• Private Tour
• Carbon Neutral

The Golden Horn defines the northern boundary of Istanbul. A place to be in touch of Christian, Jewish and Muslim culture as a melting pot.

Destination

stanbul, Turkey

Category

City Highlight Tours

Duration

4 hours

Transport mode

Walking tour

Available languages

English, Español

Included

• Private guide
• Pick-up Included

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 Diana.

1. Meeting point

   You will be picked up anywhere in stanbul. Your local host will contact you regarding the exact pickup point.

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 Galata Tower Square at the entrance of Güdoğdu Cafe

   This is an artsy area that is a center for independent artists with a wonderful vibe. From here we walk to Şişhane metro station to go to The Golden Horn.

4. Fener Stop. The Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople.

   The Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople is one of the fifteen to seventeen autocephalous churches that together compose the Eastern Orthodox Church.

5. Balat Stop. The Iron Church

   The Bulgarian St. Stephen Church, also known as the Bulgarian Iron Church, is a Bulgarian Orthodox church in Balat, Istanbul, Turkey. It is famous for being made of prefabricated cast iron elements in the Neo-Byzantine style. The church belongs to the Bulgarian Christian minority in the city.

6. Pierre Loti Hill.

   Golden Horn vistas are the draw at this cafe named after a French writer & former Istanbul resident. We go up the hill in the aerial tramway that connects with the metro system.

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

Jasper 🇺🇸 United States

22 September 2024

Highly recommend Diana for your fist full day in Istanbul! She was an excellent guide, a lot of fun, and helped us navigate the otherwise overwhelming shopping experience of the Grand Bazaar, Arasta Bazaar, and Spice Market. She guided us to the quality shops with handcrafted and high quality Turkish products, introduced us to the wonderful Turkish teas, and helped us learn to navigate the public transportation system. Wonderful guide!Wonderful Tour Guide!

Alan🇬🇧 United Kingdom

11 December 2023

Diana was a terrific guide, she covered exactly what we had asked for. We were keen to get a feel for the various neighbourhoods away from the big attractions and Diana got our tour just right. Highly recommend.Highly Recommended

Danielle🇺🇸 United States

20 December 2024

Diana was a fabulous guide. The whole tour was all about quality. Quality goods, quality vendors and a very knowledgeable quality guide in Diana. I would highly recommend Diana as she made a potential chaotic day into an easy relaxing enjoyable day!!! Quality

Esthet

11 December 2024

A principios de octubre estuvimos cerca de una semana mi marido y yo en Estambul. Decidimos contratar los servicios de DIANA para hacer dos visitas con ella, RECORRIDO POR EL CUERNO DE ORO y COMPRAS EN LOS BAZARES. Tenemos que decir que fue una experiencia fantástica, nos mostró lugares muy bonitos y unas iglesias ortodoxas preciosas. En las compras visitamos sitios muy interesantes y los espectaculares bazares. Su trato fue muy amable y cariñoso, nos ayudó en todo lo que le pedíamos, incluso aprendimos a viajar en el metro con ella, lo cual nos fue muy útil en nuestros desplazamientos por la cuidad. Guardamos un grato recuerdo de ella, y sin duda la recomendaríamos si alguien piensa viajar a Estambul. Gracias DianaVACACIONES EN ESTAMBUL

