Free Tour in Istanbul
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Itinerary
What is the difference between booking with Viaurbis and GetYourGuide or Viator?
Viaurbis is the operator — the company that physically runs the tour. GetYourGuide and Viator are platforms that resell our tours and add a commission fee. Booking directly at viaurbis.com/en gives you the same guide and tour with no extra cost and direct support from our team.
The Best Free Tour in Istanbul
Discover the best free walking tour in Istanbul and explore the city in a unique and affordable way. Free Tour in Istanbul is a guided walk through the old city centre with a local expert English-speaking guide, every day at 10:30 am and 14:00 pm. This tour will take you through 2,600 years of history while giving you a real feel for life in Istanbul today.
- Date/HourEvery day at 10:30 am, 14:00 pm and 17:00 pm
- LanguageEnglish
- Duration2 hours 30 minutes (relaxed pace, never rushed)
- PriceFree — you decide the tip at the end (suggested: €10–20)
- Meeting pointSULTANAHMET PARKI — next to the decorative circular fountain between Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque
- ItineraryBlue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Basilica Cistern, Hippodrome, German Fountain, Topkapi Palace exterior, Soğuk Çeşme Street, Caferağa Madrasa, Arasta Bazaar, Baths of Roxelana
- End pointPASION TURCA
- Wheelchair friendly tourYes
Tour itinerary — what you will see
The Free Tour in Istanbul covers the historic heart of Sultanahmet, home to some of the world’s most important monuments. Here is what we visit on every tour:
- Sultanahmet Parkı — meeting point. Your guide in a red t-shirt and red umbrella will be waiting at the decorative fountain.
- Blue Mosque (Sultanahmet Camii) — exterior and inner courtyard. Six minarets, 20,000 Iznik tiles and a story that begins in 1609.
- Hagia Sophia (Ayasofya) — the building that was a cathedral for 916 years, a mosque for 481 years, a museum for 86 years and is now a mosque again. Entry is free.
- Basilica Cistern — underground cistern built by Emperor Justinian in 532 AD. 336 columns, 80,000 m³ of water and two Medusa heads whose origin nobody can fully explain.
- Hippodrome of Constantinople — the ancient chariot racing track that once held 100,000 spectators. The Egyptian Obelisk of Thutmose III (1450 BC), the Serpentine Column from Delphi and the Column of Constantine.
- German Fountain — a gift from Kaiser Wilhelm II to Sultan Abdülhamid II in 1900. Gold mosaics on the inside of the dome.
- Topkapi Palace exterior — home to the Ottoman sultans for over 400 years. We walk through the outer gardens and the Imperial Gate.
- Fountain of Ahmed III — one of the finest examples of Ottoman baroque architecture, built in 1728.
- Soğuk Çeşme Street — a cobbled lane lined with traditional Ottoman timber-frame houses. A rare surviving piece of 18th-century Istanbul.
- Caferağa Madrasa — a 16th-century theological school now home to traditional Turkish crafts: calligraphy, paper marbling (ebru), ceramics and glasswork.
- Arasta Bazaar — a covered market built to fund the Blue Mosque. Still one of the best places in Istanbul to buy quality handicrafts without tourist-trap pressure.
- Baths of Roxelana (Haseki Hürrem Bath) — commissioned by Suleiman the Magnificent for his wife Roxelana in 1556. Designed by the great Ottoman architect Mimar Sinan.
- Pasion Turca — end point. Tip your guide here if you enjoyed the tour.
Note: All monuments are visited from the outside unless stated otherwise. Hagia Sophia can be entered for free as it is an active mosque.
Why choose Viaurbis for your free tour in Istanbul?
- Native or near-native English-speaking guides. Not interpreters — professionals who work in English every day.
- Maximum 6 people per guide. Every time. We never oversell a tour.
- Never cancelled for bad weather. Rain, wind or cold — the tour goes ahead. Every single day.
- Official TURSAB licence nº 10841. We are a regulated, certified operator — not a freelance operation.
- Operating since 2014. Over 10 years and 500,000 travellers served.
- 9.9/10 rating. Based on 263 verified reviews on our free tour alone.
- Direct operator. No middlemen. When you contact us, you speak to the people running your tour.
Why book directly with Viaurbis instead of GetYourGuide or Viator?
