Turkey · MARKETS
In high season the good market tours are gone a fortnight out and the best of them go sooner. Below: 15 to book before you fly, what each includes and where they differ.
Review of Side’s $16 Manavgat River boat tour, with swimming, lunch, waterfall, bazaar, hotel transfers, and practical tips.
“Really good day out! Well worth the money, we had some nice grilled chicken with buckwheat and salad for lunch and a decent bazaar to finish it off can't knock it. Really friendly guys as well.”
Explore Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar from rooftops, workshops, and secret passages on a small-group tour filled with history, tea, and local tips.
“He was very informative, friendly, and well spoken. I'd recommend him to anyone that would like to explore bazaar and the hidden gems.”
Review of Side’s Manavgat boat, bazaar, waterfall, swimming, and lunch tour, with practical advice on value, timing, and what to bring.
“Loved the water fall but not as big as expect. Could have had more time here as there were lovely market stalls and could have swam in the river. The bazar was good but has mostly same things each stall. Overall it was good and worth the trip.”
Review of Side’s Manavgat River boat trip, barbecue lunch, Grand Bazaar, Blue Mosque, swimming stop, timing, costs, and practical tips.
“It was good relaxing perfect for older parents or if you have young children. The river cruise was relaxing and entertainment was good fun”
Explore Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, Hippodrome, and Grand Bazaar on a four-hour Istanbul walking tour for $35.
“This tour of The Iconic Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia was definitely the highlight of my visit to Istanbul. Our guide had incredible historical knowledge, which made every detail fascinating. I thoroughly enjoyed learning about this part of Istanbul's history.”
Review of Istanbul’s 3-hour Spice Bazaar and Bosphorus cruise, with practical advice on guides, views, timing, transport, and value.
“We were picked up right on time at our hotel and then joined several other smaller vans onto a larger bus. Our guide was very helpful in the Bazaar and getting us onto the cruise. It was hard hearing on the cruise as to what we were seeing but the trip was well worth experiencing. We recommended doing this tour but would suggest having the guide sit with the group on the boat as we had trouble understanding the speaker on the boat's intercom.”
Review of Istanbul’s five-hour Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Basilica Cistern and Grand Bazaar tour, including costs, guides, timing and practical tips.
“It was a very entertaining tour, well organized, everything was on time. The guide's stories were interesting and not boring, he concentrates on fascinating facts that we will now remember about Istanbul. The guide bought the tickets in advance and we didn't have to stand in lines! He also gave us good advice about other places in Istanbul. We definitely recommend this tour. He is a good guide and a positive person!”
Review of the Manavgat River boat tour from Side, Alanya, Belek, or Antalya, with waterfall views, lunch, swimming, and bazaar time.
“Exceptionally good however the vehicle we travelled in had water dripping from its AC unit so some of the seats were wet limiting our choice as a family to sit together otherwise perfect excursion!!”
See Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, Hippodrome, and Grand Bazaar in four hours with a guide, hotel pickup options, and practical tips.
“The tour was thorough and the tour guide (Ali) did an excellent job by clearly pointing out and explaining historical items. The tour exceeded my expectations and I would recommend.”
Review of Side’s Manavgat River cruise, lunch, waterfall, and bazaar tour, with honest advice on transport, value, timing, and who should book.
Taste Istanbul’s Bazaar Quarter with local guides, craftsmen, two meals, and small-group access in a five-and-a-half-hour food walk.
“Lovely guide - food was wonderful. I really enjoyed tasting the food and hearing about it. A terrific day.”
Explore Istanbul’s Basilica Cistern, Blue Mosque, Hippodrome, and Grand Bazaar in a small group with an English-speaking guide.
“Very interesting. Loved the stone columns, especially the Medusa heads. Worth the visit. The line was long but the wait was not too long”
Review of Istanbul’s 4-hour small-group tour covering Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Hippodrome and Grand Bazaar, with practical tips.
“Our guide, Ludwig, was extremely knowledgeable. We enjoyed to insights into the Islamic religion as we visited the mosques. The whole tour was excellent.”
Cruise the Manavgat River from Side, swim where river meets sea, enjoy lunch, waterfalls and a lively local market for $41.94.
“The Manavgat River Cruise was sailed on The Prestige with the added talents of a multi-lingual guide. The boat was really good for sunbathing on the top? or the choice of all the other floors decks? where the was sun or shade options. Lunch was delicious with Chicken or fish options leaving plenty of time for the swim breaks which were something I was looking forward to. It is an enjoyable experience to swim in specific coves and spots especially when they are provided in the excursion itineries. The Manavgat waterfall was really picturesque and I have some lovely photos to make cards out of to give to my family…”
Review of Manavgat River cruise, barbecue lunch, beach swim, Grand Bazaar and Blue Mosque from Alanya, including value and practical tips.
“det bedste var Sejl turen og turen til de 2 bazar . guiden kunne KUN MEGET LIDT engelsk og mumlede i micfonen under hele turen det var meget utydeligt at høre hvad der blev sagt🥺”
Pick a city, a coastline or a ruin.
