• Private Tour
• Instantly Confirmed
• Carbon Neutral

Did you know that the Istanbul tour of your dreams exists? Yes, and it’s 100% personalized and created by your local host around your interests. Customize and see only the places that spark your interest. From classic landmarks to neighborhood walks - your wishes are our command!

Destination

Istanbul, Turkey

Category

City Highlight Tours

Duration

3 hours

Transport mode

Walking tour

Available languages

العربية, English, Türkçe, Español, Deutsch, 中文, Italiano, Português

Included

• Private guide
• All Withlocals tours are carbon neutral

Excluded

• Entrance tickets
• Tastings
• Transport
• All of the above can be arranged with your local host through a personalized offer

What you can expect

Choose your local

Get to know these 21 passionate locals, each bringing unique perspectives and talents. Choose your favorite, check their availability, and book to create an unforgettable adventure tailored to you.

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 the host of your choice.

1. Meeting point

   Meet at In front of Gallant Galata coffee shop - 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. This Experience is YOURS!

   See the landmarks and places in Istanbul that you pick on a 100% personalized tour. Make this a one-of-a-kind experience that will satisfy your curiosity with the help of a local. All you have to do is tell them your preferences and interests

4. See THE Main Attractions

   What’s on your bucket list? Hop from landmark to landmark admiring them from the outside, and get recommendations from your local host on what’s the best way to enjoy them to the fullest

5. Off the Beaten Path

   What if there’s a way to see the city’s main attraction from a different angle? All of this while avoiding the touristy crowds? It’s possible with a local by your side!

6. Neighborhood Exploring

   Spend some time deep-diving into the neighborhoods of Istanbul; there’s plenty of treasures to discover! From history, architecture, and local hangout spots, what area would you like to visit?

7. Amazing City Views

   Find the best lookout places in the city where you can spot your favorite landmarks as well as enjoy breathtaking views of the city - a picture-perfect personalized tour

8. All of Istanbul

   Go on a full-day tour to see the highlights of the city. Pick the places, duration and let a local take you on a journey where you’ll cross the must-sees from Istanbul off your list

9. 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.

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

Jody

(About local Mine )

4 June 2025

Mine was clearly knowledgeable especially historically and politically. It was very interesting to talk with her. She packed a lot into the 3 hours, teaching us history and architecture. She didn’t take in our comments or appear that interested in what we had to say. That would be an improvement area for her. All in all, we appreciated the tour. Mine

Nancy🇺🇸 United States

(About local Emir)

2 June 2025

Emir is truly a citizen of the world. Having lived in several countries, he brings an exceptional perspective to his tours. He has a depth of knowledge on history and it is obvious he loves both the subject and his city. We enjoyed his tour very much. Not least was the excellent baklava at the end.World Perspective

Kulvinder

(About local Deniz)

1 June 2025

A great tour guide with interesting stories of Istanbul. Had a high energy 3 hr tour which ticked all the boxes. Would highly recommendIstanbul with Deniz

Christina🇩🇪 Germany

(About local Emre)

28 May 2025

Mein Mann und ich hatten eine tolle Erlebnis Tour durch Istanbul. Emre empfing uns wie Freunde. Er ist ein ausgesprochen netter und warmherziger Mensch. Mit großer Begeisterung, kleinen Geschichten und persönlichen Erinnerungen zeigte er uns sein Istanbul. Ohne ihn hätten wir die Stadt nie so kennengelernt. Es war ein ganz besonderes Erlebnis was wir nicht vergessen werden. Ganz lieben Dank.City Tour mit Emre

Colette and Marc🇺🇸 United States

(About local Aysenur )

22 May 2025

We just spent 3 days exploring Istanbul with Aysenur. She is fantastic. Aysenur developed an initial plan for our 3 days together but was very willingly to modify our schedule based on our needs. Her knowledge of the history of Istanbul as well as the intersections of the many cultures of the area is amazing. Her love of history and her desire to share her vast knowledge is very apparent. We were very impressed by her continuing studies in a variety of fields - the mark of an excellent teacher. We thoroughly enjoyed every minute of our time with Aysenur. I am sure your experience will be as impressive as ours. 3 fantastic days with Aysenur in Istanbul.

