Istanbul: Hagia Sophia Blue Mosque and Grand Bazaar Tour

Discover magical city of Istanbul on this guided tour in an air-conditioned vehicle. Visit the world-famous Hagia Sophia Museum, the Blue Mosque, the Hippodrome, and the Grand Bazaar.

The pickup was from Taksim Square, but it was never mentioned before booking that pickups were limited to a specific area, which was a bit inconvenient. However, the guide was excellent and provided thorough explanations about Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque, making the experience worthwhile.

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The experience was excellent! Our guide was incredibly knowledgeable and exceptionally friendly, showcasing expertise that truly enhanced the entire experience. Highly recommended!

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The tour was fantastic! The guide was very knowledgeable and took us to some truly incredible spots. A memorable experience all around!

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The guide was fantastic and passionate, making the experience even more enjoyable. It’s the perfect way to explore some key highlights, especially if you’re short on time. Highly recommended!

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Barish is an outstanding and highly responsible guide. He ensures all his guests are well taken care of, making sure no one is left behind and helping us find the best photo spots. We truly appreciated his courage in addressing visitors smoking in a non-smoking area, showing his commitment to the comfort and well-being of the group.He also provided excellent recommendations for places to visit beyond the tour itinerary, adding even more value to the experience. Thank you, Barish, for going above and beyond to make our trip memorable!

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The tour was amazing! The operator called a day in advance to reconfirm the details and meeting point, which was very reassuring. Our guide, Baris, was incredibly knowledgeable and shared a wealth of historical information about the sites, making the experience even more enriching. Highly recommended!

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The guide was very friendly and shared a wealth of information, making the experience both enjoyable and insightful. Highly recommended!

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This walking tour was absolutely worth the money. Ahmet reached out to us early, ensuring everything went smoothly and even arrived ahead of time, sending a photo for easy identification. He was incredibly knowledgeable, answering all our questions thoroughly. Ahmet also helped us capture great photos and shared so much fascinating information about the sites. Highly recommended!

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The guide truly made the experience worthwhile. It was unfortunate that we couldn't enter most mosques, but it would have been great to visit the one that was open. A bit of a missed opportunity!

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Excellent tour! I highly recommend it. Our guide was very kind and made the experience even more enjoyable.

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A great tour with the perfect duration to help you get oriented and familiar with the Grand Bazaar. Highly recommended for first-time visitors!

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The tour was comprehensive, and our guide, Ali, did an excellent job highlighting and explaining historical artifacts with clarity. It exceeded my expectations, and I highly recommend it!

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Fuet Peker was an outstanding tour guide—thorough, inclusive, and highly engaging. The tour was quite intense, far exceeding my expectations. While I initially anticipated visiting just three main sites in the old city, the tour offered a comprehensive and immersive exploration of the entire area. I would highly recommend this experience to anyone looking to deeply discover the old city!

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A very pleasant and friendly guide who made the experience enjoyable and fun! We felt completely at ease throughout the tour. Highly prepared and personable—highly recommended!

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This tour was absolutely incredible! Our guide, Ali, was amazing—he gave us plenty of time to take in the sights, snap pictures, and shared a wealth of historical information and fascinating facts. He was entertaining throughout, making the entire experience fantastic from start to finish. Highly recommended!

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An amazing tour! Our guide, Ali, was incredibly knowledgeable and answered all our questions. He was helpful, caring, super friendly, and even shared fantastic tips for exploring the city.The only downside was not being able to visit the Blue Mosque since it was Friday and closed early for prayers. However, the itinerary was adjusted perfectly with visits to the Hippodrome and the Cistern, which made up for it.Totally recommend this tour—it was a fantastic experience!

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Hello! We took the half-day tour today in Istanbul, visiting the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, and other highlights, and we thoroughly enjoyed it! Our tour guide was excellent—knowledgeable and engaging. We’ll definitely be booking another tour with your company. Thank you again!

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My tour guide, Baris Ozkalkan, was absolutely amazing. He was patient, explained everything clearly, and made the experience very welcoming and enjoyable. A big thank you to Baris for such a great experience!

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Absolutely amazing tour! We explored the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Grand Bazaar, and Spice Market on a fascinating walking tour. A highlight was watching traditional Turkish rug artisans at work—it was captivating.Our guide, Baris, was fantastic! He provided detailed history and background for each location and answered all our questions with enthusiasm. We couldn't have asked for a better tour or guide. Highly recommended—an unforgettable experience! ????

