Istanbul Time Travel: Hidden Gems & Iconic Sights Walking Tour

Explore Istanbul’s Old City like a local with a knowledgeable guide, visiting world-famous landmarks and secret spots tucked away from tourist paths. This walking tour is perfect for first-time visitors and curious explorers eager to connect with the city’s history, culture, and flavors.

You’ll begin at the Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts, then walk through the Byzantine Hippodrome, where chariot races and imperial ceremonies once thrilled thousands. Discover the Blue Mosque, with its iconic six minarets and intricate blue tiles, and experience the grandeur of Hagia Sophia, a testament to centuries of faith and empire.

Along the way, sample authentic Turkish street food and explore hidden gems, quiet corners of the city that reveal Istanbul’s rich, layered history. Conclude your tour at the Grand Bazaar, a colorful maze of spices, carpets, jewelry, and ceramics—an immersive finale full of local charm.

This tour blends history, culture, culinary delights, and insider secrets, giving you a complete Old City experience in a single, well-paced walking adventure.

Highlights / Key Points

• 🏛️ Walk through Byzantine, Roman, and Ottoman historical landmarks
• 🕌 Visit the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia (entry fees not included)
• 💦 Explore the Basilica Cistern (optional, extra fee applies)
• 🍢 Taste authentic Turkish street food, from pancakes to local desserts
• 🛍️ Navigate the colorful Grand Bazaar and hidden bazaar gems
• 🗺️ Learn history, culture, and fascinating stories from a local guide
• 🔍 Discover secret tucked-away spots not on usual tourist paths

Itinerary (Timeline)

• 09:30 AM – Meet at Museum of Turkish & Islamic Arts (Ibrahim Paşa Palace)
• 09:45 AM – 10:15 AM – Explore Byzantine Hippodrome, learn its historical significance
• 10:20 AM – 11:00 AM – Visit Blue Mosque (Sultanahmet Camii), admire tiles and minarets
• 11:05 AM – 11:45 AM – Walk to Basilica Cistern (optional entrance 1500 TL per person)
• 11:50 AM – 12:30 PM – Hidden gems exploration, discover secret streets and local spots (closed on Mondays)
• 12:35 PM – 01:15 PM – Hagia Sophia visit (Fast Track optional 30€ per person)
• 01:20 PM – 01:50 PM – Street food tasting along the way to the Grand Bazaar
• 01:50 PM – 02:30 PM – Explore Grand Bazaar and local shops (closed Sundays, replaced with Arasta Bazaar)
• 02:30 PM – Tour ends at Grand Bazaar / local exit point

✅ Includes

• Guided walking tour of Old City landmarks and hidden gems
• Local insights and storytelling by an experienced English-speaking guide
• Street food tasting along the route

❌ Excludes

• Basilica Cistern entrance (1500 TL per person)
• Hagia Sophia Fast Track fee (30€ per person)
• Personal expenses