The 15 Best Market Tours in Turkey

1.Two Markets, Two Continents with Culinary Backstreets

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 479 reviews · 6 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $145Our pick

Spend about 6.5 hours eating across Istanbul’s European and Asian sides with Culinary Backstreets. Start near Karaköy Fish House, cross the Bosphorus by boat, explore Kadıköy Çarşı and Moda, and sample two meals, snacks, and hot drinks. Guides such as Esin, Uğur, Gonca, and Kadir add food history and neighborhood insight. Groups are capped at seven.

“It's a full day activity...be hungry when you go! Our guide was professional, friendly and knowledgeable.”

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2.City of Side: Boat Tour on the Manavgat River w/ Bazaar Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 404 reviews · 7 hours · from $16Best value

Spend seven hours between Side and Manavgat on a three-level boat with a swim stop, grilled chicken or fish lunch, waterfall option, mosque and market time. English, German, Russian and Turkish support is available. Guide Kadir has earned warm praise for his humor and energy, though extras such as drinks, jetski rides and waterfall transport cost more.

“Prompt and easy pickup Transport was borderline roadworthy, but to be expected in another country. Transfer to boat quick and easy and boarding was prompt Onboard was good, attentive and friendly Transfer to Waterfalls, or best say reservoir lol! Chaotic and dysfunctional Overall the trip was worth going on, but be prepared to get what you’ve paid”

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3.Istanbul Grand Bazaar: From Rooftops to the Secret Passages

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 337 reviews · 2 - 2.5 hours · from $31

Explore Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar with a local guide such as Mertcan, moving through old hans, artisan workshops, rooftops, and quiet passages. You’ll learn how this 600-year marketplace works, meet craftspeople, enjoy Turkish tea, and get practical shopping advice. Expect stairs, uneven floors, and little time for browsing.

“We loved our guide Mertcan, who was very , knowledge of the workings of the Bazar and introduced us to rooftops, merchants and back streets. Mertcan was knowledgeable , easy to understand, answered all our questions and showed us the real Bazar; the behind the scenes working of this incredible marketplace and its hundreds of years of tradition and trading. He introduced us to areas where we could get the best price and showed us the complexity of the Bazars layout and how modern traders adapt to an ancient system. Soo much to see.”

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4.Side: Manavgat Boat, Bazaar, & Waterfall Day Trip with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 315 reviews · 5 - 6 hours · from $35

Take a half-day boat trip from Side, Alanya, Belek, Okurcalar, or Konaklı along the Manavgat River and out to sea. You’ll stop for lunch and swimming, then visit Manavgat Waterfall and its large bazaar. English, German, Russian, Polish, Czech, and Slovak guides are available. Expect a relaxed outing with a busy schedule.

“Overall amazing, couldn’t be battered or made better enjoyed it very much!!”

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5.Side: Manavgat River Boat Trip & Grand Market w/ Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 295 reviews · 7 hours · from $32

From Side, you’ll ride a 45-passenger wooden boat along the Manavgat River, with Taurus Mountain views, a barbecue lunch, and a swim at the river mouth. An English or German-speaking guide accompanies the day, which also includes the Grand Bazaar, Blue Mosque, and optional waterfall visit. Expect a sociable group outing, not a quiet private cruise.

“mooie boottocht en goede uitleg kwa bezienswaardigheden heel behulpzaam personeel we wilde graag naar een moskee en 50 meter vanaf de bazaar zit een moskee mocht men die willen zien is daar een mogelijkheid voor wij hebben genoten”

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6.Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque and Grand Bazaar Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 222 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $35

This four-hour English tour covers Istanbul’s main Old City sights on foot, with hotel pickup available and groups capped at 15. You’ll see Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, Hippodrome, and Grand Bazaar. Hagia Sophia admission costs an extra €25. Guides such as Baris, Kemal, Ali, Ziya, and Zeynep have earned especially strong praise for their storytelling.

“This was a fabulous tour. The blue mosque was spectacular, the Hagia Sofia beautiful, the Grand Bazaar was something to experience and Basilica Cistern was great to see. Kemal imparted so much information and was able to answer all our questions. He made the tour exceptional”

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7.Small-Group Bosphorus Cruise and Istanbul’s Egyptian Bazaar

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 208 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $90

Spend about 45 minutes in Istanbul’s Egyptian Bazaar, then cruise the Bosphorus for 90 minutes past Dolmabahçe Palace, Beylerbeyi Palace, and Rumeli Fortress. A guide handles transport and sightseeing, but the boat is generally a local ferry rather than a private vessel, and commentary can be hard to hear.

“Cruising the Bosphorus is a must-do in Istanbul. I could do without the Bazaar, but my wife probably disagrees.”

