Where is the meeting and pickup point?

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What is the itinerary for this tour?

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What additional information should I know?

{"type":"root","children":[{"listType":"unordered","type":"list","children":[{"type":"list-item","children":[{"type":"text","value":"Meet your guide in the center of the Sultanahmet tour area. The tour will be entirely on foot. If needed, you may also book transportation between your hotel and the tour starting point. There is no transportation required during the tour itself, as the entire area is pedestrian-only."}]},{"type":"list-item","children":[{"type":"text","value":"There will be time for lunch or a quick snack during the tour. Your guide will join you as your guest at the restaurant or café. Alternatively, if you prefer not to stop for a meal during the full-day tour, we can skip the break and end the tour approximately 30 minutes earlier."}]},{"type":"list-item","children":[{"type":"text","value":"Not wheelchair accessible. Not recommended for travelers with children.Not recommended for travelers with back problems. Not recommended for pregnant travelers. Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level "}]}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"text","value":""}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"text","value":""}]}]}

Design your perfect Istanbul tour

Name: Design your perfect Istanbul tour
Brand: Protravel
SKU: 7627553669195
Price: 125.00 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.9 (120 reviews)

close-up-authentic-silk-turkish-rug-shopping-tour-istanbul

6 Hours

Private Tour

Hotel or Sultanahmet

1-10

English

Overview

This 6-hour cultural walking tour provides a captivating journey through Istanbul's most iconic landmarks with visits to the following museums. Hagia Sophia (Ayasofya); Topkapi Palace Museum; Roman (Basilica) Cistern; Lunch break; Grand Bazaar: The tour concludes with a visit to the Grand Bazaar, a bustling market where you can shop for a variety of goods, including rugs. If desired, your guide can assist with rug shopping.

This is a private tour/activity. Only your or your group will participate
Lunch is not included
Fast track museum tickets to be paid separately

What's Included

✓ About 6 hours of service of a quality, professional, local tour guide

Meeting and Pickup

McDonald's Binbirdirek, Divan Yolu Cd. No:15, 34122 Fatih/İstanbul, Türkiye

Itinerary

Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque: Explore this architectural wonder, once a church, mosque, and now a museum, showcasing stunning Byzantine mosaics and Ottoman elements.
Topkapi Palace: Visit Topkapi Palace, the home of the Ottoman sultans for over 400 years! As we explore, you’ll see amazing courtyards, beautiful tiles, and great views of the Bosphorus.
Basilica's Cistern: Wander through this ancient underground water reservoir from 6th century with its haunting atmosphere, supported by hundreds of marble columns.
Blue Mosque : The mosque will be visited depending on the length of the queues at the entrance.
Grand Bazaar: The tour concludes with a visit to the Grand Bazaar, a bustling market where you can shop for a variety of goods, including rugs. If desired, your guide can assist with rug shopping, or you can explore the bazaar on your own.

Note: Museum tickets are not included in the tour price. Your guide will arrange fast-track tickets, and all admission fees must be paid separately in cash during the tour. Please let us know if you would prefer all admission fees to be included.

Additional Info

Meet your guide in the center of the Sultanahmet tour area. The tour will be entirely on foot. If needed, you may also book transportation between your hotel and the tour starting point. There is no transportation required during the tour itself, as the entire area is pedestrian-only.
There will be time for lunch or a quick snack during the tour. Your guide will join you as your guest at the restaurant or café. Alternatively, if you prefer not to stop for a meal during the full-day tour, we can skip the break and end the tour approximately 30 minutes earlier.
Not wheelchair accessible. Not recommended for travelers with children.Not recommended for travelers with back problems. Not recommended for pregnant travelers. Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level

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Make My Trip Better

Also interested in (Check all that apply):

Carpets and Kilims Furs & Leather Jackets Leather Goods (Bags, Belts) Ottoman Tiles & Ceramics Fine Jewelry & Gold Local Handicrafts Turkish Hammam Experience

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Price Summary

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Total $0.00

Prices shown in $US Dollar

Full Payment

Deposit Payment (30%) Recommended

The remaining balance will be collected in cash during the tour.

Flat rate for 1-6 people

Free cancellation up to 7 days before the experience starts

Fast-track museum tickets will be paid in cash during the tour (if required).