Sharan🇮🇳 India

3 December 2024

This tour with Diana isn't about she wants to show us, instead it is centred around what we had wished to do. As a personal shopper with several decades of experience, having treaded across the multifarious shops in Istanbul's back alleys and the labyrinthine market streets, Diana presented to us true value. Nestled among the sea of fakes and counterfeited products which are in abundance, especially at the Grand Bazaar, Diana's selection of outlets showcased the depth of Turkiye's artistic beauty. From Ceramics to Bathware and from Carpets to Fabrics, Diana guided us to find products of the highest quality, based on our requirements to suit our budget. To simply put it, we would've been lost both literally and figuratively, in the multitude of stores, unable to spot fake from original and not knowing where to go, if not for Diana's presence. But this alone isn't what sets her apart. Irrespective of rains and inclement weather, Diana chose to meet us at the hotel instead of a designated pickup spot, explained to us in detail the essence of this tour and that she wasn't bound by any timelines since shopping didn't and couldn't work with the stresses of deadlines and irrespective of it becoming late and well past her your time, chose to walk us to our Hamam in Sultanahmet more than a mile away from our shopping zone, even holding our arms to ensure that we didn't slip and arms. On a cold windy rainy day in Istanbul, Diana's tour was filled with warmth and it was perfect icing on the last day of our ten day trip.Diana: Curation with Care & Comfort.

Joel🇨🇦 Canada

23 October 2024

Thank you, Diana

Krishnan🇸🇬 Singapore

22 October 2024

Diana is very passionate about what she does She is a multi faceted artist who imparts her knowledge simply and clearly. She makes it a point to spend a few good minutes getting to know u before embarking on the journey with her. She is compassionate and flexible. All in all, we had a seamless experience where she brought us to places where we were able to purchase good quality Turkish goods produced by local artisans. You are in safe hands with Diana.A true local experience

Sally🇬🇧 United Kingdom

12 October 2024

I felt so confident before I met Diana due to her communications to establish what our requirement were and the tailor made tour she sent ahead of our day together. Diana was knowledgable, completely understood our needs and provided an itinerary which was perfect for us. She speaks fluent English and Turkish which was very useful when shopping. She was polite, professional very caring and appreciated our sense of humour. We would not hesitate to recommend Diana.A thoroughly enjoyable day with Diana

Stephanie🇺🇸 United States

11 October 2024

Diana was very knowledgeable about authentic Turkish products and where to purchase them. All of the shop owners where eager to tell you about the origin of their wares, which greatly added to the day. Amazing day!!

Lewis🇦🇺 Australia

29 September 2024

Diana was a great guide in that she listened to what we wanted to do and then tailored the tour to suit. Very knowledgeable and excellent company. Highly recommended Great guide

Jasper 🇺🇸 United States

22 September 2024

Highly recommend Diana for your fist full day in Istanbul! She was an excellent guide, a lot of fun, and helped us navigate the otherwise overwhelming shopping experience of the Grand Bazaar, Arasta Bazaar, and Spice Market. She guided us to the quality shops with handcrafted and high quality Turkish products, introduced us to the wonderful Turkish teas, and helped us learn to navigate the public transportation system. Wonderful guide!Amazing Experience!

Katherine🇺🇸 United States

22 September 2024

Diana was a fantastic guide. She took me to authentic Turkish shops with the best quality!! She is so nice and easy to talk to. I highly recommend her and this tour!!Truly fantastic!!

Jose🇺🇸 United States

20 July 2024

Nuestra guía Diana fue entretenida, profesional y agradable. Pudimos realizar compras y aprender mucho de la cultura Turca. Ella nos navegó y cuidó entre tanta gente en un país extranjero haciéndonos sentir cómodos y protegidos ya que nosotros no hablamos el idioma. Muchas Gracias Diana!, 100 por ciento recomendada.Publica

Lynley🇳🇿 New Zealand

13 July 2024

It was so worth having a private guide, Diana was amazing. I did two days with Diana, Hidden Gems of Istanbul and Golden Horn Route. Diana met me at my hotel both days. Day 1, Hidden Gems, started our day at the bazaar visiting speciality shops that were selling authentic products. Day 2, Golden Horn, it was lovely to get a feel for different neighbourhoods. A leisurely day away from the crowds. Would highly recommend touring with Diana, a lovely genuine lady who gave me memories to treasure. Fantastic experience

