Istanbul Heritage of Byzantium Tour
Step back in time and discover the heart of the Byzantine Empire on this private Istanbul Heritage of Byzantium Tour. This is a deep dive into Istanbul’s Christian past — filled with awe-inspiring architecture, sacred relics, and stories of emperors and saints that shaped the ancient world.
Unlike standard sightseeing tours, this private Istanbul Heritage of Byzantium Tour covers sites that most visitors never reach. Furthermore, everything is comfortably arranged with a private vehicle and a knowledgeable licensed guide by your side, so you can focus entirely on the history. As a result, you’ll leave with a completely new perspective on one of the world’s most layered and fascinating cities.
In short, if you’re passionate about history, architecture, or the roots of Western civilization, this is the Istanbul tour you’ve been looking for.
Looking for more Istanbul experiences? 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%)
- Duration6–7 hours
- Live tour guideEnglish
- Pickup includedIf your hotel is centrally located, your guide meets you at your hotel
- On foot & public transportOr a private van for the whole tour (+$150)
Where you’ll visit
- Hagia Sophia: The greatest surviving monument of the Byzantine Empire — a 1,500-year-old architectural masterpiece that served as the world’s largest cathedral for nearly a thousand years before becoming an Ottoman mosque.
- Edirnekapı City Walls: Walk along the ancient Theodosian land walls — the most formidable defensive fortification of the medieval world, built in the 5th century and standing largely intact today.
- Chora Church (Kariye Mosque): A hidden Byzantine gem housing some of the finest and best-preserved mosaics and frescoes in the world — a must for any lover of medieval art and history.
- Balat District: One of Istanbul’s oldest and most photogenic neighborhoods — a former Greek and Jewish quarter with colorful houses, cobblestone streets, and a rich multicultural past.
What’s included
- Entrance fees (Hagia Sophia, Chora Church)
- Professional licensed tour guide
- Private van with driver (no additional transportation charges apply)
- Lunch
- Tips for your guide and driver — not mandatory, but recommended if you are happy with the tour
Good to know
- Walking level: easy. A private van with driver takes you between the sights; you walk at each stop, including the hilly, cobbled streets of Balat.
- Entrance tickets: Hagia Sophia and the Chora Church are included.
- Mosque dress code: Hagia Sophia and the Chora Church (Kariye Mosque) are mosques today: shoulders and knees must be covered, and women also cover their hair — bring your own scarf if you can.
- 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.
- 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 person | $440 |
| 2 people | $550 |
| 3 people | $744 |
| 4 people | $880 |
| 5 people | $1,000 |
| 6 people | $1,080 |
| 7 people | $1,085 |
| 8 people | $1,160 |
| Private vehicle for the whole tour (optional) | +$150 per group |
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
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