• 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

English, Türkçe, 中文, Español, Deutsch, العربية, 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

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

vedran

(About local Kemal)

6 March 2025

Kemal je apsolutno fantastičan vodič – strastven, informiran i nevjerojatno gostoljubiv! Proveo nas je kroz skrivene kutke Istanbula koje sami nikad ne bismo pronašli, od lokalnih taverni do skrivenih vidikovaca s predivnim pogledom. Uživali smo u pravim "hidden gems" mjestima, daleko od turističkih gužvi, gdje smo osjetili pravi duh grada. Uz to, počastio nas je vrhunskim vinom i podijelio sjajne preporuke za restorane, barove i mjesta s autentičnom glazbom. Svaki savjet koji nam je dao bio je zlata vrijedan – zahvaljujući njemu, ostatak našeg boravka bio je još bogatiji. Ako želite istinski doživjeti Istanbul, osjetiti njegovu atmosferu i otkriti mjesta koja samo lokalci znaju, Kemal je čovjek za vas! Topla preporuka za svakoga tko traži nezaboravno iskustvo!Autentično iskustvo u Istanbulu s Kemalom

Unknown

(About local Emre)

5 March 2025

Wij hebben genoten van de foodtour. Emre spreekt goed Engels (in Canada gewoond) en Duits. Emre was erg vriendelijk, informatief en behulpzaam. De tour was niet zwaar en we hadden 10 stops. We lieten ons de hapjes goed smaken. Emre vertelde ons dan wat informatie over de gerechten en over bepaalde historische gebouwen. Erg handig en leuk om Istanbul zo te verkennen.Super foodtour, informatief en lekker

camilla

(About local Emre)

4 March 2025

We had an unforgettable experience with Emre as our food tour guide in Istanbul! From the very beginning, his warmth, knowledge, and passion for the city's history and cuisine made the tour truly special. Emre took us to hidden gems ,every stop had something unique and delicious and he made sure we not only enjoyed the food but also understood the culture and traditions behind each dish. Beyond the food, Emre was an incredible guide, always friendly and patient . If you're visiting Istanbul, I highly recommend a food tour with Emre. A Delicious Journey Throught Istanbul

Luigi🇮🇹 Italy

(About local Emre)

4 March 2025

Abbiamo avuto il piacere di fare un tour gastronomico a Istanbul con Emre, ed è stata un’esperienza davvero straordinaria! Ci ha portato in diversi locali autentici, alcuni storici e iconici, dove abbiamo potuto assaggiare ben dieci piatti tipici della cucina turca. Ogni tappa è stata un viaggio nei sapori e nelle tradizioni locali, con Emre che ci ha guidato con passione e competenza. Oltre al cibo, ci ha arricchito con racconti sulla storia della città e sulle curiosità legate ai luoghi in cui ci siamo fermati, rendendo il tour non solo gustoso ma anche culturalmente stimolante. La sua conoscenza, il suo entusiasmo e la sua capacità di farci sentire a nostro agio hanno reso l’esperienza unica. Se visitate Istanbul e volete scoprire il lato più autentico della sua gastronomia, vi consiglio senza dubbio un tour con Emre!La miglior guida che si possa desisderare!

arjan

(About local Emre)

3 March 2025

Emre is vriendelijk man waarmee we tijdens het wandelen en eten ruim 4 uur over het leven in Istanbul hebben gepraat. Naast de tour gaf hij ons voor, tijdens en na de tour goede tips. De tour zelf is een aanrader! In mooie Kadikoy hebben we 10 zaakjes bezocht, wat een heerlijke ervaring! Zeker doen als je in Istanbul bent!Geweldige ervaring!

Na Dine

(About local Emre)

1 March 2025

Danke für die tolle Tour,sehr gut gestaltet für mich und meine Jungs auch sie durften dank Emre ein wenig der Geschichte von Istanbul Kennenlernen und es wurde köstlich verpackt.Herzlich, informativ und hunorvoll

Michele

(About local Aysenur )

27 February 2025

Hands down, Ayşenur is the best guide I have ever had! She customized my tour perfectly. Her friendly, fun and engaging approach made her extensive knowledge range even more palatable. Thank you so much for an amazing tour and I look forward to next. (There will absolutely be a next time!)The best guide ever!

