• Private Tour
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To fully experience Istanbul, you have to do it as a local! Step into the Asian side of the city, and see how the locals like to unwind, shop and have fun at some of the hippest neighborhoods in Istanbul. Join me on this private tour & enjoy becoming a local for a day!

Destination

Istanbul, Turkey

Category

City Highlight Tours

Duration

3 hours

Transport mode

Public Transport

Available languages

English, Türkçe

Included

• Private guide

Excluded

• Any meals

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 Ayfer.

1. Meeting point

   Meet at Kadıköy - 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. Meeting Point

   Meet me infront of Kadıköy Haldun Taner Stage

4. Exploring Kadikoy

   Walk around in Kadikoy, explore the market area, fish market and Moda neighborhood famous with its cafes, art & cultural hubs, local boutiques

5. Tea Garden

   Enjoy a glass of Turkish Tea with a wonderful view of Marmara sea and the old city

6. Historical Ride

   Take a short ride on a historical tram to the center

7. Like a Local

   Hop on a "dolmus" to Uskudar

8. Wander Around

   Walk around the coast and streets of Uskudar

9. Coffee Time!

   Stop at a Turkish Coffee House and have a cup of a delicious traditional coffee

10. Say Goodbye

    Finish the tour at the local ferry pier

11. 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

Rafael🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates

6 November 2021

Ayfer is a super person to spend time with and have her show you around. She knows all of the interesting spots and is very educated on the history of Turkey and it’s neighborhoods. When I return I will definitely join another of her tours. Highly recommend Great guide and experience!

Wilfredo🇵🇭 Philippines

11 December 2018

Ayfer gave us a look at how a local live n a weekend. (from the East side) She’s very knowledgeable and fluent in English. She’s flexible, she can arrange the tour in accordance to your needs. Will definitely look for her when I return to Turkey. Diffeeent side

Tej🇮🇳 India

23 October 2018

The ever Bubbly Ayfer, you were full of energy and smile. Was a great day on the Asian side which is a Non touristy place and where the Turks shop and chill. Was a nice 20 minute ferry ride to Kadýköy ( hope I have got the name right)Tried a whole load of local delicacies and finally settled at the tea garden over looking the Sea. The highlight was the Turkish coffee and the fortune telling from the settled grounds of the coffee. Walking along the alleys was super fun and Ayfer was very accommodative ..Asian side of Istanbul

Maryam

11 August 2018

Ayfer did an excellent job today. She was very kind, respectful and considerate. We couldn’t have asked for a better guide and we were very grateful to have her as a tour guide. Her English is very good and I was very impressed with her knowledge. Thank you for your time!Istanbul Like a Local: Kadikoy & Local Hotspots

Maryam

11 August 2018

Ayfer did an excellent job today. She was very kind, respectful and considerate. We couldn’t have asked for a better guide and we were very grateful to have her as a tour guide. Her English is very good and I was very impressed with her knowledge. Thank you for your time!Istanbul Like a Local: Kadikoy & Local Hotspots

Iffat

31 July 2018

I was a part of a tour group with Ayfer, she is a wonderful tour guide and very informative, polite and very nice with us. We have had a great time with her. She is very friendly, she answered our questions perfectly. If we come again, we would want her to be our guide. Thank you Ayfer!Tour in Istambul with Ayfer

Catherine🇿🇦 South Africa

6 July 2024

Ayfer was so informative and a brilliant guide! She made it all so interesting and easy to understand! I would highly recommend her! Istanbul with Ayfer

Christian

25 February 2024

We spent a great day together with Ayfer. A very knowledgable and down to earth guide with charming personality, humour and vast knowledge of the history of Istanbul, Konstantinopel and Byzanz in perfect english. We also got to see a few hidden gems and it really felt like a day together with a good local friend. A strong recommendationAn amazing day with a local guide

Jeff🇩🇰 Denmark

3 October 2023

Ayfer is a very personal guide - great insight in Turkish history and food culture - Ayfer presents this knowledge in a very enlightening manner with great empathy and very good at adjusting to us as a group of 6 Danes. The tour was perceived as if a very good friend took us on a bespoke walk through Kadikoy - really enjoyable - We strongly recommend the tour as such but more importantly Ayfer as a guide :-) Very personal guide with great insight

Karim🇩🇰 Denmark

21 May 2023

We had a super inspirational food tour with a great guide.. totally amazing even though there was heavy rains We all loved Ayfer and her entusiasmFantastic food tour