Eva🇩🇰 Denmark

9 May 2024

Diana picked me and my husband up at our hotel. She led us with joy and entusiasm through the hustle and bustle in the bazars in Istanbul and led ud to some really beautiful stores. A wonderful Saturday in Istanbul

Beth

25 April 2024

As a solo traveler, Diana met me at my hotel and we started on our day. Because I had been sick the day before we first started at a pharmacy where she helped me buy some over the counter meds, which was so helpful!!! From there she took me to amazing shops and sellers who helped me buy just the things I wanted without being hassled. I knew they were good products and Diana was always well received by her friends. I appreciated being able to experience shopping in the city with a local and not be overwhelmed. I highly recommend this trip. Don't make any large purchases until you go shopping with Diana who can help you! It was a perfectly lovely day and one I will always cherish about my time in Istanbul!!A Perfectly Lovely Day

Amy

14 April 2024

The experience with Diana was fantastic and highly recommend. She took the time to understand me and my interests and tailored things to suit me perfectly. She has an excellent eye for detail and watched things that I was interested in and continued to tailor the shops and places we went according to my own style and interest. The shops ranged from those in the Bazar, to small boutique places in the less busy but trendy areas. I was able to experience so many neighbourhoods in such a short time. Can't recommend enough!Perfectly tailored for me

Ainhoa🇪🇸 Spain

10 April 2024

El día de compras con Diana fue genial. Me llevó a ver un poco de todo, cerámica, textil, perfumes, joyas… Sin ella creo que no hubiera podido encontrar lo que quería. Además su compañía fue magnífica. Muchas gracias de nuevo Diana 😊Un gran día de compras

Rasha🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia

4 April 2024

Diana for me won the golden medal for my experience in istanbul, she knows exactly where to shop, and i got wonderful things because of her, the shops she took me to were more amazing than the next one and somehow ended up buying exactly what I wanted every single time. she was a very accommodating and a very comforting presence, I would like to think that I have a friend for life in her. She is Such a gracious, warm and a knowledgeable soul. I am eternaly grateful 🙏 I'd definitely recommend her for my friends and family in thier next visit to istanbul. You won't regret it

Amy🇪🇸 Spain

13 March 2024

Visiting the Bazaars in Istanbul with Diana was the very best way to see them. Not only is having a guide the best way to find your way through the souks, but you will see some of the traditional and most genuine shops that would be impossible to find otherwise. We had private shopping experiences in most of the shops we entered and bought genuine hand-made and high quality items that we never would have found otherwise. Diana and wonderful company and it was lovely to spend the day with her. I would recommend this tour to anyone who wants to properly explore the Bazaars of Istanbul. Thank you Diana!Incredible, high end shopping tour

Elizabeth🇺🇸 United States

26 November 2023

I truly looked forward to the day! I had no idea how lovely Diana would be. She truly had the day planned. Took me to high quality shops… wondered through areas I would never had seen. Booking this tour was worth every cent… saved me time on shopping , but more importantly I would never have found the beautiful places she took me. Diana was such a fun women to spend the day with.Fun shopping

Sandy

11 October 2023

Diana guided us to the most interesting shops and neighborhoods, and chose a route enabling us to see interesting cultural sites as well shopping destinations. The stores she curated for our tour included clothing, jewelry, ceramics, rugs and hand loomed Turkish towels. She was knowledgeable, has outstanding taste and understands the value of goods. We had a delightful day finding treasures with her and she received our highest commendation!Outstanding experience!

ygcxtys6k7🇬🇧 United Kingdom

8 September 2023

Diana is a lovely warm person and within 5 mins I felt I had know her forever. Diana understood my style and we had a very unhurried day. She knew all the best shops to take me and I felt very safe and her opinion and her advice were outstanding. Wonderful day

Jodie 🇳🇿 New Zealand

7 September 2023

Diana is a superb, erudite host who's both timely, kind, very smart and a fantastic person to get you to the beating heart of Istanbul's best stores. Our time spent with her was both interesting, entertaining, and informative and she was superb company. The stores and people we met were a wonderful way to experience the best of Istanbul in an efficient way. Fantastic Host

