• Private Tour
• Carbon Neutral

Explore the buzzing evening scene in Istanbul’s Old and New City. Spot architectural gems lit up in the dark, blend in with the locals at nightlife hotspots and create memories you will never forget. NOTE: THIS TOUR WON’T INCLUDE THE BAZAARS ON SUNDAYS

Destination

Istanbul, Turkey

Category

Night Tours

Duration

5 hours

Transport mode

Public Transport

Available languages

English, Français, Español

Included

• Private guide

What you can expect

This is the plan

Check out the plan below to see what you'll get up to with your local host. Feel free to personalize this offer with Benoit.

1. Meeting point

   Meet at Vidinli Tevfikpaşa Caddesi - Istanbul to start your journey

   View on Maps

2. Itinerary

   This is what our experience could look like, but it’s not set in stone! Once you book, you can chat directly with your host to make small tweaks to suit your preferences.

3. Magical mosques

   Visit the beautiful Süleyman Mosque lit up for the evening

4. Late-night shopping, Istanbul style!

   Explore the Grand Bazaar after the crowds have left (except Sundays)

5. Beautiful Cistern

   Head underground and explore this atmospheric spot

6. Explore the Old City

   Wander through the Old City and spot architectural gems

7. Galata Tower

   Visit a symbol of Istanbul and a must-see building

8. Vibrant nightlife

   Discover the local’s favorite area for a night out

9. Continue your evening, your way!

   Let me know what path you want your evening to take & I will recommend the best local spots

10. Make it yours

    Want to tweak the itinerary? Book directly & chat afterwards with your host to adjust highlights, skip stops, or make small changes to fit your preferences.

    Book risk-free: Cancel within 24 hours for a full refund.

    Need something special? Personalize your experience for more time, alternative locations or a completely tailored plan.

I can personalize this tour for you

• Tell me your preferred date and group size
• Tell me your preferences and wishes so I can customize the tour for you
• Wait for my personal offer in your inbox!

Contact me

Flexible cancellation policy

• Feel confident booking

  Cancel within 24 hours for a full refund. Even up to 7 days before your experience, you’ll receive a refund, minus the service fee.

• Change of plans?

  Reschedule your experience to a date and time that works best for you.

• Loved by travelers worldwide

  Simple and flexible – your plans, your way.

Reviews from guests

Zachary🇺🇸 United States

10 February 2022

Benoit is INCREDIBLE! One the most knowledgable guys I have ever met. He truly loves his job and has such a high passion for history. He will take you to areas and places only locals know about. We got to meet many of his friends along the tour who invited us to see how they work. He will show you where the locals eat and hole in the wall spots to eat:) We felt very lucky to have him show us the city and would do this tour again and again. Do yourself a favor and book with Benoit! He will change the way you experience the city.Experience Istanbul Like no other!

Robert🇺🇸 United States

21 August 2021

...Benoit is a genuine historian who undoubtedly has forgotten more about history and culture in Istanbul and Turkey than you may ever know - I believe that to be true for the 2 of us. From the start, his patience in accommodating our nearly 2 hour late arrival from IST and yet showing us the city well into the night was above and beyond what many would expect. We would gladly return to Istanbul only to ask him to again assist us and teach us about its incredible melting pot of cultures, neighborhoods, and layers of history that exist in this city. We would never have trusted ourselves to simply explore this area without a master level guide such as he. Thank you Benoit for the time you gave us and I can only hope we meet you again. - Mitch & MichelleA friend you never had in Istanbul...

Debra🇺🇸 United States

3 November 2019

Just book it! Benoit is going to takes you around the city to places you’d never see, not even in ten trips to Istanbul, you’d just would never gain this kind of insider knowledge. If that’s not convincing enough, perhaps the opportunity to post on Social a picture you took from the rooftop of the grand bazaar. Yep, I did that! Warning: Benoit is probably the fastest walker in Turkey, be ready to hustle!