Patrycja🇬🇧 United Kingdom

(About local Abdullah)

24 February 2025

We had great tim. The tour was adjusted to places we would like to see. Lots of fun walking and great time. Amazing city tour

Miqelle

(About local Tolga)

22 February 2025

Tolga took over from Emre who we originally booked with but had the flu. An avid traveler himself, Tolga was super interesting to listen and talk to. Not only did he do a fabulous job with showing us Turkish street food and classic dishes, he also knew a lot about history and historical context of the region. Emre too was helpful—even though he didn’t conduct the tour he gave us extremely useful tips about Istanbul. So much better than any canned tour of the attractions. So much better than Get Your Guide

Ronald

(About local Safiye)

22 February 2025

What a wonderful experience. We have been on a number of food walking tours. Safiye made this one of the best.Treated us as friends.

Isabella 🇭🇷 Croatia

(About local Gülce)

19 February 2025

Gülce organized the whole tour based on our wishes. However, when we wanted to change the plan, she arranged that to be possible. Moreover, she had an answer to all of our questions (history, traffic and life in Istanbul). She gives an amazing recommendations for delicious local food. And, last but not least, she is a really interesting storyteller.The perfect guide for Istanbul

Whitney

(About local Esra)

18 February 2025

We had such a wonderful day with Esra. She was knowledgeable, passionate and spent the extra time answering questions, showing us the Turkish specialties in the bazar and even making sure we got on our tram back to the hotel. I would definitely recommend her! And hope to visit her great city again! Wonderful Tour

Keith🇬🇧 United Kingdom

(About local Dilek)

18 February 2025

With just a day in Istanbul we needed a orientation and a guide to places close to our hotel. Dilek went over and above, helping us with airport transfer and other advice and guidance before we arrived. The time with Dilek in the morning was all we could have wished for and she was generous with her advice, her willingness and flexibility to meet our needs and her time - we hope to meet her again when we have more time to explore the cityIntro to the European side of Istanbul

Arianna🇺🇸 United States

(About local Emre)

18 February 2025

My Husband and I are so grateful to have met Emre our first day in Istanbul, his food and exploration recommendations literally shaped the rest of our itinerary and showed us the local side of Istanbul! Emre introduced us to authentic Turkish food at places we would never know existed. We had a lot of fun walking around, we learned so much history which only someone who grew up there could share with us. Emre is also incredible with sharing more local food recommendations and places to buy your favourite souvenirs (more affordably). Emre, The Gift That Keeps on Giving

Unknown

(About local Emre)

18 February 2025

كانت تجربة الأكل مع امرى في إسطنبول رائعة جدًا! خدنا في أماكن مميزة جدًا، بعضها ما كناش هنكتشفه لوحدنا. الأكل كان لذيذ جدًا ومتنوّع، جرّبنا أكلات تقليدية وطعمها كان فوق التوقعات. غير الأكل، الرحلة كانت كمان درس في التاريخ، كل مكان زرناه كان ليه قصة وحكاية بتخلينا نقدّر الأكل والثقافة أكتر. بصراحة، أنصح أي حد بيحب الأكل والتاريخ إنه يجرب الجولة دي، تجربة تستاهل كل لحظة!A great Adventure

Unknown

(About local Neslihan )

17 February 2025

Neslihan brought warm energy and plenty of fascinating historical tales to the tour. Her easygoing demeanor and kindness made the scheduled time fly by. Arranged to familiarize ourselves with the area before venturing out ourselves, she made sure to listen to our plans, customizing advice to our particular interests. Having our fortunes read in coffee grounds was a fun and unexpected addition. Equipped with many suggestions, key Turkish phrases, and an Istanbulkart, we began our trip feeling confident and energized. Teşekkürler, Neslihan!Upbeat and personalized

Magnus

(About local Ahmet Can)

16 February 2025

Ahmet Can is an excellent guide. If you want to see and learn about Istanbul, he's your man.Fantastic

Marina🇬🇧 United Kingdom

(About local Neslihan )

16 February 2025

Our 3 hour tour with Neslihan was amazing: we laughed a lot, seen a lot, learnt a lot and ended up with a list of recommendations for the rest of our trip. Neslihan loves the city and it’s infectious! She knows it’s history and culture and shares her knowledge in a light and engaging way: surprised just how much we’ve learnt whilst having fun! Could not recommend Neslihan highly enough.Terrific

Elisabeth🇬🇧 United Kingdom

(About local Dilek)

