Istanbul Shore Excursions
Private Istanbul tour with a local tour guide for a full or half day, depending on when your cruise liner docks at Istanbul Galata Port. Depending on your interests in culture and history, you can tailor your Istanbul day tour.
Service Provider: Romos Travel
Service Details
Istanbul is a city of contrasts. For you to experience all of these places firsthand, we may set up a private tour of Istanbul. You will visit these places in Istanbul’s Old City: The Hippodrome was a historic chariot race venue with a U-shaped design. It had a maximum capacity of 100,000 people.
Even though the Hippodrome no longer has its seats, walls, or most of what was left, these three monuments—the Egyptian Obelisk, the Serpent Column, and the Constantine Columns—remain. Between 1609 and 1616, Sultan Ahmet of the Ottoman Empire erected the Blue Mosque. Although it is officially called Sultanahmet Mosque, tourists have given it the label “Blue Mosque” because of the interior’s blue tiles
The Topkapi Palace serves as a reminder of the Ottoman Empire’s heyday when it served as both the ruler’s residence and the seat of power. The palace was constructed on Sultan Mehmet II’s orders and completed in the 15th century. It served as the Ottoman Empire’s administrative hub during the time
The Topkapi Palace, which was transformed into a museum in 1924, is currently accessible to the general public.
The world’s biggest and tallest cathedral is called Hagia Sophia. The Roman Emperor Justinian I issued the construction order during the years 532 and 537. Up until the Turks converted it into a mosque in the 15th century, it was a church. In 1934, it was converted into a museum.
Hagia Sophia will cease to be a museum in July 2020. In its place, it will resume its former function as a mosque. Hagia Sophia is accessible to the general public, just like the other mosques in the region.
With more than 4,000 businesses dispersed across 61 streets, The Grand Bazaar is the largest and oldest covered market in the world. Sultan Mehmet II erected the Grand Bazaar in the fifteenth century. Eventually, further sultans expanded it and added to it.
Your guide will make every effort to help you find the one unique work of Turkish art that has always had a special place in your heart if you want them to.
Tour Highlights
Hagia Sophia (Ayasofya Mosque), Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, Hippodrome, Grand Bazaar
Why Book This Service
· Explore Istanbul’s Old City with a private guide tailored to your interests, ensuring a personalized and immersive experience of the city’s rich history and vibrant culture.
· Visit iconic landmarks such as the Hippodrome, where you’ll see ancient monuments like the Egyptian Obelisk, Serpent Column, and Constantine Columns, remnants of a grand chariot-racing arena.
· Marvel at the Blue Mosque, renowned for its stunning blue tiles and its significance as a masterpiece of Ottoman architecture.
· Discover the grandeur of the Topkapi Palace, the former residence and administrative center of the Ottoman sultans, now a fascinating museum showcasing opulent rooms and treasures.
· Experience the architectural magnificence of Hagia Sophia, a structure that has transformed through centuries from a church to a mosque, then a museum, and now a functioning mosque once more.
· Immerse yourself in the vibrant atmosphere of the Grand Bazaar, the world’s oldest and largest covered market, where your guide can help you find unique Turkish crafts, jewelry, and souvenirs.
· Benefit from the convenience of starting your tour directly from Istanbul Galata Port, with options to use the tram for efficient travel to the Old City, maximizing your time in this captivating destination.
What's Included
- Private Professional Tour Guide
- Public Transport Tickets
- Private Guided Tour
Please Note
- Topkapi Palace is closed on Tuesdays. Basilica Cistern will be replaced.
- The Grand Bazaar is closed on Sundays. Spice Bazaar will be replaced.
- A walking tour of the old city is offered in Istanbul. Please wear comfortable, everyday attire.
- Ladies should bring scarves to cover their hair because you will be visiting mosques, or the mosques will have some available.
Meeting Point
At Istanbul Galata Cruise Port
Cancellation Details
Booking can be cancelled up to 3 day(s) before the tour start.
25 reviews for Istanbul Shore Excursions
Tour Pictures from Travelers
Tour time is valid up to 8 hours however we had short time like 4 hours as our ship was moving at 13:00 but we packed with highlights. Great shore excursion—efficient and delightful. Visited blue mosque, hagia sophia, hippodrome and outside of Topkapi palace, even visit entrance part and walk to Gulane park where is garden of palace. Our guide Ozy made amazing work, did perfect timing!… Suggested to Cruise travelers as this is the tour host and i direclty booked with them so proud to find this website and booked my tour. I got all information after the booking which was so professional.
Istanbul in a day! Mosques, markets, ferry—loved it. Guide was friendly and precise with timing.
Highly recommend for cruise guests—great pace, knowledgeable guide, and memorable photo stops.
Fun and informative! We toured historical sites, shopped for spices, and boarded a scenic ferry. Seamless return to ship.
Efficient and enjoyable shore tour—beautiful mosques, tasty kebabs, and a nice boat ride. Great value!
Perfect for a cruise stop. Highlights included Sultanahmet, underground cistern, and a peaceful Bosphorus cruise. Stress-free!
A truly immersive experience: we explored Topkapi Palace, wandered Sultanahmet Square, haggled at the Egyptian Bazaar, and ended the day with a scenic ride on the Bosphorus. Guide was incredibly knowledgeable—explaining architecture, local customs, and even recommending lesser-known dessert shops. Everything was punctual and well-paced.
Saw everything we hoped for—beautiful tour. Highly efficient shore experience.
Lovely tour—good food, nice boat ride, and city tour. Well-paced and fun.
We signed up for a day tour… and got a grand adventure! From the moment we set foot on Istanbul’s vibrant streets, it felt like we were in the heart of an epic tale. Racing across continents by ferry, tasting sizzling kebabs straight from the grill, and marveling at timeless architecture, this was far more than a shore excursion—it was the highlight of our entire cruise!