• Private Tour
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Uncover Istanbul’s Jewish history with a passionate historian. Visit the Jewish Museum and historic synagogues, entering at least one. Explore hidden Jewish landmarks beyond the usual tourist paths. Let me know if you’d like any further refinements!

Destination

Istanbul, Turkey

Category

City Highlight Tours

Duration

5 hours

Transport mode

Public Transport

Available languages

English, Türkçe

Included

• Private guide

Excluded

• Entrance Tickets

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 Kadir Celal.

1. Meeting point

   Meet at Books & Coffee - 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. Galata

   Exploring the multicultural layers of the area through the remainings of the Jewish Heritage. Furthermore we will follow the traces of an important family: Camondos

4. Jewish Museum of Turkey

   Marvel at rare samples of Jewish Heritage in Turkey

5. Neve Shalom Synagogue

   A Temple with many memories of happiness and grief

6. Jewish Neighborhood

   After a 10 minutes ride across the Golden Horn we are now on another old Jewish neighbourhood inside the historical city walls. Now a very vivid part of the second hand and antique shops, Balat helps us understand the vibrant Jewish culture in Istanbul.

7. 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

NYEIN🇹🇷 Turkey

18 January 2025

Kadir crafts a tour so that is completely about you and what you want to learn. I felt so taken care of--few tour guides (and people generally) have the EQ and intellectual curiosity that Kadir has, resulting in a tour is a dialogue and not a one-way flow of information and facts. There were so many subtle personal touches and acts of consideration that demonstrated to me that Kadir really went out of his way to make this an experience of a lifetime. Definitely don't miss out on what could be one of the best days of your vacation.White Glove Treatment

Madeleine

23 December 2024

We had an incredible tour in Istanbul with Kadir! We did the Jewish tour and Kadir was extremely knowledgeable and knew all the best places to see. He was warm and welcoming and a true lifelong learner. Kadir knows Istanbul like the back of his hand and showed us some of the city highlights along the way. He was also well connected and introduced us all over the place so everyone was very welcoming and treated us like family. We will work with him again next time we visit Istanbul and will definitely recommend him. Thanks Kadir for a wonderful day!Family in Istanbul

Alexis🇺🇸 United States

9 December 2024

We had the best day with Kadir. He was extremely knowledgable and explained everything in understandable terms. Kadir knew everybody in town - it was like getting a tour by the mayor! I highly recommend tours with Kadir.Wonderful Day

Rebecca🇺🇸 United States

25 September 2024

We loved our tour with Kadir exploring the history of the Jewish people in Istanbul. We would never have been able to see so many places without him and it was obvious that he has a warm relationship with the people at every stop. It was the highlight and heart of our trip.Wonderful experience!

John🇦🇺 Australia

26 August 2024

We had a fantastic experience with Kadir. He is incredibly knowledgeable and gave us an amazing Jewish experience in Istanbul. We visited operating synagogues and the sites of old synagogues, as well as an excellent Jewish museum. Kadir provided a commentary on each of these and clearly explained the history of the Jews of Istanbul. A highlight was visiting the 500 year old Sephardi Synagogue on the Asian side of the city. Apart from this, Kadir is a very generous person. He helped us book a fantastic Turkish Bath experience and a Bosphorus River cruise. I would recommend Kadir without reservation.Bringing Jewish Instabul alive

Sharon🇺🇸 United States

4 July 2024

Excellent tour with Kadir focusing on "Jewish Istanbul". We spent 5 hours with this lovely gentlemen learning about Istanbul, both from a historical and present day Jewish perspective. Not only was Kadir well connected and knowledgeable about the Jews in Istanbul but Istanbul overall. His plans as he took us through various areas of the city also let us experience the many forms of public transportation. Excellent well organized and thought out tour with an excellent guide. Highly recommend touring with Kadir, you will not be disappointment. A Wonderful Day

