Top Istanbul Tours: Sightseeing & Cruises for an Unforgettable Trip
Istanbul, just a bridge that connects Europe and Asia, is that a destination just packed with historical sites, really cool cultural spots, and, yes, mouthwatering food. To see it all, especially if you’re visiting for a short amount of time, thinking about a tour really is a solid plan. We have created this guide, in fact, to highlight five very popular Istanbul tours which have sightseeing adventures, and delightful cruises, just so that you experience the city like never before.
1. Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque Small-Group Tour
Why you should go for it: Seriously, who heads to Istanbul and skips the Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque? It’s almost like visiting Paris and not catching a peek at the Eiffel Tower! That said, to visit the famed Hagia Sophia, or the astonishing Blue Mosque, in the intense Turkish heat, whilst swamped by enormous crowds might be just less enjoyable, as a matter of fact. It might just be easier to reserve one of those small group tours, which will keep the numbers to perhaps 10-15 people. These tours really often offer skip-the-line access and the opportunity to see these famed Istanbul landmarks alongside an expert.
Your tour really could start right near the German Fountain, which itself is that an overlooked site with an exciting history, anyway. The tour, by the way, heads right over to Hagia Sophia, too it’s a former church turned mosque and, well, is something special. Walking throughout its halls provides an immediate connection to so very much that came before it, and, obviously, with your guide at your side, all of those neat architectural touches and neat historical facts can, by the way, come alive.
Leaving the Hagia Sophia, then the tour moves just right across to The Blue Mosque which has those fantastic, striking tiles. To get photographs just plan on getting in, very, very, very, very early. As these tours tend to head over early-ish this isn’t very much of a drama. Don’t stress over memorizing which Sultan who had them put in – it’s quite tricky! Instead, your tour guide must simply tell you who they are.
What makes this tour special:
- Skip-the-line admission to Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque.
- Knowledgeable local guide offering historical insights.
- Small group, typically capped at around 15 participants to promote that personalised feel.
Read our full review: Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque Small-Group Tour Full Review and Details See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Viator)
2. Bosphorus Sunset Cruise
Why you should do it: A cruise around the Bosphorus is quite amazing for views of Istanbul from a completely distinct angle. Going for that sunset cruise? Now, that simply boosts it a lot, more or less, painting the skyline in these oranges and pinks which are spectacular to see. You might think, like your pictures from this tour could break the internet!
These boat trips take you by several of those very amazing waterside mansions, called yalı, then very opulent hotels, and naturally, those classic Istanbul landmarks such as the Dolmabahçe Palace, and almost the Ortaköy Mosque, clearly. The boat will head near to the Maiden’s Tower – which, by the way, the locals call ‘Kız Kulesi’ – which appears a lot in Turkish dramas and romantic stories, clearly. Take photos from, really, as close as that is comfortable! As your boat drifts further onward, keep your eyes skinned for sea birds like gulls, in fact. Keep scanning the seas too, basically – dolphins really can appear!
A few of those tours bring small appetizers too; others have drinks like coffee/tea for sale too, definitely. As the sun makes its downward turn you see the city change completely! Also, to take some good photos of Istanbul’s sunset the tour guides usually know exactly where to pose for those.
What makes this tour special:
- Scenic cruise around the Bosphorus Strait during sunset.
- Views of waterside mansions, palaces, and landmarks.
- Opportunity to capture beautiful sunset photos of Istanbul.
Read our full review: Bosphorus Sunset Cruise Full Review and Details See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (GetYourGuide)
3. Istanbul Food Tour: Taste of Two Continents
Why go for it: Now, to be honest, really experiencing the culinary scene truly is almost like experiencing the culture of where you’re going, arguably. Because Istanbul just resides upon two continents this tour introduces participants to the finest offerings upon both halves, which just is ideal for anyone that wishes to taste Istanbul, okay?