Winston

20 October 2019

Very nice and knowledgeable. Brought us to some secret spots. Also is accommodating. We booked him at 4pm until 9pm or something along those lines.Benoit is amazing

Courtney🇺🇸 United States

15 August 2019

Benoit was an extremely wonderful tour guide that took us on an amazing adventure through Istanbul! Not only is he extremely knowledgeable about the colorful history of the city, but he is also a foodie! What luck for us! He showed us various sights, sounds and flavors of this eclectic city and we could not have had a better time! We highly recommend Benoit as a tour guide!!AMAZING experience

Richard🇺🇸 United States

25 June 2019

El tour de 5 horas con Benoit fue espectacular !!! Desde el lugar donde nos encontramos a las 5pm hasta las 10pm, a mi pedido, Benoit me hizo una combinacion de tours q me permitio conocer todo Estambul... Lo recomiendo 100%...Espectacular !!!

Juliana🇪🇸 Spain

3 January 2024

We had a wonderful tour with Benoit, who not only knows all about the various facets of Istanbul’s rich history but also what seems like the entire population! 😉 We saw artisans and artists and many other hidden treasures that we surely would have missed otherwise. Plus, we had a chance to sample many local delicacies. The tour lasted approximately 6 hours, but even our 14 and 17 year old teenagers enjoyed it till the end. We would recommend Benoit to anyone without hesitation. Thank you!Simply awesome

Birgit🇩🇪 Germany

2 September 2023

Benoît hat uns die geheimen Ecken Istanbuls gezeigt. Sehr authentisch, sehr erfahren, flexible Gestaltung und auf unsere Bedürfnisse eingegangen. Dabei super nett und sympathisch! Ein tolles Erlebnis….herzlichen Dank an Benoît!Outstanding experience with local touch

Christian🇺🇸 United States

17 November 2022

Notre guide nous a fait visiter des lieux insolites à Istanbul hors des sentiers touristiques. Une journée très instructive et divertissante grâce à la générosité de notre guide. Bravo et Merci H !Une journée extraordinaire

Ming🇩🇪 Germany

27 October 2022

Benoit was knowledgeable about the non touristy areas we went to, is clearly curious and fascinated with architecture, the local culture, and history. It was fun and relaxing to share a less touristic type of walk around tour of Istanbul. We thoroughly enjoyed our day. Knowledgeable with a Nice Manner

Donna🇺🇸 United States

21 October 2022

Benoit was an amazing tour guide. He totally caters the tour to what you like and has so many relationships with the locals that you really felt like you get to see the “real” Istanbul as well as understand the culture. We saw so much of Istanbul and can’t wait to come back! We would highly recommend Benoit!Amazing Tour Through Isranbul

Ricardo🇨🇴 Colombia

14 October 2022

Benoit es un excelente guía que comprende las necesidades del viajeroMaravilloso

Jaime🇨🇴 Colombia

13 October 2022

Recorrer Estambul con Benoit ha sido maravilloso, una experiencia fuera de lo común. Ama la ciudad y conoce como nadie el circuito turístico, haciéndolo muy ameno con su profundo sentido de la historia y sus divertidas anécdotas. Pero lo que realmente lo hace único es su pasión por la parte oculta de la ciudad, la que no suelen visitar los turistas, y su gusto y su conocimiento de la gastronomía turca. Nos llevó a visitar pequeños restaurantes que son verdaderos tesoros, frecuentados casi exclusivamente por los estambulíes, entre otros rincones de gran importancia e interés por su historia secreta. No se lo pierdan.Una experiencia maravillosa

Randall🇺🇸 United States

9 October 2022

Benoit was a true joy to spend the day with. He is like traveling with a knowledgeable friend that finds joy in exploring and experiencing new things with you along the way. And he is as curious as a cat! As your guide and newly found friend Benoit finds his way off the path to help you enjoy a day of mutual discovery. Our day with him was full and fulfilling. We would highly recommend Benoit. A fine day of mutual discovery

Mike🇺🇸 United States

6 October 2022

We enjoyed our day immensely. We had previously enjoyed a food tour with Benoit and this encore was equally wonderful. He is professional, experienced and seems to know every back street and the people who occupy them in Istanbul. Very personable, speaks English well and easily connects with people. You won’t be disappointed if you can secure an appointment with him.Benoit is the best

