Best Tours and Day Trips from Istanbul
Turkey has breathtaking landscapes that are worth visiting at least once in a lifetime: here are the best excursions from Istanbul.
Istanbul and its beautiful views of the Bosphorus | ©Edgardo W. Olivera
The capital of Turkey will seduce you from the moment you set foot in it; everything will be new to you and everything will attract your attention, but you have to start your visit somewhere. I recommend you to do it with this selection of tours and excursions in and around Istanbul.
1. Complete tour of Istanbul
Orientation in Istanbul is not always easy; in the city converge Eastern and Western culture and is also divided into several areas. If you are going to hire guided tours to know Istanbul probably these are delimited by neighborhoods. One of the best that you have to consider is the complete visit to the city of Istanbul.
This tour includes the collection of tickets to the monuments without queues, lasts 7 hours, is designed for a maximum of 15 travelers, although you can also do it privately, and is available in Spanish, German, English and French.
Itinerary
The tour focuses on the Sultanahmet area and covers points of interest such as:
- The Blue Mosque, famous for its blue tiles and six minarets.
- Hagia Sophia, an impressive basilica-turned-mosque
- The city'shippodrome, where the political and sporting activities of the old city take place
- The Grand Bazaar, Istanbul's largest souk where you can lose yourself for hours bargaining with the merchants.
Things to keep in mind
It is important to note that many of the temples in Istanbul must be entered with your head covered and without shoes; you will be given a scarf at the entrance and you can also bring your own as well as an extra pair of socks.
Details like these are common in a city with such a particular culture, so it is especially advisable to make this type of visits with the presence of a specialized guide who will guide you along the tour providing, in addition to historical data, information about the customs to which you must adapt during your stay in the Turkish capital.
2. Byzantine Empire Tour of Istanbul
When you hear about Constantinople, you should know that this is the name of the ancient city of Istanbul. Constantinople was marked for centuries by the presence of the Byzantine Empire and on the three-hour guided tour of the Byzantine Empire you will discover the remnants of this civilization that remain today in modern Istanbul.
Itinerary
The tour intersperses walking sections (always accompanied by the guide) with sections in a private vehicle that will pick you up at your hotel (when booking online, do not forget to provide your accommodation details). The main monuments and places of interest you will see are:
- What was the Byzantine naval port, known as the "Golden Horn" due to its shape.
- St George's Cathedral, seat of Orthodox Christianity.
- The walls that once surrounded the Acropolis of Byzantium
- The Patriarchate of Fener, where Constantine the Great declared Christianity as the official religion of the Roman Empire
- The Tekfur Palace, from the 12th century.
- The church of St. Savior of Cora, one of the best preserved examples of a Byzantine church
Useful information about this tour
This tour is available in English, Spanish, French and German. If you are looking to avoid crowds (something you will find difficult in Istanbul, especially in the high summer season) this is one of the best options as the groups are no more than 10 travelers.
Throughout the tour an expert guide will introduce you to both the monuments of the city and its history, so it is ideal for those interested in the culture behind this city.
3. Istanbul Bosphorus River Cruise
The city of Istanbul is bathed and divided by the Bosphorus River and from the Bosphorus you can see some of the most important mosques and monuments of the city. This Bosphorus cruise includes an audio guide and map to help you along your one hour and 15 minutes tour.
Useful information about this tour
Tours depart daily from approximately 9:00 a.m.; when booking online, please select the day and time of your choice. You have up to 24 hours before departure to cancel your reservation free of charge.
4. Half Day Istanbul Coastal Tour
The most popular area of Istanbul is the one near the Bosphorus harbor. This is where the Grand Bazaar, Hagia Sophia or the Blue Mosque are located. On this half-day private tour of Istanbul you will see all these monuments while learning about the history of the city and its customs thanks to the explanations of an expert guide who will accompany you throughout the tour.
This is a private tour, which means that it is open to a maximum of eight travelers. The total duration will be about 4 hours and the tour is available in the language of your choice, including Spanish.
