From Museums to Mosques, Famous Istanbul Sights Await Discovery

From the soaring domes of Hagia Sophia and the exquisite tiles of the Blue Mosque to the historic Hippodrome Square and the atmospheric Underground Cistern, this specially curated private tour invites you to explore the most fascinating sights of Istanbul’s Old City. Step into a city that has been the capital of four great empires over the last two thousand years, the Eastern Roman, Byzantine, short-lived Latin, and Ottoman, and let a professional guide bring its imperial landmarks and hidden stories vividly to life.

Designed as the ultimate experience for first-time visitors, the tour allows you to tailor the program to your interests and enjoy plenty of time to ask questions. Alongside these iconic monuments, immerse yourself in the bustling energy of the Grand Bazaar, the city’s lively streets, and its centuries-old traditions.

Highlights: Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Hippodrome Square, Underground Cistern, Grand Bazaar

Duration: 6–7 hours

Distance from hotel to Old City: 20–25 minutes by car

Discover Istanbul’s hidden corners on a private guided tour through its most charming and authentic neighborhoods.
Step beyond the city’s main landmarks and experience Istanbul like a local. Your professional guide will tailor the route to your interests, leading you through vibrant districts such as Beşiktaş, Kuzguncuk, Üsküdar, Çengelköy, Balat, Karaköy, and Çukurcuma, where the city’s true spirit comes alive. Stroll along colorful streets, visit artisan shops, historic mosques, bustling markets, and cozy cafés, while uncovering hidden stories and learning about Istanbul’s rich and diverse cultures.

Duration: 4–6 hours (flexible)
Includes: Private vehicle & licensed English-speaking guide
Optional: Stop for local coffee, tea, or a Bosphorus-view lunch
Notes: Choose from curated routes such as Balat-Fener, Karaköy-Beyoğlu-Çukurcuma, Nişantaşı-Beşiktaş, Kadıköy-Moda, or Üsküdar-Kuzguncuk-Çengelköy for a fully personalized experience.

Cross the iconic Bosphorus Bridge, connecting Europe and Asia, and ascend to Camlica Hill, the highest point in Istanbul, for breathtaking panoramic views of the Bosphorus, the Princes’ Islands, and the sprawling cityscape. Visit the Grand Camlica Mosque, Istanbul’s newest and largest mosque, completed in 2019, and marvel at its stunning architecture.

Continue to the charming Çengelköy district, home to an 800-year-old Monumental Plane Tree, one of the few remaining trees planted by the Ottoman Empire in newly conquered lands. Enjoy its shade while overlooking the Bosphorus. Delight in a taste of homemade chocolate before exploring Kucuksu Palace, the Ottoman summer and hunting retreat later used as a state guesthouse, featured in films such as James Bond: The World Is Not Enough and Bollywood’s Ek Tha Tiger.

Drive along the Bosphorus shoreline to Goksu River and visit Anadolu Hisarı, a medieval fortress built by Sultan Beyazıd I to aid in the siege of Constantinople. In Kanlıca, famous for its sweet yoghurt topped with caster sugar, enjoy a tasting in a café overlooking the Bosphorus while admiring historic wooden waterfront mansions.

The tour concludes at the Khedive’s Palace (Hidiv Kasrı), a 1907 residence of Khedive Abbas II of Egypt and Sudan, showcasing Art Nouveau architecture inspired by Italian Renaissance villas with neo-classical Ottoman details. Along the way, savor traditional Turkish treats including Simit (Turkish bagel), stuffed mussels, homemade chocolate, sweet yoghurt, and Turkish tea or coffee.

Duration: 4–5 hours

Notes: Please inform the concierge of any food allergies or intolerances, as The Ritz-Carlton Istanbul cannot assume responsibility for issues arising from undisclosed dietary restrictions. Private transportation with Mercedes-Benz vehicles (Vito or Sprinter, depending on group size) and a professional driver is available upon request.

Lose yourself in the vibrant sights, scents, and sounds of Istanbul’s bustling bazaars on this guided shopping tour. Begin at the exotic Egyptian Bazaar, where colorful spices, nuts, herbs, and sweets create a feast for the senses, then wander through the Grand Bazaar, one of the world’s largest covered markets, with over 4,000 stalls offering everything from carpets and ceramics to jewelry and textiles. Along the way, watch skilled artisans at work, from carpet weaving to calligraphy and pottery, learn the art of haggling from your expert guide, and uncover hidden corners to find unique souvenirs, all while enjoying a safe and personalized experience in the heart of Istanbul.

Step into the glorious legacy of the Ottoman Empire, which ruled over Eurasia for seven centuries, and explore its monumental landmarks and rich cultural heritage. Wander through the opulent Topkapı Palace, admire the grandeur of Süleymaniye Mosque and its surrounding neighborhood, and stroll the colorful Spice Bazaar. Experience traditional Turkish coffee houses and sweet shops, while discovering the multicultural fabric of Istanbul, shaped by Greeks, Armenians, Jews, Venetians, Balkans, and Turks.

