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

33 Private Guides in Istanbul

Merhaba I am
Mine
The Art & History Lover
I speak: English
(223 reviews)
Merhaba I am
Oğuz
The Travel Expert
I speak: English
(101 reviews)
Merhaba I am
muhammed
Legendary experience maker
I speak: English • Español • Türkçe
(63 reviews)
Merhaba I am
Faruk
Hostanblue
I speak: English • Türkçe
(50 reviews)
Merhaba I am
Ahmet Can
The Professional
I speak: English • Türkçe
(56 reviews)
Merhaba I am
Safiye
The Fun&Friendly Local
I speak: English • Español
(53 reviews)
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
Kadir Celal
The Passionate Historian
I speak: English • Türkçe
(302 reviews)
Merhaba I am
Alp
The Foodie Musician
I speak: English • Türkçe
(313 reviews)
Merhaba I am
Aysenur
Art Enthusiast Professional Tourist Guide
I speak: English • Türkçe
(37 reviews)
Merhaba I am
Tolga
History Buff & Wine Lover & Foodie
I speak: English • Türkçe
(35 reviews)
Merhaba I am
Deniz
Doctor Chillin'
I speak: English • Türkçe
(13 reviews)
Merhaba I am
Abdullah
History & Story Teller
I speak: English • Español
(255 reviews)

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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    Ugur & 18 other locals

    City Kickstart Tour: Istanbul

    4.9
    108 reviews
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    Sözüm & 15 other locals

    The 10 Tastings of Istanbul

    4.9
    1161 reviews
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    Gülce & 18 other locals

    Highlights & Hidden Gems of Istanbul

    4.9
    751 reviews
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    Ugur & 10 other locals

    A Magical Evening in Istanbul: City Tour

    4.9
    255 reviews
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    Dilek & 18 other locals

    Treasures of Istanbul: Hagia Sophia Tour

    4.9
    2160 reviews
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    Emre & 13 other locals

    Explore Topkapi Palace & Surroundings with a Local

    4.9
    1878 reviews
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    Abdullah & 14 other locals

    Full Coverage Istanbul City Tour

    4.9
    200 reviews
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    Gülce & 19 other locals

    Withlocals Your Way! - Istanbul City Tour

    4.9
    2847 reviews
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    Alp & 13 other locals

    The 10 Tastings of Istanbul: Kadikoy

    4.9
    267 reviews
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    Ceren

    Hipster Kadikoy: Food, Hotspots & Beers!

    5.0
    97 reviews
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Merhaba I am
BULENT
Extraordinary Tour Guide
I speak: English • Türkçe
(1 review)
Merhaba I am
Esra
The Smiling Local
I speak: English • Türkçe
(168 reviews)
Merhaba I am
Emre
Geschmackshunter
I speak: Deutsch • English
(785 reviews)
Merhaba I am
Ayfer
The Explorer of History and Lifestyle
I speak: English • Türkçe
(163 reviews)
Merhaba I am
Emir
Travel with me!
I speak: العربية • English • Türkçe
(55 reviews)
Merhaba I am
Goda and Friends
Wine & Culinary Expert
I speak: English • Lietuvių
(12 reviews)

10 tips from our private guides in Istanbul

Curated byAhmet Can, Mine and 31 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

Benjamin
About local Kadir Celal
28 July 2025
Amazing experience with Kadir!

I booked the Istanbul Jewish tour with Kadir, which was fantastic. He has a true expertise in and passion for the history and culture of Judiasm in the Ottoman Empire and Istanbul specifically. You will definitely see things "off the beaten path" that one might not otherwise experience. Kadir is somewhat of a local legend, so I would highly recommend booking any tour with him!

Gordon
About local Ahmet Can
27 July 2025
Excellent historical detail

Despite a delay to our start as we could not find the German fountain! Ahmet was a perfect guide, his knowledge of the history of Istanbul went beyond dates and details but provided relevant information that linked and overlapped. Despite the heat, the time went quickly.

Shaylynn
About local Tolga
24 July 2025
Great Experience!

What a wonderful tour! Tolga knew all of the best places to take us on our food tour and we truly feel we got a taste of Turkey. Tolga not only is very knowledgeable on Turkish food, but also the history of Turkey. I highly recommend Tolga for any tour.

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