What you'll do

Why would you waste your layover in the airport when there are mosaic-encrusted Byzantian basilicas to discover, midye dolma (mussels stuffed with fragrant rice) to feast on and the labyrinthine lanes of the Grand Bazaar to explore? With a local insider to help you make the most of whatever time you have in Istanbul, explore a pocket of the city and immerse yourself in its charms - even if it’s just for a moment! Whether you’d like to drift away on a cloud of spices and jewel-colored fruits at the Eminönü Egyptian Spice Bazaar, soak away your jet-lag in an authentic hamam or feast on a Turkish mezze platter fit for a sultan on the glittering banks of the Bosphorus Strait, your host will make sure not a second of your layover goes to waste.

Escape the airport: see Istanbul on your layover

Where you’ll go

You could explore Sultanahmet, the historic quarter of the city which was the heart of countless empires, and home to its most iconic landmarks from the Blue Mosque to Hagia Sophia, Topkapı Palace to the Grand Bazaar. Just across the waters of the Golden Horn is the vibrant Galata district with its 14th-century Galata Tower, revealing all-embracing views of the Bosphorus from the balcony. Beneath, pinched streets are home to chic bars, family-run restaurants and small shops. Or perhaps you’d like to explore a lesser-visited neighborhood on Istanbul’s Asian shores like Kadıkoy, a bohemian district known for its quirky cafes where aromatic Turkish coffee wafts into the laid-back streets that are lined with independent shops and galleries.

- Make the most of your layover in Istanbul with a local host to guide you through the city
- However long you’re touching down for, your host will create an itinerary which is customized to your time and interests
- You could see the city’s highlights, like Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque and shop for spices in the Grand Bazaar
- Explore famous central districts or get off the beaten path and discover an artistic local neighborhood like Kadikoy
- Visit a local eatery or stop by street food stalls to try authentic Turkish dishes like stuffed mussels
- Your host will meet you at the airport, and make sure you’re back there in time for your connecting flights
- This experience will be personalized to you!
- What’s included
- Private and personalized itinerary
- 5 hours with a host (includes travel time)
- Your host will meet you at the airport
- Transfers to and from the airport via taxi
- Walking experience (other transport can be arranged at an additional cost)
- What’s not included
- Food and drinks
- Tickets to any attractions
- Transportation costs other than airport transfers
- Gratuities (optional)
- Drop off back at the airport (your host will leave you in a taxi a the end of the experience)
Your host will meet you at the airport.
Cancel 14 days before the experience for a full refund

COVID-19 Flexible Policy: you can cancel for free up to a day before the experience and receive a full refund.

Layover Tour Of Istanbul

Escape the airport: see Istanbul on your layover

What you'll do

Where you’ll go

Meet our locals in Istanbul

Reviews

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