Katie🇰🇭 Cambodia

5 September 2023

I had a great day with Diana! I was looking for something different to do in Istanbul and this did not disappoint. I wasn't shopping for anything in particular, so Diana just took me to her favorite markets and shops, which I definitely would not have found on my own. We went to different areas of the city and she even took me to a great restaurant for lunch. Diana went out of her way to make sure I was enjoying myself and there was no pressure or rush at all. I would highly recommend this tour to anyone looking for an interesting day in Istanbul (or looking to shop for amazing local products!). Great way to spend a day in Istanbul!

John🇬🇧 United Kingdom

29 August 2023

Diana prepared a curated list of areas and stores that I would not have found on my own without spending a lot of time looking around. She was thoughtfull, patient and knowledgeable in and arround the city. She even took me to some vegan resturants which again I would have struggled to find easily on my own.A wonderfull walking afternoon

Tula🇺🇸 United States

28 May 2023

Highly recommend Diana for visitors to Türkiye who are looking to find high-quality items. Diana has done extensive research to locate merchants who specialize in selling goods by local artisans as well as high-end products. Diana is very personable and it was a pleasure to spend time with her. Diana Is A Pro!

Nicholas🇬🇧 United Kingdom

8 May 2023

We had the most wonderful day with Diana, from communication before we travelled to Istanbul to her wonderful insights during our tour, nothing was too much trouble. Diana was friendly, informative and accommodating. She was very keen to tailor our tour specifically around what we wanted to see, for example I had said beforehand that we were not interested in buying a carpet but would like to visit a store. We did this and met the most delightful chap who was very willing to explain all about the history and artisans that make the carpets and he knew that we were not going to buy anything. It was wonderful. Everyone that Diana took us to see specialises in locally sourced and manufactured products. We met some lovely people but never felt under any pressure to buy. This is clearly something that Diana emphasises to the stores she visits. We did make some purchases, we have been looking for a table cloth to fit our rather large dining table for ages, Diana took us to a man who had just the thing. It fits perfectly and is wonderfully made and will be a forever memory or our day with Diana. Diana was very engaging and informative, passionate about the local people and products, the planet and her cats, we loved our day. I would highly recommend booking a tour with Diana, Bazaar Brilliance

Feroze🇨🇦 Canada

21 December 2022

Istanbul can be really intimidating, especially if you don't know what to buy where. That's where Diana comes to the rescue. Whether you are interested in Jewelry, carpets, textiles, watches, lamps, ceramics, sweets or spices, she will take you to the right people and places. Very flexible, friendly and an amazing person. Highly recommended for your next visit to Istanbul A personal shopper Par Excellence

Tobias🇩🇪 Germany

8 November 2022

Diana is a wonderful guide and extremly delightful person. She was well prepared and showed us exactly what we had asked for. We can fully recommend her.Everything perfect!

Gene🇺🇸 United States

13 October 2022

Diana is exceptional. My wife and I had such a great time. There is no question we would have never found the great out of the way spots she took us to. Great bargains, great day, great person!What a great afternoon

Janice🇺🇸 United States

11 October 2022

Diana is such a lovely person. She was so friendly and easy to be with. She was also very eager to please. I learned so much about life in Istanbul and I had the opportunity to experience the city as a local. Diana was wonderful in guiding me to the shops and areas that best fit my shopping goals. Such a productive afternoon and so much fun. I highly recommend Diana. I look forward to coming back to Istanbul so that I can spend more time with her.Great Experience!!