Unknown

3 October 2022

Portia🇳🇴 Norway

3 October 2022

Thank you Benoit for customizing an awesome trip for our family! We would not have found the backstreet gems of Istanbul without you. We look forward to coming back and experiencing more of this amazing city!Perfect tour for history-glad foodies

Chadd🇺🇸 United States

20 September 2022

No reason to book with anyone else! Benoit accommodated our requests and made great recommendations. Our idea of a great tour in Istanbul included authentic food, the BEST Baklava, important historical sights, and interesting guide. All targets hit. Benoit was even able to get us in to see the recently reopened cistern which is a don't miss attraction. His accommodations included using our time wisely and taking my son and I to see back alley sights of the Grand Bazaar while my wife and daughter were distracted by all the "pretty things". We have all decided we need a lot more time than one day in Turkey. When we return we will definitely book Benoit for several days.Been there with Benoit

Vanessa🇦🇺 Australia

15 September 2022

We had an awesome time with Benoit for an evening and 2 days. We saw the history, the wonder, the food and culture Istanbul had to offer. We also visited Sila a coastal fishing town and had a swim. Benoit was fabulous! And a wealth of knowledge and happiness!100% recommend Benoit

Jennifer🇺🇸 United States

20 July 2022

We loved our tour with Benoit! We loved being taken up ‘secret’ staircases for amazing views and visits with local artisans! Benoit took us for the best baklava, best lemonade, found my daughter an incredible vegan meal and and excellent restaurant for the rest of us. We loved seeing Istanbul like a local!Amazing Experience!

Stephen🇺🇸 United States

19 July 2022

Benoit is super knowledgeable, personable, and is very familiar with the culture and area. He loves books and it shows. Any question we had, he knew exactly. Our family especially enjoyed the behind the scenes look into Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar. Benoit took us into the back rooms and we talked to locals about their craft and watched them work. He navigated the labyrinth streets with ease. We visited three mosques and learned so much. Highly recommend Benoit. Knowledgeable and behind the scenes look

Anne-Marie🇺🇸 United States

23 June 2022

You cannot come to Istanbul without booking Benoit as your guide! No one knows this city’s backstreets, nooks and crannies, and most importantly foodie hotspots as Benoit does! We did two days of private tours with Benoit and could have done a 3rd if he was not already booked up. Benoit took his time in explaining the history, the current social fabric of Turkey, showed us the best places to eat at a reasonable but great quality prices. He explained the He tailored the trips to our family’s time (because of jetlag), interests, physical ability, and made sure to answer the questions of all in our family based on each members own knowledge and understanding. Can’t wait to return to Istanbul and take more tours with Benoit.Unparalleled Guide!

Penny🇳🇿 New Zealand

15 June 2022

Benoit is am amazing tour guide, his knowledge of Istanbuls Underground cisterns, The Palace Foundations, where all the hidden gems of this city are is incredible. He knows all the History of Romans the Ottoman Empire and more....I met and chatted with local craftsman, as we wandered through the labyrinth of lanes. The tour far surpassed my expectations,I highly recommend doing it !!Incredible tour of UNDERGROUND and Hidden Treasures in Istanbul

Nicola🇬🇧 United Kingdom

1 June 2022

Highly recommend Benoit, such great energy, really knowledgeable and had stories and hidden spots we should never have found on our own. He even took us on the subway back to our hotel, so fab thank you Benoit Absolutley Brilliant

Christina🇦🇹 Austria

26 April 2022

It was a interesting tour just around the corners of the main attractions! Definitely recommended for people who want to have a look behind the scenes! Great tour!

Howard🇺🇸 United States

18 April 2022

Never have I had so much fun interspersed with so much education. Benoit is a self motivated history buff who knows at least 6 languages and put them all to use during our tour. I’ll never forget while waiting to get into Topcapi Palace there was a sarcophagus set off to the side, just minding its own business, when Benoit started translating for me from the Greek letters that were carved into the stone! His historical narrative was so spellbinding that the family in front of us begged to be included in our tour!! Benoit is passionate about history and thanks to him I gained a whole rich sense of how Turkey came to be, how the forces of history shaped its culture, foods and traditions. His knowledge of both the food scene and the food traditions was truely amazing!! I strongly recommend choosing Benoit for your tour of Istanbul!!!This man is a genius!