Jane🇬🇧 United Kingdom

19 May 2023

Ayfer was fabulous. The right mix of fact and fun. She helped us with restaurants too. I would book her again in a heartbeat.

xjnktpwxkm🇬🇧 United Kingdom

11 May 2023

We spent three days with Ayfer as our guide and can thoroughly recommend her. She is very friendly and looked after us superbly as we visited various parts of Istanbul either side of the Bosporus. Her knowledge is extensive and she is great at recounting the stories that bring history to life. We spent the first afternoon visiting the Blue Mosque (which had just reopened after renovation works) and Ayasofya (Hagia Sophia). In the evening we crossed to Kadikoy on the Asian side for an eating tour. Ayfer knew all the places to go to sample a wide range of cuisines, from Black Sea specialties, to local seafood, to great desserts. The next day we had a fascinating tour of the Topkapi Palace - Ayfer really excelled in giving us the sense of what life inside must have been like. Then after lunch on to the extraordinary Basilica Cistern which is really worth a visit, and then to the Grand Bazaar and Spice Bazaar. On our final morning we started with a walk round the streets around Karakoy - a different but very worthwhile contrast to other parts of Istanbul - and then a private boat trip up the Bosporus to the second bridge and back. Recommended if you want to get a feel for how the city is laid out and the history of its shorelines. All in all a wonderful three days with a guide that we simply cannot praise enough. Three great days with Ayfer

Chuck🇺🇸 United States

16 January 2023

Ayfer provided a wonderful overview of Istanbul - both historically and culturally. Her spontaneity and flexibility was very much appreciated . Would highly recommend!Wonderful Istanbul Overview

Chuck🇺🇸 United States

11 January 2023

Extremely Adaptable ! Excellent guide with a wonderful ability to adjust the tour on the spot based on our interests! We got a great understanding of the history of the area as well as the culture of the people. She recommended fabulous restaurants based on our tastes and desires. She presented the absolute best view of Istanbul and Turkey possible! We highly recommend!!!!Historical and cultural vision of Istanbul

Marie🇮🇱 Israel

15 December 2022

Ayfer was an excellent guide. She definitely deserves a 10+. She showed us around Kadakoy, and introduced us to local food, people, and culture. She did a great job of answering ALL our questions, her English is excellent. She went over and above getting us back to the ferry. We recommend her highly. Better than a 10

samhowson🇬🇧 United Kingdom

29 November 2022

We were in Istanbul for a friends birthday and wanted to experience as much as possible and this tour did not disappoint! Ayfer was an absolute joy, so knowledgable and her passion for Kadikoy was infectious, we tried so many foods that we wouldn’t have normally tried we all agreed we were so glad we did the tour as we wouldn’t have really explored that particular area it’s a mix of Shoreditch and Borough Market in London very hip with great places to eat and drink- Thankyou so much Ayfer What a great find!!

viktor_ms🇦🇹 Austria

3 November 2022

It was a glorious day with the late autumn sun warming us and blue skies greeting us, as we embarked on our 90 minute private cruise. The boat was nice, although a little worn. The two-person crew on board were always at the ready to offer tea or soft drinks. And Ayfer was a knowledgable and charming ambassador of her city - we learned a lot about Istanbul and the Bosphorus and had a great time. Thank you Ayfer! What a great way to see the city!

Carolina🇺🇸 United States

1 October 2022

What a treat to get to spend the day with Ayfer. Super knowledgeable and flexible, we changed the itinerary as the day went by, I learned much about the amazing and complex history of Istanbul. Will be recommending Ayfer to anyone traveling to Turkey. Fabulous!

cathy🇨🇦 Canada

28 September 2022

What a pleasant surprise. Ayfer when above and beyond in every way with our tour/ experience. We had many questions and she was knowledgeable, engaging, and friendly. She showed us all the places that we were wondering about in the area along with assisting us with finding a hammam, restaurant suggestions, a local carpet maker (this was a highlight), a lovely little restaurant for a drink, and the grand bazaar. Her experience and education were very impressive and we enjoyed learning from her. We were very fortunate to have spent the afternoon with Ayfer and we hope that our paths cross in the future!Ayfer is amazing!

