Private Custom Tours in Istanbul
Description
Alongside the classical must-see landmarks like Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, and Topkapi Palace, we offer the chance to explore hidden gems and lesser-known treasures of Istanbul. From charming local neighborhoods and traditional markets to serene gardens and ancient ruins, our tour lets you experience the city’s rich history and vibrant culture beyond the typical tourist sites. Discover the authentic side of Istanbul that many visitors miss!
Tour Options
Itinerary
The Hippodrome of Constantinople was a grand arena for chariot races, ceremonies, and public events, built in the 3rd century and expanded by Constantine I. It featured the Obelisk of Theodosius, the Serpent Column, and the Walled Obelisk on its central spina. A hub of Byzantine culture and power, it hosted celebrations and conflicts, like the Nika Riots. Its legacy endures despite its ruins today.
The Blue Mosque, or Sultan Ahmed Mosque, is a stunning masterpiece of Ottoman architecture in Istanbul. Built in the 17th century, it features six minarets, a grand courtyard, and an interior adorned with over 20,000 blue İznik tiles. Visitors can admire its grandeur, peaceful atmosphere, and intricate design. Entry is free, but dress modestly, and visit outside prayer times for the best experience.
Topkapi Palace, a symbol of Ottoman grandeur, is a must-visit in Istanbul. Once home to sultans, this sprawling complex showcases opulent architecture, lush courtyards, and treasures like the Harem, Holy Relics, and the Imperial Treasury. Explore the stunning Bosphorus views and historical artifacts. Plan ahead to enjoy the rich history and allow time to immerse yourself in this iconic UNESCO site.
Hagia Sophia, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Istanbul, is a breathtaking fusion of Byzantine and Ottoman architecture. Originally a church, then a mosque, and now a mosque again, it features a vast dome, stunning mosaics, and intricate Islamic calligraphy. Visitors can marvel at its rich history and spiritual ambiance. Entry is free, but respectful attire is required. Best visited early to avoid crowds.
The Grand Bazaar, one of the world's oldest and largest covered markets, is a vibrant hub in Istanbul. With over 4,000 shops, it offers a unique shopping experience, featuring jewelry, carpets, spices, and souvenirs. Stroll its maze-like alleys, soak in the lively atmosphere, and enjoy traditional Turkish hospitality. Bargaining is encouraged! Visit early to explore comfortably and savor this iconic cultural treasure.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
During Booking please mention your hotel name.
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Hotel pickup offered for the hotels centrally located. Guide will come to your hotel. Transportation is not included.
- This tour is not suitable for people with walking difficulties.
- NB: This service is not functional with any kind of Epass, Touristpass, Combo tickets.
Reviews(38)
Our guide has been great, it is in line with our expectations and has given us a lot of information both architectural and cultural. Thank you very much to him.
Best day out in Istanbul. Murat’s knowledge of Turkey and history was excellent. The tour was lots of fun and customised so we saw all the highlights on our ticklist in just 1 day. But we also saw lots of different things that we would not have seen on a big tour. Back lanes, Turkish delight tastings, tea tastings and more. Murat was fun , his English was excellent and we had lots of laughs along the way. We could not recommend this tour and guide and more higher. If you have 1 day in Istanbul to see everything ( as we did) - this is for you. Have a read.
A wonderful rediscovery of Istanbul After twenty years I returned to Istanbul, this time with my partner, for whom it was the first visit. It was our first real trip together and I wanted it to be a special, unforgettable experience. For this reason I chose a guided tour with a local guide who speaks Italian, so as to fully experience every moment without language barriers. To say it was a wonderful experience is really simplistic. Umut, our guide, is an extraordinary person, passionate and incredibly prepared. Thanks to him we discovered the city in an authentic and profound way: he accompanied us for a whole day among the most iconic and fascinating places in Istanbul, telling us the history and secrets of every corner with enthusiasm and competence. His stories, practical advice and valuable information enriched our visit, allowing us to enjoy the following days, with a more aware and in love look towards the city. We could not have wished for better driving, nor had a better experience. Thank you very much, Umut, for making this trip so special. Tourists who are lucky enough to meet you will live a unique experience. And thank you, wonderful Istanbul: your colors, your scents and your soul will remain forever in our hearts.