Most food excursions usually start right inside the European side which really lets tourists sample very savory pastries plus those other native breakfast things. From there you generally hop a ferry to the Asian side to sample kebabs plus tasty delights at local establishments.
It’s kind of fun too to explore neighborhood joints a lot of people simply will not notice independently, right. One especially good choice might be that kebab restaurant found at Kadıköy Market; its foods draw the foodie tourists, as a matter of fact. Most times there could be opportunities simply to drink Turkish coffee, too it’s the thing; however ensure you are asking locals about how precisely they enjoy theirs beforehand; to not do so then you can land with a bitter tasting shock. Usually there is Turkish Delight, or ‘lokum’, too which happens to be a regional treat made with starch, then sweetener. With it just is flavored from orange as well as rosewater extracts it offers its own tastes for tasting and savoring.
What makes this tour special:
- Culinary adventure across both the European and Asian sides of Istanbul.
- Tasting local pastries, kebabs, Turkish coffee, and delights.
- Introduction to hidden local culinary gems.
Read our full review: Istanbul Food Tour Full Review and Details See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Culinary Backstreets)
4. Topkapi Palace Guided Tour
Why go for it: The seat, then residence, by those Ottoman Sultans, that Topkapi Palace tends to be an absolute gem. It’s so very vast, and it can be that so tricky to find all those key areas independently – from that Harem as well as those Imperial Treasury! Having some kind of guided tour brings this place fully into reality just as well as offers essential context that, seriously, you may likely miss completely. Also, it really could offer one respite from standing within the long queues as well.
Whenever you step just within those palace gates you will actually see so much more that it almost requires an instruction manual simply to understand the place and just what you see, okay? Now, Topkapi’s Outer Court tended to be completely open towards the everyday citizen. In other words, those individuals had some means of coming to a site as that one freely. Yet inside a few interior locations of the palace where officials, plus foreign heads of state would meet, entry required a ticket, anyway. This tour assists someone experiencing this setting alongside the understanding, so too it’s nearly understanding a narrative regarding rulers living inside those compounds, right.
Once within you could see several key displays; it must be mentioned that photographing with phones is mostly forbidden and could cause expulsion out from the space, actually. It’s really neat checking all that Islamic tile art over on that Harem. Also, seeing this Imperial Treasury tends to be almost like something spectacular – here reside loads by very big gemstone things.
What makes this tour special:
- In-depth exploration of Topkapi Palace with a knowledgeable guide.
- Access to the Harem and Imperial Treasury.
- Historical context and stories about the Ottoman Sultans.
Read our full review: Topkapi Palace Guided Tour Full Review and Details See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Istanbul Welcome Card)
5. Whirling Dervishes Ceremony
Why you must go for it: Viewing some of those whirling dervishes could be that must if someone is very keen over experiencing the cultural legacy within Istanbul, so, too it’s almost mystical. Actually, this spiritual custom showcases one of these quite iconic emblems regarding Turkish culture, so too it’s an amazing occasion just not to miss by any means.
These Mevlevi Sema shows truly are normally presented within spots that, that way, are historic which helps people totally immerse oneself fully inside the atmosphere; as such, simply going provides the background for an exceptional nights events, alright. Seating does typically go swiftly; that you turn up promptly allows the likelihood of, actually, you catching more seating in the center. A lot by performances last almost approximately an hour really, that is typically lengthy just enough to understand the rite really as well as without really becoming far too tedious for really less dedicated ones who may be in fact only checking this off across their schedule.
Whilst observing, simply make every effort simply to keep rather quiet. It isn’t typically a standard sort of party; just rather this ritual really displays value, in fact. The outfits generally mean unique issues: these headdresses imply tombstones for those egos as the spacious white outfits tend to be these shrouds of those egos!
What makes this tour special:
- Witnessing the mesmerizing Whirling Dervishes ceremony.
- Cultural and spiritual experience.
- Performances often held in historic venues.
Read our full review: Whirling Dervishes Ceremony Full Review and Details See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Les Arts Turcs)