9 Shopping Tours in Istanbul, Prices Included

1.Istanbul Grand Bazaar: From Rooftops to the Secret Passages

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 337 reviews · 2 - 2.5 hours · from $31Our pick

Spend 2 to 2.5 hours exploring Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar with a local English or Turkish-speaking guide. See rooftops, courtyards, workshops, and quieter passages most visitors miss. Guides such as Mertcan explain the bazaar’s 600-year story, introduce artisans, offer shopping and food tips, and include Turkish or apple tea.

“Really good tour with Mertcan In-depth and took us to places there is no way you would find on your own. He took us to places off the tourist route which was far more authentic. Very happy. Thank you.”

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2.Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque and Grand Bazaar Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 222 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $35

See Istanbul’s essential Old City sights in about four hours with a licensed guide such as Baris, Kemal, Korhan, or Zeynep. The walk covers Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, Hippodrome, and Grand Bazaar. Hagia Sophia admission costs an extra €25. Expect a small-group format, hotel pickup, lots of walking, and free time at the bazaar rather than a full guided visit.

“We had only a day in Istanbul, and this was a perfect way to spend it. The history we learned on this tour was eye-opening. Highly recommend.”

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3.Small-Group Bosphorus Cruise and Istanbul’s Egyptian Bazaar

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 208 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $90

Spend about 45 minutes at Istanbul’s Egyptian Bazaar, then cruise the Bosphorus for 90 minutes past Dolmabahçe Palace, Beylerbeyi Palace, and Rumeli Fortress. Hotel pickup and drop-off are offered on Istanbul’s European side. The group can reach 15 people, and the boat is a local ferry rather than a private vessel.

“Guide was articulate and knowledgeable but did not always face her audience so we could not always hear her. Instead of sitting in the middle of us on the boatshe should sit across from us so that she can sit directly across so that we can hear her. Also, participants need to be warned that there is a lot of walking and to prepare by bringing water and hats in the summer months.”

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4.Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Cistern & Bazaar Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 189 reviews · 5 hours · from $36Top rated

Meet your English-speaking guide near Pudding Shop Lale Restaurant for a five-hour walk through Sultanahmet. Visit Hagia Sophia, the Basilica Cistern, Blue Mosque, and Grand Bazaar, with guide-led commentary, practical tips, and skip-the-line help for the Cistern. Entrance fees are extra, and women need a headscarf.

“Our tour was absolutely incredible! Our guide was kind, funny, personable and very knowledgable about Istanbul and it's history. He was happy to answer questions and provided us with a number of great recommendations. We ended up having a private tour as no one else joined and the guide really took the time to get to know us as well. The highlight was definetly visiting the Basilica Cistern. I would recommend this tour to anyone trying to get an overview of Istanbul's main sights!”

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5.Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, and Grand Bazaar Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 162 reviews · 4 hours · from $25Best value

This four-hour Istanbul tour links Hagia Sophia, Sultanahmet Square, the Blue Mosque, Hippodrome, and Grand Bazaar. You can meet at the German Fountain or choose central hotel pickup. Guides such as Baris, Okan, Ahmet, and Ali are praised for clear historical explanations. Note that Hagia Sophia admission costs an extra 30 EUR in cash.

“The tour was thorough and the tour guide (Ali) did an excellent job by clearly pointing out and explaining historical items. The tour exceeded my expectations and I would recommend.”

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6.Guided Shopping Trip with Turkish Coffee Tasting

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 37 reviews · 4 hours

Spend a private half-day shopping through Sultanahmet with an English-speaking guide such as Eylem, Ayhan, or Taha. Visit the Grand Bazaar, Spice Bazaar, jewelry streets, ceramic and carpet showrooms, and stop for Turkish coffee, tea, and Turkish delights. Your guide can adjust the route to your interests.

“Our guided shopping tour in Istanbul with Taha Uruç was incredible! Taha was extremely patient and took us to the best spots, helping us find authentic items while avoiding tourist traps. Beyond shopping, he turned the trip into a cultural experience, teaching us about Turkish traditions and history. The Turkish coffee tasting was a delightful highlight, blending flavor with cultural insight. Taha’s knowledge and warm personality made this an unforgettable adventure. Highly recommended!”

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7.Istanbul Aquarium and Aqua Florya Shopping Mall Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 33 reviews · 5 hours · from $177

Spend five hours visiting Istanbul Aquarium and Aqua Florya Mall with hotel pickup from Istanbul’s European side. Follow a geographic route from the Black Sea to the Pacific, see more than 1,500 species, and use your included 5D cinema, Mirror Labyrinth, and Rainforest Quest tickets. Lunch is not included.

“We really enjoyed our visit. The location itself is very nice, and the Amazonian forest section was particularly impressive. The penguin area was another highlight for us. A big plus was the punctuality of the driver, both for pick-up and drop-off, which made the experience smooth and stress-free.”

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8.Sailing Through Culture Bosphorus and Spice Bazaar Tour

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 26 reviews · from $40

Explore Balat, the Metal Church, Byzantine City Walls, and Istanbul’s Spice Bazaar before a 1.5-hour Bosphorus cruise toward Rumeli Fortress. English and Spanish guides lead the 3.5-hour outing. Hotel pickup is included from central Istanbul, but you arrange your own return.

“La guida è stata molto competente gentile e disponibile. Bella la crociera …”

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9.Morning Bosphorus Cruise and Spice Bazaar

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 25 reviews · 4 hours · from $90

Spend four hours exploring Istanbul by land and water. Visit the 1660 Egyptian Spice Bazaar, then cruise the Bosphorus past Rumeli Hisari, the Bosphorus Bridge, Ottoman waterfront mansions, palaces, and hunting lodges. English guide Mey has been praised for answering questions. Hotel or cruise-port pickup is included.

“it was fun; I am Turkish and I was with my husband. We had new information about our city; istanbul. esp. we were satisfied with our tour guide whose name is Mey.”

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