Angie & Rachel🇬🇧 United Kingdom

(About local Emir)

8 May 2025

Emir was a very accomplished guide, very knowledgeable & passionate about history & Istanbul. We saw lots of little gems that we wouldn’t have seen as a tourist & really enjoyed our tour. Great fun time with Emir

Cristina🇮🇹 Italy

(About local Lorena)

5 May 2025

Lorena is very gentle, she knows Istanbul very well and will suggest off touristic roads itineraries that really are worth the price. You will experience the real Istanbul and save a lot of time, off the tourists traps. So very advisable! She is more that fluent in Italian and English, and has an International background, having lived in many countries. TOP.10/10 very advisable

Ysabel

(About local Abdullah)

27 April 2025

Abdullah is an personable, knowledgeable guide, who knows everyone you need to know in the old part of the city. His stories, both of the places and the people were great and his tips on avoiding tourist traps were invaluable. Would certainly book again --but will reach out first so we can plan the best route and time of day to avoid crods.Uncovering Istanbul's secrets

57mf65pcrb🇩🇪 Germany

(About local Abdullah)

22 April 2025

Verena🇩🇪 Germany

(About local Emre)

21 April 2025

Emre ist ein phantastischer Guide, der uns die Köstlichkeiten Istanbuls gezeigt und gleichzeitig interessante Informationen zu den besuchten Stadtteilen geteilt hat. Wir empfehlen die Tour mit Emre als unverzichtbaren Teil eines jeden Istanbulbesuchs. Unverzichtbare Tour in Istanbul

Petra

(About local Emir)

21 April 2025

We are a three generation family and were for the first time in Istanbul. It was an amazing experience with Emir! He was able to respond to the different needs of the family. He showed us a colorful variety of culture, history, lifestyle and character of different parts of the city. We had delicious authentic lunch and the best Baclaca of the world. Emir is very friendly, warm hearted and full of humour. His knowledge is immense and he can share it in a very interesting way. We felt very safe and decided, to come again! We look forward to meet Emir again. Wonderful day in a wonderful city

Felix🇩🇪 Germany

(About local Esra)

15 April 2025

We enjoyed the tour with Esra a lot! She has a great knowledge and an exciting way to explain it! Great trip!

Rich🇺🇸 United States

(About local Emir)

13 April 2025

Emir was a wonderful tour guide, conversation partner, and welcoming committee for Istanbul. On a short visit, we wanted to more time enjoying and learning; less time looking for directions and reading online guides. Emir took us on a great tour of the area we stayed in, even in some miserable rain, working in a strategic sheltered spot or cafe as he could. If you have an interest in the history or the food of the area, Emir is the right guide for you. You can tell his knowledge comes from a true passion for it, and he welcomes questions of all types, and left us with great advice for the rest of our stay.A perfect welcome to the city

Timur

(About local Esra)

9 April 2025

Esra made Istanbul's history come alive for our group of 7 friends. First, she asked and listened to to what we wanted to see and the style of tour we wanted. Then she delivered and went beyond expectations. We came away awe-stricken by the beauty, intrigue and history of the Ottomans but not because of a boring history lesson, but rather a guide who made the tour like watching a movie or reading a good novel. Bravo and thank you!Esra- the Best Guide in Istanbul

Lillian🇺🇸 United States

(About local Gülce)

17 March 2025

We had an amazing custom tour in Istanbul with Gülce, and I can’t recommend her enough! She was incredibly knowledgeable, friendly, and made the entire experience enjoyable from start to finish. Throughout the tour, she provided fascinating insights about Istanbul’s history and culture, making every stop more meaningful. She also went above and beyond by giving us fantastic recommendations for additional sightseeing and dining, which will really helped us make the most of our time in the city. We ended the day with a Bosphorus cruise, a perfect way to take in the stunning views and reflect on everything we had learned. If you’re looking for a guide who is knowledgeable, personable, and truly passionate about Istanbul, Gülce is the perfect choice! Fantastic Tour with Gülce!