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We loved our guide and thoroughly enjoyed learning more about the mosques. However, the tour description gave the impression that we would be guided through the Grand Bazaar, but we were only led to the entrance and left to explore on our own without any additional information. It’s something to keep in mind when booking, but overall, it was a great experience!

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Very good

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Our tour guide was incredibly knowledgeable and friendly. We learned so much about the history of the Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque. Their warm and welcoming demeanor made the experience even more enjoyable. Highly recommended!

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Okan was an absolutely fabulous guide! He was extremely thorough and patient throughout the tour. I especially appreciated the historical context he provided—his knowledge is truly impressive. I highly recommend him without hesitation!

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Our guide was absolutely brilliant—knowledgeable, personable, and engaging. The tour was great value for money and an excellent experience overall. Highly recommended!

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The guide was incredibly knowledgeable and patient, explaining the history to us in great detail. He also gave us ample time to shop in the Bazaar, which we really appreciated. Highly recommend this tour!

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Perfect experience! The guide was fantastic, the architecture was stunning, and even the weather was on our side. Highly recommended!

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Fatih was an exceptional guide! He was incredibly friendly, provided great assistance, and explained everything about the place in detail. A truly wonderful experience—highly recommended!

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It was an excellent experience—thank you, Baris! We highly recommend Baris Özkalkan. He shared so much about the history and other fascinating details, making the tour truly memorable. Thank you again, and have a wonderful holiday!

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We had the most amazing experience with this tour! Although the Blue Mosque was closed on the day of our visit, the team quickly offered great alternatives and was incredibly responsive and supportive. They truly went above and beyond to ensure we had the best experience possible.Highly, highly recommend this tour! Just one note—there’s no such thing as "skip the queue" at Hagia Sophia. If you’re lucky, the queue might be short, but it’s something to keep in mind. Overall, a fantastic experience!

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​​​Our guide, Ozgur, was truly exceptional! He brought history to life with his incredible knowledge, passion, and enthusiasm, creating a fantastic introduction to Istanbul. Ozgur was well-organized, articulate in English, and ensured the tour was engaging and enjoyable for our diverse, multicultural group. It was an unforgettable experience—highly recommended!

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The city walk was very enjoyable! Our guide, Baris, was friendly and always had a smile on his face. We highly recommend both the tour and the operator for a wonderful experience!

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had a great experience

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Es hat alles gut geklappt, der Guide war super nett.

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Everything was excellent, and our Spanish-speaking guide was incredibly kind. A wonderful experience overall—highly recommended!

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Barish was a professional, knowledgeable, and friendly guide. Highly recommended for an amazing experience. Thank you, Barish!

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Ali was an excellent guide—attentive, alert, humorous, and patient throughout the tour. He shared a wealth of historical knowledge and fascinating facts, making the experience truly enjoyable. Highly recommended!

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Our family thoroughly enjoyed the time spent with the wonderful guide, Ali. He truly is the best guide! Thank you for making our first day in Istanbul absolutely incredible! ????

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Our tour guide, K, was amazing! He was incredibly knowledgeable and provided so much information and detail, which made the tour even more fascinating. Highly recommend this experience!

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Fuet Peker was an outstanding tour guide! He was thorough, inclusive, and ensured the tour was engaging and detailed. While I initially expected a visit to just three main sites in the old city, the tour turned out to be a comprehensive and immersive exploration of the entire area. It exceeded my expectations, and I would highly recommend it to anyone!

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The tour was fantastic and packed with lots of valuable information. Highly recommended!

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Excellent guide and fascinating sights—highly recommended!

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Our guide, Baris, was incredibly knowledgeable and attentive throughout the tour. It was definitely money well spent. Highly recommended!

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Ali was an absolutely fantastic guide, full of positive energy and deep knowledge. I’ve visited Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque before, but this time it was a completely different and much richer experience. Having someone like Ali share fascinating stories from over 1,000 years ago added so much depth—and he even knew the best spots to leave your shoes! Highly recommended!

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The guide was top notch

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Parfait !

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The guide was super informative and very nice, providing excellent background knowledge that enriched the experience. Highly recommended!

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Great tour! Our guide, Ali, was incredibly knowledgeable and made the experience truly enjoyable. Highly recommended!

