ISTANBUL
The pick of Istanbul.
The 15 most popular lunch experiences in Istanbul. A short list of the ones worth planning a day around, with prices, run times and who to book with.
Bursa and Uludag from Istanbul in one packed day: Green Mosque sights, Turkish sweets and jam, included lunch, and optional cable car views.
Most Popular“The views were incredible, Bursa is beautiful, we had the cable car ride, we had dinner on the ferry. We had lunch at a restaurant located on the mountain. and the mountain was fully snow.”
One day in Istanbul’s old center with a guide, skip-the-line entry, lunch, and time in the Grand Bazaar, plus optional palace visits.
“This was a well-organised, well-paced, informative tour to the major sites of the old city of Istanbul. Baris was exceptional in his delivery and management of the tour.”
Cruise from Istanbul to Princes Islands with Ottoman mansions, seagulls and simits, plus lunch and free time on Büyükada.
“Very relaxing day trip and good quality for money very friendly guide too”
Guided day trip from Istanbul to Sapanca and Maşukiye with Sapanca Lake time, lunch by a waterfall, cable car, quad rides and zipline.
“Tour guide was informative and attentive. Very nice experience for my last day in Istanbul”
A 7-hour Princes’ Islands cruise from Istanbul with hotel transfer, lunch onboard, and free time on Büyükada and Kınalıada.
“Loved the whole experience. We were picked up at 8 as we were farthest. The boat had nice seating and food was alright too. The islands were beautiful and a good break from the bustle of the city. The leather shop at the end was superfluous but timepass.”
Explore Istanbul’s Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace and Grand Bazaar with hotel pickup, included tickets, traditional lunch, small group.
“Amazing tour. Saw all the major sites without having to wait in ticket line and our guide was extremely knowledgeable and well spoken in explaining the rich history of turkey and the relevance of each historic site. We had a wonderful lunch at a hotel rooftop as well all included! Would 100% recommend this tour.”
Istanbul Heritage Tour with hotel pickup, guided visits to Hagia Sophia through Topkapi, and a Bosphorus-view lunch with tickets included.
“Interesting and insightful. However your experience is very much dependent on the guide. The day is busy and traffic can be challenging. Our guide was rushed and uninterested. He only provided the bare bones information and wasn't really into it. We saw other guides that were more informative”
See Istanbul’s top sights in one day with a live English guide, skip-the-line entries, and lunch, finishing in the Grand Bazaar.
“Excellent trip, without our guide Okan it will not have been possible to see all that we see. Excellent and clean transportation. We were taken to the Topkapi palace where Okan explained us everything and bought our skip the line ticket which was €45 per person. A must see palace where we saw the famous…”
See both sides of Istanbul in one 12-hour tour with Camlica views, Beylerbeyi Palace, lunch, Eyüp Sultan Mosque, Pierre Loti, and a Bosporus cruise.
“What I liked most about the tour was how well-balanced the program was. It was neither tiring nor rushed. Transportation, timing, and the order of visits were very well planned. Our guide was both informative and attentive. We were able to spend enough time at each stop, from Beylerbeyi Palace to Pierre Loti Hill. The…”
Escape Istanbul on a 12-hour Sapanca & Maşukiye day trip with cable car views, optional zipline/ATV thrills, and a lakeside lunch.
“It was a well-organized and enjoyable experience. I recommend it.”
Small-group Istanbul day tour: skip-the-line Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque, Turkish lunch, Egyptian Spice Bazaar, and a Bosphorus cruise.
“It was very nice. The tour guide and eventually the bus driver were very sweet. Helped me to take pictures”
Full-day Princes’ Islands escape with ferry views of Topkapi and Maiden’s Tower, Heybeliada and Büyükada time, lunch, and optional hotel transfers.
“This trip to the Princess Islands was a highlight for us on our trip to Turkey. The tour guide was friendly and well organised with lively music and refreshments available to purchase on the way there and back. The tour facilitates the visit and suggested cycling on the bigger island, which was a great idea,…”
Half-day Bosphorus to Black Sea cruise from Istanbul with Turkish lunch, swimming stops, and famous skyline views from the water.
“The staff at all levels took a good care of us! Plenty of drinks, enough food! Would definitely recommend!”
Fast, guided Cappadocia from Istanbul with a roundtrip flight, skip-the-line help, Avanos lunch, and classic fairy-chimney viewpoints in one long day.
“The tour was very organized from start to finish and the guide was very knowledgeable with the history and details of each stop.”
Sail from Kabataş past Istanbul’s palaces and bridges, reach Anadolu Kavağı on the Black Sea, and enjoy a two-course lunch on board.
“We had a lovely relaxing afternoon on board, drinks and snacks were available all day, the guide was informative and humorous. The views from the boat were amazing, we enjoyed the stop off at a fishing village, I would definitely recommend this tour”
From the strait to the old city to the day trips beyond, and every way to see them.