David🇪🇸 Spain

(About local Emre)

27 January 2025

We had a great time visiting the old sites of Istanbul with Emre. He was so knowledgable it was crazy. Any question we had, he had the answer for. And he's a super food lover and we went to a grill spot for lunch that was so good. And the kind of spot a tourist would have some difficulty due to not knowing what to order, but Emre handled it all and we had a feast!Fantastic private tour!

Melissa🇺🇸 United States

(About local Abdullah)

19 January 2025

Wandering Istanbul with such an interesting man- knows so much history and out of the way places. A highlight of our tripExcellent guide!

Marion🇳🇿 New Zealand

(About local Emir)

13 January 2025

We had a 3hr walking tour with Emir of Istanbul which was really 4 hrs as Emir was so interesting and so proud of his city. Emir was friendly, very knowledgeable and a great guide. We would give 11/10 if we could. We visited mosques, learnt about the Turkish culture and tried the local food. Would highly recommend for anyone. Emir was inspirational and today I booked French lessons to learn a 2nd language because of him. Anazing tour with Emir

Florian

(About local Emre)

5 January 2025

Emre hat mit uns eine Führung durch Istanbul gemacht und zwar hat er uns an für Touristen eher untypische Orte geführt, die sehr interessant waren und einen guten Einblick in das Leben vor Ort ermöglichten. Außerdem hat er einen guten Überblick für uns über Istanbul erstellt und welche Sehenswürdigkeiten wir in den nächsten Tagen noch besuchen sollten.Statfürung mit Emre

Sara🇮🇹 Italy

(About local Lorena)

2 January 2025

Ciao a tutti, abbiamo fatto un tour privato con Lorena che ci ha guidato alla scoperta di Istanbul facendoci scoprire anche cose inaspettate. Lorena è stata gentilissima e disponibilissima. Consiglio vivamente un tour con lei se vi trovate a Instanbul!Bellissima Esperienza

Alain🇺🇸 United States

(About local Emre)

1 January 2025

Had the pleasure of having Emre as our private guide in Istanbul, and he was absolutely fantastic. We requested a tour focusing on the less touristy parts of the city to immerse ourselves in Istanbul’s local culture and history, and Emre exceeded our expectations. His deep knowledge of the city’s history, combined with his engaging storytelling, brought the sites to life for us. Emre also went above and beyond by providing us with invaluable tips, including recommendations for hidden-gem restaurants and unique experiences for the rest of our stay. If you’re looking for a very good guide in Istanbul, Emre is the one. We couldn’t recommend him more highly!A Great Guide for an Authentic Experience

Giovanni🇮🇹 Italy

(About local Ahmet Can)

9 December 2024

Ahmet Can has been very professional and focused on what I was expecting from this experience and tailored something to exceed my expectations. I’m very satisfied by the tour !Great experience

Nancy🇺🇸 United States

(About local Abdullah)

7 June 2025

Abdullah ("Apo") was a great guide for our three days in Istanbul. He provided a suggested itinerary, but then listened and modified based on my input. It was nice to have a basis to start with but also the flexibility to accommodate our unique interests. Apo was patient with us when we dawdled, moved us along when needed, and didn't get stressed by us choosing to skip a historic sight in favor of coffee when we were dragging. In the historic sights, Apo was not only well-informed, but also he was excellent at making history come alive for us. It was a pleasure for our group to learn about the mosques, neighborhoods, bazaars, and more that make Istanbul a very cool place to be. He picked well for lunch restaurants (such good food!) and had great suggestions on where to eat dinner. He even arranged a private boat tour of the Bosphorous for us with fresh-caught fish for lunch on the boat. Our family agreed that though we hired Apo as a guide, by the time we left, we felt he had become a friend. Perfect guide for our family trip!