Leslie🇺🇸 United States

13 October 2023

We were delighted with Nadir and his vast knowledge not only of the Jewish history in Istanbul but also of the city and country as a whole. He is clearly loved by the shopkeepers and guardians of the synagogues we saw especially in Balat where we could easily have spent the day exploring the old Jewish neighborhood. A tour with Nadir is a must-do whether one has Jewish roots or simply deep curiosity into this unexpected and intriguing aspect of Istanbul. Thank you!Magical and More

Barbie🇺🇸 United States

13 October 2023

Kadir is amazing, Warm, Friendly and knowledgeable. Unfortunately because Israel declared war the Synagogues were closed to visitors. We did see various Jewish neighborhoods and the Jewish Museum which had window to look into the Synagogue. We rode the Venicular and a ferry boat ride. Lunch at a local vegetarian restaurant and tea at a local cafe.Very informative

Mark 🇨🇦 Canada

26 September 2023

Kadir provided my wife and me an excellent private Jewish heritage tour. He was extremely flexible adjusting our time together to add elements we were interested in; he appeared to know everyone we encountered and our entrances into synogogues, local sites and a restaurant were seamless. He would be the first to tell you that he is not an expert in Judaic practices but we weren’t looking for that but for someone very personable who took us everywhere we wanted to go at a reasonable price and exposed us to some interesting and moving history of the Jewish community in Istanbul. In a short time, we attended two synagogues (interiors) and the Jewish museum, walked about in two historical Jewish communities, saw several other synagogues from the outside (due to the holidays or limited access), and some non Jewish sites as well. Heartily recommend him. Excellent tour

Joy🇺🇸 United States

23 July 2023

We very much enjoyed our tour with Kadir. He is very knowledgeable, his English is excellent and he also gave us general information about Istanbul. I highly recommend him. Kadir was an excellent, kind guide.

Phyllis🇺🇸 United States

22 June 2023

Kadir is a very knowledgeable guide who showed us around Jewish Istanbul. In addition, due to his contacts, he was able to get us into two synagogues. We appreciated and enjoyed his company and the information he shared. Beyond being very knowledgeable, he was awesome at helping us get around the city. He met us at our hotel and shepherded us around the city AND even accompanied us to the port where our cruise ship was docked. We highly, highly recommend him. Thank you to With Locals for connecting us.Knowledgeable guide to Jewish Istanbul

Susy🇺🇸 United States

21 June 2023

Kadir is an excellent guide. He was very flexible and accommodating to our needs as we are a family traveling with a 9 year old. He kept our son engaged the whole time and there was lots of great history provided. Amazing Guide!

Monica 🇺🇸 United States

13 May 2023

We had an amazing time exploring all the neighborhoods in Turkey with Kadir. First we started in the Jewish quarter and he knew all the history and took us places that showed a lot about the Jewish community in Turkey. Then we went to all the historical areas, mosques and palaces. Kadir was very knowledgeable and very easy to relate to. A very nice man. I would recommend him a 100%. Great Tour in Turkey

Toni🇺🇸 United States

9 May 2023

The tour was everything and more than expected. We shared a love for history and photography. Kadir showed us sites that only a well-known guide has assess to. He is so pleasant, informed, patient, and committed to making his clients exceedingly happy. Kadir is the best of the best. Karid is an amazing guide.

Joel🇺🇸 United States

7 May 2023

Kadir provided my wife and I a truly memorable tour of Jewish Istanbul. His engaging, entertaining and extremely knowledgeable running commentary about the history of Jews in Istanbul was captivating. He combined a great deal of historical information, with understanding, compassion and respect. As a non Jew himself, his knowledge of Jewish customs, practices, lifestyle and the struggles Jews encountered in Istanbul was all the more impressive. This guide is a gem and highly recommended!Amazing tour with a wonderful person!

Michal🇺🇸 United States

24 April 2023

I am writing a mystery trilogy set in the 16th century. Book 2 in Istanbul. As we walked through Galata and Balat, Kadir answered all our questions about life in these districts with such verve: who lived there, how did they live, etc. Even better, he brought the past to life with his deep knowledge and enthusiasm. A great guide and a warm, wonderful person.Brought the past to life!