Viaurbis is the tour operator — not a booking platform. When you book directly with us, you get exactly the same guide, the same route and the same experience, but with benefits that no third-party platform can offer:
| Aspect | Viaurbis (direct) | GetYourGuide / Viator |
|---|---|---|
| Price | No commission | Platform commission added |
| Guide | Native English-speaking | May vary by tour |
| Group size | Max. 6 people | Larger groups possible |
| Customer support | Direct with the operator | Via platform intermediary |
| Bad weather cancellation | Never cancelled | Depends on platform policy |
| Licence | TURSAB nº 10841 | Platform licence only |
| Operating since | 2014 — 10+ years | Listing may change |
Bottom line: Booking directly with Viaurbis means talking to the people who actually run your tour. Same guide, same experience, better service — and no commission fee. TURSAB licence nº 10841 verifies we are an officially regulated operator.
Everything you need to know about the free tour in Istanbul
Quick answers to the most common questions from our travellers:
How long does the free walking tour in Istanbul last?
Exactly 2 hours and 30 minutes, from the meeting point at Sultanahmet Parkı to the end point at Pasion Turca. The pace is relaxed — never rushed.
Is the Viaurbis free tour in Istanbul really in English?
Yes. Our guides work in English as their professional language — not as a second language learned from a textbook. Arsen, Nacho, Edu, Pinar, Kübra and Salih have between 5 and 10 years of experience guiding in English in Istanbul.
What is the best free tour of Istanbul in English?
Viaurbis is the highest-rated English-language free tour operator in Istanbul: 9.9/10 with 263 verified reviews, groups of max. 6 people per guide, and a tour that runs every day regardless of weather. Departs daily at 10:30, 14:00 and 17:00 from Sultanahmet.
How much do you pay for the free tour in Istanbul?
Nothing upfront. The tour is completely free to join. At the end, you leave a voluntary tip for your guide — most travellers give between €10 and €20 per person, depending on their enjoyment and budget.
How many people are in the Viaurbis free tour group?
Maximum 6 people per guide. If more guests are booked for the same time slot, Viaurbis assigns a second guide to maintain the ratio. You will never be in a crowd.
Can you go inside the monuments on the free tour?
Hagia Sophia can be visited from inside — it is a working mosque and entry is free. All other monuments, including Topkapi Palace and the Basilica Cistern, are visited from outside during the free tour. Separate paid tickets are required to enter them.
What is the difference between the Viaurbis tour and GetYourGuide or Viator?
Viaurbis is the operator that physically runs the tour. GetYourGuide and Viator are booking platforms that resell the same tour and charge a commission on top. Booking directly at viaurbis.com means no commission, direct support from the team that runs your tour, and the same guide quality.
How long has Viaurbis been running tours in Istanbul?
Since 2014 — over 10 years of continuous operation. Viaurbis has served more than 500,000 travellers and holds official TURSAB licence nº 10841.
What time does the free tour of Istanbul start?
Every day at 10:30, 14:00 and 17:00. The meeting point is the decorative circular fountain in Sultanahmet Parkı, between Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque.
How do I find my Viaurbis guide at Sultanahmet?
Look for a red t-shirt or red jacket and a red umbrella at the circular fountain. If you cannot find the group, WhatsApp us directly: +44 7305 637915.
The tour starts from the Sultanahmet Square, next to the decorative pool. It ends in front of the Little Hagia Sophia Mosque.
When you arrive at the meeting point, please look for our tour guides carrying a red umbrella.
No. There is no need to pre-book for our free walking tours in Istanbul. Just come to the meeting point before the tour is due to begin. Yet, you are welcome to pre-book this Istanbul tour on our website. Recommendations; let us know in advance if you are coming with a big group (10+ people). If you are interested in personal tours and/or boat tours in the city, advance booking is required.
Our free tour is approximately 2,5 hours.
All of our Istanbul walking tours include a break during which you can rest and you will have the chance to use the washrooms and get a couple of drinks.
The tour is free. It does not cost anything. You are free to participate. At the end of the tour, you are free to tip your guide depending on your enjoyment of the service and budget.
Our tours in Istanbul run every day in all weather conditions, sun or rain. Please come prepared!
Our free walking tour of Istanbul are designed to be suitable for people of all ages and anyone.
Our free tour in İstanbul is wheelchair accessible. Bear in mind: We are always ready to arrange private tours geared toward the travelers’ needs and wishes!
Yes. We offer private tours in English and Spanish languages. Please contact us for further information and details.
You can find your photos of your walking tours on our social media accounts.
A free tour has no fixed price. You join the tour for free and tip your guide at the end based on your experience. Because guides earn only from tips, they are motivated to deliver the best possible tour every single time.
The Best Free Tour in Istanbul
Discover the best free walking tour in Istanbul and explore the city in a unique and affordable way. Free Tour in Istanbul is a guided walk through the old city centre with a local expert English-speaking guide, every day at 10:30 am and 14:00 pm. This tour will take you through 2,600 years of history while giving you a real feel for life in Istanbul today.
