Norwegian Istanbul Shore Excursion: A Private Day Ashore

If you are sailing with Norwegian Cruise Line, your day in Istanbul can also be a private one. This Norwegian Istanbul shore excursion is our private alternative to the ship tour. Your own guide and driver meet you at the port and plan the day around your all-aboard time.

In the 2026 season, some of Norwegian Cruise Line’s Greek Isles voyages on Norwegian Viva include an overnight stay in Istanbul. That leaves time for a long day ashore. Read how we plan an overnight in Istanbul.

Your Norwegian Istanbul Shore Excursion

When your Norwegian ship docks at Galataport in Karaköy, your guide is at the terminal. The old city lies just across the Golden Horn: on our Istanbul shore excursion, you see Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque (if open, outside prayer times) and the old Hippodrome, and with a full day the Grand Bazaar.

A Private Alternative to the Ship Tour

For your Norwegian call, the ship’s tours are one choice and a private day is another. With a private day, the car waits only for you, the guide speaks your language, and you set the stops and the pace. Read our guide to choosing a shore excursion or a ship tour to compare.

Other Ports in Türkiye

If your Norwegian voyage also calls at Kuşadası or Bodrum, we meet you there too, with our Ephesus shore excursion and our Bodrum shore excursion. In Bodrum, the cruise pier is about 1.5 kilometers (1 mile) from the town center.

Plan Your Norwegian Istanbul Shore Excursion

Send us the Norwegian ship, the date and the arrival and all-aboard times, and we plan the day around them. The Turkey cruise ports guide and our shore excursions cover the rest of the coast.

We are an independent local company and are not affiliated with Norwegian Cruise Line.