Hilary🇺🇸 United States

23 August 2022

We had a wonderful time with Diana. We didn’t know anything about shopping in Istanbul, but with Diana we were able to easily go to some excellent shops (and skipped the things that were not as good). What would have been overwhelming and unproductive on our own became a very fun afternoon learning about Turkish culture and goods with Diana. Best way to shop Istanbul

Philip🇬🇧 United Kingdom

20 June 2022

Diana, was really helpful and patient. Myself and my wife really enjoy the experience. Excellent tour, thank you Diana. Rocking shopping experience

2gx6w4625n🇺🇸 United States

1 May 2022

I cannot tell you how wonderful Diana is as a guide and person. I communicated with her several times before the planned shopping trip and she planned a very well thought out day tailored to my requests. I only wish I didn’t wait until the last minute to book so other boutique and artists studios could have been planned. Looking forward to my next trip to Istanbul to book a few more days of shopping and tours with Daina!Exactly what I requested and more

Ivo🇩🇪 Germany

16 January 2022

With Diana we spent a beautiful and energized day in Istanbul. She took us to great places to buy precisely what we were looking for. In addition to that, she shared many interesting stories and background information about Istanbul and the people living in this beautiful city. Shopping with an excellent guide! :-)

Douglas 🇹🇷 Turkey

9 December 2021

Diana is a nice person. But she really isn't a personal shopper as I understand the idea. She had us travel across the city to meet her just to travel back to where we were going to shop. No purpose served. More importantly, we wanted access to the right vendors, I let her know before we the day that I was looking for a shop that made bespoke leather jackets. She said that she didn't know but that all the ateliers were at the Grand Bazaar. She not only did no nothing to find anyone, she simply acted like a new tourist taking us to the Grand Bazaar and then asking shops randomly where we should go. Whereupon they told her that none of the ateliers were remotely close. The other perhaps more annoying part was that when we went to purchase something she proactively took the vendors side pushing us to buy at whatever price they offered, even though the prices were high and could easily have been negotiated down. All in all a disappointing experienceDisappointing

Sharonne🇹🇷 Turkey

16 February 2020

Diana is a very charming person and she knew exactly where to take me to shop for what I wanted. Thanks Diana, it was fun !Great host for shopping

Ana🇪🇸 Spain

27 October 2019

Me encanto el tour con Diana.Fue súper atenta todo el rato q estuvimos con ella.Nos llevo a los sitios q habíamos pedido y procuro q acertáramos con nuestras compras.Gracias a ella nos llevamos unos recuerdos de Estambul maravillosos.Muchas gracias.Si vuelvo me encantaría volver a hacer este tour con ella.Muchas gracias Diana!!Fabuloso

Elizabeth🇺🇸 United States

13 October 2019

I went in the Antique Gems shopping tour with Diana and it was absolutely one of the highlights of my trip! She took care to make sure the tour was curated to my requests and showed me the diverse culture and history of the city while satiating my need for an authentic shopping experience. This is experience is a MUST, if you love to shop and are looking for an original experience. She’s the best! 🙌🏻🔥❤️Diana is a dream!

Natalie🇬🇧 United Kingdom

13 August 2019

I just loved Diana. Simple as that. While I enjoyed every place she took me, and everything we saw and did, she herself is a lovely person, both inside and out. She is interested in life...and she connects to people in a meaningful way. As such, she'll easily connect with you, and lift the veil of Istanbul's past and present. This was guided shopping... I am NOT a shopper, but I like seeing culture through crafts, antiques, bazaars, etc. Diana did a great job of showing me a more hidden, and a more sophisticated Istanbul. I also made one purchase for my husband's Turkish co-workers back home in London and thanks to Diana, they were amazed and thankful and so impressed with the thoughtfulness. Please take a tour with Diana; it will be unforgettable.A Goddess of Culture, Good Taste and Memorable Conversation

Dieter🇩🇪 Germany

4 August 2019

Although we have been surprised by heavy rain Diana was so flexible to skip the original plan and show us some hidden secrets. We enjoyed the time with her as she is very knowledgeable about the culture and in all aspects of cultural, political and historic aspects. Between the various shops and bazars we had plenty of time to exchange with her any kind of topic. Great insight on Istanbuls Märkte, Basare & Kunsthandwerktour