Esther🇺🇸 United States

17 March 2023

A heritage tour with Kadir is not to be missed. Kadir made it interesting, with his attention to detail and history. We would have never seen Istanbul the same, without him. We hope to visit Türkiye again, a truly worthwhile experience. Kadir is a true gem❣️

Joanna🇦🇺 Australia

23 December 2022

Travelling as a family with our three kids aged 12, 10 and 6 we had the most fabulous day doing the Jewish Heritage Tour with Kadir. Spending the day with him was an absolute privilege. Kadir’s patience, knowledge and care of us was wonderful. From the moment we met we felt at ease and as if we were travelling with a friend. He kept the kids completely engaged and interested at every point! It is a day we will always remember. We would definitely recommend touring with Kadir and can’t wait to come back and see him again ourselves!A very special day with Kadir!

Neil🇮🇱 Israel

14 November 2022

Our four hours with Kadir Celal on Istanbul's Jewish Heritage Tour were the highlight of our visit to Istanbul. We learned much about Istanbul's Jewish heritage, of course. But we also learned a great deal about the neighborhoods of Galata and Balat, and the history of modern day Istanbul generally. And Kadir is not simply a fount of knowledge. It was a pleasure to talk with him about all sorts of subjects, to hang out with him for the afternoon, and to meet a couple of his friends. He was also a great resource for advice on other aspects of our visit. He is a real mensch! As I wrote in the title to this review: I cannot recommend him highly enough.Great guide; can't recommend highly enough

Liz🇦🇺 Australia

9 September 2022

Kadir was lovely. So knowledgeable and friendly. We were interested in the Jewish heritage of Istanbul and he explained the history, took us to many different locations and showed us things we would not have found on our own. He certainly enriched our experience of this fascinating city. Thanks again Kadir Liz and Sheldon ( Sydney, Australia)Wonderful way to experience the city

Mary🇺🇸 United States

30 August 2022

Really enjoyed my day with Kadir. His knowledge of Jewish history and current Jewish life in Istanbul is extensive. His English is good. He knows the folks at the Jewish history museum and even introduced me to one of the current local Jewish leaders in Istanbul. So you really get “the inside scoop” with Kadir! The cost relative to our cruise line’s excursions (for 2) was very reasonable. For about the same price we had a personalized tour that stopped at all the same key places, plus a few extra stops we wanted to see. Plus we had a Turkish-speaking person to help navigate things finding like the best places to buy baklava or get cash. As it happened, my husband ended up staying on the boat due to illness, so Kadir made a point to take pictures of me and even sent a gift, a photo book, so my husband could see what he missed! Really appreciated Kadir’s special care. Not only did I have a wonderful day in Istanbul, I feel like we made a new friend! Memorable Jewish Heritage Tour

Lydia🇺🇸 United States

19 August 2022

We visited Istanbul in August of 2022 and we booked Istanbul's Jewish Heritage Tour with Kadir. He met us in a convenient and identifiable location after which we proceeded to walk down the streets of Istanbul. Right away, we noticed Kadir's hospitality, warmth, and kindness. Kadir was genuinely happy to see us for our tour and he maintained his positive attitude throughout the whole tour. We explored some of the side streets of Istanbul, passing by some wonderful local cafes, shops, and mosques before proceeding to one of the Jewish Quarters of Istanbul. Kadir went at our pace, never rushing the tour as we walked by the streets and visited a couple of shops. Once we got to the Jewish quarter, Kadir showed us some hidden gems along with the main attractions, including the Jewish Museum of Turkey and the Neve Shalom Synagogue. When we visited these places, Kadir was often recognized by the employees working at the sites and we were impressed by the relationships he had built with the local community. Furthermore, we appreciated Kadir's passion for Turkish Jewish history. When we asked questions, Kadir gave us thoughtful responses that demonstrated his deep knowledge of the subject and indicated his desire to continue learning more. Overall, the tour was a highlight of our experience in Istanbul and we would highly recommend Kadir's tour to anyone wanting to explore Turkish Jewish history in Istanbul.The best tour guide for Jewish Istanbul

