Old City Tour: From Constantinople to Istanbul

Duration: 2h and 30min
Languages: English
Guru: Haktan
Quality Verified Registered on April 03, 2019

Hello, my name is Haktan. I am a licenced tour guide who is in love with Istanbul! I will take you to some amazing places and tell you their even more amazing stories! I studied in the USA and travelled to more than 30 countries joining the walking tours whenever I had a chance. I always dreamt of doing such tours in Istanbul and I got my tour guiding degree and started doing it 3 years ago. So far I've received great reviews and met a lot of amazing people. I have three different tours and there is no overlap between them. If you do all of them, I will declare you an Istanbul guru :) Looking forward to meeting you! Haktan

Show more
  • No minimum number of attendees
    No minimum number of attendees is required for the tour
  • Free booking and cancellation
    Free payment tour, no set price, booking and cancellation are free

Tour description

 Tour details:

Would you like to capture the essence of this city in a fun and informative way in couple of hours? Then this tour is a must-do for you! Its time is arranged for the easiest entrance to Hagia Sophia because the line is usually much shorter in the evenings. 

Capital city of both Roman and Ottoman Empires, Istanbul has a lot to tell you about those civilizations. While visiting its Hippodrome and talking about the monumental columns and obelisks on it we will talk about the Roman heritage in the city. Visiting one of the most elegant mosques of Architect Sinan, we will have a chance to see a classic Ottoman Mosque and talk about its past and present. We will also see a traditional Bazaar, a Hamam, learn about the Blue Mosque take amazing photos and finally enter Hagia Sophia. Its definitely the highlight of this city and the highlight of this tour. I will finish the tour in its courtyard so whoever wants can go back inside and spend more time in beautiful Hagia Sophia after the tour. 

  • German fountain 
  • Hagia Sophia  (INSIDE)
  • Hippodrome 
  • The Walled Obelisk
  • Obelisk of Theodosius
  • Serpent column
  • Ibrahim Pasha Palace
  • Sokullu Mehmed Pasha Mosque (Hidden Gem!)
  • Nakkaş Cistern
  • Arasta Bazaar
  • Blue mosque (outside)
  • Hurrem Sultan Hamam (from outside)


 Useful information for the traveler:

-No ticket is needed for any place we will enter.
-You may want to bring a scarf to enter the mosques.
-
When the tour ends you will be able to pay the guru whatever you consider fair. Some will pay €10, others $50. It's up to you! (minimum contribution is €10 per person around the world.)
-The agency for my tours is Eyupsultan Travel A-10425

 We look forward to meeting you!

Show more
Highlights

What will we visit on this tour?

  • Meeting point:
    Binbirdirek, German Fountain, Atmeyda...
    Binbirdirek, German Fountain, Atmeydanı Cd., 34122 Fatih/İstanbul, Turkey
    View on map

    In front of the German Fountain with a tour guide tag and an ORANGE UMBRELLA.

  • 1
    Outside visit
    Hippodrome of Constantinople
  • 2
    Free admission
    Hagiasophia
  • 3
    Free admission
    Sokullu Mehmet Paşa
  • 4
    Outside visit
    Blue Mosque
  • 5
    Outside visit
    Arasta Bazaar

How much does this tour cost?

Free tours do not have a set price, instead, each person gives the guru at the end of the tour the amount that he or she considers appropriate (these usually range from €10 to $50 depending on satisfaction with the tour).

Tour opinions

663 ratings
5.0
By category
Professionalism
4.96
Fun
4.9
Expression
4.94
Quality
4.93
Route
4.91
Generic
5 stars
650
4 stars
9
3 stars
3
2 stars
0
1 star
1
Sahil 29 Sep 2023
Toronto

Verified booking
Travelled alone - Sep 2023
Amazing tour guide. Explained the old city very well and was also very funny ! I enjoyed the tour. Highly recommended for everyone.
Tatiana 29 Sep 2023
Montreal

Verified booking
Travelled in couple - Sep 2023
The best tour guide! Really enjoyed this tour! Thank you very much.
Filippo 27 Sep 2023
Brussels

Verified booking
Travelled in couple - Sep 2023
Great !
alejandra 26 Sep 2023
Mexico City

Verified booking
Travelled alone - Sep 2023
The tour was ok, the info was very good but I think more information about the history of Constantinople was missing! Our group was big maybe at least 30 people, he provides a hearing device so it's ok but it makes the tour feel impersonal and i felt that there was no time for questions as with a big group like this the time is more limited, the sites were interesting and the guide is a good communicator but it felt like a massive tour and i like tour that are more alternative and more personal
Elena 24 Sep 2023
Modena

Verified booking
Travelled in couple - Sep 2023
Amazing!! We visited a wonderful hidden mosque that it is not usually explored if you join a standard tour. Haktan is a very expert guide, he provides you with some historical information and a lots of curiosity and things that you cannot simply find on Google.
Show 663 reviews

Who is this tour for?

Accessibility
Non suitable for people with reduced mobility.
Groups
Does not accept large group reservations.
Pets
Suitable for carrying pets.

What should you know?

Minimum of attendees
There is no minimum number of people required for the tour.
Additional costs:
The tour does not require the payment of entrance fees or additional expenses.
Free cancellation
If you will not be able to attend the tour, please cancel your booking, otherwise the guide will be waiting for you.
Payment methods
Only cash payment is accepted.
When do you want to go?
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Show more
See availability