2-Day Private & Guided Istanbul Old City Walk and Food Tour
Planning a short stay in Istanbul and want to see the highlights without feeling rushed or overwhelmed?
This 2-Day Private & Guided Istanbul Old City Walk and Food Tour by Private Istanbul Walking Tours is crafted especially for travelers from the USA, Canada, and Australia who want:
Comfort and a relaxed walking pace
A private local guide, not a big group
Authentic Turkish food in clean, trusted places
Clear communication, flexible timing, and zero hassle
Whether you’re visiting Istanbul on a once-in-a-lifetime trip, combining it with a Mediterranean cruise, or exploring Turkey for the first time, this itinerary gives you the best of the Old City and Istanbul’s food culture in just two days—without feeling rushed.
Why This Istanbul Tour Is Ideal for 45+ Travelers
Many of our guests are in their 50s, 60s, and 70s, often from North America and Australia, and this tour is built around their needs and expectations.
1. Relaxed Pace – No Rushing, No Exhaustion
We know long, crowded days can be demanding. This Istanbul Old City walking tour is:
Carefully timed with regular breaks
Designed to avoid steep climbs where possible
Easy to adjust if you’d like to finish earlier or start later
2. 100% Private & Tailor-Made
This is not a group bus tour. It’s a private guided Istanbul tour, which means:
Just you, your companion(s), and your guide
Flexible schedule to match your energy, interests, and jet lag
The freedom to stop for coffee, photos, or rest at any time
3. Local Experts Used to American, Canadian & Australian Guests
Your English-speaking, licensed guide is experienced with guests from the USA, Canada, and Australia, so you can expect:
Clear explanations, without heavy academic lectures
Honest recommendations about food, shopping, and safety
Real local insight into culture, daily life, and modern Turkey
4. Safe, Delicious Turkish Food
If it’s your first time in Turkey, you may wonder where it’s safe to eat. Our Istanbul food tour:
Focuses on clean, reputable restaurants and family-run places
Offers lighter or less spicy options if you prefer
Can accommodate many dietary needs (vegetarian, low spice, etc.)
Tour Overview: Your 2 Perfect Days in Istanbul
Duration: 2 days
Daily Guided Time: Around 5–7 hours (flexible)
Style: Private, guided, relaxed walking + food tastings
Focus: Istanbul Old City highlights + authentic Turkish cuisine
Best for: couples, mature solo travelers, friends, and small family groups
Day 1 – The Icons of the Old City at a Gentle Pace
Morning: Sultanahmet – Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque & the Ancient Hippodrome
Your guide meets you at your hotel (or a central meeting point) and gently introduces you to the historic heart of Istanbul: Sultanahmet.
Depending on opening hours and prayer times, your private guided Old City tour may include:
Hagia Sophia Mosque
Step into one of the world’s most famous buildings. Once a church, later a mosque, then a museum, and now again a mosque, Hagia Sophia tells the story of Istanbul itself. Your guide shares its history in clear, engaging language—no dry lectures.Blue Mosque (Sultanahmet Mosque)
Admire the elegant domes and blue Iznik tiles. Your guide will explain mosque etiquette and local customs so you can visit respectfully and confidently.Hippodrome Square
Walk where Roman and Byzantine crowds once cheered chariot races. See the Egyptian Obelisk, Serpentine Column, and German Fountain and learn how this square shaped Istanbul’s history.
You move at a comfortable, unhurried pace, with plenty of time for photos and breaks.
Lunch: Traditional Turkish Cuisine in a Trusted Restaurant
You’ll stop for lunch at a local restaurant chosen for both quality and cleanliness. Sample classic Turkish dishes such as:
Grilled kebabs or vegetarian options
Mezes (small sharing plates)
Fresh salads and soup
Turkish tea or soft drinks
Your guide will help with ordering and explain each dish, so you feel confident trying new flavors.
Basilica Cistern, Hidden Corners & Topkapi Palace Courtyards
In the afternoon, your private Istanbul Old City walking tour continues with a mix of highlights and quieter spots:
Basilica Cistern (Optional) – Descend into a magical underground world supported by hundreds of columns, including the famous Medusa heads.
Topkapi Palace courtyards – Stroll through the former home of Ottoman sultans and enjoy panoramic views of the Bosphorus.
