Best Tours and Day Trips from Istanbul

Turkey's capital will seduce you as soon as 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 do so with this selection of tours and excursions in and around Istanbul.

Getting your bearings in Istanbul isn't always easy; the city is divided into several zones and is a convergence of Eastern and Western culture. If you're taking a guided tour of Istanbul, it's likely that it's divided into neighbourhoods. One of the best tours you should consider is the complete city tour of Istanbul.

This tour includes the collection of tickets to the monuments without queues, lasts 7 hours, is designed for a maximum of 15 travellers, although you can also do it privately, and is available in Spanish, German, English and French.

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The tour focuses on the Sultanahmet area and covers points of interest such as:

Things to consider

It's important to note that many of Istanbul's temples must be entered with your head covered and your shoes off; you'll be given a headscarf at the entrance and you can also bring your own, as well as an extra pair of socks.

Details such as these are common in a city with such a unique culture, which is why it is especially advisable to take this type of tour with a specialised guide who will guide you through the tour, providing you with historical information as well as information about the customs to which you should adapt during your stay in the Turkish capital.

When you hear of Constantinople, you should know that this is the ancient name for the 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 civilisation that remain today in modern Istanbul.

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The tour combines walking sections (always accompanied by the guide) with sections in a private vehicle that will pick you up from your hotel (when booking online, don't forget to provide your accommodation details). The main monuments and places of interest you will see are:

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 peak summer season) this is one of the best options as groups are limited to no more than 10 travellers.

Throughout the tour, an expert guide will introduce you to the city's monuments and history, making it ideal for those interested in the culture behind the city.

The city of Istanbul is bathed and divided by the Bosphorus River and from the Bosphorus you can see some of the city's most important mosques and monuments. This Bosphorus cruise includes an audio guide and map to help you along your approximately one hour and 15 minutes tour.

Useful information about this tour

Tours depart daily from approximately 9am; when booking your place online please select your chosen day and time of departure. You have up to 24 hours before departure to cancel your booking free of charge.

The most popular area of Istanbul is the one close to the Bosphorus harbour. This is where the Grand Bazaar, Hagia Sophia and 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 from 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 travellers. The total duration will be about 4 hours and the tour is available in the language of your choice, including Spanish.

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Ana's Traveller Tip

You'll have plenty of one-on-one time 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 questions and ask for recommendations.

Turkish cuisine has delicious dishes that go far beyond the typical Kebap that has been imported from other parts of the world. The aromas you will smell as you walk through the streets of Istanbul will give you an idea of the delicacies you can eat in the city; on this gastronomic tour of Istanbul a local guide will take you to the most authentic places in the city and give you a taste of its main dishes.

Once you know the monuments of a city, it's time to enjoy it, and that's what this tour is designed for. A five-hour tour of Istanbul's different bars and restaurants while you stroll through its streets without rushing, 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 be given a tour of the Galata district and the surrounding area in your own language so that you can sample local specialities such as Turkish pizza, simit, dolma and baklava. If these names sound Turkish to you right now, 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 you may have via email.

The colourful mountains of Cappadocia are sure to be familiar to you; you've seen dozens of photos 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 to 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

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 the hassle of planning your own trip and gives you the chance to do it in a day.

Other places worth seeing during your visit to Turkey are the regions of Ephesus and Pamukkale. This time you don't need a flight from Istanbul; you can get there by overnight bus with this two-day organised tour.

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Istanbul is a fascinating city where you could spend days on end, but don't forget that it's only a small part of Turkey and that the country has so much more to offer. Unfortunately, organising a trip to Turkey is not as easy as it is in other countries, which is why there are organised multi-day all-inclusive 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's also a private tour with accommodation in four-star hotels. You can book your place online with a free cancellation guarantee up to 24 hours before your flight departure.

A guide in your language will be available only for you, will organise your transfers and sightseeing and will take care of all meals and flight tickets also included in the tour price. Allowing yourself this luxury excursion during your visit to Istanbul will ensure that you return from your trip with a complete picture of a great country like Turkey.

If you are travelling to Istanbul soon, don't forget to check out this article on Istanbul Airport Transfers. Arriving in 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 settled and familiar with Istanbul.