Istanbul Self Guided Audio Tour

About this experience

Book the Istanbul self-guided audio tour and explore the city of spices, scents and scene-stealing landmarks with a digital guide on your phone. Starting at the Grand Bazaar, the tour takes you past the Byzantine and Ottoman highlights of the old city, including the Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque and Topkapı Palace, at your own pace and on your own schedule. Allow about three hours. What the Istanbul audio tour covers The route brings Istanbul's rich history to life, a story woven by many different civilisations. Stand in Sultanahmet Square surrounded by architectural brilliance, admire the fountain at Suleymaniye Square, and learn the background of the iconic Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque and Topkapı Palace before you decide which to visit inside. The tour also helps you venture into districts such as Fatih, with its museums, mosques and bazaar, and Beyoğlu, an artistic powerhouse since the 1980s and 1990s. Detailed maps, audio commentary and insider tips make it easy to plan your day. How the Istanbul self-guided audio tour works After booking, you receive instructions to activate the audio tour. Scan the QR code in your confirmation with your phone and the app store opens, downloads the app and logs you in. If you cannot scan a QR code, tap the link below it: on a phone it installs the app and signs you in, and on a computer it shows your login details and download steps. Download the tour over WiFi before you set out, so you are ready to go when you reach the start. The starting point is at the Grand Bazaar (Kapalıçarşı), Zincirli Han, ground floor no. 20, Fatih, Istanbul. There is no live guide, so you simply open the app, press play and follow the map. Commentary is available in English, French, German, Italian and Spanish, and you have unlimited access to all the self-guided features. Who the Istanbul audio tour suits The tour is a good fit for independent travellers, couples and families who want context without joining a group. It works well on a first day in the city, helping you get your bearings in Sultanahmet and around the bazaar, and it is equally useful if you want to explore at a slower pace with plenty of stops for tea, food and shopping. Pause whenever you like and pick up the commentary again when you are ready. Wear comfortable shoes, as the old city has hills and busy streets, and dress respectfully if you plan to enter mosques along the way. What to bring and what is not included Bring a charged smartphone and your own headphones, as neither is supplied. Entry to attractions is not included, so book any monuments you want to go inside separately. Popular add-ons include Hagia Sophia fast-track entry tickets, a Bosphorus sightseeing cruise and a ferry to the Princes' Islands. Booking and cancellation Cancel for free until 23:59 on the day before your visit date and get a full refund. Rescheduling is possible until 23:59 on the day before your visit.

Highlights

• Self-guided audio tour starting at the Grand Bazaar
• Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, Topkapı Palace and Sultanahmet Square
• Districts such as Fatih and Beyoğlu
• Commentary in English, French, German, Italian and Spanish

What is included

• Digital audio guide
• Audio commentary in English, French, German, Italian and Spanish
• Unlimited access to all self-guided features

Not included

• Entry to attractions
• Headphones
• Live guide

Before you go

Starting point: Grand Bazaar (Kapalıçarşı), Zincirli Han, ground floor no. 20, Fatih, Istanbul. Download the tour over WiFi before your visit; activate it with the QR code or link in your confirmation. Allow about 3 hours. Bring a charged smartphone and your own headphones. There is no live guide, and entry to attractions is not included.

Cancellation terms

Cancel for free until 23:59 on the day before your visit date and get a full refund. Rescheduling is possible until 23:59 on the day before your visit.