Rick🇺🇸 United States

22 September 2022

What a wonderful experience. Our private boat tour on the Bosphorus was the highlight of our trip to Istanbul. Ayfer was an absolute pleasure. Very informative, friendly with a comfortable personality and a great laugh. Not sure there is a prettier place to take a boat ride. Ayfer was also very helpful in guiding us to restaurants and the transit system. Highly recommend. Beautiful Ride on the Bosphorus

John🇬🇧 United Kingdom

15 September 2022

4 of us took and loved this tour Ayfer was knowledgeable and passionate but also was able to talk us on lots of other things about istanbul It was like talking to an old friend Food was great too! Would recommend to anyone More than just a food tour

Unknown

7 July 2022

We had a great impression of Istanbul , starting with a visit at the topkapi palace , a nice lunch there and after that an experience with public transport and a walk in the Asian part of town Ayfer has good knowledge of Istanbul and every place we visited. Her English is excellent. A lovely day in Istanbul

Johannes🇳🇱 Netherlands

2 July 2022

Ons eerste bezoek aan Istanbul is een ware openbaring geworden . Onder vakkundige begeleiding van Ayfer hebben een heerlijke wandeling door Istanbul gemaakt. Diverse hoogtepunten bezocht , een traditionele lunch in het Topkapi restaurant, een boottocht naar het Aziatische deel . Dit was een heel mooie dag en een echte aanrader voor iedereen die niet wil verdwalen in de enorme omvang van deze stad. Dank aan Ayfer. Een blijvende herinnering aan Istanbul

Andres🇩🇪 Germany

27 June 2022

Ayfer hat uns Istanbul Nahe gebracht und wertvolle Tipps für die ersten Schritte in dieser spektakulären Stadt gegeben. Ihre sympathische Art und die Liebe zu Istanbul machen die Führung zu einer tollen Erfahrung und zu einem guten Start in den Urlaub. , TOP Start in eine fremde Stadt

Egor🇹🇷 Turkey

12 June 2022

We came to Istanbul with a specific goal in mind - learn how to create our wedding rings by ourselves with a help of an artist. We had zero experience that's why we got one prep workshop with a brass and one workshop with gold and engraving. Both of them were held in an authentic place with friendly atmosphere surrounded by patience and willingness to help by Ayfer and 'usta' Eren. We've learned step by step process of cutting, bending, welding, decorating and polishing our rings. As a result we have 7 brass rings with different patterns and 2 cherished golden rings. Even more these rings have a custom handmade engraving what makes them even more special, rare and unique. We're very grateful for Ayfer and highly recommend these workshops to have a great time and memorable results of your work.Unforgettable experience

barry 🇮🇱 Israel

13 May 2022

Ayfer was the best Withlocals guide I have experienced,she is truly knowledgeable on all the history and intriguing facts of Istanbul as well as have having a super mannerism about her She is in the present and gave wonderful tips on where to eat and visit Overall a 10 rating Highly knowledgeable

Will🇬🇧 United Kingdom

10 May 2022

Ayfer took us on a three-hour Highlights and Hidden Gems tour, followed by 90-min private cruise on the Bosphorus. She arranged everything and was a pleasure to deal with from the start, devising an itinerary that worked around our needs and timings, and also suggesting places we should visit for the rest of our stay in Istanbul. We had never been before and her tour gave us the perfect grounding and helped us get our bearings. Ayfer is a mine of information, on everything from the city's history to the best food places, and we felt in good hands all day, visiting places we would never have found ourselves, with no shortage of snacks! She's great fun, speaks impeccable English, and the time flew by. The boat trip was very special too and Ayfer played DJ on the sound system. Ayfer's influence and guidance carried on after we parted, as she suggested we visit Kadikoy on the Asian side, such a vibrant and buzzing neighbourhood and an easy ferry from Basiktas. We were so pleased we followed her advice, including the tiny kebab joint she recommended. Ayfer even checked in on WhatsApp that night to check all was ok. We'd thoroughly recommend Ayfer for exploring the best of Istanbul and getting off the tourist trail. Thank you!Fun and fascinating

Bruce🇺🇸 United States

5 May 2022

We spent several hours with Ayfer wandering around the main sites of Istanbul and asked her about 1000 questions about Turkey, Istanbul, etc. She was a good sport and answered ALL of them!! We got a lot of insight into what living in Istanbul is like, as well as information about the famous places we visited. It was informative and fun!! Great guide!!!