Lesser-known streets with small mosques, courtyards, old houses, and local shops away from the main crowds.
Grand Bazaar & Real-Life Istanbul
Next, you explore the Grand Bazaar with a local by your side, for example:
Selected lanes of the Grand Bazaar – one of the oldest covered markets in the world
Nearby streets where locals buy spices, coffee, and household items
Your guide explains:
How bargaining works (and when you don’t need to bargain)
What is good value and what to avoid
Where to find quality textiles, ceramics, scarves, and jewelry without high-pressure sales
If you’re interested in rugs, tiles, or leather, we can direct you to trusted, no-obligation shops, where you can look in comfort.Day 2 – Private Istanbul Food Tour & Markets
Day 2
Focuses on what many guests say becomes their favorite part of the trip: a relaxed, private Istanbul food tour with a local expert.
Morning: Turkish Breakfast & Tasting Walk
Start your day like a local with a gentle Turkish breakfast, which typically includes:
Fresh bread and simit (sesame ring bread)
Local cheeses and olives
Tomatoes, cucumbers, eggs
Jams, honey, and sometimes clotted cream
Unlimited Turkish tea
From there, your guide leads you on an easy food walk, possibly visiting:
Taste the freshest baklava in Istanbul.
Shops specializing in nuts and dried fruits
A traditional spot for Turkish coffee, herbal tea, or a refreshing ayran (yogurt drink)
Portions are kept small and manageable, so you can taste many different things without feeling overly full.
Afternoon: Flexible Options – More Food, a Ferry Ride, or a Gentle Finish
The afternoon is flexible, depending on your interests and energy level:
Continue exploring neighborhood cafés and dessert shops
Take a short public ferry across the Bosphorus for beautiful city views from the water
Visit a quieter local district where Istanbulites live, eat, and shop
Or end the tour earlier so you can rest before your onward journey
Because this is a private food and walking tour, you can decide on the day how much you’d like to see and do.
What’s Included (Typical)
Professional, licensed English-speaking guide
2 days of private guided touring (about 5–7 hours per day)
Entrance fees for museums.
Carefully curated food tastings on the second day.
Personalized assistance and recommendations before and during your stay
Tailoring the Tour to Your Needs
We routinely adapt this 2-day private Istanbul Old City and food tour for:
Travelers with sensitive knees, hips, or backs
Guests who prefer shorter walking distances
Dietary needs (low spice, vegetarian, less fried food, etc.)
Pre- and post-cruise schedules
Special occasions like anniversaries or birthdays
Just let us know in advance, and we’ll shape the route and timing around you, not around a group.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this Istanbul tour suitable for travelers over 60 or 70?
Yes. Many of our guests are in their 60s and 70s. We keep a relaxed pace, take breaks whenever needed, and can adjust the route to avoid too many stairs or hills.
How much walking is there each day?
Typically, there is light to moderate walking, spread throughout the day with plenty of stops. If you prefer less walking, we can:
Use more café breaks
Focus on closer sights
Arrange a private vehicle for some segments (upon request)
Is the food safe? I have a sensitive stomach.
We only visit clean, reputable restaurants and food shops that we know personally. We can choose lighter dishes and avoid anything too heavy or unfamiliar, especially on your first day.
Can you start later in the morning because of jet lag?
Of course. This is the advantage of a private guided Istanbul tour—we can start later, finish earlier, or build in an afternoon rest if you wish.
Can you adapt the program if I’ve already seen Hagia Sophia or the Blue Mosque?
Yes. If you’ve already visited certain sights, we can explore different neighborhoods, lesser-known mosques, viewpoints, museums, or extra food stops instead.
Book Your 2-Day Private Istanbul Old City & Food Tour.
If you’re a 45+ traveler from the USA, Canada, or Australia and want to experience Istanbul with comfort, safety, and authentic local flavor, this 2-Day Private & Guided Istanbul Old City Walk and Food Tour is the perfect fit.
To start planning:
Website: privateistanbulwalkingtours.com
WhatsApp: +90 537 741 0062
Share your travel dates, hotel, dietary, and mobility needs, and we’ll design a custom 2-day Istanbul itinerary that lets you see the best of the Old City and taste the best of Turkish cuisine—at a pace that truly suits you.
