Small Group Istanbul Tour: Old City, Asian Side & Lunch

See Ottoman monuments and Byzantine ruins without arranging tickets, transport or where to eat

A full-day small-group tour of Istanbul covering the old city's Byzantine and Ottoman landmarks, then crossing the Bosphorus to the Asian side for views from Camlica Hill and the Grand Camlica Mosque, ending at Beylerbeyi Palace. Hotel pickup and drop-off on the European side are included. All museum tickets and a three-course lunch are part of the rate, and a professional English-speaking guide leads the group throughout.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Istanbul's Old and Asian Sides

• Pick up from hotel
• Visit Hagia Sophia Museum
• Visit Blue Mosque
• Explore Hippodrome Square
• Attend handicrafts presentation or explore Grand Bazaar
• Enjoy 3-course lunch
• Drive across Bosphorus Bridge
• Visit Camlica Hill for panoramic views
• Visit Grand Camlica Mosque
• Visit Beylerbeyi Palace
• Return to hotel

The Experience

The day starts with hotel pickup and moves straight into Hagia Sophia, one of the architectural wonders that has survived over a thousand years. From there you walk to the Blue Mosque, where six minarets and interior Iznik tiles set it apart as the only imperial mosque originally built with that configuration, though on Fridays the interior closes for prayer and you see it from the courtyard instead. The Hippodrome comes next, the ancient sporting center that once held 100,000 spectators and still displays the Egyptian Obelisk and Serpent Column among its monuments.

After a brief optional handicrafts presentation near the Grand Bazaar (you can skip it and explore on your own), the group gathers for a three-course lunch at Viaport Marina. This is where the day shifts: you cross the Bosphorus Bridge to the Asian side and climb Camlica Hill, the highest point in Istanbul, for a panoramic view of the strait, the Prince Islands and the city spread below. The Grand Camlica Mosque, opened in 2019 as Turkey's largest, sits at the top. The final stop is Beylerbeyi Palace, the Ottoman sultans' summer residence, where the interior and exterior blend Eastern, Turkish and Western design, and the original furniture and carpets remain intact.

All entrance fees are covered in the tour rate, so there are no separate payments at each site. The air-conditioned vehicle and professional guide handle the logistics, which matters on a day that crosses two continents and covers ground most travelers would struggle to piece together alone. Bring a light scarf or shawl to cover shoulders and knees at the mosques. Scarves are sold on-site if you need one. The tour is seven hours total and returns you to your hotel by evening.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off from centrally located European side hotels.
• entry tickets to Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Camlica Mosque and Beylerbeyi Palace.
• three-course lunch with vegetarian options available.
• air-conditioned vehicle throughout the day.
• professional English-speaking guide.
• all fees and taxes.

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Popular Travel

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you're staying in central Istanbul without a car and want to cover both the old city and the Asian side in one day. The guide handles the route, the timing and the entry lines, so the day holds together without you building it.

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Top questions

What is Hagia Sophia like inside, and why is it considered one of the wonders of the world?

Hagia Sophia is a Byzantine structure that has survived over a thousand years and holds a rare place in architectural history for its scale and age. The tour includes entry to see the interior and its historic design firsthand.

Can I visit the Blue Mosque on a Friday, or does the tour change that day?

On Fridays the Blue Mosque closes for prayer until the service ends, so the tour visits it from the courtyard and exterior only rather than going inside. Other days you enter the interior to see the blue Iznik tiles and the six minarets up close.

Is lunch included in the price, and what if I'm vegetarian?

Yes, a three-course lunch at Viaport Marina is included in the tour rate. A vegetarian menu is available. You just need to let the operator know when you book. Drinks are not included and are at your own expense.

How do I get picked up if I'm staying at a hotel outside the central European side?

Hotel pickup is included for centrally located hotels on the European side, with pickups beginning up to an hour before the tour starts. If your hotel is outside that area, contact the operator to confirm whether pickup is available at your location.

What happens at the Grand Bazaar stop, and do I have to attend the handicrafts presentation?

There is a brief optional handicrafts presentation and lecture next to the Grand Bazaar. You can attend or skip it entirely and explore the bazaar on your own. Note that the Grand Bazaar is closed on Sundays, so the stop changes on those days.

What should I wear to visit the mosques on this tour?

You must cover your shoulders and knees when entering Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque and the Grand Camlica Mosque. A light scarf is sufficient. Scarves can be purchased at the mosques if you don't have one with you.