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8.Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Cistern & Bazaar Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 189 reviews · 5 hours · from $36

Walk through Sultanahmet with an English-speaking guide such as Oz, Oguz, or Arkan. See the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Basilica Cistern, and Grand Bazaar, with stories, photo stops, and help avoiding long ticket lines. The five-hour tour costs $36, but attraction tickets and lunch are extra.

“Excellent tour - just the right amount of detail and commentary, length just right.”

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9.Alanya/Side: Manavgat River & Waterfall, Boat Tour, & Bazaar

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 172 reviews · from $33

Spend 8 to 9 hours exploring Manavgat by riverboat, swimming in the sea and river, eating lunch by the water, visiting the waterfall, and shopping at the bazaar. Hotel pickup, a guide, lunch, and entry fees are included. Bring swimwear, a towel, and water.

“Full day of activities, staff friendly and welcoming. Food wonderful that was provided at lunch, hot and tasty. Definitely recommend this trip!”

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10.Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, and Grand Bazaar Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 162 reviews · 4 hours · from $25

Spend four focused hours in Istanbul’s old city with a guide such as Baris, Okan, Ali, or Ahmet. Visit Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, Sultanahmet Square, and the Grand Bazaar. Hotel pickup may be available, but the tour ends at the bazaar and Hagia Sophia’s 30 EUR entry fee is paid separately in cash.

“Hello, we took the 1/2 day tour today in Istanbul, Turkey (Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, etc.) and just wanted to say how much we enjoyed the tour! Our tour guide was excellent. We will definitely book another tour with your company. Thank you agaIn”

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11.City of Side: Manavgat River Boat Lunch Cruise & Bazaar Tour

★★★★★★★★★★3.7 · 139 reviews · 8 hours · from $25

Spend about eight hours on a guided outing from Side, combining a Manavgat River boat trip, fish or chicken lunch, a swim near the river mouth, an optional waterfall stop, and time at Manavgat’s public bazaar. English, German, and Turkish guides are available. Expect a simple, value-focused day rather than a polished luxury excursion.

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12.Culinary Backstreets of the Bazaar Quarter

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 118 reviews · 5 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $145

Spend 5.5 hours eating through Istanbul’s Bazaar Quarter with a group of no more than seven. Guides such as Kadir, Ughur, and Esin lead you to local eateries, explain Turkish dishes, arrange two meals, snacks, refreshments, and a hot drink, and introduce you to craftsmen near the Grand Bazaar.

“A wonderful tour that was not just food but so many stories and experiences, meeting local craftsmen and cooks, tasting so many different things some in places you likely would not find by yourself. And the amount of tastings was just right - we were full by the end but not to the extent of feeling too stuffed. But be sure not to eat breakfast before the tour and at least we also did not need a dinner after it!”

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13.Manavgat River Cruise, Waterfalls and Market Tour from Side

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 100 reviews · 7 hours (approx.) · from $41

From Side, you’ll ride a boat down the Manavgat River, stop where cool river water meets the warm Mediterranean, and eat lunch onboard. The day also includes a visit to Manavgat Waterfall or free time at the market. Hotel pickup, an English-speaking guide, and drop-off are included, while drinks and waterfall entry cost extra.

“Great day out and the team work hard! I don't think I'd bother with the waterfalls as really not that interesting and I would have liked more time in the market. But that's on what I booked not the trip or team !”

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14.Private Guided Tour Hagia Sophia, Cistern, Topkapi and Bazaar

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 79 reviews · 4 to 6 hours (approx.) · from $59

Spend four to six hours with a private English-speaking guide exploring Istanbul’s core sights. Visit Hagia Sophia, the Basilica Cistern, Topkapi Palace and Harem, a historic carpet workshop, and the Grand Bazaar. Entry fees are separate, so budget extra for the three paid sites. Guides may include Murat or Erdem.

“As our tour guide, Murat made this the best day of our multi-week trip. Murat was incredibly knowledgeable, interesting, and engaging. The places we visited were truly the highlights of Istanbul. Could not recommend this any more!”

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15.Manavgat Cruise & Grand Bazaar w/Lunch and Unlimited Drinks

★★★★★★★★★★3.8 · 71 reviews · 10 hours · from $41

From Alanya, ride to Manavgat for a river cruise, barbecue lunch, and a swim at the river mouth. You’ll have about 1.5 hours at the Grand Bazaar and visit the Blue Mosque. English and German guides accompany the trip, though transport and boat arrangements can vary by departure.

“It was a fantastic day out!! We got picked up after waiting a while as they noted our hotel incorrectly but after that, the day was smooth. We arrived at the boat on time, found some good seats and waited around 30 mins for other guests. Then we travelled down the river to the sea and then did a stop near there. It was a sandbank with the river on one side and the sea on the other, you can rent run beds, jet skis and buy snacks. We boarded the boat again for lunch before heading back. Once back, we got a coach ride to a textiles store full…”

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