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Customer Reviews

5.0 / 5.0 (287 Reviews)

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★★★★★

5.0 / 5.0 (18 Reviews)

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★★★★★

5.0 / 5.0 (5 Reviews)

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★★★★★

4.9 / 5.0 (27 Reviews)

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Kathleen

Tucson, AZ

★★★★★·October 2023

Ali was very knowledgeable of rugs and the Turkish rug market. He took us to places that matched our budget. We felt like he helped us make deals that were fair for everyone. He also helped us negotiate the language barrier and with shipping. We purchased 4 rugs. Looking forward to seeing the beautiful Turkish rugs in our home. Thanks, Ali!

Meredith

United States

★★★★★·March 2024

We are so glad we booked this experience. We purchased two rugs and couldn’t have done it without Ali. We went in blind, not knowing much about rugs or what we liked. Ali gave us a great overview of the different categories of rugs, and what to expect in terms of prices. With Ali’s help, we were able to shop in a non-stressful environment with a great selection. He acted as a liaison between us and the dealer, ensuring we were treated fairly. Highly recommend this experience for anyone who is seriously interested in buying a rug!

May 2025 • Essendon, Australia

Ali was fantastic . He was very knowledgeable and patient. There was no pressure to make a quick decision or to buy a carpet from a particular dealer. We both purchased carpets and we feel that we got very good quality at a reasonable price. Ali also spent extra time with us and took us to a few shops in and around the bazaar. A challenging task made so easy. Thank you Ali. Debbie & Rita

Debbie

Jen

Boise, ID

★★★★★·June 2025

Ali knows a lot about rugs. it was a good learning experience for us but we did not purchase a rug. I would recommend knowing exactly what you want, plus budget, and how many places you'd like to go/where you'd like to go, and communicating that with Ali prior to your trip for the best use of time.

Matthew

Los Angeles, CA

★★★★★·August 2025

This was a great way to shop for rugs in Istanbul. Ali took us to multiple rug stores and we were able to see a wide variety of rugs and even bought some! Ali was very helpful coordinating the purchase and delivery process, following up with us after the tour to make sure everything worked out as expected. Shopping for rugs in Istanbul is an amazing experience, thanks Ali for your help!

David

Cambridge, MA

★★★★★·October 2025

We hired Ali to help us shop for rugs, he’s an expert in the field having grown up around the business and knows many rug dealers in town. We never felt pressured to buy anything and he (and the dealers he took us to visit) were extremely patient while we sorted through all the options and asked many questions. We also hired him to give us a bespoke city tour and found him to be a fountain of knowledge on world and Turkish history. The tour went to all the places we wanted, and was conducted on a very efficient schedule. Five stars!

★★★★★

Ayanda – South Africa

Sep 2024

Thank you so much Ali for the wonderful excursion. We got more than what we bargained for.

★★★★★

GetYourGuide Traveler – UAE

Oct 2025

Ali and the TourAli team made my Istanbul shopping experience unforgettable! From guiding me to hidden rug treasures to sharing fascinating history and insider tips, every moment was perfect. The day was personalized, stress-free, and so much fun. I left with beautiful rugs, amazing memories, and a new appreciation for Turkish craftsmanship. Highly recommend!

★★★★★

Jamie – United Kingdom

May 2023

Great afternoon with Ali, taking us to a few different suppliers (wholesalers, normal shops and market stalls). Managed to find some rugs we were very happy with - would definitely recommend, just be very clear about what style/age you are looking for so he can help you as well as possible!

★★★★★

GetYourGuide Traveler – United States

Feb 2026

Ali is a seasoned carpet expert and helped us buy two beautiful carpets with confidence. We enjoyed listening to different options in rug buying and knowing that we were getting a wholesale price and not buying retail. We booked Ali because I did not want to spend endless time aimlessly looking for a perfect carpet but worried about aggressive salespeople and getting ripped off. You can shop at your own pace and no pressure to buy anything. It was stress-free.

★★★★★

GetYourGuide Traveler – UAE

Sep 2025

Our guide was incredibly knowledgeable and experienced, and I enjoyed every single moment with him. He has a wonderful way of sharing his expertise, making the whole experience not only informative but also very enjoyable. The rug shopping was an absolute highlight — I never felt rushed or pressured, and I could tell right away that he is a true expert who knows the craft inside and out. Thanks to his guidance, I learned so much about the history, patterns, and quality of the rugs, which made the shopping experience both exciting and meaningful. I felt comfortable and confident throughout, and I truly appreciate his patience and professionalism. I would highly recommend him to anyone who wants a memorable and authentic experience.