Lee🇪🇸 Spain

17 April 2022

What an outstanding guide Benoit is! We did five full-day tours with Benoit, four in Istanbul plus one very special day visiting villages and beaches on the Black Sea Coast. We could not have had a better guide. He is quite literally a Turkish tour guide celebrity, recognized and welcomed warmly by everyone from kebap chefs, baklava makers, artisan silversmiths, street vendors, and travel/food YouTubers with millions of followers. His rich network and insights about Turkish history, customs, and cuisine really set his tours apart from any guided travel experience we've ever had. We will never forget the fantastic meals, mosques, churches, and markets he took us to. Even after five days with him, we felt there was so much more left to see because he immerses you so deeply into Istanbul that you truly feel like a local at home in this fascinating, chaotic city. We are already looking forward to returning to Turkey again soon for another adventure with Benoit. Look no further...Benoit is the best!!

Robert🇺🇸 United States

2 March 2022

I've had Withlocals guides in Spain, Portugal. Indonesia, Malaysia, and Taiwan. Benoit is without a doubt the best that I've encountered. His knowledge of history,gastronomy, archetecture, sociology,and anthropology far exceeded my expectations. I spent two full days with Benoit and found him to be affable and flexible, making changes to the itenerary when my knee started to bother me. I have fairly eceltic interests and he never failed to point me in the right direction. I hope to work with him again in the future.Extraordinary Experience

miguel🇪🇸 Spain

18 December 2021

Una gran persona y apasionado de su hobby llevado al trabajoApasionado de su hobby

Jessica 🇺🇸 United States

15 December 2021

My walking tour of Istanbul with Benoit was amazing. I wanted off the beaten path and he delivered! Bring your appetite - Benoit knows all the best food in the city. Istanbul's Best Walking Tour

Shomyl🇬🇧 United Kingdom

31 October 2021

My brother and I did a day tour with Benoit covering the 4 patron saints of Bosphorus. The trip was very well planned and executed. Additionally, Benoit had done his research about the Saints and also covered some additional places which were not in the tour. Finally, his knowledge of the food scene in Istanbul was great as well. We really enjoyed our day in Istanbul with him and would certainly call on him again when we are in Istanbul next.Istanbul - patron saints and culinary tour

Anne🇳🇱 Netherlands

12 October 2021

We had so much fun with Benoit. He showed us hidden streets, workshops, fantastic original Baklava and what not. It was amazing and we definitely want to come back for the other tours he’s hosting. Thank you Benoit! Hope to see you again for more of your enthusiastic storytelling. Was een geweldige informatieve dag

Shahr🇺🇸 United States

14 September 2021

I don't even know where to begin with this fine gentleman. I've been to 25+ countries and have had countless guides. Benoit is the GOAT and there is not a close second. His vast array of knowledge from different periods in history, to his expertise in contemporary life and happenings, to his incredible penchant for the hidden gems of food spots, is all truly remarkable. No matter what question I threw at him he had a response; a detailed response at that. All day there was probably a total of two questions he did not know the answer to (of over 100 asked) and I appreciated the honesty because it gained credibility for all his other answers! I don't want to get into too much detail, because I'm sure Benoit customizes and tailors his tours to his travelers' likings and desires (he customized some stuff midway of the tour; INCREDIBLE!) but trust me if you have a full day or multiple days that you want to see sights and/or eat great food book them all with Benoit. You will NOT be disappointed. Honestly my girlfriend and I were quite disappointed we didn't have more days left in Istanbul that we could have booked with him after doing a day with him.Legend Amongst Legends!

Jenny🇵🇷 Puerto Rico

7 July 2021

Look no further. Just book Benoit. I put our entire 2 days in his hands and he did not disappoint. I did zero research, and saw 10x more than I would have ever found on my own. Polite, accommodating, informative, fun, engaging. My teenagers even loved it. Can’t wait to come back and see more of the city with Benoit!Benoit is the best!