Paul🇺🇸 United States

19 July 2022

We had a wonderful day with Kadir moving about Istanbul effortlessly seeing various Jewish Synagogues, learning about the long history of Jews in the city, along with visiting certain Christian and Muslim important sites. We had fun walking streets in various neighborhoods eating local foods and sometimes just talking with vendors and various local people who were very kind and hospitable to us. We travelled on the ferries and street cars. Visiting Istanbul with Kadir was a pleasure. A smart and knowledgeable man. Great day with Kadir

Jacob🇺🇸 United States

13 July 2022

EVERY trip to Istanbul must include a tour with Kadir! We hired Kadir for a full-day tour, and were blown away by his enthusiasm, deep historical knowledge, and friendliness. It's apparent that no one is a stranger to Kadir; throughout our tour, he seemed to know and have a genuine connection with so many different people, and our introduction to shop-owners, local artists, and the museum personnel he so deeply respects absolutely added to our experience. Kadir shared fascinating stories, and is a true example of Turkish hospitality. I plan to recommend Kadir to every single person I know planning a visit to Istanbul. Thank you for such a memorable day; it was truly the highlight of our time in Turkey!A Tour with Kadir is a MUST!

Tim & Sue 🇺🇸 United States

2 May 2022

Kadir Celal is an outstanding tour guide, a real treasure. Kadir took us on a Jewish history tour the last week of April 2022. He did research to answer questions that we sent him before the tour, and answered our many questions along the way. The tour included a surprise visit on a ferry to Balat, a fascinating Istanbul neighborhood. Kadir is a genuinely nice man with a great sense of humor. We give him the highest rating!Best Tour Guide in Istanbul

Amber Rose🇬🇧 United Kingdom

26 November 2021

My mum and I went on the Jewish Heritage tour of Istanbul with Kedir. It is more than just a Jewish tour, it is really a tour to understand how the minorities in Istanbul lived. Kedir really spends the day with you, and can tailor the day to what you want - for example, we wanted to see more of Galata and Taksim so Kedir included it in his trip. Kedir is really knowledgeable about the history of Istanbul, and it was amazing to hear about how the various minorities (Jewish, Christian etc) fit within Turkish society. It was a different side to Istanbul after seeing the many beautiful mosques and places. Definitely recommend!!Wonderful experience with Kedir

Glen🇺🇸 United States

23 September 2020

Kadir led me and my wife on an eclectic and fascinating tour of the religious minorities in Istanbul. We visited some old Jewish synagogues, a Greek Orthodox Church, a Bulgarian Orthodox church and a very old castle. Kadir has made the extra effort to read history books on these different cultures of Turkey and really showed us a side of Istanbul you don’t read about in the tour books. I hope you will get an opportunity to spend the day with Kadir!Wonderul & unique tour!

Lori🇺🇸 United States

15 March 2020

We originally booked Kadir for a tour of Jewish Istanbul. He was fantastic!!! He took us all around the area, included non Jewish sites and was so knowledgeable. The tour lasted more than the 4 hours we booked and there were no additional charges. He was so wonderful that we contacted him after the tour to see if he could take us on a full day tour the next day to see the major sites of Istanbul. He was available and it was wonderful. Again, the tour went longer than anticipated, he took us to the Asian side, showed us all the hidden gems, a fabulous restaurant, Ciya. He was patient, kind and very knowledgeable about all the sites. If you are going to Istanbul, Kadir IS the guide. Kadir is the BEST

Jonathan🇮🇱 Israel

14 March 2020

We really enjoyed Kadir’s tour from the moment we started. He was great with our 2 kids (ages 10, 14), and knew how to manage the experience perfectly knowing exactly when to do what, such as when to stop for a great coffee break! He also offered to be with us longer at no extra cost, just an all around great guide, passionate and knowledgeable about his city, and a terrific person! A wonderful and enlightening experience!

