Istanbul Customized Tour - Private
Description
Please also check my Trip Advisor page, "Ali's Protravel & Tours," where we have received 289 five-star ratings and reviews. . This cultural experience will be about 6 hours and will help you to explore the city with your private tour guide without any set tour plan.. You will have 6 hours time and a nice, compatible private guide who will be ready to take you to wherever you want. Historical sites for culture and history, or historical bazaars for shopping, or traditional restaurants serving typical Turkish restaurants. May be all in one tour... As you walk, you'll learn the history of this contemporary city and its ancient roots. Tour starts at 10am. at Sultanahmet and will end somewhere in the Old city area after 6 hours. No museum tickets or lunch or drink etc included. Everyday except for Sunday. https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g293974-d3570940-Reviews-Ali_s_Protravel_Tours-Istanbul.html
Tour Options
Itinerary
Ayasofya, one of Istanbul’s most iconic landmarks! Once a church, then a mosque, then a museum and now a mosque again, it’s a place full of history. You’ll see its stunning domes, mosaics, and calligraphy, each telling a story of centuries past. I’ll share fascinating tales about emperors, sultans, and the secrets hidden in its walls. Walking here feels like stepping back in time—you’ll definitely want your camera ready! Ladies do not forget to bring a scarf.. IMPORTANT : Please note that Ayasofya has been under major restoration since November 2025. It is open, but scaffolding limits the interior view. You may choose to visit only the exterior and replace it with the Blue Mosque. Please let us know your preference before the tour.
Welcome to Topkapi Palace, the home of the Ottoman sultans for over 400 years! As we explore, you’ll see amazing courtyards, beautiful tiles, and great views of the Bosphorus. We’ll visit the Harem, where the sultan’s family lived, and the Treasury, with its incredible jewels and famous Topkapi dagger. I’ll share stories about the sultans, point out hidden gems, and make sure you get a real feel for life in the palace. It’s not just a building—it’s a step back in time!
Get ready to explore the Grand Bazaar, one of the world’s oldest and largest covered markets! With over 4,000 shops, you’ll find everything from handmade rugs and leather goods to jewelry, ceramics, and souvenirs. I’ll guide you through the maze of colorful streets, share tips for bargaining like a pro, and point out hidden gems that many visitors miss. It’s not just shopping—it’s an experience full of sights, smells, and stories! IMPORTANT: The Historical Grand Bazaar is closed on Sundays and during religious holidays. The Spice Bazaar is open 7 days a week. Carpet shopping We can also do optional carpet shopping if you’re interested—no pressure, just a chance to see some beautiful handmade rugs and learn a bit about them. If not interested in carpet shopping..the tour ends at the Grand Bazaar
Extra free time to do whatever you want..you may need extra time to visit another mosque or visit rug dealers to find your dream rug or visit Spice bazaar or have a nice traditonal lunch..
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Not recommended for travelers with children
Reviews(18)
We had a remarkable day with Ali! Could not have asked for a more personable and knowledgeable tour guide. We booked him for 1 day and added a second day. We felt so taken care of. Highly recommended!
Thank you so much for your wonderful words! It was truly a pleasure spending time with you and showing you around Istanbul. I’m so glad to hear that you enjoyed the experience enough to add a second day — that means a lot! I always aim to make my guests feel comfortable, cared for, and inspired by the beauty and history of this city. Hope to welcome you back to Turkey again someday!
Ali took us on a private tour which included the Topkapi Palace, the Basilica Cistern and the Spice Bazar. We have a particular interest in Turkish history and politics and Ali did a superb job of explaining the significance and background to the important moments in history but also, and I think slightly unusually, was able to put them into the context of world events at the same time allowing a fascinating insight. I had the sense that we only skimmed the surface of Ali's knowledge and when we return to Istanbul we will be sure to look him up. As it was just the 2 of us and Ali we took our time which which meant we were able to contemplate and discuss further at the various sites and we parted ways feeling like we had a much better understanding of Istanbul today and in the past. Thanks for your great tour Ali.
Thank you so much for your generous words! It was a true pleasure to explore Istanbul with you and dive into its rich history together. I'm especially glad you appreciated the broader context—we had such engaging conversations! I’d be honored to guide you again when you return. There’s still so much more to uncover!
My wife and I were very excited about visiting Istanbul, We did not know what to expect since this would be our first time and thought that investing in a knowledgeable guide would be the best way to learn about the city. We were lucky to have Ali as our guide. He is very personable and it was like touring the city with someone we had known for a while even though we had just met. We learned so much about the city, the culture, the food, historical buildings and institutions. We would recommend touring with Ali for a great introduction to an amazing city. Contact him and we are sure you will enjoy a great experience just like we did.
Thank you so much for your thoughtful review! I'm delighted to hear that your first visit to Istanbul was such a positive experience and that I could help make it memorable. It was a pleasure showing you both the city's rich history, culture, and hidden gems. I always aim to make the tours feel personal and engaging, so it’s wonderful to hear it felt like touring with an old friend. If you ever return to Istanbul or have friends visiting, feel free to reach out. Wishing you both many more exciting travels ahead!
