ISTANBUL
The pick of Istanbul.
The 15 experiences worth building a trip around in Istanbul. The cruises, the monuments, the markets and the day trips most people remember long after they fly home.
Bosphorus dinner cruise on a mega yacht with 3-course meal, live music and dance, plus audio guide views of Dolmabahçe and Maiden’s Tower.
Most Popular“Today we had nice experience in this dinner service was excellent from Devran.”
Bosphorus dinner cruise for $34 with unlimited soft drinks, Turkish Night show, and night views of Istanbul palaces and bridges.
“The whole experience was amazing and we thought it was incredible value considering the prices at the moment in Istanbul. Shout out to Elvis for being amazing!”
Basilica Cistern skip-the-line entry with a multilingual audio guide app in 11 languages, plus flexible all-day access in Istanbul.
“One of the largest underground water reservoirs beneath the city, built by Justinian I. in 532. ad. The reservoir still contains water today, and atmospheric lighting enhances the visual experience. The walls and columns clearly display Greco-Roman architectural features. It's best to arrive early, right after opening. The site can be comfortably explored in a…”
Skip-the-line entry to Topkapi Palace and the Harem with timed access and a phone audio guide in Istanbul.
“Very well organised Ozzy was a great guide and explained very well.”
Istanbul Bosphorus yacht cruise with audio guide, snacks and fruit, plus sunset options past Dolmabahçe and Maiden Tower.
“I took a Bosphorus Sunset Cruise in Istanbul today, and the experience was absolutely wonderful. The service was excellent and highly professional from the moment of boarding to the time we returned. We were offered fresh fruits, snacks, and drinks everything was perfect. A special mention to Tuba, whose attention and kindness were exceptional. She…”
Priority-ticket guided tour of Istanbul’s Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia, with a Hippodrome stop, headsets, and Galataport pickup option.
“Our guide whose name I believe was Atta, was passionate about his job and very knowledgeable about the history of The Blue Mosque as well as the Hagia Sofia. We did not have to queue for long. A well worth while tour which we can recommend.”
Private Turkish hamam in Istanbul’s Old City with scrub, foam massage, steam and sauna, plus optional massage and tea. $53 pp.
“Highly recommend this private Turkish bath and massage. My massage therapist was professional, made me feel very at ease, pressure was perfect also. The facilities were clean and I really felt relaxed upon entering. The bath was a real treat, didn’t know what to expect but gosh it felt refreshing. Definitely recommend.”
Make a Turkish mosaic lamp in Istanbul in 2.5 hours with snacks and unlimited tea or coffee, then take your lamp home.
“From start to finish everything was amazing. The workshop host was incredibly nice. A must visit when coming to istanbul”
Make your own custom perfume in Istanbul with a Bosphorus view. 2 hours, $28, 50+ scents, tea included.
“Bryan and Serena made the experience so much fun and helped take the guess work out of making my new signature scent. I had a great time. Definitely book it.”
Bosphorus sunset yacht cruise with a live English guide, snacks and homemade lemonade, plus big photo moments like Dolmabahçe and Maiden’s Tower.
“An unforgettable sunset boat experience on the Bosphorus. Seeing Istanbul from the water at golden hour is truly magical, with incredible views of the skyline, bridges, and historic landmarks. The boat was clean and comfortable, and the crew was friendly and professional. A calm, beautiful way to experience the city — highly recommended and definitely…”
A 2-hour Bosphorus sunset cruise from Kabataş with an audio guide, skyline views across two continents, and included soft drinks and snacks.
“Excellent service, people are very nice thanks to chef Ahmed for his hospitality I highly recommend it ! This sunset was also beautiful we really enjoyed it !”
A budget-friendly 2-hour Bosphorus cruise with phone audio in 11 languages, unlimited Turkish tea, Wi‑Fi, and Europe-Asia skyline views.
“The overall experience was good. but in general we dint find the cruise ride so amazing after having done many other cruise rides across europe.”
A budget-friendly Princes Islands cruise from Istanbul to Heybeliada and Büyükada, with lunch on board, sea views, and free time.
“A must-do! Great value for the price. We loved the atmosphere on board and the staff were wonderful. A special shout-out to our guide, Oktay, who was incredible; his English was perfect and he was very clear and welcoming. The lunch was tasty and satisfying. The islands are stunning and so serene this time of…”
Skip-the-line tickets to Istanbul’s Basilica Cistern for a self-paced visit with atmospheric lighting and iconic Medusa columns.
“Booking through GYG was easy and we had our tickets well before the booked date. It is important that we had the QR codes for the actual tickets and we didn't have to reach out to anyone, like local partner, in order to get them.”
Skip-the-line Hagia Sophia entry with an English audio guide app. Visit the upper gallery at your pace, then soak in Byzantine-Ottoman stories.
“We got it specially for the audio guide, which turned out was way worse than the free one included with your ticket, the skip the line thing is useful cause you don’t have to buy the tickets on the kiosk but there’s still a huge line to enter to the museum/chruch”
From the strait to the old city to the day trips beyond, and every way to see them.