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The guide was absolutely amazing! He arrived at the meeting point ahead of time and made entry to the sites seamless. His knowledge of the history behind each site was impressive and added so much depth to the experience. Baris Ozkalkan is truly one of the best tour guides we’ve ever had—highly recommended!

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Ali was an excellent guide—very knowledgeable, friendly, and informative. His insights were truly impressive, making the experience even more enjoyable! ????

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The tour guide, Ali, was absolutely brilliant. Highly recommended!

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This tour is highly recommended! Our guide shared fascinating stories about the historic buildings and provided plenty of additional information and useful tips. A fantastic experience!

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A pleasant and highly informative experience—definitely worth it!

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I enjoyed the tour—it was very informative and well-organized!

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The tour was excellent, and the guide was incredibly knowledgeable, making the experience even more enjoyable. Highly recommended!

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The tour was well-organized, and Ali was an incredibly knowledgeable guide. Highly recommended!

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An absolutely amazing tour! We explored the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Grand Bazaar, and Spice Market on an engaging walking tour. A highlight was seeing traditional Turkish rug artisans at work, which was truly fascinating. Our guide, Baris, was fantastic—he shared the full history and background of each site and patiently answered all our questions. The experience exceeded expectations, and we couldn’t have asked for a better tour or guide. Highly recommend this to everyone! ????

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Kaya was an outstanding guide, making the experience truly exceptional. Highly recommended!

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Our guide, Barish, was incredible! He shared a wealth of insightful information and explained everything to the group in a clear and easy-to-understand way. Barish was patient, taking the time to answer all of our questions throughout the tour. He has a wonderful personality, great humor, and a genuinely kind spirit.We had a fantastic time and learned so much—things we wouldn’t have discovered otherwise. An excellent guide and a highly recommended experience!

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It was an amazing experience! We had the opportunity to see the most important highlights of Istanbul, and everything was explained exceptionally well by our tour guide. He spoke perfect English and was very friendly, making the experience even more enjoyable.The hotel pickup and drop-off were punctual and seamless, adding to the convenience. I highly recommend this tour—it’s a 5-star experience all around! ????????????????????

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Our guide was absolutely amazing, making it such a fantastic experience. I would definitely recommend this tour to anyone!

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An excellent guide—knowledgeable, engaging, and full of fascinating content. Highly recommended!

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Çeren was our guide today, and she was absolutely exceptional! It was a truly special experience—she was incredibly friendly, knowledgeable, and made the visit very engaging and interesting.We encountered a small issue with a visit we had planned, and she handled it seamlessly for us. Çeren deserves a perfect 10 for her outstanding guidance and support! Highly recommended! ????

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excellent

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We had a very nice morning with a small group and an excellent guide, Mechmet! Highly enjoyable and well-organized. ????

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Baris was fantastic! He showed us everything and explained the history in great detail. Highly recommend this tour!

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We loved our guide and thoroughly enjoyed learning more about the mosques. However, the tour description implied we would be guided through the Grand Bazaar, but we were only led to the entrance and left to explore on our own without any guidance or information. It’s something to be aware of when booking, but overall, it was a great experience!

Helpful? Yes

We had a great experience on this tour, especially with the guide, who was very knowledgeable and explained the history of the Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque beautifully. Both sites were breathtaking, and the guide’s storytelling added so much depth to the visit. However, the description of the tour made it seem like we’d be guided through the Grand Bazaar, but we were only taken to the entrance and left to explore on our own, which was a little disappointing.Overall, it was a well-organized and enjoyable tour, but a bit more clarity in the itinerary would have made it perfect. Highly recommend this for anyone visiting Istanbul!

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The tour was really good overall. The guide provided great insights into the Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque, making the experience very enjoyable. However, the Grand Bazaar portion was disappointing as it was just a drop-off with no information or guidance. Also, the tour only lasted about 2 hours. Despite these issues, the main highlights were worth it!

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Good experience overall! The guide was excellent at communicating from the time the tour was booked until we met at the starting point. The visits to Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque were very efficient but never felt rushed. The guide also showed us the best spots for taking photos, which was a nice touch. Highly recommend for a well-organized and enjoyable tour!

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We really enjoyed the tour! Our guide was very nice, professional, and made the experience enjoyable. A great way to explore the city’s highlights.