- Date/HourEvery day at 10:30 am, 14:00 pm and 17:00 pm
- LanguageEnglish
- Duration2 hours 30 minutes (relaxed pace, never rushed)
- PriceFree — you decide the tip at the end (suggested: €10–20)
- Meeting pointSULTANAHMET PARKI — next to the decorative circular fountain between Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque
- ItineraryBlue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Basilica Cistern, Hippodrome, German Fountain, Topkapi Palace exterior, Soğuk Çeşme Street, Caferağa Madrasa, Arasta Bazaar, Baths of Roxelana
- End pointPASION TURCA
- Wheelchair friendly tourYes
Tour itinerary — what you will see
The Free Tour in Istanbul covers the historic heart of Sultanahmet, home to some of the world’s most important monuments. Here is what we visit on every tour:
- Sultanahmet Parkı — meeting point. Your guide in a red t-shirt and red umbrella will be waiting at the decorative fountain.
- Blue Mosque (Sultanahmet Camii) — exterior and inner courtyard. Six minarets, 20,000 Iznik tiles and a story that begins in 1609.
- Hagia Sophia (Ayasofya) — the building that was a cathedral for 916 years, a mosque for 481 years, a museum for 86 years and is now a mosque again. Entry is free.
- Basilica Cistern — underground cistern built by Emperor Justinian in 532 AD. 336 columns, 80,000 m³ of water and two Medusa heads whose origin nobody can fully explain.
- Hippodrome of Constantinople — the ancient chariot racing track that once held 100,000 spectators. The Egyptian Obelisk of Thutmose III (1450 BC), the Serpentine Column from Delphi and the Column of Constantine.
- German Fountain — a gift from Kaiser Wilhelm II to Sultan Abdülhamid II in 1900. Gold mosaics on the inside of the dome.
- Topkapi Palace exterior — home to the Ottoman sultans for over 400 years. We walk through the outer gardens and the Imperial Gate.
- Fountain of Ahmed III — one of the finest examples of Ottoman baroque architecture, built in 1728.
- Soğuk Çeşme Street — a cobbled lane lined with traditional Ottoman timber-frame houses. A rare surviving piece of 18th-century Istanbul.
- Caferağa Madrasa — a 16th-century theological school now home to traditional Turkish crafts: calligraphy, paper marbling (ebru), ceramics and glasswork.
- Arasta Bazaar — a covered market built to fund the Blue Mosque. Still one of the best places in Istanbul to buy quality handicrafts without tourist-trap pressure.
- Baths of Roxelana (Haseki Hürrem Bath) — commissioned by Suleiman the Magnificent for his wife Roxelana in 1556. Designed by the great Ottoman architect Mimar Sinan.
- Pasion Turca — end point. Tip your guide here if you enjoyed the tour.
Note: All monuments are visited from the outside unless stated otherwise. Hagia Sophia can be entered for free as it is an active mosque.
Why choose Viaurbis for your free tour in Istanbul?
- Native or near-native English-speaking guides. Not interpreters — professionals who work in English every day.
- Maximum 6 people per guide. Every time. We never oversell a tour.
- Never cancelled for bad weather. Rain, wind or cold — the tour goes ahead. Every single day.
- Official TURSAB licence nº 10841. We are a regulated, certified operator — not a freelance operation.
- Operating since 2014. Over 10 years and 500,000 travellers served.
- 9.9/10 rating. Based on 263 verified reviews on our free tour alone.
- Direct operator. No middlemen. When you contact us, you speak to the people running your tour.
Why book directly with Viaurbis instead of GetYourGuide or Viator?
Viaurbis is the tour operator — not a booking platform. When you book directly with us, you get exactly the same guide, the same route and the same experience, but with benefits that no third-party platform can offer:
| Aspect | Viaurbis (direct) | GetYourGuide / Viator |
|---|---|---|
| Price | No commission | Platform commission added |
| Guide | Native English-speaking | May vary by tour |
| Group size | Max. 6 people | Larger groups possible |
| Customer support | Direct with the operator | Via platform intermediary |
| Bad weather cancellation | Never cancelled | Depends on platform policy |
| Licence | TURSAB nº 10841 | Platform licence only |
| Operating since | 2014 — 10+ years | Listing may change |
Bottom line: Booking directly with Viaurbis means talking to the people who actually run your tour. Same guide, same experience, better service — and no commission fee. TURSAB licence nº 10841 verifies we are an officially regulated operator.
