5-Day Private Istanbul Tour
The 5 day private Istanbul tour is our most complete Istanbul experience. Over five full days with your own licensed guide, you will journey through every layer of this extraordinary city — from the Byzantine Empire and the Ottoman sultans to modern Istanbul, the Asian side and, on the fifth day, the colourful old neighbourhoods of Balat and Fener.
Five days means no rushing: time to linger in the markets, sail the Bosphorus, cross to Asia and walk the streets most visitors never see. Every day is private and can be adapted to your interests and pace.
Short on time? See our 4 Day Private Istanbul Tour, our 3 Day Private Istanbul 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 (5 days total)
- Live tour guideEnglish
- Guide meets you at your hotelIf your hotel is in Sultanahmet, Taksim, Galata or Karaköy, your guide comes to your hotel and the tour starts on foot from there
- On foot & public transportOr a private van on the days you choose, day 2–5 (+$150 per day)
Tour Program
DAY 1 — The Heart of the Byzantine & Ottoman Empire
- Hippodrome of Constantinople: The ancient center of chariot races and imperial ceremonies, home to the Obelisk of Theodosius and other historic monuments.
- Blue Mosque (Closed until 14:30 on Fridays): Known for its six minarets and stunning interior of over 20,000 hand-painted blue Iznik tiles, it remains an active place of worship.
- Grand Bazaar (Closed on Sundays): One of the world’s oldest and largest covered markets, with 61 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 legendary residence of Ottoman sultans for 400 years, with treasury rooms, sacred relics, and the mysterious Harem.
DAY 2 — Hidden Gems, Bazaars & the Bosphorus
- Süleymaniye Complex: An architectural masterpiece by Mimar Sinan — home to the grand Süleymaniye Mosque and the tombs of Sultan Suleyman and Hürrem Sultan, with sweeping views over the Golden Horn.
- Spice Bazaar: A vibrant market of aromas and colors — perfect for 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 hauntingly beautiful underground Byzantine reservoir, famous for its Medusa heads, atmospheric lighting, and forest of marble columns.
DAY 3 — Modern Istanbul: Dolmabahçe, Taksim & Galata
- Dolmabahçe Palace (optional — additional entrance fee, closed Mondays): A breathtaking 19th-century palace blending European Baroque with Ottoman grandeur — the last residence of the sultans.
- Taksim & İstiklal Street: The vibrant heart of modern Istanbul — 1.4 km of shops, cafés, historic architecture, and the famous Tünel funicular.
- Galata Tower (from outside): One of Istanbul’s most iconic medieval landmarks, with sweeping panoramic views over the Golden Horn and Bosphorus.
- Karaköy: A charming waterfront district where Ottoman heritage meets hip cafés, street art, and boutique shops.
DAY 4 — The Asian Side: Kuzguncuk, Beylerbeyi & Üsküdar
- Kuzguncuk: One of Istanbul’s most charming and photogenic neighborhoods — colorful wooden houses, cozy cafés, and authentic local community life rarely seen by tourists.
- Beylerbeyi Palace (closed Mondays — replaced with Yıldız Palace on Mondays): A stunning 19th-century Ottoman summer palace right on the Bosphorus shore, known for its elegant marble interiors and royal gardens.
- Üsküdar Center: A historic and lively district on the Asian shore — imperial mosques, seaside promenades, and the vibrant everyday life of Asian Istanbul.
DAY 5 — The Local Side: Balat, Fener, Pierre Loti & Eyüp
- Balat & Fener: colourful historic neighbourhoods with narrow streets, old churches and synagogues — the former Greek Orthodox and Jewish quarters of Istanbul, where many Turkish TV series are filmed.
- Pierre Loti Hill: a hilltop café with panoramic views over the Golden Horn, named after the French novelist who loved Istanbul.
- Eyüp Sultan: one of the most sacred places in Islam, home to the Eyüp Sultan Mosque and tomb, and its lively local streets.
Note: Any day can be substituted with other tour options. If you have preferences or special interests, please let us know when booking.
What’s included
- Professional licensed tour guide (English or Spanish)
- Private tour (all 5 days)
- Your guide meets you at your hotel (Sultanahmet, Taksim, Galata, Karaköy) — the tour starts on foot
- Lunch
- Public transportation fees (tram, metro, ferry)
- 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
- Dolmabahçe Palace — 45 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 | $1,200 |
| Private van, day 2–5 (optional) | +$150 per day |
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
Frequently asked questions
Are museum entrance fees included?
Entrance tickets are optional and not included in the tour price. If you would like to go inside, you pay on the day (per person): Hagia Sophia $30, Topkapı Palace & Harem $57, Basilica Cistern $45, Dolmabahçe Palace $45. Your guide buys them for you.
Will we wait in long ticket lines?
Your guide buys the tickets, so you skip the ticket line. At busy times there can still be a short security or entrance queue at Hagia Sophia and Topkapı Palace; your guide plans the order of the visits to keep waiting to a minimum.
Where do we meet?
If your hotel is central, your guide comes to your hotel and you start the tour together on foot or by tram. If you are staying further out, we agree on an easy meeting point nearby.
How much walking is there?
It is a walking tour at an easy pace, with rest stops whenever you need them. Tell us if anyone in your group has limited mobility and we will plan the day around it — you can also add a private van for the whole tour.
What should I wear?
Comfortable shoes. To enter the mosques, shoulders and knees should be covered, and women need a headscarf (one can be borrowed at the entrance).
How do I pay?
You can reserve with a $100 deposit online and pay the rest on the day of the tour, or pay the full amount online. Payments are made on Stripe’s secure page.
Can I cancel?
Yes. Cancel up to 48 hours before the tour for a full refund minus the payment processing fee (up to 5%).
Is tipping mandatory?
No, tipping is not mandatory and is not included in the price. If you enjoyed your day, a tip for your guide (and driver) is always appreciated.
Another question? Ask us on WhatsApp
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