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The tour provided a good explanation of Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque. The stop at the carpet shop was a nice chance to rest, though it felt a bit too long. We were told the Grand Bazaar was closed since it was Sunday and were taken to a leather store instead, which included a fake fashion show and a pushy salesman. However, online hours suggest the Grand Bazaar might have been open, which left us uncertain. Overall, the main sites were well covered, but the shopping stops could be improved.

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The guide was excellent—very knowledgeable and provided detailed insights throughout the tour. However, the group size was quite large, which led to some time being wasted while waiting for everyone to gather. Overall, a good experience, but smaller groups would make it even better.

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met expectations

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The guide was very nice and provided plenty of detailed information about the sights. They answered all our questions thoroughly and even shared some helpful tips. A very friendly and professional experience overall!

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The tour of the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia was stunning. As a solo traveler, I appreciated the experience so far. Afterward, we headed to the Grand Bazaar. At its entrance, the guide thanked me for joining the tour. Surprised, I asked if she would accompany me inside since the itinerary mentioned a 75-minute Bazaar tour. To my dismay, she informed me the tour had ended and departed without further assistance. When I inquired about returning to my hotel, she said it was drop-off only.Left alone, I entered the Grand Bazaar, fully aware of how bustling it would be but unprepared for what followed. The experience was deeply uncomfortable, with men brushing past me, making inappropriate contact, and even attempting massages. Feeling unsafe, I had no choice but to leave abruptly. It was one of the most distressing moments I’ve ever encountered.To other women traveling alone, I urge caution—avoid entering the Grand Bazaar unaccompanied. This experience left me disheartened, and I was shocked by the guide’s lack of support and professionalism. It’s a lesson learned, though one I wish I hadn’t needed to endure.

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all good for hal day tour

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A lack of clear communication impacted my ability to fully enjoy the experience.

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The "skip the line" felt more like cutting in line, as the Blue Mosque was mostly closed. Our guide simply walked us to the bazaar and pointed us in its direction. We chose the half-day tour, but because others in the group were on a full-day itinerary, we had to sit outside and wait while they visited the Basilica. To add to the inconvenience, Topkapi Palace was closed on Tuesday. While the tour itself was okay, it would have been helpful to know in advance that we’d be mixed with a group on a different schedule. Knowing this, we might have opted for the full-day tour, as we’d have preferred to visit the Basilica. Unfortunately, there wasn’t an option that included the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, and the Basilica together, so we ended up purchasing separate tickets for the attraction later.

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The guide was very knowledgeable and provided detailed information about Hagia Sophia, which we appreciated. However, the Grand Bazaar was closed due to a religious holiday, something we weren’t informed about until the tour started. The Blue Mosque is currently under renovation, so there wasn’t much to see there. While the guide took the group to another location, it didn’t interest us, so we decided to explore on our own. Although transport was included in the tour, we weren’t picked up from our hotel and were instead told to make our own way to the mosque. Overall, this made the tour feel like poor value for money, as we could have easily managed the visit ourselves, enjoying more flexibility and saving on costs.

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The tour guide was decent but not particularly impressive. Out of the 3-hour tour, he allocated about 40 minutes as free time, which felt excessive. Despite the Grand Bazaar being part of the itinerary, we didn’t visit it. Instead, we were taken to two unrelated shops selling leather goods and carpets, which seemed quite out of place. While the guide did provide some explanations, they were rather brief and lacked depth.

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The tour began 90 minutes late, including a delayed hotel pick-up, which wasn’t a great start. The organization at the beginning felt chaotic, with no clear meeting point, giving the impression that the guide was improvising. However, once the tour got underway, the guide truly shone. His in-depth explanations and unique insights added a layer of understanding you wouldn’t get on your own. Unfortunately, he often walked ahead of the group without ensuring everyone was keeping up, leaving some members behind. A simple head count could have avoided this issue. Despite the hiccups, the guided tour was still worthwhile for the wealth of extra information shared.

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The guide was friendly and well-informed, but I felt let down by the experience. I paid for a tour covering three sites, yet the Blue Mosque was closed for renovations (during 2022), and I wasn’t informed beforehand. Additionally, mosques are typically closed on Fridays, which I also wasn’t told when booking. I chose the half-day tour, but the guide scheduled the Grand Bazaar visit at the end alongside the full-day tour group, meaning I missed it entirely. In the end, I felt the tour was overpriced for what I received.

