Istanbul · SELF-GUIDED TOURS
32 reviewed
Below are the 15 best self-guided tours in Istanbul right now. Each entry lays out what it costs, how long it takes, and the kind of traveller it suits. Start at number one; it is there for a reason.
2-hour Bosphorus yacht cruise in Istanbul with a mobile audio guide, unlimited soft drinks, and optional snacks, lunch or dinner.
“Everybody was so kind, it was fun and we learned a lot.”
Skip the long ticket line at Istanbul’s Basilica Cistern with fast-track entry and a free 11-language audio guide app, all day.
“It was really impressive! The fast-track entry really makes diference because the queue to buy the tickets was really big and slowly. I post some tips on my insta @loris_gc”
Skip-the-line entry to Topkapi Palace and Harem with an app audio guide, plus optional upgrades to Hagia Sophia and Basilica Cistern.
“Everything was as advertised. The guide was speaking good English and everything was on time. The palace is marvellous and interesting. Great view from the fourth courtyard to Bosporus. Many interesting small museums and collections. Expensive but worth seeing.”
Bosphorus cruise from Eminönü with phone audio in 11 languages, free Turkish tea, and postcard views of palaces and bridges.
“Great view of the city! Well explained history and cultural context. Highly recommended. 👍🏼 easy to find the pick up point”
Skip the line to Hagia Sophia in Istanbul with an optional English audio guide, plus access to the visiting area and upper gallery.
“Could not access the audio guide. There was no cell or internet access.”
Skip-the-ticket-line Topkapi Palace and Harem visit with an English-hosted guide and a 25-language audio app, plus major Ottoman highlights.
“Our guide was super nice and kind to us, plus he told us everything we should know about palace. Reccommendations for him”
Skip queues at Hagia Sophia with an audio guide, plus free Blue Mosque entry and audio. Optional Basilica Cistern ticket.
“This history is unique and seeing the pre historic buildings are an art of course. However, it does state that you shouldn’t go to the mosques form 10 am - 3pm and they are absolutely right about that. Try and schedule for a later time. It’s beautiful so packed.”
Dolmabahce Palace day ticket with skip-the-line entry, included Harem, and a multilingual audio guide in Istanbul.
“Great visit to the palace, really worth it! I got the ticket with the QR code to enter the palace mailed to me the day before my visit and with instructions about the audio guide. It was really amazing sight to visit and take some nice photos outside in the garden!”
Skip the ticket line at Hagia Sophia with instant e-tickets and an English audio guide, plus optional small-group or private tours.
“Oguzhan was very knowledgeable and had good communication skills.”
Cruise Istanbul’s Bosphorus and Golden Horn for about 2 hours, with an offline multilingual audio guide and sunset-friendly options.
“It's good trip with reasonable money. You need to be ontime on meeting point. Their is no sign outside Cafe Minared meeting point and if you get their bit early just speak to cafe guy and let them know you are here.”
Skip the line to Basilica Cistern in Istanbul with a digital audio guide to see Medusa heads, marble columns, and select evening concerts.
“The whole experience was really good, no waiting and the audio tour was excellent”
Hagia Sophia entry with skip-the-ticket-line QR plus an English audio guide. See Byzantine mosaics, calligraphy, columns, and Medusa details.
“Visiting Hagia Sophia is a must. Buying the ticket in advance was the best idea. Queues outside for buying the ticket are really long, so you’ll save time having the QR codes on your device. I recommend to take the tour early in the morning because there aren’t many people and download the app for the audio guide before arriving there because the internet there is not good.”
Skip Basilica Cistern lines with a 30-minute guided tour, then explore freely and add a Blue Mosque audio guide on your phone.
“The guide gave us a good half-hour overview of the Cisterns and their history. It was helpful. We then had unlimited time to explore the Cisterns on our own. I think this tour was a perfect combination of a self-guided tour that included a guided component.”
Get a flexible Galata Tower entry ticket with an English audio guide for panoramic 360 views over Istanbul, plus QR-code fast entry.
“Amazing and quick! Way better than waiting in line to purchase ticket!”
Istanbul’s highlights in a flexible one-day hop-on-hop-off bus ride, with multi-language audio and optional Bosphorus cruise add-ons.
“commentary is good. bad things: numbers and names on map don't correspond to names of stops. stop names should be written on the map and be the same throughout”
