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Free audio walking tours of Istanbul
Itinerarly has 3 self-guided audio tours of Istanbul, Turkey, from 1 h to 2 h 20. Each one walks you between the stops in order and plays a short narrated story when you arrive. The narration is available in English, French, Spanish, Italian and Chinese, and the tours are free.
Sultanahmet Express
Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque in 1 hour
- Hagia SophiaWelcome to Hagia Sophia, one of the world's most extraordinary monuments, witnessing over 1,500 years of imperial history. Built in just six years by Byzantine Emperor Justinian in 537 AD, it served as the largest cathedral in Christendom for nearly a thousand years before being converted into a mosque by the Ottomans…
- Blue MosqueYou are looking at the Blue Mosque, or Sultan Ahmed Mosque, famous worldwide for being the only mosque in Istanbul to boast six majestic minarets. Built in the early 17th century directly across from Hagia Sophia, it was intended to assert the power of the Ottoman Empire.
- Basilica CisternWelcome to the Basilica Cistern, known as the 'Sunken Palace'—a mysterious underground cathedral located beneath Istanbul's busy streets. Built by Justinian in the 6th century to store the city's drinking water, this massive structure is supported by a forest of 336 marble columns salvaged from recycled ancient…
Topkapı & Sultanahmet
Sultan's palace and Byzantine treasures
- Topkapı PalaceThis is Topkapı Palace, the beating heart of the Ottoman Empire for nearly four centuries. This massive complex, overlooking the Bosphorus and the Golden Horn, is not just a palace but a city within a city where thousands once lived.
- Hagia SophiaWelcome to Hagia Sophia, one of the world's most extraordinary monuments, witnessing over 1,500 years of imperial history. Built in just six years by Byzantine Emperor Justinian in 537 AD, it served as the largest cathedral in Christendom for nearly a thousand years before being converted into a mosque by the Ottomans…
- Blue MosqueYou are looking at the Blue Mosque, or Sultan Ahmed Mosque, famous worldwide for being the only mosque in Istanbul to boast six majestic minarets. Built in the early 17th century directly across from Hagia Sophia, it was intended to assert the power of the Ottoman Empire.
- HippodromeYou are standing in the ancient Hippodrome of Constantinople, once the social and political center of the Byzantine capital. Here, over 100,000 spectators would crowd in to cheer for thrilling chariot races that could trigger imperial revolts.
- Basilica CisternWelcome to the Basilica Cistern, known as the 'Sunken Palace'—a mysterious underground cathedral located beneath Istanbul's busy streets. Built by Justinian in the 6th century to store the city's drinking water, this massive structure is supported by a forest of 336 marble columns salvaged from recycled ancient…
Complete Istanbul
The ultimate Istanbul tour
- Galata TowerWelcome to the Galata Tower, the stone sentinel that has dominated Istanbul's skyline since 1348. Built by the Genoese as a watchtower, it rises 67 meters above the Beyoğlu district.
- Egyptian BazarWelcome to the Egyptian Bazaar, also known as the Spice Market—an unforgettable sensory journey in the heart of the Eminönü district. Beneath its magnificent masonry vaults dating back to 1660, you will be immediately enveloped by the scents of cinnamon, saffron, mint, and freshly roasted coffee.
- Süleymaniye MosqueThis is the Süleymaniye Mosque, the absolute masterpiece of the legendary architect Sinan and a pinnacle of Ottoman art. Built for Suleiman the Magnificent in the mid-16th century, the mosque proudly dominates Istanbul's third hill.
- Topkapı PalaceThis is Topkapı Palace, the beating heart of the Ottoman Empire for nearly four centuries. This massive complex, overlooking the Bosphorus and the Golden Horn, is not just a palace but a city within a city where thousands once lived.
- Hagia SophiaWelcome to Hagia Sophia, one of the world's most extraordinary monuments, witnessing over 1,500 years of imperial history. Built in just six years by Byzantine Emperor Justinian in 537 AD, it served as the largest cathedral in Christendom for nearly a thousand years before being converted into a mosque by the Ottomans…
- Blue MosqueYou are looking at the Blue Mosque, or Sultan Ahmed Mosque, famous worldwide for being the only mosque in Istanbul to boast six majestic minarets. Built in the early 17th century directly across from Hagia Sophia, it was intended to assert the power of the Ottoman Empire.
- Basilica CisternWelcome to the Basilica Cistern, known as the 'Sunken Palace'—a mysterious underground cathedral located beneath Istanbul's busy streets. Built by Justinian in the 6th century to store the city's drinking water, this massive structure is supported by a forest of 336 marble columns salvaged from recycled ancient…
Frequently asked questions
- Is there a free audio walking tour of Istanbul?
- Yes. The Itinerarly app has 3 free self-guided audio tours of Istanbul: Sultanahmet Express (3 stops, about 1 h); Topkapı & Sultanahmet (5 stops, about 1 h 40); Complete Istanbul (7 stops, about 2 h 20). The narration is available in English, French, Spanish, Italian and Chinese.
- Which sights do the Istanbul audio tours visit?
- Stops include Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Basilica Cistern, Topkapı Palace, Hippodrome, Galata Tower, Egyptian Bazar, Süleymaniye Mosque.
- How long does a walking tour of Istanbul take?
- The Istanbul tours take from 1 h to 2 h 20, including time at each stop. Pick the shortest one if you only have an hour.
- Do I need to pay or book?
- No. The tours are free and you start them whenever you want. Some monuments charge their own entry ticket; the app links to the official ticket page where there is one.
- Does it work offline?
- You need a connection for the map and directions. A stop you have already downloaded can be replayed without a connection.
- What do I need?
- The free Itinerarly app on iPhone (App Store) or Android (Google Play), and a free account.
- Can Itinerarly plan the rest of my day in Istanbul?
- Yes. In Plan mode you add the places you want to see and Itinerarly puts them in the best order, with travel times that account for live traffic.