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We booked a 4-hour trip to visit Hagia Sophia and three other locations, but we only managed to see two. It was a disappointing experience overall.

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We arrived late to the activity, and we truly appreciated our guide’s patience in waiting for us and arranging a transfer to another group. Unfortunately, this was the only positive aspect of the experience. Given that the mosque is currently under construction and there’s very little to see, paying for a guide felt unnecessary. You’d be better off exploring these sites on your own, which would be more than sufficient.

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The guide was exceptionally friendly and knowledgeable, providing more in-depth historical details than most tours. However, instead of visiting the Grand Bazaar, we were taken to a department store selling leather products, followed by a shop with fake designer goods offered at "special prices for this tour only." While a brief stop would have been fine, we ended up waiting over an hour for everyone in the group to finish shopping. By the time the shopping was done, the tour ended at the Grand Bazaar entrance due to lack of time, which was disappointing.

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The tour was initially advertised as visiting Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, and the Grand Bazaar. However, upon arrival, we were informed that Hagia Sophia was closed for the morning due to the President's visit. Instead, the tour was converted into a full-day itinerary to include the palace. We weren’t told in advance that this would incur additional fees, but upon reaching the palace, we were informed we had to pay extra to enter—despite only wanting the original tour we had already paid for. Reluctantly, we paid, and while the palace tour was decent, the guide's historical knowledge was not as comprehensive as expected. Afterward, we were taken to a touristy restaurant with terrible food, poor service, and an attempt to overcharge us. Overall, I felt the experience wasn’t worth the money, as I could have easily explored these sites on my own.

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This was the worst tour I’ve ever experienced. I do NOT recommend it at all. The tour guide did absolutely nothing, offered no assistance, and showed no concern for the group. It seemed like he didn’t even bother to shower before the tour. We ended up leaving halfway through because it was such a disappointment. I genuinely feel I deserve a refund for this completely worthless experience. Avoid this tour at all costs!

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Terrible tour guide. If you're Muslim and planning to visit the mosques, you’d expect some focus on their significance as mosques. Instead, the guide only talked about the Christian history of Hagia Sophia and even referred to it as a church. The worst part is that he’s supposed to be Muslim—hard to believe. Honestly, if you’re Muslim, avoid this tour. You’ll have a much better experience exploring on your own.

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An incredible tour! The guide was very knowledgeable and brought so much context to the sites we visited. Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque were stunning, and the Grand Bazaar was a vibrant end to the day. Highly recommend!

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Absolutely loved this tour! The guide was professional and passionate about Istanbul’s history. It was an unforgettable experience exploring such iconic landmarks with someone so knowledgeable.

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This tour exceeded my expectations. The guide shared fascinating stories and history at every stop. The pace was perfect, and everything was well-organized. Don’t miss this if you’re in Istanbul!

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A fantastic way to experience Istanbul’s rich history. The guide made it so engaging and enjoyable, sharing details I never would’ve learned on my own. The entire experience was seamless and memorable.

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Istanbul’s beauty comes alive with this tour! Our guide was wonderful, ensuring we understood the cultural and historical significance of each place. This is a must-do for anyone visiting the city.

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Everything about this tour was exceptional. The guide was articulate and informative, giving us a deep understanding of the landmarks. I couldn’t have asked for a better introduction to Istanbul!

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An unforgettable journey through Istanbul’s history! The guide was fantastic, ensuring we didn’t miss a single detail. The sights were breathtaking, and the experience was worth every penny.

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One of the best tours I’ve ever been on! The guide’s passion for Istanbul’s history was evident in every explanation. Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque were absolutely mesmerizing.

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This tour made my trip to Istanbul so special. The guide was attentive and knowledgeable, offering so much insight into the city’s history. The Grand Bazaar was the perfect finale to the day!

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An excellent tour that covered Istanbul’s highlights with depth and care. The guide was friendly and insightful, creating a memorable experience. Highly recommend this to anyone visiting Istanbul.

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A wonderful way to explore Istanbul’s most famous sites. The guide’s expertise brought each place to life, and the organization of the tour was flawless. Truly an incredible experience!

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Highly recommend this tour! The guide was engaging, professional, and full of interesting stories about each site. The balance of history and culture made this an unforgettable experience in Istanbul.

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