour Reviews, Tours

From Istanbul: Full-Day Princes Island Tour with Lunch

13.Full-Day Princes Island Tour with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 1,550 reviews · 7 hours · from $26

Spend seven hours sailing from Istanbul to Kınalıada and Büyükada, with English guidance from hosts such as Dilek, Gül, or Muhittin. You’ll have island free time, Ottoman mansions, sea views, and summer lunch aboard the boat. Bikes and electric buggies cost extra.

“Very relaxing day trip and good quality for money very friendly guide too”

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Blue Mosque Tours, Hagia Sophia Tours, Tickets, Tour Reviews, Tours

Istanbul: Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia Tour w/Entry Tickets

14.Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia Tour w/Entry Tickets

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 1,407 reviews · from $37

Spend three hours walking Sultanahmet with an English-speaking guide such as Jan, Deniz, or Fatih. Visit the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia with priority admission, see the Hippodrome’s obelisks, and finish with practical advice for exploring Istanbul.

“Amazing! The tour guide was really helpful and gave recommendations for restaurants at the end. I would recommend this tour!”

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Guided, Istanbul City Highlights Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Walking Tours

Istanbul Highlights Small-Group Walking Guided Tour

15.Istanbul Highlights Small-Group Walking Guided Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,346 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $155

Spend about eight hours in Sultanahmet with an English-speaking guide, visiting the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, Basilica Cistern, Hippodrome, and Grand Bazaar. Guides such as Sevilay and Mustafa are praised for clear explanations and helpful pacing. Expect a demanding, mostly walking day.

“Our guide Ozmen (not sure of spelling) was fantastic! She was a font of knowledge, there seemed to be no question she didn't know the answer to. We spent more than six hours with her, and the time just flew by. We never could have seen everything on our own and known what we were doing and seeing. She made everything so interesting! Totally worth the price.”

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