Explore Istanbul’s Old City with a Private Guide and visit Hagia Sophia, a former Byzantine cathedral that inspired the architecture of Ottoman mosques a thousand years later. Optional: private transfers and fast track tickets to Topkapi Palace.

Highlights
  • Private Guided Tour of Hagia Sophia, Old City & Topkapi Palace Museum(attractions depends on option)
  • 5-Star Licensed Guide who fluent in the language of your choice
  • Fast track tickets to Hagia Sophia Mosque (all options)
  • Fast track tickets to the Topkapi Palace Museum (4- and 5,5-hour options only)
  • Private transfers with pickup and drop-off at your accommodation (3,5- and 5,5-hour options only)
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before activity starts
Best price guarantee - no brokers

Select participants, date, and language

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Activity details

Facilities
  • 2-hour to 5,5-hour
  • Private TourOnly your group - no strangers
  • Roso PromiseTop expert guide · Tailor-made plan · Flexible stops
  • Top expert guide Hand-picked by our local team
  • Car Transport
  • Languages Language of your choice
Full description
If you can only visit 1 place in Istanbul, it has to be Hagia Sophia. This building alone will tell you the city's full history, from Byzantine times, through the Ottoman Empire, to the new Republic of Turkey. Walk through Sultanahmet Old City and find out how Hagia Sophia has maintained its cultural significance over the centuries. Fast track tickets are included in this exclusive tour. Book now!

Book a 2-hour tour of Sultanahmet Old City and Hagia Sophia. It is the most visited attraction in Istanbul, so we provide fast track tickets to help you save time and avoid long queues at the ticket office. Together with our Expert Guide, you will discover the heart of ancient Constantinople and its largest and most important temple. You will be astonished by Hagia Sophia's serene atmosphere, architecture and art, which combines Christian and Islamic elements. Admire Hagia Sophia's Byzantine mosaics from the 9th-13th century and learn about the temple's construction and transformation from a Christian cathedral to a mosque. Find out how Hagia Sophia inspired the designs of Blue Mosque and other Ottoman buildings in Istanbul.

Choose the 3,5-hour option to book private transfers with a 2-hour private tour of Hagia Sophia and Old City. The estimated 1,5-hour round-trip transfer includes both pickup and drop-off at your accommodation, making it easier to get to the meeting point from any location in Istanbul. Enjoy a hassle-free experience with a licensed driver and a private vehicle.

Book a 4-hour tour to see the highlights of Sultanahmet Old City and visit Hagia Sophia and the Topkapi Palace Museum. Immerse yourself in Ottoman history, heritage and architecture. The Topkapi Palace Museum offers an insight into the everyday life of the Ottoman Sultans. Explore the historic palace with its elegant courtyards, pavilions and museum exhibits. Beat the crowds with fast trak tickets to 2 top-rated attractions of Istanbul!

Choose the 5,5-hour option to book private transfers with a 4-hour private tour of Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace Museum and the Old City. This option includes an estimated 1,5-hour round-trip transfer from your accommodation. Both pickup and drop-off is included for your convenience. Take advantage of a private vehicle to travel in comfort.

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Includes

    Private Guided Tour of Hagia Sophia, Old City and Topkapi Palace Museum (number of attractions depends on the option selected)

  • 5-Star Licensed Guide who fluent in the language of your choice
  • Fast track tickets to Hagia Sophia Mosque (all options)
  • Fast track tickets to the Topkapi Palace Museum (4- and 5,5-hour options only)
  • Private transfers with pickup and drop-off at your accommodation (3,5- and 5,5-hour options only)
  • Tickets to the Imperial Harem of the Topkapi Palace Museum (optional, payable on the site)
  • Fast track tickets to the Topkapi Palace Museum (in the 2- and 3,5-hour options)
  • Private transfers with pickup and drop-off at your accommodation (in the 2- and 4-hour options only)
Meeting point

2-hour: Old City & Hagia Sophia: World Heritage Center Hotel, Alemdar, Doktor Eminpaşa Sokak, Fatih/İstanbul, Türkiye | Meet your guide in front of the World Heritage Center Hotel, Alemdar, Divanyolu Caddesi, Dr. Eminpaşa Sk. No:2, 34110 Fatih/İstanbul, Turkey. Please do not enter the hotel, it is only a meeting point and the staff is not informed about the tour. Open in Google Maps

3,5-hour: Old City, Hagia Sophia with Transport: İstanbul, Türkiye | Pickup & drop-off: Guests will be driven from their accommodation to the meeting point, where the guide will be waiting in front of the Hotel St. Sophia Istanbul; Cankurtaran, Alemdar Cd. No:2, 34122 Fatih/İstanbul, Türkiye. After the tour, the driver will wait at the same location for return transfer. Open in Google Maps

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4-hour: Old City, Hagia Sophia & Topkapi Palace Museum: World Heritage Center Hotel, Alemdar, Doktor Eminpaşa Sokak, Fatih/İstanbul, Türkiye | Meet your guide in front of the World Heritage Center Hotel, Alemdar, Divanyolu Caddesi, Dr. Eminpaşa Sk. No:2, 34110 Fatih/İstanbul, Turkey. Please do not enter the hotel, it is only a meeting point and the staff is not informed about the tour. Open in Google Maps

5,5-hour: Old City, Hagia Sophia & Topkapi with Transport: İstanbul, Türkiye | Pickup & drop-off: Guests will be driven from their accommodation to the meeting point, where the guide will be waiting in front of the Hotel St. Sophia Istanbul; Cankurtaran, Alemdar Cd. No:2, 34122 Fatih/İstanbul, Türkiye. After the tour, the driver will wait at the same location for return transfer. Open in Google Maps

Important information

What you should know

  • Check your email the day before the tour for important information
  • Please note that the number of attractions depends on the selected option.
  • Fast track tickets allow you to skip the line at the ticket office but not at the security and entrance.
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  • All visitors to Hagia Sophia must follow mosque etiquette, which includes modest attire (headscarves for women). Some areas are closed to non-Muslims during prayer hours, and women are only allowed in the visitors area.
  • Admission to Topkapi Palace Museum includes Hagia Irene. Tickets to the Imperial Harem can be purchased on the spot.
  • For the best experience, we limit your group size to 1-25 guests per guide. The price of the tour will be higher if you need more guides.
  • The 3,5 and 5,5-hour options include an estimated 1,5-hour round-trip transfer from your accommodation, depending on the distance and traffic. We offer a standard car (sedan) for 1-4 people, or a larger van for groups of 5+ people. You can book a 5-people tour for a larger vehicle.