Iliana🇺🇸 United States

29 July 2019

Had a good time at a Sunday flea market followed by a few select antique stores. Easy going pleasant and very cool. Saw a lot of unique things . Thank you Very nice

Camille🇳🇴 Norway

21 July 2019

Diana was exactly as we hoped for! Although most of the sights were familiar, Diana introduced us to new areas that were seen as hidden gems by locals. We didn’t feel pressured to buy anything (even though the temptation was very high!) but of course we didn’t leave the tour empty handed. Between shops my boyfriend and I had great conversations with Diana. She always had an answer to every question :) Not only was Diana helpful during our tour, she also tried to help me find a local repair man to fix my purse chain almost a week before our scheduled guidetour. That was so nice of her!Thank you!

annie🇺🇸 United States

6 July 2019

Diana is warm, knowledgable patient and so kind. I started my first tour of Istanbul with her and it was such a blessing. We arranged ahead of time some of my interests and she guided me to unique art, antique and ceramic stores that represent local artists. She let me take my time paced us carefully, and grounded me in culture and history. 5 stars aren't enough!!!!Oh my gosh! Don't deny yourself this pleasure!

Peter🇦🇺 Australia

1 July 2019

We met Diana on time in a clearly designated place as described by her and this always makes for a good start. Diana was knowledgeable, responsive and able to pace our tour to match what was interesting to us. Diana was engaging, and very able to listen and share ideas and information. We were able to go to some places we would never have found and see some very high quality objects and foods. It is not always so easy to feel comfortable in a new city with a new person, Diana made us comfortable from the very start. A really beaut experience.Made to measure

Desiree🇨🇦 Canada

25 June 2019

We gave Diana a bit of a challenge for our “shopping tour”. We had specific requests for her to find us materials to complete our Bathroom Renovation needs. Four years ago we purchased a hammam basin and Iznik tiles while in Istanbul and were not able to complete our renovation due to a lack of what I deemed suitable tiles and lighting with the specific vision I had in mind. After searching for hours online for a resource I finally turned to Diana. I sent her pictures of our basin and Iznik and explained I needed affordable tiles and the vision I had. Within 24h she had sent me a list of several links which were exactly what I had in mind. For our “tour” she took us to specific shops one of them with an artist who was exactly the person I was seeking and couldn’t find on English Google sites. She also pointed out a whole street of lighting vendors who I’m sure would have what we are seeking. When I mentioned that we were looking for a metal artist she immediately called one of her friends who knew someone who worked with metal. Diana saved us hours of research, she found effective contacts and true artisans. If you are looking for a typical shopping tour with the usual kitsch then skip her and just take yourself to the Grand Bazaar. But, if you are looking for someone who has the contacts, insight and intuition to determine what you need before you need it then you’ve found the perfect person . Beyond my High Expectations

Richard Carl🇺🇸 United States

20 June 2019

Wonderful tour guide. Took us everywhere we wanted to go. Saw all we wanted.Great tour guide

Joy🇬🇧 United Kingdom

20 March 2019

We had a lovely morning with Diana, we went to some cute shops in Galata, tried all of Istanbul's transport systems, which was really helpful to us, and visited a really nice bazaar. Diana was really helpful and answered all our questions (we had a lot). We ened our tour by being dropped off at a lovely restaurant where we had lunch. Thank you Diana :-)Istanbul Tour

Simone🇺🇸 United States

12 March 2019

I met with Diana twice when I first visited Istanbul for the first time in October. This time, even though I wasn’t new to the city, it was still fantastic to meet up with her again. She takes me to areas I wouldn’t have known to visit and can answer my questions about Turkish life and culture. I will be sure to meet up with her every time I come back to Istanbul!Third tour with Diana