History on the ground · TURKEY HISTORY TOURS

The 15 Turkey History Tours That Earn Their Price

24 tours  ·  from $14 a head

Good Turkey history tours fill up weeks ahead and the best go first. Below: the 15 to book early, what each includes and how they differ.

Istanbul Gedikpasa Historical Turkish Bath with Privacy Option - Finding the entrance in Istanbul’s old city
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Istanbul Gedikpasa Historical Turkish Bath with Privacy Option

1.Istanbul Gedikpasa Historical Turkish Bath with Privacy Option

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,285 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $60Our pick

At 550-year-old Gedikpasa Hamami, you follow a traditional gender-separated ritual with a same-gender therapist: warm marble rest, kese scrub, and foam massage. Towels, slippers, disposable underwear, tea, snacks, and a private changing room are included. Add a foot or oil massage if you wish, but check what the privacy option covers before paying extra.

“A great experience to undertake if you've never been. No room for modesty. The women in the bath house were caring and positive.”

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Antalya: Ancient Perge, Aspendos Theater & City of Side Tour - Perge: Roman avenues and a city you can walk through
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Antalya: Ancient Perge, Aspendos Theater & City of Side Tour

2.Antalya: Ancient Perge, Aspendos Theater & City of Side Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 1,237 reviews · 9 hours · from $41

Spend nine hours exploring Perge’s Roman streets, Aspendos Theater, and Side’s Temple of Apollo with an English, German, Spanish, or French-speaking guide. Hotel pickup, transport, lunch, and optional entry fees are included. Guides such as Ozzy, Recep, Ibrahim, and Fatima bring the ancient sites to life, with free time for photos and wandering.

“Very good trip and great guide, but extremely impressed by the company and customer service. I was given an updated wrong time the day before, so we missed the bus, and they got us a taxi and reimbursed the money on the same day on the trip. Extremely professional and great customer service would highly recommend”

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Istanbul: Acemoglu Historical Turkish Bath w/Private Options - Choosing public, semi-private, or private
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Istanbul: Acemoglu Historical Turkish Bath w/Private Options

3.Istanbul: Acemoglu Historical Turkish Bath w/Private Options

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 1,190 reviews · 45 - 80 minutes · from $42

Step into 15th-century Acemoglu Hammam near Istanbul’s Old City sights. Choose a public, semi-private, or private mixed-gender bath, then enjoy a clay mask, traditional kese scrub, foam wash, and optional 30-minute massage. Female staff provide all services, and the bath welcomes couples and friends who want the ritual together.

“Fantastic! Thank you Hernán and Abdullah for looking after us so well!”

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Istanbul: Gedikpasa Historical Hammam with Privacy Add-On - What happens after you walk in
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Istanbul: Gedikpasa Historical Hammam with Privacy Add-On

4.Istanbul: Gedikpasa Historical Hammam with Privacy Add-On

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 918 reviews · 1 - 2 hours · from $59

Visit Gedikpasa Hamami beside Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar for a traditional Turkish bath lasting one to two hours. You’ll relax on warm marble, receive a kese scrub and foam massage, and enjoy tea and Turkish treats. Men and women use separate sections with same-gender therapists. Add the Halvet option for a curtained private section.

“a fantastic experience. very professional. all staff were lovely but a big thankyou to Halis and Sahin our therapists. if we were staying longer woul definitely come again. highly recommended. Scott and Matt.”

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Ancient Perge, Aspendos Amphitheater and City of Side Tour - Perge: the most rewarding place to slow down
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Ancient Perge, Aspendos Amphitheater and City of Side Tour

5.Ancient Perge, Aspendos Amphitheater and City of Side Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 644 reviews · 10 hours (approx.) · from $42

Spend about 10 hours touring Perge, Aspendos, Side’s Apollo Temple, and a local shop from Antalya. Small groups of up to 15 travel by minibus with hotel pickup, lunch, and an English-speaking guide. Guides such as Ibrahim, Oğuzhan, Ozzy, and Gamze are praised for bringing the ancient sites to life, though the schedule can feel packed.

“The history of some impressive ancient Roman sites explained in some detail - and with a deep knowledge from the tour leader. She brought it to life, making it a richer experience.”