E🇹🇷 Turkey

3 May 2022

Ayfer took us on an amazing tour of her local shops and restaurants. Imagine being lead through a Parisian street market filled with amazing Turkish food and you will have an idea of what this tour is like. The items you taste are definitely not boring and all of them were delicious. My advice is to skip breakfast, because you definitely will not leave hungry. Ayfer was a great guide and an interesting person to spend a few hours with. I would even take this your again. Thanks so much! A Great Experience!

Wesley🇧🇪 Belgium

26 April 2022

Ayfer was the perfect host! Not only was she flexible with extra hours on the boat but she made sure we weren’t thirsty during the trip. She gave a good explanation of the area for us and helped us afterwards to find a good restaurant, got us in the club & booked a nice Hammam! I can only recommend you go with her! She knows everyone! 💪🎉🔥Just perfect hosting

Christine🇬🇧 United Kingdom

17 April 2022

We were in Istanbul for our 40th wedding anniversary and Ayfer put together a perfect tour for us to celebrate the day itself. A private cruise on the Bosphorus where we drank pomegranate juice, tea and coffee whilst soaking up the amazing vistas on both sides of the strait. Throughout Ayler kept us well informed about the history of the waterway and the incredible houses. Then it was onto the ferry and across to Kadikoy for a walk around the area and several pit stops for food and drinks. All of Ayfer’s selections were great and we enjoyed everything we ate. We were fortunate to experience a very lively atmosphere as walked around as Fenerbahce were at home to Galartasaray and the home supporters were out in force. Ayfer was also very supportive of our travel planning before and during the trip giving advice on restaurants and best way to get the meeting point. Thank you Ayfer ! Lovely Day

Lauren🇺🇸 United States

16 April 2022

We took the private cruise of the Bosphorus with Ayfer, and it was wonderful! Ayfer is so friendly, she was a joy to hang out with for a couple of hours. She was great with our kids (ages 9 and 11), and not only pointed out all of the sights, but was also a nice conversationalist. Her English is fantastic, and she was so helpful in recommending restaurants to us (even walking us to a particular one after the tour concluded), and answered some text messages after we had already left Turkey. Ayfer is amazing!

paynen88🇬🇧 United Kingdom

4 March 2022

We had a great time with Ayfer, she was really friendly and very knowledgable on the city of Istanbul. We learnt a lot and really enjoyed our day despite the weather! Highly recommend!Lovely Tour with friendly local

Johannes🇩🇪 Germany

15 December 2021

Ayfer is both very friendly and very educated about the history of the places she was showing us. She even had some extra material saved on her mobile, like ancient maps or models of the original structure of an ancient place or building. We've learned so much and her additional recommendations for shopping and eating out were very helpful. Plus her English is absolutely perfect. Thank You for a great afternoon! Great experience

Vibha🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates

11 December 2021

Ayfer is amazing!! She is so knowledgeable and also sprinkles a bit of humour in her narrations. She took photos of me and gave me loads of tips on what to do after the tour. I thoroughly enjoyed the tour with her. Thanks Ayfer 😍Hidden gems with a gem of a perso

Dana 🇬🇧 United Kingdom

10 December 2021

My mum and I booked a private 2 hour yacht trip with Ayfer on the Bosphorus with some Prosecco and nibbles. We had the most amazing experience. Luckily the weather was good. However, even if it hadn’t been, it would still have been special. Ayfer is so lovely and friendly she immediately made us feel comfortable. The yacht was unbelievable. Much bigger than we had expected! Ayfer knows so much about the history and culture of Istanbul. She blew us away with her knowledge. There was a lot to see on the river and she just knew everything about anything we asked about. Ayfer has a lovely way about her and is just great to be around and spend time with. She also gave us some great tips about other places to go and see whilst we were in Istanbul. The crew were so attentive and we really felt like we were given 5 star treatment. A trip we will never forget and next time we’re in Istanbul we would definitely do it again and also check out some of Ayfer’s other experiences. This was the highlight of our trip for sure. Thank you Ayfer. The Best Experience!!!

Mohamed🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates

5 December 2021

I have been to Aya Sofia many times in the past, but this specific tour I had with Ayfer was by far the best of them all! Ayfer walked me through the history of Aya Sofia from the beginning till our present time. I really enjoyed every detail of it and I would highly recommend a tour with her specially for history lovers. Thank you Ayfer for this remarkable experience, I will always remember it and will also remember the cat of Aya Sofia that joined our tour :) Professional..!

