ISTANBUL · THE OLD CITY
The pick of Istanbul.
The 15 most popular grand bazaar tours in Istanbul. A short list of the ones worth planning a day around, with prices, run times and who to book with.
Rooftop views and secret passages in Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar, with artisan stops, tea, and 600-year trade stories.
Most Popular“Excellent tour with a very knowledgeable guide who had put a lot into it. Take a notepad so you can remember all his tips!”
See Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, and Istanbul’s Old City highlights on a small guided walking tour with skip-the-line ticket help and pickup.
“Lots of walking but our tour guide, Baris, was a historian so lots of great information at each stop. Breathtaking sites and I learned a lot!! 👍 Only problem was that we did the tour on a national holiday and the Grand Bazaar was closed😞”
Hotel pickup, Spice Bazaar shopping, and a Bosphorus cruise past palaces on both continents in about 3 hours.
“Well worth it, guide was attentive and knowledgeable.”
A smart 5-hour Istanbul walk that links Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Basilica Cistern, and the Grand Bazaar with skip-line access and an excellent guide.
“Fantastic tour, well worth the cost to have Oz (not the right spelling sorry!) tell us stories and show us all the best parts of the attractions. He was funny and knowledgeable and happy to answer all our questions as well as giving recommendations for other places to see. No queuing despite the crowds was…”
Air-conditioned Istanbul tour with pickup, skip-the-line Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Hippodrome, and Grand Bazaar in 4 hours for $25.
“Wonderful visit of Istanbul’s treasures in 4 hours! I need to say that Baris, our guide, made me fall in love with Istanbul so much more! Thanks to him for such great day!”
A 5.5-hour small-group Istanbul Bazaar Quarter food tour with two meals, snacks, and a stop focused on Grand Bazaar craftsmen.
“Our tour began outside the train station in Fatih and was easy to find. Our tour guide Esin was wonderful. She had arranged a traditional Turkish breakfast for us inside the train station (the same one built to accommodate the Orient Express! After breakfast we continued through the streets of Fatih constantly stopping at various…”
Half-day Istanbul tour featuring the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Hippodrome, and Grand Bazaar, with pickup and Hagia Sophia entry.
“Can was a great guide - he was really knowledgeable & gave detailed explanations about important historical and architectural points - thanks!”
A half-day Istanbul tour linking four empires through Hagia Sophia, the Basilica Cistern, and the Grand Bazaar, with optional carpet stops.
“The Hagia Sophia is an absolute must see and going with a tour means avoiding the long lineups. The Basillica Cistern was also worth a view. However those are the only good things I can say about this tour. Our tour started quite a bit later than planned and our guide did not seem very…”
Make your own Turkish mosaic lamp in the Grand Bazaar. Hands-on workshop, tea and coffee included, with a take-home fee at the spot.
“Easy to follow, love the lamp I created. Really enjoyable and relaxing experience. Recommend to others”
Small-group Istanbul highlights tour covering Basilica Cistern, Blue Mosque, Hippodrome sights, and Grand Bazaar, with local context and smart pacing.
“Aron was great, very knowledgeable of city and history. Great way to start our trip, got oriented, got great pointers for visits to attractions, shopping and eating. Very much worth the money and time. Arol English is great!”
See Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Hippodrome and the Grand Bazaar in a 3-hour small-group morning with skip-the-line tickets and hotel pickup.
“Our hotel was nearby the start of the tour at the blue mosque but the pick-up service drove us/let us wait over 40 minutes around the city.”
Istanbul’s Byzantine and Ottoman highlights in one guided day: Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Hippodrome, and Grand Bazaar.
“It was okay. The day we went for the tour was so chaotic due to protest going on. The bus company let us stay in the stop with all the huge crowd making me nervous. They should rerouted their tours knowing the event for the safety of their customers. Staying in the bus for 1.5…”
A guided 4-hour shopping loop through Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar and Egyptian Bazaar, with smart haggling tips and an Iznik ceramics stop.
“An absolutely fabulous experience with Aik our guide. He made Istanbul come alive. He was so knowledgeable on the history of Turkey and personable. We highly recommend the Grand Bazaar and Spice Market tour. You won’t be disappointed.”
Bosphorus cruise with Golden Horn views and a guided Spice Bazaar visit in Istanbul, with hotel pickup and a 1.5-hour boat ride.
“La guida è stata molto competente gentile e disponibile. Bella la crociera …”
Half-day Bosphorus cruise plus the Egyptian Spice Bazaar. See the bridge, Rumeli Hisari, Ottoman waterfront mansions, and shop smarter with a guide.
From the strait to the old city to the day trips beyond, and every way to see them.
