2-Day Private Guided Tour of Istanbul
The 2 day private Istanbul tour is the ultimate way to experience the greatest landmarks of one of the world’s most historic cities — without the rush. Spread across two full days, this private guided tour of Istanbul covers the iconic monuments of the Byzantine and Ottoman Empire: from the magnificent Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque to the atmospheric Basilica Cistern and a scenic cruise along the Bosphorus Strait.
Unlike group tours, every moment on this 2 day private Istanbul tour is exclusively yours. As a result, your licensed English-speaking guide will tailor the pace to your group, bringing centuries of history to life at each stop. Furthermore, whether you’re a first-time visitor or returning to dig deeper, this tour ensures you see the very best the city has to offer — comfortably, privately, and thoroughly.
In short, if you want to truly understand Istanbul, two days is the right amount of time to do it properly.
Looking for a single-day experience? Check out our Istanbul Classical Tour, our Istanbul Magnificent Tour, or browse all of our Istanbul private tours.
About this activity
- Free cancellationCancel up to 48 hours in advance for a full refund minus the payment processing fee (up to 5%)
- Duration5–6 hours per day (2 days total)
- Live tour guideEnglish
- Pickup includedIf your hotel is centrally located, your guide meets you at your hotel
Tour Program
DAY 1 — The Heart of the Ottoman & Byzantine Empire
- Hippodrome of Constantinople: The ancient center of chariot races and imperial ceremonies, home to historical monuments like the Obelisk of Theodosius.
- Blue Mosque (Closed until 14:30 on Fridays): Known for its elegant minarets and interior covered with over 20,000 hand-painted Iznik blue tiles, it remains an active place of worship.
- Grand Bazaar (Closed on Sundays): One of the oldest and largest covered markets in the world, with 61 covered streets and over 4,000 shops.
- Hagia Sophia (optional — additional entrance fee): A 1,500-year-old masterpiece of Byzantine and Ottoman architecture — once a cathedral, later a mosque, today a living monument open to all visitors.
- Topkapı Palace & Harem (optional — additional entrance fee, closed Tuesdays): The former residence of Ottoman sultans for 400 years, featuring treasury rooms, sacred relics, and the legendary Harem.
DAY 2 — Hidden Gems, Bazaars & the Bosphorus
- Süleymaniye Complex: An architectural marvel by Mimar Sinan — includes the grand Süleymaniye Mosque and the tombs of Sultan Suleyman and Hürrem Sultan, with sweeping views over the Golden Horn.
- Spice Bazaar: A market overflowing with color and aroma, perfect for buying spices, teas, Turkish sweets, and local products.
- Bosphorus Boat Tour: A scenic 1.5-hour public ferry ride between Europe and Asia, with views of Ottoman palaces, historic waterfront mansions, and Istanbul’s iconic skyline.
- Basilica Cistern (optional — additional entrance fee): A mysterious underground Byzantine reservoir built in the 6th century, famous for its Medusa heads, atmospheric lighting, and forest of marble columns.
What’s included
- Professional licensed tour guide
- Private tour (both days)
- Hotel pickup (if centrally located in Taksim, Galata, Karaköy or Sultanahmet)
- Lunch
- Public transportation fees (tram, metro)
- Bosphorus public ferry ticket (approx. 7 USD per person)
- Optional admission fees (all with skip-the-line access):
- Hagia Sophia — 30 USD per person
- Topkapı Palace & Harem — 62 USD per person
- Basilica Cistern — 45 USD per person
- Şerefiye Cistern (alternative) — 20 USD per person
- Tips for your guide — not mandatory, but recommended if you are happy with the tour
Good to know
- Walking level: moderate. 5–6 hours a day on foot and by tram, metro and ferry, with breaks along the way — wear comfortable shoes. If your hotel isn't in Taksim, Galata, Karaköy or Sultanahmet, you'll reach the meeting point by tram or metro.
- Closing days: some sights close on certain days (the Grand Bazaar on Sundays, Topkapı Palace on Tuesdays, the Blue Mosque until 14:30 on Fridays) — your guide arranges the days around them.
- Mosque dress code: shoulders and knees must be covered, and women also cover their hair — bring your own scarf if you can (covers are available at the entrance, some mosques charge 2–3 USD). Shoes come off inside mosques.
- Prayer times: mosques close to visitors for a short time during each prayer, and for longer at Friday noon prayer — your guide plans the route around them.
- Entrance tickets: optional entrances are paid at the site, with skip-the-line access. Children aged 6 and under don't need a ticket.
- Photos: welcome everywhere on the tour; inside mosques please be discreet and don't photograph people praying.
Prices
| Group size | Price for the group |
|---|---|
| 1–8 people | $480 |
Private tour: the price is for your group only, no strangers join. Your exact total is shown in the booking form before you pay.
Groups of more than 8 people: please contact us
Guest reviews
Guides our guests mention on this tour: Öykü, Zeynel, Kaan
- apocalipseMay 2025
The company Reminder Tours it’s excellent ! They are friendly , puntual, reliable and very acknowledge of the country and its history. From the minute I booked my 2 day tours on separate days they kept in touch and answered all my questions. Highly recommend them . And my famous guide Oyku she is amazing! Very sweet and fun . I will contact them again any time.
- Edward PMay 2025
We never would have seen so many things, in a short amount of time without our guide Zeynel. Just getting around the Istanbul city traffic would have been a challenge. Zeynel was knowledgeable and more importantly nice and caring. I would highly recommend him!
- Sophy RMay 2025
We had a wonderful experience in Istanbul. Zeynel was our tour guide from Reminder Tours. Zeynel came to our hotel, took us around and gave us the historic information of Istanbul and the culture of the place. He had keen ears and answered all our questions with grace and eagerness. He took us to the bazaar where we could buy products without the hassles of bargaining. Thank you for your great service. My husband and I enjoyed the time we spent in Istanbul.
Show all 6 reviews
- LisaJanuary 2025
I had reached out to Reminder Tours after watching a number of YouTube videos where they were referenced. This was a first for my family, booking something from the television. Best decision ever! We booked airport transfers and were blessed to have 2 days with Öykü. When I contacted Reminder Tours, I shared that we wanted to feel like we were visiting the city with a friend. Our time with Öykü felt just like that. She is exceptionally knowledgeable and had us feeling like locals. Was kind enough to share hidden gems to grab tea, a delicious kebab restaurant and skip the line takes on a whole new meaning with Öykü. Additionally, she asked that we contact her if we needed anything on our last day on our own. The communication with Öykü and Furkan was spot on and virtually instantaneous. Highly recommend and wish that Reminder Tours and Öykü were going to be with us on all of our adventures we have planned.
- Harry MJanuary 2025
My tour guide Oyku was amazing. She was really knowledgeable and made everything super interesting. We also went for lunch and she showed me some local food that I would never have had the chance to try. She even sent me a bunch of great recommendations of extra things to do for the rest of my trip. Thanks so much Oyku!
- Helena CJanuary 2025
Best tour guide Kaan! Very helpful, knowledgeable and kind. The friendly hospitality made our tour enjoyable and memorable. We saw a variety of sights and took many wonderful photos. I highly recommend Reminder Tours to experience Istanbul in a special way!
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