Private Roman Istanbul Tour: Hippodrome, Column and Aqueduct
The Hippodrome and its monuments, the Column of Constantine, the Basilica Cistern and the Valens Aqueduct: the Roman city under modern Istanbul.
Photo: Turkey Your Way
- Duration
- Half day (about 4 hours)
- Region
- Istanbul
- Walking
- Moderate
- Starts
- Morning, from your hotel
Best for First-time visitors · Returning visitors
Tour code IST-H31
The essence
A private Roman Istanbul tour looks for the city that Rome built here, before the domes and minarets. You start at the Hippodrome, then walk to the Column of Constantine and go down into the Basilica Cistern. Finally, your guide takes you to the Valens Aqueduct, which carried water across the valley between two hills.
Highlights
- The Hippodrome and its monuments
- An obelisk from Egypt
- The Serpent Column from Delphi
- The Column of Constantine
- The Valens Aqueduct
Program
-
Morning
The Hippodrome on the Roman Istanbul tour
The square, the obelisk and the Serpent Column.
Opening hours & dress code -
Late morning
The Basilica Cistern
The great covered cistern, as its visiting status allows.
Opening hours & dress code -
Midday
The Column of Constantine
A walk along Divanyolu to the column.
Opening hours & dress code -
Early afternoon
The Valens Aqueduct
The arches between the third and fourth hills.
Opening hours & dress code
In depth
Under the domes of Istanbul lies a Roman city. A private Roman Istanbul tour shows you what remains of it, with your own guide.
The Hippodrome on the Roman Istanbul Tour
A square for chariot races
First, you walk to the Hippodrome, beside the Blue Mosque. Work on it began under the Roman emperor Septimius Severus, and later chariot races filled it with crowds.
Monuments from Egypt and Delphi
Then your guide shows you the monuments along its central line. Here stand an obelisk brought from Egypt and the Serpent Column, brought from the temple of Apollo at Delphi.
The Basilica Cistern
Next, you go down into the Basilica Cistern, from the mid-6th century. Its vault rests on 336 columns. Since its hours changed this year, ask us to confirm the visit before your date.
The Column of Constantine on the Roman Istanbul Tour
After that, you walk along Divanyolu to the Column of Constantine. It went up around 330, when Constantine made the city his capital. At first, a statue of Constantine as the sun god stood on top. On the same street, the Pudding Shop has fed travelers since 1957.
The Valens Aqueduct
Finally, you reach the Valens Aqueduct, built under the emperor Valens (364-378). Its arches still cross the low ground between the third and fourth hills of the city. Our guide Ömer Çelik, for example, turns the aqueduct into a story about water and power.
From our guides
Our suggestion At the Valens Aqueduct, find the spot where the arches frame the traffic below.
For the Byzantine city, see our Byzantine Istanbul tour. Would you like to walk through Roman Istanbul? The Hippodrome, the Basilica Cistern and the Valens Aqueduct trace the Roman city; we walk them on the day you choose.
Before you go
-
- Entry
- No ticket needed, open public square
-
- Open
- Ask us to confirm: hours and evening sessions may change
- Closed
- Check current arrangements
- Dress
- Shoes with grip; paths can be damp
- Entry
- Ticketed; ask us to confirm under the new management
-
- Entry
- No ticket needed, open square
-
- Open
- Visible at all times from the street and park
- Closed
- Never
- Entry
- No ticket needed; you see it from the outside
Hours can change on religious holidays. Your guide confirms them the day before.
What’s included
Included
- A professional licensed guide, in the language you ask for
- A 10 GB eSIM for one traveler in your group, our gift, valid for 30 days (data only)
Not included
- Entrance tickets, unless agreed in your program
- Meals and drinks
- Tips
“The team was friendly, helpful, and easy to communicate with.”
From your guide
What to wear
Comfortable shoes for the old city streets.
Best time
All year; we start in the morning at the Hippodrome.
Photos
At the Valens Aqueduct, the arches frame the traffic below.
Practical
Updated:
- Starts
- Morning, from your hotel
- Ends
- The Valens Aqueduct, or your hotel
- Meeting point
- Your hotel in the old city
- Walking
- Moderate: about 2 km on city streets, with stairs at the cistern.
- Accessibility
- The cistern has stairs. Tell us your needs.
- Cancellation
- Visiting status can change; we confirm it before your date.
Frequently asked questions
What does the Roman Istanbul tour show?
The Roman and early Byzantine city: the Hippodrome, the Column of Constantine, the Basilica Cistern and the Valens Aqueduct.
When was the Hippodrome on the Roman Istanbul tour built?
Work on it began under the Roman emperor Septimius Severus (193-211).
Is the Basilica Cistern open?
Its hours and sessions change, so ask us to confirm before your date.
Can we add Hagia Sophia?
Yes. See our Byzantine Istanbul tour.
What is your cancellation policy?
Every trip with us is private, so we agree the cancellation terms with you by email before you book, and you find them in writing in your booking confirmation. The deposit is non-refundable.
How long does the tour take?
Half a day, about 4 hours. It is your own day, so you choose how long to stay at the Hippodrome, the Basilica Cistern and the Valens Aqueduct.
