Welcome to Istanbul! Want to know the best places to eat? Cool events in town? Which places to go to and which to avoid? Or simply get some help to navigate the city? Book this private tour with a local and get the perfect introduction to Istanbul to start your city trip on the right foot.
You’ve probably heard that Istanbul is well-known for Hagia Sophia, but do you know the stories and origin behind it? Or how much influence it has on the locals daily life? On this private city tour, you are in for a cultural treat!
Want to see the best of Istanbul? We got you covered. But as you can expect from a Withlocals experience, the real excitement is its hidden gems. Join your favorite local and get a feeling of the city's real vibe on a tour that has it all, so you can say: I experienced the real Istanbul!
As the sun sets, Istanbul lights up, the heat of the day fades, and the tourist crowds start to thin out. This is the time to enjoy the city at its atmospheric best on a private tour with a local! Take in glittering highlights and the local ambiance that only the evening brings out in Istanbul.
Kadikoy is the place to be! Explore one of the hippest neighborhoods in Istanbul and discover it bite by bite. Go to up & coming places and try one of the best Turkish dürüm kebap (wraps), street food in a hipster little pop-up restaurant, and a nice beer or cocktail in a local hip bar.
Istanbul is an amazing city just waiting to be explored! You’ll see the best of Istanbul on a private city highlights tour. Take an unforgettable tour of Topkapi Palace, see Istanbul’s antique gems or even go on a VIP cruise on a yacht along the Bosphorus! With your friendly local expert by your side, you’ll have an amazing time in Istanbul! Fancy an insider’s look at the magnificent Hagia Sophia? Then the Marvels of Hagia Sophia private city highlights tour is perfect for you! Your knowledgeable local host will take you to one of Istanbul’s most incredible landmarks on this city highlights tour. You’ll learn how the world’s biggest Catholic church was turned into a mosque by the Ottomans, and visit the Little Hagia Sophia. You’ll even sip tea like a local and enjoy some yummy baklava! Istanbul by night? Magical! On the Istanbul’s Nightlife Tour: Local Hotspots & Culture city highlights tour you’ll get to unwind like the locals at the city’s most authentic hotspots. On this unique night-time city highlights tour, you’ll visit Mae Zae for some late night shopping and eat authentic tasty fish or doner durum at the amazing Galata Bridge. Your local host will even take you to the stunning Kılıç Ali Paşa Mosque and hammam! An Istanbul city highlights tour is an unforgettable experience. You can’t beat seeing Istanbul like a local! All city highlights tours are 100% customizable. Just let your local host know your preferences and special wishes and they’ll sort everything out for you!
What other travelers love about our local experts
Michele
About local
27 February 2025
The best guide ever!
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!)
A Magical Evening in Istanbul: City Tour
Marina
About local
16 February 2025
Terrific
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.
Highlights & Hidden Gems of Istanbul
Ann
About local
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.
Highlights & Hidden Gems of Istanbul
Melina
About local
19 January 2025
Explored Istanbul with the best guide
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.