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Istanbul Historical Tour with Guide, Lunch and Transfers - Hippodrome: Roman chariot racing in an open square
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Istanbul Historical Tour with Guide, Lunch and Transfers

6.Istanbul Historical Tour with Guide, Lunch and Transfers

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 561 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $248

Spend about eight hours exploring Istanbul’s Old City with an English-speaking guide and a group capped at 15. Visit the Blue Mosque, Hippodrome, Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, and Grand Bazaar, with entrance tickets, lunch, and central hotel pickup included. Expect a full day on foot, often 15,000 steps or more.

“This tour was a good introduction to Istanbul’s tourist attractions. The guide was knowledgeable and friendly, but at times a bit chatty.”

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Full-Day Private Guided Cultural Tour of Istanbul - The Blue Mosque requires patience and respect
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Full-Day Private Guided Cultural Tour of Istanbul

7.Full-Day Private Guided Cultural Tour of Istanbul

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 279 reviews · 5 to 7 hours (approx.)

This 5 to 7 hour private tour takes you through Sultanahmet, the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, the Hippodrome, Basilica Cistern, and Grand Bazaar. Your English-speaking guide can adjust the pace and route for your group of up to six. Guides such as Funda, Sam, Esra, and Burak are praised for history, local food tips, and market know-how.

“Knowledgable guide who added immensely to our experience. Took us to all the sites we wanted to see despite traffic problems from the Istanbul marathon.”

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From Antalya: Day Tour of Ancient Roman Sites - Aspendos Theater, the day’s great architectural moment
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From Antalya: Day Tour of Ancient Roman Sites

8.From Antalya: Day Tour of Ancient Roman Sites

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 278 reviews · 9 hours · from $89

Travel from Antalya to Perge, Aspendos, Side, and Manavgat Waterfall in an air-conditioned vehicle with an English-speaking guide. You will see Roman streets, baths, a 15,000-seat theater, Side’s coastal ruins, and a waterfall. Guides such as Fatima, Cigil, Kerem, and Tuly are known for lively historical explanations.

“Fantastic guide…very informative and helpful. Lovely day out and would recommend for anyone who likes a bit of ancient ruins to explore.”

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Istanbul Food Tour - History and Culture of Turkish Culinary - Starting at Galata Bridge beside the Golden Horn
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Istanbul Food Tour – History and Culture of Turkish Culinary

9.Istanbul Food Tour – History and Culture of Turkish Culinary

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 265 reviews · 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $127

Walk from Galata Bridge through Beyoğlu to Taksim Square, stopping for meze, tantuni, stuffed mussels, wet burgers, baklava, Turkish coffee, and more. Guides such as Erol, Gamze, and Tolga explain how Turkish food connects to Ottoman, Byzantine, and regional traditions. Expect about three and a half hours of walking, tasting, and local stories.

“Our guide Erol was knowdgeable and fun. He explained so much about the food we were sampling, and its history. No question went unaswered. I would recommend the tour, and particularly Erol as a guide.”

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From Izmir: Guided Tour of the Ancient City of Ephesus - A short Selcuk break before the main ruins
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From Izmir: Guided Tour of the Ancient City of Ephesus

10.From Izmir: Guided Tour of the Ancient City of Ephesus

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 205 reviews · 9 hours · from $117

Travel from Izmir to Ephesus in an air-conditioned minivan with a guide such as Alpi or Erman. Walk marble streets, see the Library of Celsus and Great Theatre, enjoy lunch, then choose the House of the Virgin Mary and shopping stops. The day lasts about nine hours.

“Exceptionally well informed guide who was clearly passionate about the job he was doing”

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Fire of Anatolia Dance Show at Ancient Aspendos Theater - The evening schedule, from arrival to the final bow
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Fire of Anatolia Dance Show at Ancient Aspendos Theater

11.Fire of Anatolia Dance Show at Ancient Aspendos Theater

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 198 reviews · 3 - 8 hours · from $64

Watch Fire of Anatolia’s 120 dancers perform Anatolian folk dance, ballet, and modern choreography at Ancient Aspendos Theater. Choose your own transport or hotel pickup from Side, with dinner included on Kemer and Alanya options. The show runs about two hours, including an intermission, and takes place from April through November.

