Istanbul private tours

Tailoring each experience 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

See all

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

Feruza

Istanbul

An enthusiastic Istanbul local, unveils the city's historical wonders and culinary delights, guiding you through a captivating journey of culture and flavor.

Devanshu

Dublin

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

We had an amazing time exploring Istanbul with Öztürk. Right from the start, he was warm, friendly, and clearly passionate about his city. He began the tour by showing us a brief history of Türkiye on his iPad, which helped us understand what we’d be seeing throughout the day. He didn’t just guide us—he truly took care of us. Whether it was helping us plan the day’s route or negotiating great prices at the Grand Bazaar, Spice Market, or even Hafiz Mustafa, Öztürk was on top of it. He seemed to know everyone! We started calling him “the mayor of Istanbul” because of how connected and respected he was. The highlight for me was our time at Topkapı Palace. The way he explained the palace’s history, especially the Islamic and Ottoman parts, made it feel like he had lived there himself. He brought the stories to life in a way that was both educational and enjoyable. If you want a guide who is knowledgeable, kind, and makes you feel like you’re exploring the city with a friend, I would 100% recommend Öztürk. This tour was a highlight of our trip.

Jul 2025

int(2) string(32) "Undefined array key "first_name"" string(99) "/srv/app/cu-prod/htdocs/Application/server_root/app/frontend/views/partials/_template/reviews.phtml" int(56) int(2) string(37) "Undefined array key "last_name_short"" string(99) "/srv/app/cu-prod/htdocs/Application/server_root/app/frontend/views/partials/_template/reviews.phtml" int(56)
This was the only way to experience the sights of Istanbul. Our guide was Ipek and she was wonderful. She was very knowledgeable and enthralled us with the history of the city. Had a great time and would recommend it to everyone

Jun 2025

int(2) string(32) "Undefined array key "first_name"" string(99) "/srv/app/cu-prod/htdocs/Application/server_root/app/frontend/views/partials/_template/reviews.phtml" int(56) int(2) string(37) "Undefined array key "last_name_short"" string(99) "/srv/app/cu-prod/htdocs/Application/server_root/app/frontend/views/partials/_template/reviews.phtml" int(56)
We enjoyed the historical sites and Ipek was very knowledgeable and engaging in her descriptions of the places

Jun 2025

int(2) string(32) "Undefined array key "first_name"" string(99) "/srv/app/cu-prod/htdocs/Application/server_root/app/frontend/views/partials/_template/reviews.phtml" int(56) int(2) string(37) "Undefined array key "last_name_short"" string(99) "/srv/app/cu-prod/htdocs/Application/server_root/app/frontend/views/partials/_template/reviews.phtml" int(56)
We arrived in Istanbul two days early for a group tour of Turkey so I scheduled a private walking tour with Tolga to see if he could show us something other than the typical list of sites that were on our group's itinerary. I felt certain that there were neighborhoods that he could show us which we wouldn't otherwise see and Tolga did not disappoint. Along the way, he filled us in on history, culture, religion, and current events. He took us to an historic place for baklava and a cute spot for a quick lunch. We rode the tram, the bus and two ferries, and walked 8 miles! After seven hours, we finally called it quits, but he would have continued longer if we had wanted. We definitely got our money's worth and counted that day as one of the best of our entire three weeks in Turkey.

Jun 2025

int(2) string(32) "Undefined array key "first_name"" string(99) "/srv/app/cu-prod/htdocs/Application/server_root/app/frontend/views/partials/_template/reviews.phtml" int(56) int(2) string(37) "Undefined array key "last_name_short"" string(99) "/srv/app/cu-prod/htdocs/Application/server_root/app/frontend/views/partials/_template/reviews.phtml" int(56)