ISTANBUL
The pick of Istanbul.
The 15 most popular markets 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“The tour guide (sorry, I didn't get his name) was very knowledgeable and showed us interesting places you would normally not see on your own. Great to have the receiver so we could hear him at all times. Loved all the rooftop views.”
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.
“This is the cheapest tour available ($35 for 1/2 day tour in Nov 2025) and I booked it to use up some credits from Viator that were expiring. There are 2 versions of the tour - 1/2 day to cover the 2 mosques and Grand Bazaar and a full day to additionally cover Topkapi palace.…”
Hotel pickup, Spice Bazaar shopping, and a Bosphorus cruise past palaces on both continents in about 3 hours.
“We were picked up right on time at our hotel and then joined several other smaller vans onto a larger bus. Our guide was very helpful in the Bazaar and getting us onto the cruise. It was hard hearing on the cruise as to what we were seeing but the trip was well worth experiencing.…”
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.
“I recommend this tour for anyone looking to visit all the main sights in Sultanahmet. Our guide, Oz, was highly knowledgeable and made the experience both informative and enjoyable. He provided us with entrance tickets (at an additional cost but cheaper than buying them on-site), and we had fast track access to all the attractions,…”
Air-conditioned Istanbul tour with pickup, skip-the-line Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Hippodrome, and Grand Bazaar in 4 hours for $25.
“Great tour, perfect length to get you oriented and familiar with Grand Bazaar too.”
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.
“Excellent walking tour of Istanbul.... Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia , Hippodrone & Grand Bazaar. Our guide Alize led us through these incredible sites sharing her immense knowledge of Turkish history. She was helpful, & the tour was well organized . She showed us where the best spots for photos were , even taking pictures for…”
A half-day Istanbul tour linking four empires through Hagia Sophia, the Basilica Cistern, and the Grand Bazaar, with optional carpet stops.
“Excellent tour and guide. We took the half day tour which was just right. Our guide was friendly and informative and let us go at our own pace. Well worth the money. And yes, we did buy a carpet.... Thank you.”
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.
“We had a blast making the lamps! I highly recommend this activity. After sightseeing for the morning it was great to relax, enjoy coffee and tea and make a lamp.”
Small-group Istanbul highlights tour covering Basilica Cistern, Blue Mosque, Hippodrome sights, and Grand Bazaar, with local context and smart pacing.
“Very informative and interesting history. Our small group tour turned out to be a private tour and our guide was a Turkish historian and really knew his stuff. The Blue Mosque was easy to get in and around and the history of the hippodrome was interesting. Basilca Cistern was really cool!!”
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.
“A wonderful intro to Turkish customs with excellent choices and suggestions for shopping.”
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.