Our tour guide Hasan was awesome!! Very knowledgeable and we didn't feel rushed even though we saw the 3 major sights, went to the Grand Bazaar to shop and had an amazing lunch!! Would definitely recommend. 10/10
Amazing! Our guide was so knowledgeable and very fluent in English. He knew his way around, skipped us past all of the crowds, and taught us all about the history and significance of each spot. We enjoyed every second of it, and the day flew by!
Thank you so much for your kind feedback! We're glad you enjoyed your private Istanbul tour with our professional English-speaking guide. Exploring Istanbul's history and highlights without the crowds makes all the difference. We'd love to welcome you again!
The best tour we could have to know Istanbul! Timi is an experienced guide with extensive knowledge about everything about the city (history and present). With pleasant explanations he detailed each place we visited. If you really want to know Istanbul, I highly recommend it!!
Le agradecemos sinceramente por su valioso comentario. Nos complace saber que tuvo una experiencia satisfactoria en su tour privado por Estambul con uno de nuestros guías profesionales. Conocer Estambul a través de su historia y cultura, acompañado por un guía experimentado, es sin duda una forma enriquecedora de descubrir la ciudad. Estaremos encantados de recibirle nuevamente en el futuro. Saludos!!!
The perfect day tour for any combination of attractions you may want to see. My guide was great and made excellent suggestions along the way such as places to eat with locals and more activities to add when we finished early. Great way to spend the day! I highly recommend.
Thank you so much for your kind words! We're thrilled to hear you had such a great experience and that your guide helped make the day extra special with personalized suggestions. It was a pleasure having you with us, and we truly appreciate your recommendation. We hope to welcome you back on another adventure soon! Best regards
The guide was a middle-aged gentleman who spoke Italian quite well (although some typo with Spanish but understandable). Arrived on time under our hotel did not immediately make a good impression on us and during the tour did not improve his position much. He was very hasty in visiting the places of interest and explaining them. He was saying the essentials and very often we wondered if he actually knew what he was talking about. On the way from one place to another he even increased his pace and stayed ahead of us without saying a word. Last year I turned to the online agency “discover Istanbul” and I had a great time! Unfortunately this year there were no guides available for private tours and I turned to TripAdvisor.... never again! Money thrown away! The only positive note was that at least we skipped the line in the tank and in Hagia Sophia!
La ringraziamo per aver condiviso la sua esperienza. Siamo davvero dispiaciuti che il tour privato di Istanbul non abbia soddisfatto le sue aspettative. Il nostro obiettivo è offrire sempre tour guidati in italiano di alta qualità, con guide esperte e professionali. Prendiamo molto sul serio i suoi commenti e faremo le dovute verifiche per migliorare il nostro servizio. Ci auguriamo di poterle offrire un'esperienza all'altezza in futuro, per farle riscoprire la vera bellezza di Istanbul con una guida italiana preparata e appassionata.
Salim is friendly and extremely knowledgeable. He crafted a tour specially for my family based on our interests. We loved seeing the Hagia Sofia and the Cistern. He answered our many cultural questions about Istanbul also. We went to the Grand Bazaar with Salim, and it was great to have him show us the best places to shop. We had an excellent tour!
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! It was truly a pleasure guiding you and your family through Istanbul. I'm so glad you enjoyed the Hagia Sophia, the Cistern, and exploring the Grand Bazaar together. Answering your questions and sharing the cultural richness of this city with you was a joy. I’m grateful for the opportunity to be part of your Istanbul experience and hope to welcome you again in the future! Warm regards,
Loved our tour guide, had a wonderful day exploring Istanbul, learning about the city, culture, and the impressive sights. He managed our day by organizing our itinerary to skip the lines, skip the traffic, making sure we got to see everything on our want list. Skip the tour bus and book with these folks for a great day customized for you.
Thank you for your kind words! We're happy to hear you enjoyed your private Istanbul tour with a personalized itinerary and skip-the-line access. Exploring Istanbul’s culture and top attractions with a local guide makes all the difference. We hope to see you again!
