Walking Tours In Istanbul

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

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The best private guides and local insiders in Istanbul

Looking for the ultimate walking tours of Istanbul for an unforgettable, authentic experience in Turkey’s colorful capital? As the final stop on the ancient Silk Road, this fascinating city that straddles two continents is a melting pot of cultures who have settled here over the centuries, and you can experience the best of it on Istanbul walking tours. With so much to uncover that you couldn’t find in your guidebook, you’ll be ecstatic to have a knowledgeable local host by your side to show you the ropes on Istanbul walking tours. We’ll plan a route that shows you the highlights as well as the hidden gems. What are you waiting for? Let us start planning your perfect day.

Meet some of our Istanbul private guides

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

Istanbul off the tourist trail

If you’ve planned a trip to Isanbul, you know exactly what you’re here for. The city’s fascinating past, illustrated by centuries-spanning European- and Asian-influenced attractions, could keep you occupied for ten weeks worth of Istanbul walking tours – but with a local by your side, you’ll see the city from a different perspective. Step off the tourist trail lined by mosaic-adorned mosques and frescoed churches to explore charismatic neighborhoods you wouldn't find on a top 10 list. Our walking tours in Istanbul give you a totally authentic experience of the locals-only lifestyle.

Walking tours with you in mind

Our local hosts take you on the best walking tours of Istanbul because they’ll tailor every experience to you. Once we know a little about your personality and passions, we’ll plan 100% flexible walking tours of Istanbul that highlight everything you’ll love about this beautiful city. Whether you want to walk a route that winds through Istanbul’s breathtaking architecture, sample Şiş Kebap and jewel-toned Turkish delight on food walking tours of Istanbul or experience a night out like a local, we’ll make sure you get exactly what you want out of your time in the Turkish capital.

A unique shopping spree

In the chaotic streets of the Turkish capital, walking tours of Istanbul are best led by an in-the-know local. There’s more to Istanbul walking tours than the centuries-old Grand Bazaar – in fact, this world-famous attraction is just the tip of the Istanbul iceberg. Let your local insider lead you down the crowded alleys of over 200 traditional markets that set up shop across the city each week. It’s not your average shopping experience, but from fresh produce to fine textiles, you’ll find them all at a traditional marketplace on private walking tours in Istanbul.

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

Fantastic Family Day in Istanbul with Ipek We were so lucky to have Ipek as our guide in Istanbul! As a family of three with a 10-year-old, we wanted something engaging beyond the typical sights we’d already seen. Ipek crafted the perfect day—exploring the Asian side via tram and ferry, wandering through Kadıköy and Moda, and making it fun for our son with a street cat-spotting challenge and feeding simit to seagulls. She introduced us to a great local lunch spot with new dishes to try, and we wrapped up at Miniatürk, an open-air miniature park that was surprisingly fun for all of us. Ipek was warm, thoughtful, and made the day truly memorable. We left inspired to return and explore more of Turkey!

Jul 2025

Olivia C
Burak, the guide for our walking tour around Istanbul, took us around the highlights in the Old City. Burak is an excellent guide, tremendously knowledgeable about the city and the sights within. He has a nice way of explaining them, and the pace is comfortable, but he makes sure you get to see what you want. I highly recommend him.

Jul 2025

Michael M
Burak was amazing! He listened to our requests and took us to many non touristy places just like we asked. His knowledge was incredible and I would highly recommend him as a guide!

Jul 2025

Lindsey K
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

Mohammed Y