“Communication with the company was good, the driver pick us up as expected and drove to the point in time. The show is worth to see. The way back was good as well, can recommend this service.”

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Antalya: Hiking in Termessos Ancient City - The ride from Antalya and meeting Onder
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Antalya: Hiking in Termessos Ancient City

12.Antalya: Hiking in Termessos Ancient City

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 152 reviews · 4 hours · from $62

Travel from Antalya to Termessos National Park for a four-hour small-group hike through one of Turkey’s best-preserved ancient cities. Guide Onder leads you past the theater, agora, cisterns, tombs, gates, and temples, adding clear historical context in English. Expect uneven ground, mountain air, and a quiet site at 1,050 meters.

“This is a great morning. Ancient history in a beautiful mountain surrounding. The theatre is like a Turkish Machu Picchu. Onder is a perfect guide, knowledgeable, humorous and speaking excellent English. Wish we’d done his tour to Perge as well, instead of the one we took!”

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Full Day Historical Walking Tour of Istanbul Old City from Hagia Sophia - Hippodrome: the open-air remains of imperial Constantinople
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Full Day Historical Walking Tour of Istanbul Old City from Hagia Sophia

13.Full Day Historical Walking Tour of Istanbul Old City from Hagia Sophia

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 114 reviews · 6 to 8 hours (approx.) · from $43

Start at Hagia Sophia at 10 a.m. and spend 6 to 8 hours with an English-speaking guide and no more than nine people. Visit the Blue Mosque, Hippodrome, Topkapı Palace, and Hagia Irene, with the Basilica Cistern replacing Topkapı on Tuesdays. Expect a lot of walking, extra admission fees, and possible shopping stops.

“The buildings were beautiful the guide was very knowledgeable. Even with the rain it was a good experience. Sad that the Blue Mosque is under renovation until sometime in 2023.”

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City of Side: Green Canyon, Waterfall, Ancient City Mix Tour - Leaving Side for the inland hills
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City of Side: Green Canyon, Waterfall, Ancient City Mix Tour

14.City of Side: Green Canyon, Waterfall, Ancient City Mix Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 109 reviews · 7 - 8 hours · from $32

From Side, spend 7 to 8 hours visiting a historic mosque, Lyrbe Agora, Green Lake, and Oymapinar Dam. You will have lunch by the lake, with time for swimming, a foam party, and optional jet ski rides. An orange grove and Manavgat Waterfall may cost extra. Guides speak English, German, Russian, or Turkish.

“- Der Transport erfolgte in einem, für den Sommer, ausgestatteten Reisebus. Es gab keine fest eingebauten Fenster, sondern Plastikrollos. Auch gab es in diesem Fahrzeug keine Heizung. Diese war bei einer Außentemperatur von ca. 0° C eine Herausforderung. - Die Bootsfahrt gestaltete sich als besondere Herausforderung. Der Wasserstand war niedrig. Aufgrund dessen war die Personenbrücke zum Boot entsprechend steil. Der zweite Weg führte über eine Treppe. Hier fehlten Stufen bzw. waren nicht vollständig. Erhebliche Verletzungsgefahr! - Gern würde ich hierzu Bilder einsenden”

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Private Cultural Tour of Istanbul with Certified Guide - Two hours inside Topkapi Palace
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Private Cultural Tour of Istanbul with Certified Guide

15.Private Cultural Tour of Istanbul with Certified Guide

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 81 reviews · 7 hours (approx.)

Spend about seven hours with certified guide Murat Bozbulut visiting Istanbul’s essential sights. Your private group of up to five sees Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, the Blue Mosque, Grand Bazaar, and Basilica Cistern. The tour is offered in English, with hotel pickup available, though entrance fees, meals, and private transport cost extra.

“By far one of the best private guided tours I have had around the globe. Extremely knowledgeable, not only with regards to the sights seen, but also as to the overall history behind the sights, city and country. Fascinating explanations and great at planning and pacing of the overall tour. I would (and will) definitely book this tour again for different sights the next time I am in Istanbul. ¡Muchas gracias por todo, Murat!”

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2-Day Private Istanbul: Old City + Food Tour (Tickets+Tastings) - Day 1: Hagia Sophia and the monuments of Sultanahmet
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2-Day Private Istanbul: Old City + Food Tour (Tickets+Tastings)

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