Istanbul Old Town Walking Tour: 2.5-Hour Orientation with an Official Guide

If you have just arrived in Istanbul, an orientation tour is the smartest way to start. This Istanbul old town walking tour spends two and a half hours with an official guide explaining the city's history, Islam and its most important landmarks, so you can plan the rest of your trip far more efficiently.

What you will learn

As you walk the streets of Sultanahmet, your guide tells the story of the Byzantine and Ottoman buildings around you and gives you a solid framework for the city's layered history. Getting to know the area around Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque and the Hippodrome from outside, you also learn when it is best to visit each one.

Local tips and Turkish delight

Along the way your guide shares local tips on where to eat, where to try a traditional Turkish bath and what to look out for in the city. During a break, you taste Turkish delight with fruit tea.

Good to know

As an orientation tour, it does not include interior visits to the major sites. Depending on the queue, the guide will try to take you inside the Blue Mosque or an alternative mosque. Booking and guiding fees are included; tips for the guide are not.

Who is it for?

It is ideal for travellers who want to make the most of their first day in Istanbul, anyone who likes to learn about a city from an expert and visitors planning to explore the sights on their own afterwards. The tour suits all fitness levels but is not wheelchair accessible.

To round off your trip, browse more experiences on our Istanbul tours page, and find somewhere to stay among our hotels in Istanbul.