Istanbul Free Tour

9.10 / 10

16,223 reviews | 221,961 travellers

Yasin was a fantastic guide, very friendly and explained everything to us, great!

 10 Giselle

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The Blue Mosque, one of Istanbul's most iconic the temples

Obelisk in the Hippodrome of Constantinople

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Yasin was a fantastic guide, very friendly and explained everything to us, great!

  Giselle

Admire the exterior architecture of opulent mosques and discover the amazing history of Istanbul with this guided tour.

Description
Admire the exterior architecture of opulent mosques and discover the amazing history of Istanbul with this guided tour.
Description

We'll begin this free guided tour of Istanbul at 10:30 am at the centrally located Sultanahmet Square. Just a short walk from the square, we'll find the famous Blue Mosque and the Hagia Sophia Basilica, two of Istanbul's most iconic temples.

On a stop in front of their emblematic facades, you'll be able to appreciate all the intricate (and surprising) architectural details that usually go unnoticed.

Continuing on, we'll head in the direction of Topkapi Palace and the Basilica Cistern or "submerged palace," the latter of which houses a great secret that has even been mentioned in one of Dan Brown's novels.

Next, we'll explore the square where the Roman Hippodrome of Constantinople used to be located. In the past, this great public space was where the popular chariot races were held, "the Formula 1 of Antiquity". You'll learn all about these competitions and why they achieved success similar to that of today's formula racing.

In the final stretch of this free guided tour, we'll visit the German Fountain, the Obelisk of Thutmose III and the Hagia Irene.

Finally, after 2.5 hours, the tour will come to an end in a gift shop in central Istanbul.

Which Monuments Will We See?

Blue Mosque

Hagia Sophia Basilica

Topkapi Palace

Basilica Cistern

Roman Hippodrome of Constantinople

The German Fountain

Obelisk of Thutmose III

Hagia Irene

Important Information

This free tour doesn't admit groups of more than 6 people, even if they book the activity separately. If you are a larger group, check out our private tour of Istanbul.
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Details
More Information

Duration

2h 30m.

Language

The activity takes place with a guide that speaks in English.

Included

English speaking guide

Not included

Tips

When to book?

You can book up to the tour start time subject to availability. Book now to guarantee your spot.

Type of voucher

Electronic. Show the voucher on your phone.

Accessibility

Wheelchair accessible. This must be indicated in the reservation. An accompanying person is required.
Sustainability
All services published on Civitatis are carried out in accordance with our Sustainability Code.

Sustainability Code

Our providers commit to:

Provide a safe and satisfying experience.

Reduce, reuse, recycle.

Incorporate eco-conscious technologies.

Uphold fair employment standards.

Foster the growth of local communities.

Preserve the integrity of local culture.

Safeguard both cultural and environmental heritage.

Ensure ethical treatment of animals.

Operate with honesty and transparency.

Encourage sustainable behaviors among customers and staff.

This particular activity contributes as follows:

No printing of documentation required.

Promotes local employment.

Has a gender equality policy.

Has a carbon footprint offset policy.
Pets

Permitted.
Frequently asked questions
Q - Why do this activity with Civitatis?

A - At Civitatis we guarantee the best quality and prices, click here if you want to know how we select our activities.

Q - How to book?

A - To reserve the activity, choose the date and complete the form on this page. You will receive your confirmation immediately.

Q - Which local supplier will be providing the tour?

A - Mustafa Afsin Tuluce Viaurbis Corporate name: SALTICA LTD Registered Office: 332 Green Lanes, London, United Kingdom Tax Identification Number (VAT ID): 12302604 Contact information: Send an email to the provider o call

If you have any other questions please contact us.
Cancellations

Free cancellation
If you are not able to attend the tour, please cancel your reservation, otherwise the guide will be waiting for you.
Meeting point

Meeting point

Where does the activity end?

Sultan Ahmet Park

Pasión Turca Gift Shop

View map

Where does the activity end?

Pasión Turca Gift Shop
Reviews

Our customers' reviews
These are genuine reviews written by our customers.

5 out of 16,223 reviews

9.1 / 10

 9.0784614436294 16,223 reviews | 221,961 travellers

1208 traveler-submitted photos

 10

Mar / 05 / 2025

B

Beatriz

Madrid, Spain

Yasin fue un guía increíble con el que aprendimos muchísimas cosas sobre la ciudad de Estambul y su cultura. El recorrido fue precioso, viendo las dos mezquitas más importantes de la ciudad y mostrándonos datos curiosos sobre cada una de ellas. Sin duda recomiendo!! Translate this opinion into English.

Yasin was an amazing guide with whom we learned a lot about the city of Istanbul and its culture. The tour was beautiful, seeing the two most important mosques in the city and showing us interesting facts about each one of them. I definitely recommend it!! Opinion translated. Show original.

I travelled with my partner

 10

Mar / 02 / 2025

C

Carmen

Madrid, Spain

Muy interesante, completo y se te pasa rápido el tiempo. El guía super simpático, amable y con muchos conocimientos sobre las mezquitas principales y alrededores. También nos llevó a un mercado cercano y al punto donde realizar la mejor foto a la Mezquita Azul. Además nos facilitó información sobre restaurantes, donde es más barato comprar y los recuerdos más típicos de Estambul con sus buenas explicaciones. Totalmente recomendable. Te dan muy buenos consejos. Translate this opinion into English.

Very interesting, complete and time flies. The guide was super nice, friendly and very knowledgeable about the main mosques and surrounding areas. He also took us to a nearby market and to the place where we could take the best photo of the Blue Mosque. He also gave us information about restaurants, where it is cheaper to buy and the most typical souvenirs of Istanbul with his good explanations. Totally recommended. They give you very good advice. Opinion translated. Show original.

I travelled with friends

 10

May / 12 / 2025

L

Leyla

Spain

El tour fue fantástico, nuestro guía, Yassin, fue encantador, super simpático y muy detallista a la hora de contarnos curiosidades y la historia en si de las atracciones turísticas que visitábamos a medida que iba avanzando el tour, recomendaciones de qué hacer, qué ver, qué comer... Sin duda, volvería a repetir!! Un 10 como guía turístico ️️ Translate this opinion into English.

The tour was fantastic. Our guide, Yassin, was charming, super friendly, and very detailed when it came to telling us interesting facts and the history of the tourist attractions we visited as the tour progressed, giving recommendations on what to do, what to see, what to eat... I would definitely do it again! A 10 for his tour guide! Opinion translated. Show original.

I travelled with friends

 10

May / 10 / 2025

A

Amal

Paris, France

Pinar was just amazing sharing her passion of history. She gave an overview of the most famous monuments of Istanbul highlighting the roles of various characters and with humour! Despite the bad and rainy weather, she was able to provide us with her stunning energy. Thank you a lot for spending time with us to offer us the opportunity to fall I love with Istanbul and come back

I travelled by myself

 10

May / 03 / 2025

N

Noel

Sevilla, Spain

El tour imprescindible para tener una idea general de la ciudad. Yasin sin duda excelente guía, súper amable, nos enseñó con todo lujo de detalles cada uno de los sitios que visitamos, pasó el tour sin que se notase la caminata y el tiempo, súper ameno. Translate this opinion into English.

A must-see tour to get a general idea of the city. Yasin was, without a doubt, an excellent guide, super friendly, showing us every site we visited in great detail. The tour went by without making the walking and time seem unbearable, super enjoyable. Opinion translated. Show original.

I travelled with my partner

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May 2025

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