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

34 Private Guides in Istanbul

Merhaba I am
Emir
Travel with me!
I speak: العربية • English • Türkçe
(49 review)
Merhaba I am
Faruk
Hostanblue
I speak: English • Türkçe
(44 review)
Merhaba I am
Tolga
History Buff & Wine Lover & Foodie
I speak: English • Türkçe
(33 review)
Merhaba I am
muhammed
Legendary experience maker
I speak: English • Español • Türkçe
(56 review)
Merhaba I am
Abdullah
History & Story Teller
I speak: English • Español
(237 review)
Merhaba I am
Alp
The Foodie Musician
I speak: English • Türkçe
(300 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
Oğuz
The Travel Expert
I speak: English
(96 review)
Merhaba I am
Oguz
The Local Legend
I speak: English
(33 review)
Merhaba I am
Lorena
İstanbul in a Fun Way🎉
I speak: English • Español • Italiano • Português
(73 review)
Merhaba I am
Kemal
Wine & Dine Pro
I speak: English • Türkçe • 中文
(22 review)
Merhaba I am
Ahmet Can
The Professional
I speak: English • Türkçe
(52 review)
Merhaba I am
Ugur
The Istanbul Guide
I speak: English • Türkçe
(65 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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    Neslihan & 18 other locals

    City Kickstart Tour: Istanbul

    4.9
    2468 reviews
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    Alp & 15 other locals

    The 10 Tastings of Istanbul

    4.9
    1130 reviews
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    Nihal & 19 other locals

    Highlights & Hidden Gems of Istanbul

    4.9
    728 reviews
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    Alp & 10 other locals

    A Magical Evening in Istanbul: City Tour

    4.9
    251 reviews
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    Ceren

    Hipster Kadikoy: Food, Hotspots & Beers!

    5.0
    95 reviews
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    Atakan & 17 other locals

    Treasures of Istanbul: Hagia Sophia Tour

    4.9
    2056 reviews
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    Alp

    Private Day Trip to Princes' Islands

    5.0
    300 reviews
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    Ayfer

    Jewelry Workshop at a Local Studio

    5.0
    155 reviews
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    Diana

    The Antique Gems of Istanbul Tour

    4.9
    66 reviews
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    Ahmet Can & 12 other locals

    Explore Topkapi Palace & Surroundings with a Local

    4.9
    1805 reviews
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Merhaba I am
BULENT
Extraordinary Tour Guide
I speak: English • Türkçe
(1 review)
Merhaba I am
Aysenur
Art Enthusiast Professional Tourist Guide
I speak: English • Türkçe
(37 review)
Merhaba I am
Sözüm
The Bar Philosopher
I speak: English • Türkçe
(60 review)
Merhaba I am
Taci
The Bookworm & Family Man
I speak: English
Merhaba I am
Atakan
Passionate Official Guide
I speak: English
(4 review)
Merhaba I am
Esra
The Smiling Local
I speak: English • Türkçe
(162 review)

10 tips from our private guides in Istanbul

Curated byAlp, Aysenur and 32 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

Ken
About local Esra
4 June 2025
#1 Tour Guide!

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!

Elisa
About local Oguz
4 June 2025
A quiet day in Istanbul

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.

Lindsay
About local Faruk
2 June 2025
Wonderful experience

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!

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