Jenny🇵🇷 Puerto Rico

6 July 2021

Stop looking. Your search is over. There is no one better than Benoit for your exploration of Istanbul. He was everything we were hoping for and the experience was way more than we expected. Can’t wait to go back and book him again. The very best!

Liz🇲🇾 Malaysia

16 March 2020

This is not your typical experience. There were no tourist trails.....no fellow tourists..... and the only non-Turks were me and Mr Benoit himself. That's how real and authentic this experience was! Mr Benoit provided a private car and picked me up at my hotel in Florya. He drove me along the Marmara and the Roman city walls, through to the Asian side through the toll-tunnel under the Bosphorus. The Asian side was an experience to behold. Walking around Usukudar, he took me around the small alleyways, stopping by at a delightful shop that sold authentic local honey, the spice shops where i purchase all my local nuts and spices..... through the fish market. The sights, the sounds and the smells were out of this world!. He even brought me to a local restaurant where we sampled the mezze.... We strolled around the villages of the Asian side on the Bosphorus straits before hitting the road heading east to the ex-polish village of Adampol. We even went to the villages in Imrendere before heading to Sile. My goodness....the views, the scenery..... I can't begin to describe how breathtaking it was! He even took me around to Sakli Göl before heading back to the hotel. This was no ordinary trip!! You can't go wrong with Mr Benoit!.... He took time and effort to deliver a truly memorable 1st day in Turkey for me!! Thank you Mr Benoit!Extraordinary !!

Jean-Bernard🇩🇪 Germany

28 January 2020

No we did not visit the blue Mosque , nor the Sofia, nor…., but Benoit brought us to some places you will never see by your own. It begins by meeting us at the hotel, at the time we wished to start (not too early was our wish) and we spend a day together going from one marvellous place to an other. Benoit knows so much about the real life of Istanbul, showing some hidden Juwels, following James Bond on the roof of the Bazar, James turned left, we went straight head into a very gloomy corridor near the Iranian mosque, some stairs, and then a miracle, a site on the roof, with a fantastic view on the golden Horn and the Bosphorus, with all the Muezzin calling for the Adhan. Fantastic. Then going into the Hani, showing us the workmanships, he knows really a big number of people around them, allowing us to have some inside of the way of working. One of his favorit is the cooking, and so he showed us a number of street restaurants, backeries with all delicious specialities. in between a lot of historical and contextual information, naturally spread in the context. What can I say more, that I write these words with a smile, remembering all the places, the discussions and the enthusiasm of Benoit. We were missing him the next days we spent in Istanbul. Just do it!On the roofs of Istanbul

stuart🇳🇿 New Zealand

20 January 2020

What an exceptional guide who over 3 days introduced us to so much more than just the usual tourist attractions of Istanbul. Very generous with his time, extremely well informed & a really nice guy. Nothing was too much trouble for him. Immersed us in local cuisine & seems to have a personal relationship with half the chefs in Istanbul! Very special moments in their kitchens sharing their expertise. He helped us develop a really good appreciation of Turkish food & its origins as well as the people who prepare it. During our tours of the mosques & palace, Benoit’s knowledge of the history & culture of Istanbul was exceptional - of note was his relationship with the local craftsmen in the workshops around the Grand Bazaar. We had only 4 days in Istanbul but Benoit enriched our time beyond expectation - unforgettable. Great guide. Great tour

Vanessa🇦🇺 Australia

20 December 2019

We really enjoyed Benoit’s tour! He has clearly spent a lot of time researching and building relationships with the locals. Highlights included meeting friendly vendors, silversmiths and bakers and finding hidden alleyways and rooftops. Benoit was professional, informative and a delight to spend time with!One of the best!

Andrew🇬🇧 United Kingdom

14 October 2019

Excellent tour of Istanbul. Benoit took us to some amazing places hidden around the Grand Bazar and we discovered amazing Cistern systems. Very worthwhile and Benoit was extremely knowledgable. An enjoyable and informative tour. Highly recommended!