Stacey🇺🇸 United States

(About local Emre)

5 June 2025

Emre was the absolute best! I am a travel agent and booked a food tour with him. Not only did he make the experience memorable, but he went out of his way to ensure our transportation was settled. He acted like a travel agent himself! The food was fabulous and so plentiful that we had to end the tasting tour early out of gluttony. Perhaps the most memorable was seeing Emre push my mom in her wheelchair up the steep hill to our stay at the Ritz. He made sure she was OK. Much appreciated. He is personable, interesting, kind and thoughtful. BOOK him for any tour that he is available for....his schedule fills quickly!Fabulous, knowledgeable & caring guide

Adam🇺🇸 United States

(About local Kadir Celal)

5 June 2025

Kadir was amazing. He was very knowledgeable about all of the history and culture of the area. He was obviously very passionate about the history, which made the tour very engaging. He also gave us great advice on where to eat and where else to go. I would highly recommend Kadir.Passionate historian

jasmin.reinhard

(About local Emre)

4 June 2025

Ich kann die Tour von Herzen empfehlen. Tolle Stopps mit zum Teil mehr als einer Köstlichkeit. Emre gibt viele zusätzliche Informationen zur Stadt und der Geschichte und hilft auch mit weiteren Tipps für zusätzliche Ausflüge und Restaurants. Danke Emre! Sehr empfehlenswert!

Ute🇩🇪 Germany

(About local Emre)

4 June 2025

Emre hat uns einen tollen Einblick in die Küche Istanbuls ermöglicht. Die Auswahl der Essensproben war vielfältig und interessant. Emre kennt sich sehr gut aus. Er konnte alle Fragen, die wir hatten umfangreich beantworten. Man konnte sich über die Stadt, Kultur, Religion und Geschichte der Türkei unterhalten. Er hat sich sehr viel Zeit für uns genommen, über die 3 Stunden hinaus. Die Tour ist sehr zu empfehlen!!! Emre ist ein sehr sympathischer und gebildeter Mann. Grandioser Eindruck über Istanbul

Ken🇺🇸 United States

(About local Esra)

4 June 2025

My wife and 2 friends were very fortunate to select Esra as our Istanbul guide. Esra has a great knowledge of the top attractions, to include the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Basilica Cistern, and Grand Bazaar. Esra is enthusiastic, dedicated, and made sure we were treated as guests in her care. She made sure our expectations were exceeded!#1 Tour Guide!

Elisa🇺🇸 United States

(About local Oguz)

4 June 2025

Ouzo was a great guide. He brought us to some areas less crowded. Explained the Tram to us which we used several more times while in the city. We had had a wonderful day with our new friend. Thank you Oz. A quiet day in Istanbul

Sylvester (Sly)🇺🇸 United States

(About local Emre)

3 June 2025

Our private food tour of Istanbul with Emre on May 18th was terrific. To minimize the discomfort of two members in our group that had sensitive knees he walked at a moderate pace and built in adequate rest stops throughout the tour. With Emre as our guide, you could feel his enthusiasm and know that the food and establishments had been carefully selected to ensure we got a taste of the culinary offerings that were unique to Istanbul. As we walked throughout the Beyoğlu district, Emre also provided the history and culture of the area and pointed out buildings and locations of historical significance. The ultimate professional, Emre provided guidance on what to do if our taxi driver tried to overcharge us and made sure that we informed him when we made it back to our hotel…now that’s service. I highly recommend Emre and will request his services again when in Istanbul.Ultimate Professional

Yolanda🇵🇹 Portugal

(About local Lorena)

3 June 2025

Food tour maravilhoso, em um bairro onde os locais residem e fazem suas compras. Lorena foi essencial para o sucesso do tour pois nos levou em lugares que ela, como moradora de Isrambul, frequenta e realiza as suas compras de mercado. Sentimos que estávamos vivendo realmente a experiência de um local. Além disso, Lorena é extremamente simpática , sabe muito sobre a culinária e cultura turca , além de nos dar várias indicações de locais onde poderíamos ter experiências do cotidiano de um morador de Istambul. Ficamos com vontade de voltar a Turquia e tê-la novamente como guia. Destaco também o conforto que é fazer um tour na nossa língua natal, numa terra em que a língua e os costumes são muitos diferentes dos nossos.Muito além do turismo!