Highlights & Places Visited: Topkapı Palace Museum, Süleymaniye Mosque and complex, Spice Bazaar, traditional Turkish coffee house, traditional Turkish sweet and delight shops

Duration: 6–7 hours

Lined with grand palaces, historic mansions, and lush gardens, the Bosphorus is one of Istanbul’s most enchanting sights, best experienced by boat. This private cruise offers a unique perspective on the city’s history and culture, as you navigate both the European and Asian shores, passing charming fishing villages, magnificent waterfront estates, and vibrant neighborhoods. Perfectly blending history, nature, and luxury, the tour allows you to relax and soak in the beauty of Istanbul from the water.

Highlights: Private yacht embarkation from Kabataş İskelesi, 2+ hour cruise along the Bosphorus, European and Asian shores, disembark at Kabataş or a preferred Bosphorus seafood restaurant

Upon request: Snacks and alcoholic beverages can be served on board for an extra cost. Tea, coffee, and water are complimentary

First visit will be to the house of the most famous Turkish coffee producer in Eminönü. In this historic district, you will briefly watch how traditional coffee is made and will also visit the mouth - watering sweet shops of the old city. Next stop will be the neighborhood of Fener, where you will sip some great Turkish coffee: traditionally cooked and served.

A stroll around the old coffeehouses of Balat will be of special interest for those interested in backgammon. Our lunch at the local’s favorite family-owned meatball joint will be followed by some tea-tasting. The day will end at the third wave coffee shops of Karaköy, the new ‘in’ neighborhood for the city’s bohemian crowds.

Neighborhoods visited:  Eminönü, Fener, Balat, Karaköy

We will first visit Istanbul Archaeological Museum complex which is one of the most beautiful museums of Istanbul, which actually consists of three museums: the Archaeology Museum, the Ancient Orient Museum, and the Islamic Art Museum (also known as the Tiled Kiosk Museum). From the Assyrian, Hittite, Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman civilizations. Our second stop will be the Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts (Türk ve Islam Eserleri  Müzesi) which provides a fascinating insight into the complexity and depth of these traditional arts. The museum features fine examples of calligraphy in Islamic art, Islamic art paintings, Islamic abstract art and contemporary Islamic art.

In this day, we will be exploring the famous antique quartier of Çukurcuma and the hidden vintage gems of Galatasaray that include old record shops, books, clothing and accessories. We will enrich our day by visiting the contemporary art museums and galleries of Beyoğlu such as Pera Museum and Istanbul Modern.

Neighborhoods visited: Cihangir, Çukurcuma, Galatasaray, Şişhane

On this two hours private cruise, we use a luxury motorboat to take us from the southern part of the Bosphorus Strait all the way to the north, discovering different neighborhoods (that were once former fishing villages) along the way. During the yacht cruise, the private tour guide shows and explains the most interesting landmarks, monuments and neighbourhoods along the Bosphorus shores. The timing of the tour is flexible and can be determined by the hotel guest.

This tour is for anyone that is tired of walking around the city and would like to see it from a new glamorous perspective.

Upon request, food and alcoholic beverages can be served on board for an extra cost - to be paid cash on board. Tea, coffee and water are complimentary.|
 

There are three different variations of Glamorous Bosphorus:

• Turkish Breakfast Cruise (2 hours): Enjoy a delicious Turkish breakfast in between two continents. A typical breakfast menu will be Turkish cheese, olives, tomatoes and cucumber, honey and clotted cream (bal & kaymak), simit, tea and Turkish coffee.


• Sunset Cocktail Cruise (2 hours): Sip your drinks while cruising through the enchanting shores of Bosphorus Strait. Please keep in mind that you can end your cruise in one of those fancy Bosphorus restaurants located by the shores of the water.


• Dinner on-board (2 hours): A great dinner experience on-board while you admire the city from the water. You can choose among the fish or meat menus.

Starting from Istiklal Avenue and going down the hill towards Galata Tower and Karaköy our photography walk lasts about six hours. Strolling through the narrow-side streets off Istiklal Avenue we will be discovering and shooting in the most vibrant and picturesque neighborhoods of Istanbul. Before we start our photo walk we offer a short introduction to basic photography (for beginners only) and a briefing on the photo-walk by your photography guide.

Our photography guides are not only expert photographers but are also incredibly knowledgeable about the city too  and will help you get beyond the image.

The route is decided upon the specific interests of the participants (local portraits, authentic architecture, city views, monuments, etc.

This tour is for anyone who is interested in taking photos in a city like Istanbul and learning new tricks of street photography.

On this tour, we cruise towards Princes’ Islands; an archipelago of nine islands very close to each other. Your local guide will introduce you the islands as you stroll through them. While cruising to the islands, you will watch the minarets of old Ottoman mosques on the historical peninsula shrink into the distance as we glide towards the Princes' Islands. With great views of Istanbul from the water, seagulls, frequent dolphin sightings, the sound of the wind and of course the sunset, this is a truly unique experience.

You’ll also have a chance to see the car-free leafy oases that are the Princes’ Islands, lined with grand Ottoman mansions and stunning architecture - you’ll feel like you’ve sailed back  in time. These beautiful wooded islands are completely car-free, home to a friendly community and steeped in Byzantine and Ottoman history.

You will have amazing photo opportunities in this tour, so make sure to bring your camera.

This tour is for anyone that wants  to make the most of beautiful weather and leave the city behind.