Cheryl🇨🇦 Canada

9 October 2019

On our first trip to Istanbul, Benoit showed us a little bit of everything. Not only is he incredibly knowledgable, but he is so passionate about the city, that he struggled not to smile as he lead as recounted the history of Istanbul, and leading us through tourist attractions, up and coming neighbourhoods and hidden gems. We even had a chance to stop for a fresh-fish lunch at the fish market. It was great to spend a few hours with Benoit on our first day. His tour gave us our bearings, and allowed us to spend the next few days building on what he had shared with us, and discovering new areas of the city on our own. Passionate and Informative

Sneha🇰🇷 Korea, Republic of

3 October 2019

Benoit was very friendly and knowledgable of the city, its history and its hidden alleyways and merchants. He was able to show me not only the Istanbul I’d seen in photos, but also many hidden gems. I only had 4hrs to see the city and it was perfect! Thanks for the wonderful recommendations and great tour! Highly recommend! Perfect Half Day tour

Jana🇨🇦 Canada

20 September 2019

We enjoy experiencing the places that are of the tourist trail and with Benoit we did just that. Tasting delicious Turkish food was the icing on the cake. Benoit has done the exploration and we reaped the benefits!A great time

Federica🇮🇹 Italy

1 August 2019

Benoit is a very friendly host. He welcomed us with a great smile, he is very positive and shared with us secret corners of the city, that we would have never been discovered by ourselves. He is not only a very passionate and knowledgeable host, but he is a licensed tour guide, so he is professional and he works respecting the european laws. Thank you Benoit!Hidden sides of Istanbul

Suraj🇮🇳 India

8 July 2019

Benoit was very nice and showed us the places excitingly...he even altered and made changes as required by us. It was my first time Withlocals and I will surely use for my future travel.Excellent

SARAH🇺🇸 United States

7 July 2019

We had a delightful morning tour with Benoit and I highly recommend him as your guide. Benoit is prompt, patient, professional and extremely knowledgeable about istanbul’s Architecture, history and culture. And above all, he has a most pleasing sense of humor. We enjoyed our walking tour immensely.

Jon🇺🇸 United States

2 July 2019

My 8-hour walking tour with Benoit was fantastic! Benoit has a wealth of knowledge about Istanbul and it's culture, history, people and architecture - and was the perfect host and guide. I recommend anyone who's looking for a tour to go with Benoit.Byzantine, Ottoman and Mysterious Istanbul with Benoit

Peter🇦🇺 Australia

1 July 2019

From an imprecise wish list from us, Benoit put together a day's meander around the sights, sounds and smells of Istanbul history and culture. It was comprehensive, unfailingly interesting, surprising, beautifully structured, and largely avoided the crowded major tourist areas. We learned more about Istanbul in one day than we could in a month on our own. Benoit proved himself a master guide, friendly and helpful as well as informative across a huge range of subject matter, while managing to restrain himself from overwhelming us with his knowledge.What a man!

Andy🇨🇦 Canada

27 June 2019

Benoit did a fantastic job at taking us along an exciting itinerary of cisterns and rooftop views, allowing us to truly dive into the city and discover it from unusual angles we would most definitely never have found by ourselves. After telling us all about the Basilica cistern while wandering through it, Benoit took us to two lesser-known cisterns before taking us on a exciting itinerary across the bazaar quarter, leading us through alleys, hans and artisan workshops, rooftops, and much more. Along the way, Benoit also treated us to some delicious bites and showed us several places that we ended up returning to afterwards, including a very typical courtyard where we enjoyed tea, and a pide resturant filled with locals only. He even helped us find a specific type of tea glasses we wanted to buy as a souvenir. We loved this tour -- if you want to discover the old city without getting a guided tour of the traditional sites (e.g. Haga Sophia, Blue Mosque, etc.), this is the tour you're looking for! Discovering the city from unusual angles

Thomas🇺🇸 United States

17 June 2019

Recently went on a great 4 hour walking tour of Istanbul with Benoit. He took us to off the beaten path places we would not have found on our own. He was easy to understand, and patient with our questions. Istanbul is a thriving wonderful city, and he is very knowledgeable about its history. Thanks for a great tour of a wonderful city.great walking tour of Instanbul with Benoit