Shannon🇺🇸 United States

(About local Dilek)

2 June 2025

Dilek is an amazing guide. She took us to several amazing spots on the Asian side of Istanbul. Dilek accommodated our special requests and also took us to spots to find some unusual foods. We made some spur of the moment stops which she was totally fine with. I can’t recommend Dilek enough. Tasting our way through her neighborhood is exactly the kind of authentic experience we hoped to have. Fantastic tour!

Vaani🇳🇱 Netherlands

(About local Emre)

2 June 2025

We did the 10 Tastings of Istanbul tour with Emre through Cihangir and Beyoğlu, and it was a fantastic introduction to the city’s food and culture. Emre was passionate, knowledgeable, and made sure I had great vegetarian options too. The tour was relaxed, not rushed, and full of delicious stops—especially the Acıbadem cookie from a 100-year-old bakery. Highly recommend this tour if you’re visiting Istanbul! A Delicious & Insightful Intro to Istanbul

Will🇺🇸 United States

(About local Gülce)

2 June 2025

We had the pleasure of a wonderful tour of Hagia Sophia and surrounding area with Gülce. She knew all the history which made the experience for all of us so much better. She even got us into the “tour” line for the Bassillica Cistern which saved us a lot of waiting around (and she also hard great knowledge on the Cistern as well). Thank you, Gülce, for making our trip so enjoyable!A Great Tour eith Gülce

Jessica🇺🇸 United States

(About local Gülce)

2 June 2025

We spent a lovely day with Gulce touring the most famous sights in the Old City of Istanbul. She is extremely knowledgeable about the history and is able to present it in an approachable manner. Without her, we never would have appreciated was we were seeing. I am now a convert to taking a private tour! Crash course in the history of Istanbul

Lindsay

(About local Faruk )

2 June 2025

My friends and I had an amazing, customized food tour of Beyoglu with Faruk. I wasn't sure how it could all be fit into the allocated time, but he made it happen. We hadn't been to Beyoglu before and the tour gave us a really good introduction to the area. Faruk is really pleasant and we really enjoyed the time with him. Highly recommended!Wonderful experience

Ben🇬🇧 United Kingdom

(About local Kadir Celal)

2 June 2025

Thank you Kadir for an excellent full day tour. We covered a lot and we greatly appreciated your expertise and knowledge.Full day tour

Kirsty🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates

(About local Tolga)

2 June 2025

Having done a similar walking food tour with another company in Istanbul years ago, I wanted to share a similar experience with family visiting Turkey for the first time. This tour did not disappoint. Tolga was absolutely wonderful and this tour is a perfect way to sight-see, get some history and taste some wonderful street food. It was absolutely one of the highlights of our trip. Just book it.

MARK🇺🇸 United States

(About local Kemal)

1 June 2025

We had the pleasure of experiencing the 10 tastings tour with Kemal. He was very flexible in the meeting place, which made the tour start on a very good note. We traveled on the subway (2nd oldest I understand in the world) and enjoyed several stops, including coffee of course and quince dessert and wonderful wine stop. He gave excellent advice on shopping along the way itself and made us feel safe the entire tour through the busy streets. Would recommend indeed for future tours... Kemal and Istanbul - a good match

Michiel🇳🇱 Netherlands

(About local Lorena)

1 June 2025

Lorena knows just what you need and want, to get the most out of your stay. She is very helpful, very knowledgeable and very kind. Thx Lorena, Ilse and Michael Best start to our three day trip

Jacinta

(About local Mine )

1 June 2025

Mine is an excellent guide. Her knowledge is incredible & she is full of energy & enthusiasm for her role which makes the experience very enjoyable. Having a guide makes it so much easier to navigate around the many wonderful places to visit. Also, Mine’s recommendations for places to eat & shop were all great. Overall we had a wonderful time in Istanbul & I would definitely recommend Mine. 😻🤓😻

Katja🇳🇱 Netherlands

(About local Emre)

1 June 2025

We had an excellent tour with Emre. He took us to highlights like the Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque, and enriched the experience with fascinating stories and details we wouldn’t have wanted to miss. Emre is a natural storyteller — knowledgeable, engaging, and passionate. Highly recommended!Excellent tour

Susan🇦🇺 Australia

(About local Faruk )

1 June 2025

Faruk made our tour start very easy by coming to the hotel to pick us up. The tour was really interesting and Faruk took us to places only someone who is a local could know. He paced the tour well for us. The food was delicious and authentic. We found it hard to eat everything there was a lot of food. Faruk has excellent communication skills and was very responsive to our messages prior to the tour and provided lots of relevant clear information during the tour. We highly recommend this tour and him as a guide.Great tour with Faruk.

