You’ve probably heard that Istanbul is well-known for Hagia Sophia, but do you know the stories and origin behind it? Or how much influence it has on the locals daily life? On this private city tour, you are in for a cultural treat!
Let's hit the road and explore the quiet ancient town of Nicaea, also known as İznik today. Before hopping in my car, enjoy a local breakfast by the beautiful Sapanca lake near the town of Sakarya, and then get ready for a road trip through the Samanlı Mountains to explore Nicaea together!
Magnificent Dolmabahçe Palace & Maiden's Tower Tour
122 reviews
4 hours | city highlight tours | Istanbul
The palaces in Istanbul are full of splendor but nothing like the magnificent Dolmabahçe Palace! Join me on a private tour full of cultural gems and history. Visit the palace, learn about the last Ottoman empire, and cross the Bosphorus where you can find the imposing Maiden's Tower.
Discover The Unbelievable History of the Hagia Sophia
The Hagia Sophia has been a religious icon throughout history! It was originally a Catholic Church and was changed to a mosque when the Ottoman Empire took control of the city. This historical masterpiece is now a cultural phenomenon that welcomes guests of all religions. With your favorite local host, get inside knowledge of this breathtaking museum on an Istanbul Hagia Sophia tour! This marvel of a building has so many stories to tell! From the days of the Byzantine Empire to the rule of the Ottoman Turks, this legendary structure is the utmost symbol of worlds colliding in Istanbul. The modern-day museum features the influence of both cultures and continues to be a beautiful spectacle for all its visitors. Your local host will enlighten you with magnificent stories of its past and can show you some amazing secret sites nearby. A Hagia Sophia tour is a must when exploring Istanbul! The enthralling Hagia Sophia has a special place in history and it is an architectural treasure. A friendly Istanbul local will give you a Hagia Sophia tour you will always cherish!
What other travelers love about our local experts
Melina
About local
19 January 2025
Explored Istanbul with the best guide
My experience has been seamless and customised according to my requirements. I had a long transit between my flights and booked this experience to see the main sites around Istanbul. Gülce organised the best transfer.
Gülce was very friendly and kind which made my experience enjoyable. She even showed me some extra places like the Grand Bazaar and we had dinner at a nice restaurant by the Bosphorus which had the most delicious dishes. She knew how to time the visits well and advised on the best way to navigate through Istanbul traffic. Unfortunately the weather was really cold and windy, but I will be back again and enjoy Istanbul better next time. Thanks a lot Gülce for everything.
Treasures of Istanbul: Hagia Sophia Tour
Andrew
About local
Great guide
We could not have been happier to have Abdullah as our guide. He has a great depth of knowledge of the history of Istanbul and of Turkish culture, and is charming and witty. He was the perfect person to lead us on our exploration. Plus he helped us navigate the tram system!
Treasures of Istanbul: Hagia Sophia Tour
Katrine
About local
Sweet and knowledeable guide
Gülce lead my little group of three, me and two teenagers, with a steady hand through Hagia Sofia and surroundings, and then on a little food tour in Karaköy. She is a knowledgeable and patient tour guide that shares many good tips and insights about what to do in today’s Istanbul and all the history that is attached to the monuments we were seeing. She comes highly recommended!
Treasures of Istanbul: Hagia Sophia Tour
Rebecca
About local
An enthralling tour of the Hagia Sophia!
My friend and I had an absolutely wonderful time with Emre. There is so much to see everywhere you turn that it's easy for everything to blur together, and so I am especially grateful for Emre's approach to introducing us to the Hagia Sofia. Rather than trying to rush us into seeing everything (and thus seeing nothing), Emre instead gave us many opportunities to pause, really look, and listen as he helped us discover the centuries of history and culture that the church/mosque has witnessed and reflects. Whether it was pointing out the 2000-year-old marble urns that were used to hold sherbet to distribute to the faithful during religious ceremonies, or the asymmetry in the buildings many arched corridors (thus indicating the eventual need for buttresses), or the combination of Islamic calligraphy and Christian iconography -- all of it was offered in a way that helped us perceive the building's role as an amazing repository of cultural history. It was truly a wonderful experience!