Walking thru the palace abs cisterns in Istanbul was a wonderful experience brought to life by Ali. These tours would have been meaningful without his guidance and teaching
Thank you so much for your kind words! I’m thrilled that the tour through the palace and cisterns was a memorable experience for you. It's always my goal to bring the rich history of Istanbul to life through stories and insights that add depth to the sites. I’m glad you felt that the tour was enhanced by the guidance—it means a lot to me! Hope to see you again on future adventures.
WOWOWOWOW!!! Ali was absolutely FANTASTIC! So knowledgeable--and not just about Istanbul: I really appreciated how he put info in a global and time-relevant context. Our sons--18 and 23--both related to him, as well. He really knew his audience. Besides history and context, he offered insights to modern Istanbul, so we felt like we learned so much more than facts! We would definitely recommend Ali!
Thank you so much for your enthusiastic feedback! I’m thrilled to hear that you and your sons enjoyed the tour and felt connected to the history and context I shared. It’s always a pleasure to cater to different audiences, and I’m glad that both your sons found the experience engaging. I strive to offer a blend of historical insights and a modern perspective, so it’s great to know that came through. I truly appreciate your recommendation and hope to see you again for more adventures in Istanbul!
Ali’s understanding of Istanbul’s deep history and his ability to relay it to us in a realistic storytelling manner was exceptional. At all times he was aware of our understanding and needs on this personalised tour. A remarkable tour which gave us a much greater understanding of this extraordinary city. Thank you, Ali, for a wonderful experience.
Thank you for your kind words! I’m so glad to hear that you found the tour engaging and informative. It was a pleasure tailoring the experience to your interests and needs, and I’m happy that my storytelling helped bring Istanbul's rich history to life for you. This city has so much to offer, and I’m thrilled to have played a part in deepening your understanding of its extraordinary heritage. Thank you again, and I hope we can explore more together in the future!
Ali was excellent to be with . He showed us amazing things and had massive amounts of historical info for us. Great time, friendly, knowledgeable and helpful. We will see him again on our next visit ! Thanks for your book ! Victoria
Dear Victoria; Thank you for your rating and also sharing your experience with the Trip Adviser community. I really appreciate it. Will be looking forward to your next trip :)) Ali
We spent 3 days with Ali touring the major sites of Istanbul - the principal mosques, the Topkapi Palace, a trip on the Bosphorus, the grand bazaar and spice bazaar and Roman cisterns. He was extremely knowledgeable about the history of Istanbul specifically and Turkey generally and also the country’s current situation. He captured the children’s (16 and 18 yrs) imagination with his stories and humour and they really enjoyed it. We visited some excellent restaurants and ate like locals and on the last day visited the old area Balat, which was like going back in time. He adapted the tour to how tired we were, the weather and the children’s attention span! Bravo Ali - we had a fab time!
Hello Janet. First review you have ever done I can see! Thank-you for taking the time to leave a review. Your family was a lot of fun. Loved showing you around.. You were a champ! :))
Prior to my experience with Ali, I had biases towards 'tour activities'. As a traveler, you want to submerge yourself into a rich culture and learn from your surroundings. And that is precisely what Ali provided to my family and I. The tour Ali hosted was incredible. He has a passion for the city, history, all walks of life, and a drive to educate others. He is personable, kind, and his wide array of intelligence makes for the ultimate tour. Do not think that a tour with Ali will take away from a travelers experience: he enriches every moment and adds a personal touch to Istanbul. P.S- If you get the chance, ask him to take you to his favorite baklava shop. You won't regret it!
Victoria, wow ! Thank you so much for this great 5-star review. I really appreciate you helping to share the word about me. Thanks for your kind words and I look forward to seeing you again in Istanbul for more “Baklava” !
Thanks to Ali, our first trip to Istanbul was spectacular! Over three days, he not only showed us the beautiful historic sites, bazaars, mosques and towers, but welcomed us with the warmth and genuineness rarely seen in a guide. As Ali shared his favorite neighborhoods, restaurants, dessert spots and even a street-side cart with delicious muscles, we gained an appreciation for Turkish cuisine and for what life is like as a local. He also directed us to quality, yet reasonable shopping destinations. (Plus, he arranged a fantastic guide (Ibrahim) for us in Cappadocia.) Most of all, we enjoyed Ali’s personality. We shared many laughs each day while he filled our minds with information of Turkey’s storied history, as well as, it’s present. We hope to return to Istanbul and couldn’t imagine not reaching out to Ali again. He was a perfect match!
Hello Kristen; Wow! I’m so blown away by your review. Thank you again for sharing such a positive experience and writing this awesome review. I have already added you in our customer loyalty program and give you a free tour if/when you come back to Istanbul! I also love the photos that you added! Ryan looks so cute.