★★★★★

Review of Ali

Larry H., May 2019

We had a wonderful time. Ali is an incredibly knowledgeable tour guide regarding sites to visit and foods to eat. We went on several tours while we were in Istanbul and this was by far the best. I would go back just to have a tour with him.

Larry H.

★★★★★

Historic sights in istanbul

Don S., Jun 2019

Our guide from Ali’s protravel tours was professional, knowledgeable and most interesting in every way. We can highly recommend his services

Don S.

★★★★★

Best Ever

Kristen B., Jun 2019

Thanks to Ali, our first trip to Istanbul was spectacular! Over three days, he not only showed us the beautiful historic sites, bazaars, mosques and towers, but welcomed us with the warmth and genuineness rarely seen in a guide. As Ali shared his favorite neighborhoods, restaurants, dessert spots and even a street-side cart with delicious muscles, we gained an appreciation for Turkish cuisine and for what life is like as a local. He also directed us to quality, yet reasonable shopping destinations. (Plus, he arranged a fantastic guide (Ibrahim) for us in Cappadocia.) Most of all, we enjoyed Ali’s personality. We shared many laughs each day while he filled our minds with information of Turkey’s storied history, as well as, it’s present. We hope to return to Istanbul and couldn’t imagine not reaching out to Ali again. He was a perfect match!

Kristen B.

★★★★★

Sites, Laughs, History, and Baklava: A Tour With Ali.

victoria_warne, Jun 2019

Prior to my experience with Ali, I had biases towards 'tour activities'. As a traveler, you want to submerge yourself into a rich culture and learn from your surroundings. And that is precisely what Ali provided to my family and I. The tour Ali hosted was incredible. He has a passion for the city, history, all walks of life, and a drive to educate others. He is personable, kind, and his wide array of intelligence makes for the ultimate tour. Do not think that a tour with Ali will take away from a travelers experience: he enriches every moment and adds a personal touch to Istanbul.

victoria_warne

★★★★★

Perfect 2 days!

SheriR, Oct 2025

We had a remarkable day with Ali! Could not have asked for a more personable and knowledgeable tour guide. We booked him for 1 day and added a second day. We felt so taken care of. Highly recommended!

SheriR

An Exceptional Personalised Tour of Istanbul

May 2023 • United States

Ali’s understanding of Istanbul’s deep history and his ability to relay it to us in a realistic storytelling manner was exceptional. At all times he was aware of our understanding and needs on this personalised tour. A remarkable tour which gave us a much greater understanding of this extraordinary city. Thank you, Ali, for a wonderful experience.

Willie M

Can't imagine a better tourguide!

Jun 2023 • United States

WOWOWOWOW!!! Ali was absolutely FANTASTIC! So knowledgeable--and not just about Istanbul: I really appreciated how he put info in a global and time-relevant context. Our sons--18 and 23--both related to him, as well. He really knew his audience. Besides history and context, he offered insights to modern Istanbul, so we felt like we learned so much more than facts! We would definitely recommend Ali!

K W

Wonderful tour of Istanbul with Ali

Jun 2024 • United States

My wife and I were very excited about visiting Istanbul, We did not know what to expect since this would be our first time and thought that investing in a knowledgeable guide would be the best way to learn about the city. We were lucky to have Ali as our guide. He is very personable and it was like touring the city with someone we had known for a while even though we had just met. We learned so much about the city, the culture, the food, historical buildings and institutions. We would recommend touring with Ali for a great introduction to an amazing city. Contact him and we are sure you will enjoy a great experience just like we did.

Rennie G

Excellent tour and guide

Jun 2025 • United States

Ali took us on a private tour which included the Topkapi Palace, the Basilica Cistern and the Spice Bazar. We have a particular interest in Turkish history and politics and Ali did a superb job of explaining the significance and background to the important moments in history but also, and I think slightly unusually, was able to put them into the context of world events at the same time allowing a fascinating insight. I had the sense that we only skimmed the surface of Ali's knowledge and when we return to Istanbul we will be sure to look him up. As it was just the 2 of us and Ali we took our time which which meant we were able to contemplate and discuss further at the various sites and we parted ways feeling like we had a much better understanding of Istanbul today and in the past. Thanks for your great tour Ali.