Dalya🇮🇱 Israel

19 February 2020

Our experience with Kadir was great. After picking us up from our hotel in Sisli, we spent a fascinating day touring around the city, in the quiet and quaint Barat neighborhood and then moving over to the Hagia Sofia. Kadir is very personable with everyone he meets and is full of interesting history. Kept it lively and it was at a great pace. Strong recommendation!Kadir is awesome!

Kenan🇳🇱 Netherlands

8 January 2020

Kadir is a true local who knows the city and its inhabitants. With his knowledge of the Sefardic and Ashkenazi history in Istanbul and his ever present smile he lifts the veil of the old Jewish life in Istanbul. Don't hesitate to contact him by mail or whatsapp, he will make a tour however you want it. If you want to attend a service in a synagogue he will make sure all is organised. We had a day long tour starting with a nice breakfast in the old jewish neighbourhood in Galata. Next we walked along the old streets about which Kadir told us stories and anecdotes. After visiting the Neve Shalom Synagogue and the old Balat quarter we took the ferry over the Bosporus to Kadıköy. Our day ended with a nice meze and fish diner. We are advising all our friends who want to visit Istanbul to let the friendly local Kadir guide them through the centuries of the city. Thank you Kadir!Kadir, a friend showing you around jewish Istanbul.

Manya

8 January 2020

We had a lovely day with dear Kadir doing the Jewish tour. Afterwards we decided to see some more things together and have a lovely meal. Çok teşekkür! Great guy, enthousiastic tour guide.

Joshua🇺🇸 United States

27 December 2019

Kadir was a pleasure to tour with and was knowledgeable and enthusiastic about our Jewish heritage tour. We are a Jewish family from New York. He worked hard to gain us access to two old temples and was flexible with our schedule. We came away from our tour with a greater appreciation and understanding of the community and highly recommended him for any future tourists looking to see a slice of old Turkey and the Jews place in it. Wonderful guide and a wonderful time!Great guide, wonderful time.

Ron🇺🇸 United States

21 December 2019

Kadir is a great tour guide. He took us to all the different Jewish neighborhoods and was able to arrange a tour of the Jewish museum and synagogue. He is extremely knowledgeable in the subject area. Jewish Heritage Tour

Barry 🇺🇸 United States

14 December 2019

Kadir Cela is a knowledgable tour guide whose relationship with the Jewish community of Istanbul allowed us entry to synagogues that are often difficult to visit. He also offered good suggestions for us to visit on our own and advised us on inexpensive ways to travel and tour in the city. His English is excellent as well. Highly recommend!Excellent tour

Dan🇨🇦 Canada

31 October 2019

If you’ve any interest in Jewish or Turkish history and culture, Kadir Celal does a wonderful job of interweaving the two stories. Our four (plus) hours with him were a great treat. Make sure to wear good walking shoes.Istabul's Jewish Heritage Tour

sandra🇺🇸 United States

29 July 2019

It was a pleasure to take the tour with Kadir. Very knowledgeable. He was also very patient and happy to accommodate our family. I would definitely recommend Great Tour

annie🇺🇸 United States

10 July 2019

It is SERENDIPITY that Kadir and I were able to spend a day together touring the Jewish section of Istanbul. (Stay tuned for the possibilities of a vintage market tour and a ceramics tour.) We took our time going through the religious and ethnic history of this crossroads of ideas and trade, now and then. We also saw the church of St. Stephen Bulgarian Orthodox, the Pera Museum, the Greek Orthodox church, and were some of the first official visitors of Istanbul's newest museum Tekfur Palace where the famous Iznik tiles were made. Kadir is charming and so knowledgeable that our time in the heat passed very quickly. Another great tour guide but really teacher.What fun! What knowledge! What heart!

Dawn🇺🇸 United States

8 February 2025

Kadir is super knowledgeable, and took the less than ideal weather into account. He made the day informative and interesting, showcasing the history and beauty of the city. Thank you, Kadir!Great tour of Istanbul!

