Book your own private tour guide in Istanbul

Whatever your passion, there’s a private guide who’s perfect for you. Our Istanbul tour guides can create a 100% personalized tour to match your wishes. Just get in touch!

Withlocals gives you:
Verified locals!
Choose your favorite
The options to personalize a tour!
Just contact your favorite local
Only private tours!
So no group tours with strangers

35 Private Guides in Istanbul

Merhaba I am
Oğuz
The Travel Expert
I speak: English
(93 review)
Merhaba I am
Emre
Geschmackshunter
I speak: English • Deutsch
(715 review)
Merhaba I am
muhammed
Legendary experience maker
I speak: English • Español • Türkçe
(53 review)
Merhaba I am
Ceren
The Curious Sociologist
I speak: English • Türkçe
(93 review)
Merhaba I am
Emre
The Time Traveller
I speak: English • Türkçe
(86 review)
Merhaba I am
Serif
Tour Guide, Travel Writer
I speak: English
(21 review)
Did you knowOur Locals can personalise your experienceContact your favourite local, and tell them your preferences for a private and personalized experience!
Merhaba I am
Gülce
The Ambassador of Constantinople
I speak: English • Türkçe
(68 review)
Merhaba I am
Faruk
Hostanblue
I speak: English • Türkçe
(37 review)
Merhaba I am
Oguz
The Local Legend
I speak: English
(26 review)
Merhaba I am
Emir
Travel with me!
I speak: العربية • English • Türkçe
(43 review)
Merhaba I am
Tolga
History Buff & Wine Lover & Foodie
I speak: English • Türkçe
(30 review)
Merhaba I am
Nihal
The Historian
I speak: English • Deutsch • Türkçe
(122 review)

Our locals' favourite things to do

Our locals know Istanbul like the back of their hand! Whatever your passion, they’ll show you the best places in the entire city during your tour. They know exactly what to do, what to see, and, most importantly, where to eat all across the city.

Check these unique experiences in Istanbul

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Merhaba I am
Mine
The Art & History Lover
I speak: English
(197 review)
Merhaba I am
Aysenur
Art Enthusiast Professional Tourist Guide
I speak: English • Türkçe
(30 review)
Merhaba I am
Ugur
The Istanbul Guide
I speak: English • Türkçe
(55 review)
Merhaba I am
Ibra
The Experience Host
I speak: English • Türkçe
(44 review)
Merhaba I am
Hakan
The Historian
I speak: English
(62 review)
Merhaba I am
Dilek
The Professional Guide
I speak: English • Español
(103 review)

10 tips from our private guides in Istanbul

Curated byDilek, Oğuz and 33 other locals

The only way to enjoy a city to the max is the local way. Stay off-the-beaten-track and check out these awesome tips from our private guides in Istanbul!

Check all tours in Istanbul

What other travelers love about our local experts

Michele
About local Aysenur
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!)

Monique
About local Ugur
26 February 2025
Excellent

Ugur is a very nice guy who has a big knowledge on historical facts. We enjoyed his company. He is also good with teenagers. We had 4 of them with us. He showed us nice places and took us to taste the best Baklava in town and Some Turkish caffee. He also took is on a short trip with the 2nd oldest metro in the world. We highly recommend Ugur for your trip!

David
About local Mine
24 February 2025
Fantastic tour and guide

My wife and I had an amazing three plus hours tour with Mine today visiting the Grand Bazaar and Spice Market and within each a curated collection of key stores where there was no pressure to buy. Lots of history and fokelore was shared. I’d highly recommend this tour and guide.

Local Guides in Istanbul

Never miss a beat

Istanbul is a vast city with so many things to see all over the city.  Don’t lose time going from point A to point B; instead, go with a local and find the most direct and efficient ways to get around the city.  This way, you’ll spend your time exploring places you want to see instead of getting lost or stuck in traffic.

Never miss a gem

In Istanbul, you never know what treasure you’ll find just around the next corner. But, if you don’t know what you’re looking for, these little gems, like quaint cafes or favorite local hotspots, are easy to pass by.  Private guides in Istanbul will make sure that you don’t miss a chance to experience every winding street to its fullest!

Never miss a meal

Let’s face it: no one knows the food of a place like the ones who live there.  In Istanbul, there are hundreds of choices to be made about food for literally every meal.  With so many great foodie spots in the city, having a private guide to help you find the best of the best is a huge advantage.  With the help of your local guide, you’ll be sure to make the most of every meal. Plus, due to the sheer force of Turkish hospitality, your local friend will make sure that you never stay hungry during your visit!

Never miss a deal

In Istanbul, a lot of things come down to personal relationships with people.  There’s a saying that “the man that you buy your bread from will even come to your funeral,” which shows that even small daily transactions are the basis for strong personal ties.  When you tour with a local private guide, you get to experience these personal relationships, and as a result, you’re much less likely to be scammed. Plus, with a private guide, you’ll be able to make friends at every turn!

Never miss a memory

While you’re moving with the quick pace of the city, you may forget to take a moment to make a memory.  But, when you travel with a private guide in Istanbul, they’ll be sure to help you find the best places to stop, take a photo, and make a memory.  Not only do they know the best and most memorable spots, but they know the best times to go and the best ways to get there. Thanks to their expertise, you’ll be able to pack your visit to Istanbul full of experiences and memories!

Top benefits of having a private local guide

  • Flexibility – you choose the hour, the day, the place.
  • Locals know their city – they were born or lived there for many ears, they know it by heart.
  • You can set your own itinerary – you pick what you’d like to do, everything can be personalized.
  • See hidden attractions – that only locals know about.
  • Get local tips – where to go, what to do, they know it all!
  • Saves time — no waiting for others, like on a regular tour group.
  • Cultural insights – learn more about the local lifestyle

Guides in Istanbul