10 February 2025

Great start to our stay in Istanbul with Dilek - who was clear and informative. Helped us get the lay of the land, when attractions were open and not so busy, how to get around and what to concentrate on in the time we had. Perfect introduction to Istanbul

pennymorriss

(About local Emre)

9 February 2025

Emre is the perfect host for a tasting tour. We learned so much from him, and his love for the city comes through in the stories he shared - I feel as though I know much more about the history and character of the neighbourhoods we walked through than I would have learned otherwise. All the tastings and stops were thoughtful and both my teenage daughter and myself enjoyed every bite and sip. We also have a long shopping list of treats to go shopping for to bring back for family at home. Lovely afternoon and highly recommend. Fun, knowledgable and dekicious tour

Ann

(About local Faruk )

9 February 2025

On a long layover through Istanbul, we booked an evening tour with Faruk. It was terrific and Faruk was the perfect host to show off his beautiful city. Despite the cold and wet weather, Faruk took the time to point out the amazing architectural features and mixed historical facts with his own personal stories (He teaches English at a local school). After a meal of Turkish Kababs, we walked through the French section and Liberty Street, enjoying the stores and people-watching. He treated us to apple tea in a cozy coffee shop. I highly recommend Faruk and this tour service for a reasonably-priced, custom tour and will book with him the next time I am in Istanbul.Great evening tour with Faruk

Dawn🇺🇸 United States

(About local Kadir Celal)

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!

Chris🇺🇸 United States

(About local Emre)

5 February 2025

Emre is the best! He is very knowledgeable, personable, and knows the best places to eat and explore the many foods of Istanbul. I highly recommend him.Great tour

John🇺🇸 United States

(About local Gülce)

5 February 2025

Gülce is very knowledgeable about Istanbul and the history of Turkey. She braved the cold (it’s snowing in Istanbul!), tailored the tour to our interest, impressed us with the depth of her knowledge, and gave us a lot of good practical advice for visiting Istanbul.Gülce is a Pro!

Leslie🇺🇸 United States

(About local Aysenur )

4 February 2025

During our short tour with Ayşenur, we had the chance to enjoy Istanbul at night. We learned about the lifestyle of locals and some great things about the history of the city. This is a concentrated short tour over the culture , history, architecture, hidden gems and where to find local food either on the streets or in a fine dining restaurant in the city. Ayşenur’s way of delivering the tour feels like there’s still more to dig in. She continued to ask if there were other things we wanted her to focus on to make sure we were getting the most out of our visit. Definitely recommended, she’s a true local.A Great Evening in Istanbul

John

(About local Emre)

1 February 2025

What a great way to spend an afternoon! Emre clearly loves sharing Istanbul with new friends. He not only introduced us to some of the most yummy and historic eateries and shops in Beyoğlu, he also shared many other interesting cultural and personal highlights that helped us get beneath the surface layer of the city. Emre is super personable, it was like spending the day with an old friend. Eat, walk and chat your way around Beyoglu

Ann🇺🇸 United States

(About local Dilek)

1 February 2025

I honestly don’t know where to start. Dilek was amazing and it was like I was learning about the city from a friend. Her communication, from the moment I set up the tour until the moment I met her was fabulous. We chatted and got to know each other. She arranged for me to have transportation and it was the best decision! Dilek’s in depth knowledge of Istanbul is second to none, and we had wonderful conversations wandering the cobblestone streets lined with cafes and restaurants. We were able to see the Hagia Sofia, Cisterns, Spice Market, old city, new city, galata port, and so much more! I fell in love with Istanbul in large part because of Dilek. I didn’t just have a tour. I explored an amazing city with a friend, and made memories that will last me forever.

Katalin🇫🇷 France

(About local Gülce)

31 January 2025

The food tour with Gülce was very nice! She took us to many traditional street food spots, often historic in their own right, and gave some nice background info for each place and dish. We had a good time trying so many different well seasoned and tasty foods, thank you!Beautiful tour with delicious local food!

Katalin🇫🇷 France

(About local Kadir Celal)

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

Mailin

(About local Faruk )

29 January 2025

Darcy🇺🇸 United States

(About local Emir)

26 January 2025

My friend and I scheduled a full day with Emir. He was fantastic! Emir showed us all of the things we were hoping for and then some. He is extremely kind and very knowledgeable. We are grateful to now call him our friend, than you Emir!Wonderful day in Instanbul, book Emir!