Katalin🇫🇷 France

30 January 2025

Kadir was very flexible and customised te tour as per our preferences. We learned a lot and the anecdotes Kafir told us where very refreshing. A serious guide, with humor and lots of attention to it's guests, it was a pleasure to discover Istanbul with him.Interesting tour, nice guide

S

20 January 2025

Kadir was a wonderful choice for a day or touring Istanbul. We were touring with our 97 yr old mother and he helped us locate a driver for a very reasonable price. Driver stayed with our Mom when there was no wheelchair access or if she needed a break. Kadir was very knowledgeable and made the day fun as well. Be sure that he takes you to Kadikoy on the Asian side to see the market. I could happily live there. Thank you KadirGreat day with Kadir

Elizabeth🇫🇷 France

18 January 2025

The rich tapestry that is Istanbul requires a skilled, natural storyteller like Kadir to reveal some of its intricate history woven in its colorful threads. Kadir’s deep knowledge, natural warmth and unhurried pace & generous time was a perfect combination after we had endured 2 long flights. And his patience to reply with deliberate thought, shared thoughts on current times and his easy engagement with locals — all that helped to make our first visit to Istanbul an experience worth repeating — for a longer visit next time. The tour ended beautifully with Kadir joining us for afternoon tea at his suggested Turkish patisserie shop. Enriching Few Hours Well-Spent

Mark🇺🇸 United States

4 January 2025

We had a great day in Istanbul with Kadir as our guide. Kadir worked with me to customize the tour for myself and 5 friends. We visited the hippodrome, the blue mosque, the Hagia Sophie and the grand bazaar. Kadir was friendly, courteous, and knowledgeable and he helped us navigate through the crowds and picked out several places to eat along the way. I highly recommend a tour in Istanbul with Kadir!Great tour in Istanbul

rolf🇳🇱 Netherlands

3 January 2025

We hebben een geweldige tour gehad met Kadir. Zeer bevlogen gids die ontzettend veel weet van Istanbul en de bezochte locaties in het bijzonder. Hij heeft uitgebreid de tijd genomen om alles uit te leggen en toe te lichten. Overduidelijk heeft Kadir veel kennis van de historie van Istanbul en de Ottomanen. Volgende keer kiezen wij zeker weer voor Kadir.Topkapi en Basilica Cisterne

Roger🇺🇸 United States

15 November 2024

Kadir is gregarious and put us at ease about our questions. I got the sense he understood our striving to increase knowledge of a place we did not know and he related well.Enjoyable and informative

Adele🇬🇧 United Kingdom

13 November 2024

Kadir is a wonderful guide, he came to our hotel to chat through what we wanted to see and do and then gave us a great tour of many of the major sites and some hidden gems to. He was so knowledgeable and made the tour interesting and fun, the day just flew by. I would highly recommend him.

Ashok

12 November 2024

Kadir is so knowledgeable of the rich history in Istanbul! We loved that he shared small details that are easy to miss along with past and current customs of the Turkish people. Kadir’s delightful personality is infectious, he made the tour feel like a fun adventure. Our 23 year old autistic daughter is still talking about how much she enjoyed Kadir. We highly recommend Kadir, you will have just as much fun as we did; Guarenteed!Excellent Experience!

frederic🇫🇷 France

8 November 2024

Kadir can talk about History, archeology, arts, etc. He is friendly, always ready to help. Not just an ordinary guide : someone very educated, civilised, who perfectly know his beautiful town. He will adapt everything to what you need. Fantastic experience. Many thanks to him.Amazing guide

Jana🇵🇭 Philippines

6 November 2024

Kadir is very knowledgeable and fun to be with. A great tour guide who wants to see and know the history of Istanbul. Amazed by how he really took care of us. He gave suggestions and recommendations on where to buy souvenirs and where to eat. Highly recommended. Best tour with Kadir

Martyn🇿🇦 South Africa

28 October 2024

Great guide, came through to our hotel to chat about the day, and then delivered a wonderful tour of the major sights with a great knowledge of Istanbul history. Easy going and fun Kadir made our day.