Husain🇬🇧 United Kingdom

4 December 2021

Can't thank Ayfer enough for an amazing private yacht tour of the Bosphorus. My wife and I had the boat to ourselves and thorougly enjoyed the experience; the hospitality, the views and Ayfer's joviality and in depth knowledge of the city's culture and history. Can't recomend it enough! As an unexpected bonus, Ayfer is an amazing photographer and took the best photos of our whole trip!Amazing experience

Clivia🇩🇪 Germany

8 November 2021

Ayfer Gab uns eine sehr interessante Führung durch die Hagia Sofia und versorgte uns darüber hinaus mit tollen Tipps für die weitere Reisegestaltung. Sehr sehr sympathische, gebildete Führerin, die exzellent englisch spricht. Wir waren sehr beeindruckt und würden sie sofort wieder buchen. Vielen vielen Dank noch einmal für diesen wunderbaren Tag!Best tourguide ever!!

Annie🇺🇸 United States

1 October 2021

Ayfer was absolutely great, very knowledgeable and helpful. She provides very good food options and shopping choices for the Grand Bazar which can be overwhelming. Her exceptional knowledge about the historical background of this magnificent city was astonishing and very insightful. She's warm and easy going. Highly recommended! Thanks for everything Ayfer! A great way to see the Old City

Molly🇺🇸 United States

28 September 2021

Ayfer was a smart, funny guide with deep historical knowledge and great recommendations for ways to explore Istanbul. We really enjoyed her recommendations and appreciated her help in bartering.Knowledgeable and Friendly!

James🇺🇸 United States

27 September 2021

From the initial booking, Ayfer’s communication and help planning was excellent. She was completely accommodating to every request to make our experience work well with our plans before and after our tour. Ayfer’s knowledge of Turkey, Istanbul, and the Bosphorus was outstanding. This tour would be a splurge for most visitors, but I highly recommend it, and it’s worth every Lira! What a perfect, fun, and luxurious way to see the sights and learn so much. The best way to experience the Bosphorus

Chane

26 September 2021

Our family loved the tours we had with Ayfer. She is very sociable and had good advice on other travel considerations outside of the scope of our tours such as restaurant recommendations. She also set up a visit to a hamam for us, which turned out to be one of the highlights of our visit.Friendly and knowledgeable

William🇺🇸 United States

25 September 2021

As an avid traveler I normally pride myself on being able to find the not so touristy spots. I spend many hours doing research to create the best experience possible. I decided to shift the heavy lifting and book with Withlocals. I can honestly say it was one of my best travel decisions EVER! Ayfer did an amazing job of teaching the history of Istanbul and showing us the best of Istanbul. She gave top notch recommendations for food and things to do and each recommendation was amazing. I am very happy with my experience overall and if I ever return to Istanbul, Afyer will be the first person I contact! Thank you so much Afyer for your hospitality!Best Tour Ever

Eddie🇳🇱 Netherlands

18 September 2021

Great tourgide Ayfer organised a boat trip on the Bosporus and gave us a nice explanation.

Ced🇺🇸 United States

31 August 2021

Wonderf

Ravina

24 August 2021

I had a great experience with Ayfer, she was extremely knowledgeable and made me feel comfortable in her presence, it felt as if I was on a tour with a friend rather than just a tour guide. I learnt so much in one day, and fell in love with the history and culture of Turkey. I definitely recommend Ayfer as a tour guide, my experience was exceptional💛. Amazing experience!

Gerard🇺🇸 United States

1 July 2021

My jewelry workshop with Ayfer and a local jewelry usta was a one of a kind Istanbul experience. Going into the back alleys of the Grand Bazaar to a historical and cozy studio and spending a few hands on hours with a Bazaar jewelry master felt like a step into a world I never would have experienced otherwise. Ayfer was spot on with her communication and was gracious, friendly, and super informative. Unique Bazaar Jewelry Workshop Experience

Taylor🇺🇸 United States

1 June 2021

Ayfer is very knowledgeable and funny and kind. So fun for my mom and I to spend a couple of days with her in Istanbul, even during a pandemic we had a great time with her. She is also very flexible with scheduling etc. I definitely recommend her for a tour !!!!! Thank you Ayfer!!!

Anna🇺🇸 United States

11 April 2021

We had a wonderful experience with Ayfer! She was so knowledgeable about the sites that we visited, and she also had the best local food recommendations. It was a relaxing yet fun day of sightseeing. I highly recommend that you book a tour with her to get the most out of your experience in Istanbul when it comes to historical sites! Thank you again, Ayfer! Wonderful tour of Istanbul’s best sites