Ingrid

(About local Dilek)

25 January 2025

Dilek was the best guide I could imagine for our introduction to travelling in Istanbul. She is very warm, knowledgeable, and highly responsive to her clients’ needs. I am travelling with my 75-year old mother who tires easily and my very active 11-year-old. Dilek has been very thoughtful in responding to our varied needs and creating a very enjoyable experience for all. Very highly recommended!!!Fantastic introduction to Istanbul

n4w6nwqcyw

(About local muhammed)

22 January 2025

Muhammed is one of the kindest folks I think I have ever met! He gave us an excellent tour to some of his favorite places to get local delights! He met with us on time, answered our questions and even gave us recommendations to new places that we should visit after our tour. The Legendary Experience Maker!

thesealeys

(About local Emre)

21 January 2025

Emre was excellent. He took us to at least 10 places, we tried cheeses, kebabs, Turkish Delight, and so many other great things. Emre had so much information about the food and also the history of Istanbul and Turkey. We chatted about everything under the sun! One of us wanted to see bookstores and Emre managed to find several for us along the route.Fantastic tasty informative tour

Tim🇩🇪 Germany

(About local Emre)

20 January 2025

Unsere Food Tour mit Emre war ein Highlight unseres Istanbul-Besuchs! Wir probierten eine Vielzahl köstlicher Gerichte und lernten gleichzeitig viel über die Kultur und Geschichte der Stadt. Das absolute Highlight für mich: der Adana-Wrap bei Dürümzade – ich träume heute noch davon! Wer Istanbul kulinarisch (aber auch geschichtlich) entdecken möchte, sollte diese Tour nicht verpassen!Eine wundervolle Tour!

S

(About local Kadir Celal)

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

Melina 🇲🇺 Mauritius

(About local Gülce)

19 January 2025

My experience has been seamless and customised according to my requirements. I had a long transit between my flights and booked this experience to see the main sites around Istanbul. Gülce organised the best transfer. Gülce was very friendly and kind which made my experience enjoyable. She even showed me some extra places like the Grand Bazaar and we had dinner at a nice restaurant by the Bosphorus which had the most delicious dishes. She knew how to time the visits well and advised on the best way to navigate through Istanbul traffic. Unfortunately the weather was really cold and windy, but I will be back again and enjoy Istanbul better next time. Thanks a lot Gülce for everything. Explored Istanbul with the best guide

hjntqdwj89🇺🇸 United States

(About local Dilek)

18 January 2025

Somos una familia de 5 personas de Argentina. Dilek tiene un muy buen español, con sólidos conocimientos de la historia local, arquitectura y costumbres. Y no solo eso, sino que además se adaptó a nuestras necesidades con muy buena onda y simpatía. Nos dio recomendaciones y actividades para aprovechar nuestra estadía en Estambul. Hasta nos leyó el futuro en una borra de café! Compartimos un hermoso momento, muy recomendable. De 10. Excelente experiencia vivimos con Dilek

Unknown

(About local Abdullah)

18 January 2025

I booked a private, all-day tour with Abdullah during my 22-hour layover in Istanbul, and it was the best experience I could have asked for! Abdullah was so welcoming and kind, and took interest in my travels and goals for the day. The tour covered so much-- from local food, to major historical sites, to a beautiful afternoon ferry ride. I appreciated how community-focused the tour was-- I met so many kind and amazing people throughout the day. I definitely feel as though the tour helped me make the most out of my short time in the city-- highly recommend!Amazing Experience!

NYEIN🇹🇷 Turkey

(About local Kadir Celal)

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

Elizabeth🇫🇷 France

(About local Kadir Celal)

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

Viktoria

(About local Emre)

11 January 2025

Sehr gute kulinarische aber auch historische Tour. Man lernt nicht nur die Geschichte des Essens sondern sehr viel über Istanbul selbst. Emre weiss viel, spricht super Deutsch und hat uns in viele kleine, lokale Restaurants geführt die nicht sofort entdeckbar sind aber dennoch super Essen hatte , was ich geschätzt habe.Food & History

Jodie🇦🇺 Australia

(About local Abdullah)

10 January 2025

We all loved our tour with Apo? Our kids (9yrs and 13yrs) enjoyed the way Apo explained information as well as showed us interesting sights. He was authentic and fun to spend the time with. With us not being 'group tour people', this experience was perfect as it guided us through some major attractions with ease but not in a typical tour type manner. It suited us perfectly. Thanks for a great few hours Apo!Loved our tour, interesting and fun.