Itinerary
- The Hippodrome Square
- The interior of the Blue Mosque
- The architecture of Hagia Sophia
- The ins and outs of the Grand Bazaar
Ana's Traveller Tip
You will have plenty of time alone with a guide who, in addition to knowing historical and cultural facts about the city, knows its customs and way of life; don't hesitate to ask him and ask for recommendations.
5. Gastronomic tour of Istanbul
Turkish cuisine has delicious dishes that go far beyond the typical Kebap that have been imported to other parts of the world. The aromas that you will perceive walking through the streets of Istanbul will give you an idea of the delicacies that you can eat in the city; in this gastronomic tour of Istanbul a local guide will take you to the most authentic places of the city and will give you a taste of its main dishes.
Once you know the monuments of a city, it is time to enjoy it and that is what this tour is designed for. About five hours touring the different bars and restaurants of Istanbul while you stroll through its streets unhurried, in a relaxed atmosphere and with the best advice.
What this tour consists of
The experience starts with the pick up at your hotel. You will make a tour in your language around the Galata district and surroundings so you can taste local specialties such as Turkish pizza, simit, dolma or baklava. If right now these names sound Turkish to you, don't worry; the guide will explain everything you need to know about these dishes as well as giving you valuable facts about the city of Istanbul.
You can book your place online and ask any questions via email.
6. Day trip to Cappadocia from Istanbul
The colorful mountains of Cappadocia are surely familiar to you; you have seen dozens of times those pictures of balloons flying over computer-generated landscapes. Visiting this Turkish region from Istanbul is possible with this all-inclusive day trip to Cappadocia.
The first thing you should know is that this region is located quite a distance from the Turkish capital, so the way to get there is by plane.
What this tour includes
- The pick up and drop off from your hotel in Istanbul.
- Airline tickets
- The services of an expert guide all day long
- A guided tour of Cappadocia
- Lunch
- Entrance fees to the sites of interest included in the tour
Useful information about this tour
The tour is available in Portuguese, English, Japanese and Spanish. If you don't want to miss the Cappadocia Underground City, the fairy chimneys or the rock-cut castles, this tour is a convenient option that frees you from planning your own trip and gives you the possibility to do it in one day.
7. Ephesus and Pamukkale two-day tour from Istanbul
Other places in Turkey worth seeing during your visit to the country are the regions of Ephesus and Pamukkale. A flight from Istanbul is not necessary this time; you can arrive by overnight bus with this two-day organized tour.
Itinerary
- The temple of Artemis
- The house of the Virgin Mary
- The temple of Isa Bey
- The ruins of Ephesus
- Hierapolis
- The national park of Pamukkale
- The cathedral and museum of Pamukkale
- Domitian's gate
8. Deluxe four day tour to Cappadocia, Ephesus, Pamukkale from Istanbul
Istanbul is a fascinating city in which you could spend days and days without stopping discovering things, but don't forget that it is only a small part of Turkey and that the country has much more to offer you. Unfortunately, organizing a trip in Turkey is not as easy as in other countries, that is why there are organized all-inclusive multi-day tours.
What this tour consists of
This four-day tour to Cappadocia, Ephesus and Pamukkale from Istanbul is one of the most comprehensive. Not only is it all-inclusive, but it is also a private tour where you will stay in four-star hotels. You can book your place online with free cancellation guarantee up to 24 hours before your flight departure.
A guide in your language will be available only for you, will organize your transfers and sightseeing and will take care of all meals and airfare also included in the tour price. Allowing yourself this luxury excursion during your visit to Istanbul guarantees you to return from your trip with a complete picture of a great country like Turkey.
You may also be interested in
If you are traveling soon to the city of Istanbul do not forget to check out this article on Istanbul Airport Transfers. Arrival to the city can be a bit chaotic and hiring a transfer service from the airport to your hotel can help you until you are more adapted and familiar with Istanbul.