Istanbul private tours

Tailoring each tour to your wishes by locals who love their city

Top private tours in Istanbul

From exploring cool neighborhoods to eating with the locals to seeing iconic sites, these are some of our favorite experiences

When in Osaka
make sure to try
“kushikatsu”!

See the city like
you would with a friend who lives there

See all

When in Osaka
make sure to try
“kushikatsu”!

See the city like
you would with a friend who lives there

The best Istanbul private tours & experiences with locals

Turkey’s kaleidoscopic capital is a trove of treasures dating back to the days of the ancient Silk Road, with discoveries to be made around every corner. For a first-time visitor it can be overwhelming – but what if you had a like-minded local guide by your side every step of the way? If it’s the best private tours in Istanbul you’re seeking, you’ve come to the right place. At City Unscripted, we pair you with the perfect partner for Istanbul tours that suit your interests and satisfy your curiosity. Whether you have a full day, half a day, or just three hours, you can rest assured that our Istanbul private tours will show you a mix of must-see sights and secrets.

Meet some of our Istanbul local hosts

Like the people who travel with us, they have different backgrounds and interests – but they’re all so passionate about the place they call home, they choose to spend their free time sharing it with the like-minded travelers matched to them.

We’ve handpicked them and we’ll match you to your perfect one!

Feel the true spirit of Istanbul

On City Unscripted private tours of Istanbul, we make it our mission to give you authentic snapshots of local life, because we believe that’s what traveling is about. Between world-renowned attractions like centuries-old the Blue Mosque and the Grand Bazaar, our private Istanbul tours will also take you off the beaten track. Our hosts will show you some of the special places loved by locals – the hole-in-the-wall Turkish coffeehouses and neighborhood markets often overlooked by visitors. Discover a side to the city not even your guidebook knows exists on Istanbul private tours.

Shop like a local

In the crisscrossing lanes of Turkey's crowded capital, one thing is for sure: private Istanbul tours are a shopper’s paradise. From fine fabrics to incredible food, Istanbul’s colorful market scene offers a once-in-a-lifetime shopping experience that won’t soon be forgotten. Your bags will be significantly heavier on the flight home after exploring several of the city’s 200 traditional markets on your Istanbul private tours. The Grand Bazaar is just the tip of the iceberg, so put on your comfiest walking shoes, make sure you have some money on hand, and see how locals like to shop.

Private tours tailored to you

What do you love most about traveling? When we plan Istanbul private tours tailored to you, your answer is the thing that guides us. We know everyone is different, but whether you’re an outdoor enthusiast, a culinary connoisseur, or a history buff, we’ll craft an itinerary around your interests. No two private tours in Istanbul with City Unscripted are the same – our Istanbul private tours take your personality and passions into account. And, in a city as iconic as Istanbul, where the things to do appeal to people from all walks of life, anyone can find something to love.

Istanbul travel tips and inspiration from our Travel Magazine

Find essential city info, travel tips and the best things to do in Istanbul and around the world recommended by our local hosts

Latest reviews from our guests

Feruza was an excellent guide! I had a handful of very specific things I wanted to experience while in Istanbul. We covered everything on my list in perfect timing, with no sense of rushing or taking too long. She was warm and professional, and she could discuss any topic that came up. It is clear she loves this city, and I was so grateful to experience it with her! I have never hired a private guide before, but this was the best decision to see Istanbul from the eyes of a local.

September 2023

Brooke S
It is sometimes a good idea to get local guides to teach you how to get around. We traveled a lot over the years and only twice used guided services. It’s a judgement call. A female guide was blast for the wife - worth it.

September 2023

Charles F
We thoroughly enjoyed our evening tour of Istanbul with our tour guide, Feruza. This was a private tour that include just the three of us, Mr. and Mrs. TravelCat and Feruza. This was a create your own itinerary tour, so we were limited only by our time, imagination, and jet lag. We had originally planned a three-day stopover in Istanbul, but we were thwarted by the legendarily bad Turkish Airlines phone customer service. After 19 phone calls and hours on the phone, Mr. TC threw in the towel. BTW, everything else with Turkish Airlines was GREAT, the plane itself, food, lounge, and on plane service. Go figure. As a result, we had 6 hours to see Istanbul on the evening of our arrival before heading to Athens early the next morning. Hmmm, probably not going to get to see everything. We chose to see the Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque. The rest would be just walking around the Sultanahmet area. After arriving at IST, we checked in to our airport hotel, the Airside Yotel (great for early morning flights – you’re already through security) and had dinner at the wonderful Turkish Airlines business lounge - the best airport lounge I’ve ever enjoyed! We then, contacted Feruza via WhatsApp. She had provided her contact info to us the week before – extremely helpful! After wandering the airport, we finally found our way downstairs and outside where we met Feruza. She greeted us like long lost friends! For the rest of our time together, we did indeed feel like we had a friend in Istanbul. We got in a nearby taxi and traveled to the Sultanahmet area. Feruza took care of the taxi fare both ways. There was no funny business by the driver demanding more money in either case. We enjoyed touring the Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque with our new friend. We discussed the Turkish educational system, economy, and Islam, not in a dry didactic way, but with very personal insight from our guide. Feruza has a charming personality and a great sense of humor. We enjoyed our short time walking and talking with her. I do believe that she would have stayed out with us all night if we had asked, but Mrs. TC was worried that Feruza would be too tired for her regular job in the morning, so she made us all go home to our house/hotel so that we could get some sleep. A great experience!

August 2023

Mark R
We thoroughly enjoyed our evening tour of Istanbul with our tour guide, Feruza. This was a private tour that include just the three of us, Mr. and Mrs. TravelCat and Feruza. This was a create your own itinerary tour, so we were limited only by our time, imagination, and jet lag. We had originally planned a three-day stopover in Istanbul, but we were thwarted by the legendarily bad Turkish Airlines phone customer service. After 19 phone calls and hours on the phone, Mr. TC threw in the towel. BTW, everything else with Turkish Airlines was GREAT, the plane itself, food, lounge, and on plane service. Go figure. As a result, we had 6 hours to see Istanbul on the evening of our arrival before heading to Athens early the next morning. Hmmm, probably not going to get to see everything. We chose to see the Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque. The rest would be just walking around the Sultanahmet area. After arriving at IST, we checked in to our airport hotel, the Airside Yotel (great for early morning flights – you’re already through security) and had dinner at the wonderful Turkish Airlines business lounge - the best airport lounge I’ve ever enjoyed! We then, contacted Feruza via WhatsApp. She had provided her contact info to us the week before – extremely helpful! After wandering the airport, we finally found our way downstairs and outside where we met Feruza. She greeted us like long lost friends! For the rest of our time together, we did indeed feel like we had a friend in Istanbul. We got in a nearby taxi and traveled to the Sultanahmet area. Feruza took care of the taxi fare both ways. There was no funny business by the driver demanding more money in either case. We enjoyed touring the Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque with our new friend. We discussed the Turkish educational system, economy, and Islam, not in a dry didactic way, but with very personal insight from our guide. Feruza has a charming personality and a great sense of humor. We enjoyed our short time walking and talking with her. I do believe that she would have stayed out with us all night if we had asked, but Mrs. TC was worried that Feruza would be too tired for her regular job in the morning, so she made us all go home to our house/hotel so that we could get some sleep. A great experience!

August 2023

Mark R