Karen🇬🇧 United Kingdom

(About local Esra)

1 June 2025

Esra is a lovely person. She is very knowledgeable about Istanbul and the culture and history of Turkey. She went out of her way to come to the port to meet us and took us on the tram to the centre. I would not hesitate to recommend her. A very interesting tour and lovely guide

Alex

(About local Emre)

31 May 2025

First class. Excellent tour. Insightful but also casual. Emre is a wealth of knowledge. An amazing introduction to Istanbul on our first day. Highly recommended. The guru of istanbul

Sabine🇺🇸 United States

(About local Kadir Celal)

30 May 2025

We truly enjoyed our time with Kadir Celal. He is very friendly and knowledgeable. Kadir helped us experience Istanbul in a way we could never have done on our own. We highly recommend him and would definitely book a tour with him again. A wonderful introduction to Istanbul

André

(About local Esra)

30 May 2025

We met Esra as a wonderful person with lots of experience and knowledge about the history of Istanbul. All recommendations from our side for all guests looking for a unforgettable time exploring Istanbul. Best Experience to explore Istanbul

Sylvester (Sly)🇺🇸 United States

(About local Abdullah)

30 May 2025

Our private tour of Istanbul with Abdullah was great! He was flexible and agreed to meet us at our hotel versus the identified meeting point. Two members of our group couldn’t stay the entire time-frame, so he tailored the tour to ensure they at least saw the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, and the Basilica Cistern. Abdullah did not only take us to these ionic landmarks, he provided detail information, the history behind each site and answered our many questions. He modified the reminder of the day when our group of three became just one, by taking me to one of his favorite restaurants for lunch, the food was very good and reasonably priced. As we walked through Sultanahmet he pointed out sites of historical significance. We had tea at an historic tea house located in a former religious school, that offered a glimpse into Istanbul's past. Lastly, we went to the Grand Bazaar, where he introduced me to some of his friends. When I mentioned my wife and her sisters, who had earlier left the tour, would love to see the bazaar, he called them up, determined their location and we all went back to the bazaar. I highly recommend Abdullah and will request his services when in Istanbul.Knowledgeable + Adaptable = Great Tour

Justin 🇩🇪 Germany

(About local Abdullah)

29 May 2025

We were really looking forward to a private, family-friendly tour of Istanbul—something engaging, educational, and inspiring. Unfortunately, this experience fell flat. Our guide rated a 4 out of 10 at best. He led us to several closed sights (which could have easily been checked in advance), and made stops in grimy, uncomfortable spots that weren't great for small children. Despite promising to be a storyteller, he shared only scattered facts and lacked the spark or depth to bring the city to life. We had to pull information out of him with questions instead of being guided through Istanbul’s rich history and culture. While he made a small effort to acknowledge the kids, he didn’t connect with them on their level and wasn’t intuitive to their needs—missing obvious cues like pausing when they were upset or engaging them when they were ready to listen. The tour felt unstructured, and he often just walked ahead in silence unless we prompted him. Though we did see four sights in five hours (which we could'vewalked to ourselves), the experience felt like a wasted day in a city we were so excited to explore. We hoped for insight, storytelling, and someone who could spark curiosity—for both kids and adults. Sadly, we walked away disappointed.Disappointing Private Tour

Yaacob🇸🇬 Singapore

(About local Deniz)

29 May 2025

Our first time doing the food tour. Enjoyed the experience and especially the food. Top it all with the interesting conversation with Deniz. She was informative and helpful with our questions. A great experience. First Time Not The Last Time