Rooftop Views & Underground Istanbul
Our local for this tour
Serif - Tour Guide, Travel Writer
Experience details
Destination
Istanbul
Category
Off the beaten track
Duration
5 hours
Mode of transport
Walking
Available languages
English
What's included
Entrance tickets • Private guide
Here’s an overview of your tour
Greek, Roman, Ottoman, they have all left a mark in Istanbul. Now hidden under plain sight the remains of several empires are still visible for those willing to uncover them. Are you one of them?
Join me or one of my team member expert guides for an off the beaten path tour to discover the old Istanbul. Explore unknown and unexpected ruins beneath the old city of Istanbul, and visit very little known roofs and terraces with a gorgeous view. This tour will even surprise long-time residents of Istanbul.
Go underground to discover a hidden world! See the ruins of an old Byzantine palace and a secret church. And for an amazing view, go up to the roofs of in the bazaar area!
Want to hear incredible insights from a knowledgeable local source? Meet Serif Yenen - author of one of the best cultural guidebooks of Turkey "Turkish Odyssey" who also wrote many other books and made films, and know all about the history of Istanbul. Serif or one of his competent colleagues from his team will be able to take you around. So, you can ask all your burning questions!
Feeling hungry? Then take a break to have lunch at a local restaurant serving delicious traditional food.
Want more history? Let me know what else you would like to know and see. This private tour can be 100% personalized, just for you!
Your itinerary
Meeting point
Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul At SultanahmetMeeting Point
Meet me in front of the Four Seasons Hotel in SultanahmetTerrace with a View
Step into a terrace overlooking the highlights of the cityByzantine Gifts
Discover the underground ruins of the Byzantine Great PalaceHidden Church
Go underground and check out the Panagia Hodegetria Church and Sacred WaterBlue Mosque View
See an amazing view of the Blue Mosque and he Ancient Hippodrome from a terraceLocal Treasure
Check out the Nakkas Cistern and an exhibition on the Byzantine HippodromeLunch Break
Enjoy a delicious traditional lunch at a very casual lokantaGran Finale
Go up the terraces and roofs in the bazaar area
Do you know all our tours are private & personalised?
Did you know that Withlocals tours are completely customisable to your needs? What you see here is a base itinerary that you can modify! Simply get in touch with your selected local and let them know what you would like!
Select your local guide
Explore the city with our diverse Withlocals hosts—passionate storytellers offering unique perspectives on every tour.
Serif
Tour Guide, Travel Writer
Serif4.921 reviewsI speakEnglish
Good to Know
Tips
- Bring a reusable water bottle to reduce plastic
- Be mindful of sharing the real secret spots - let's keep them a secret
- Be aware of cultural norms & be mindful
Included
- Entrance tickets
- Private guide
Not included
- Lunch
Cancellation
- Receive a full refund for cancellations done 7 days before the experience date.
- Your experience can be cancelled and fully refunded within 24 hours of purchase.
Reviews
- 5.0
Outstanding!
"Serif was absolutely amazing. Very knowledgeable, easy to chat with and has us going at a nice pace. "
- 5.0
Amazing
"Lorena was able to show me the highlights of Istanbul within a few hours with a lot of knowledge. She knows about the history of Istanbul and also the best places to go eat and drink Local. I highly...
- 5.0
Views of Istanbul
"Serif has a wealth of knowledge to share and unique spots to view the old city from. Thanks again "
Why should you book a Withlocals tour?
100% customizable
Let your local host tailor the tour completely to your wishes.
Private guided tours
No strangers on your tour. It’s just you and your local host.
Responsible
Our tours are designed with people, places & the planet in mind.
Questions?
We are here to help!
What is the cancellation policy?
When you make a booking you will receive a full refund when you cancel more than 7 days before the start of the booking.
When you make a booking that starts within 7 days and cancel within 24 hours after purchase you will receive a full refund.
When you make a booking that starts within 24 hours your booking is not refundable.
Read moreWhat payment methods are available?
During checkout you can choose from a number of different payment methods based on your location. We accept a variety of payment methods such as Credit Card, iDeal and many more.Can I pay in any currency?
Payment is always done in Euro but you can view the total amount in your local currency. Your bank might charge you a conversion rate fee from your local currency to Euro. No extra fees apply.Is this tour always private?
All our tours are 100% private, only you and your host.
Our local for this tour
Serif - Tour Guide, Travel Writer
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