Urban Adventures Istanbul

Urban Adventures is the day-tour brand of Intrepid Travel, the Australian-founded adventure travel company, and its Istanbul team runs guided walks through the historic peninsula led by local, English-speaking guides. The aim is to give visitors context and confidence in the old city, mixing the major monuments with everyday places such as markets and tea houses.

Its main Istanbul product is Istanbul Uncovered, which comes in two lengths. The half-day Sultanahmet walking tour lasts about three and a half hours and takes in the Sahaflar book bazaar, the Grand Bazaar, the ancient Hippodrome and the Blue Mosque, finishing with traditional Turkish tea at a local tea house. On Sundays, when the Grand Bazaar is closed, the Spice Bazaar replaces it.

The full-day Discovery version lasts about eight and a half hours. It includes everything on the half-day walk and adds a sit-down lunch at a local lokanta, along with entrance to and guided visits of Topkapı Palace and Hagia Sophia. It is a long day on foot, but it covers the core sights of the historic peninsula with someone to explain them, which suits visitors with limited time. Having a guide also helps with the practical side of visiting, such as when to enter the mosques between prayers and how to find your way through the Grand Bazaar.

Guide tips and additional food and drink are not included, and children aged 6 to 11 can join. Wear comfortable shoes and dress modestly, with shoulders and knees covered and a scarf for women, so that you can enter the mosques without problems. The tours suit first-time visitors, solo travellers and families who want an overview of the city before exploring on their own. Booking ahead is recommended in spring and autumn, when the old city is at its busiest. Meeting point details are given on booking.

For questions or bookings, the Istanbul team can be contacted by phone on +90 850 309 68 76 or by email at [email protected]. After the tour, it is easy to stay in the area: the Basilica Cistern, the Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts and the cafés of Divan Yolu are all within a short walk, so the end of the walk is a good starting point for exploring further on your own.