Everything you need to know about the free tour in Istanbul
Quick answers to the most common questions from our travellers:
How long does the free walking tour in Istanbul last?
Exactly 2 hours and 30 minutes, from the meeting point at Sultanahmet Parkı to the end point at Pasion Turca. The pace is relaxed — never rushed.
Is the Viaurbis free tour in Istanbul really in English?
Yes. Our guides work in English as their professional language — not as a second language learned from a textbook. Arsen, Nacho, Edu, Pinar, Kübra and Salih have between 5 and 10 years of experience guiding in English in Istanbul.
What is the best free tour of Istanbul in English?
Viaurbis is the highest-rated English-language free tour operator in Istanbul: 9.9/10 with 263 verified reviews, groups of max. 6 people per guide, and a tour that runs every day regardless of weather. Departs daily at 10:30, 14:00 and 17:00 from Sultanahmet.
How much do you pay for the free tour in Istanbul?
Nothing upfront. The tour is completely free to join. At the end, you leave a voluntary tip for your guide — most travellers give between €10 and €20 per person, depending on their enjoyment and budget.
How many people are in the Viaurbis free tour group?
Maximum 6 people per guide. If more guests are booked for the same time slot, Viaurbis assigns a second guide to maintain the ratio. You will never be in a crowd.
Can you go inside the monuments on the free tour?
Hagia Sophia can be visited from inside — it is a working mosque and entry is free. All other monuments, including Topkapi Palace and the Basilica Cistern, are visited from outside during the free tour. Separate paid tickets are required to enter them.
What is the difference between the Viaurbis tour and GetYourGuide or Viator?
Viaurbis is the operator that physically runs the tour. GetYourGuide and Viator are booking platforms that resell the same tour and charge a commission on top. Booking directly at viaurbis.com means no commission, direct support from the team that runs your tour, and the same guide quality.
How long has Viaurbis been running tours in Istanbul?
Since 2014 — over 10 years of continuous operation. Viaurbis has served more than 500,000 travellers and holds official TURSAB licence nº 10841.
What time does the free tour of Istanbul start?
Every day at 10:30, 14:00 and 17:00. The meeting point is the decorative circular fountain in Sultanahmet Parkı, between Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque.
How do I find my Viaurbis guide at Sultanahmet?
Look for a red t-shirt or red jacket and a red umbrella at the circular fountain. If you cannot find the group, WhatsApp us directly: +44 7305 637915.
The tour starts from the Sultanahmet Square, next to the decorative pool. It ends in front of the Little Hagia Sophia Mosque.
When you arrive at the meeting point, please look for our tour guides carrying a red umbrella.
No. There is no need to pre-book for our free walking tours in Istanbul. Just come to the meeting point before the tour is due to begin. Yet, you are welcome to pre-book this Istanbul tour on our website. Recommendations; let us know in advance if you are coming with a big group (10+ people). If you are interested in personal tours and/or boat tours in the city, advance booking is required.
Our free tour is approximately 2,5 hours.
All of our Istanbul walking tours include a break during which you can rest and you will have the chance to use the washrooms and get a couple of drinks.
The tour is free. It does not cost anything. You are free to participate. At the end of the tour, you are free to tip your guide depending on your enjoyment of the service and budget.
Our tours in Istanbul run every day in all weather conditions, sun or rain. Please come prepared!
Our free walking tour of Istanbul are designed to be suitable for people of all ages and anyone.
Our free tour in İstanbul is wheelchair accessible. Bear in mind: We are always ready to arrange private tours geared toward the travelers’ needs and wishes!
Yes. We offer private tours in English and Spanish languages. Please contact us for further information and details.
You can find your photos of your walking tours on our social media accounts.
A free tour has no fixed price. You join the tour for free and tip your guide at the end based on your experience. Because guides earn only from tips, they are motivated to deliver the best possible tour every single time.
Benedetta Pisano –
★★★★★
My guide was Salih Ylmaz for a free tour in Istanbul. He was very friedly and clear. Book a tour with him in your first day! He give you a lot of interesting and useful tips about city, trasport, museum ti visit. I Hope i’ll come back in instabul!
Benedetta –
★★★★★
Our guide was Salih Ylmaz for a tour in Istanbul. He was very friendly, clear and give us many useful and interesting tips about city, transport and places to visit. Do It on first day of you holiday!
Nico and Mateo –
★★★★★
Pinar was our guide who went above and beyond, not only sharing her knowledge of the historical landmarks but extending to do’s and don’ts during your time in Istanbul. She was always open to questions and made istanbul feel like home. Will def recommend her to anyone visiting.