Hi, I’m Tolga

Istanbul
Tolga

Hi, I’m Tolga

I’ve lived in Istanbul for 15 years

I speak English, Turkish

I am a Professional Tour Guide

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Hi, I'm Tolga, a passionate local host from Istanbul! I love sharing the magic of my city, from the breathtaking mosaics of the Hagia Sophia to the lively stalls of the Grand Bazaar. Exploring Sultanahmet’s historic treasures and cruising the Bosphorus never gets old for me — the way Istanbul blends history, culture, and beauty is unforgettable. I know the city's neighborhoods inside out and enjoy helping visitors discover hidden gems, local flavors, and the rich traditions that make Istanbul so special. Whether you're a history buff, a foodie, or an adventurer, I'm excited to show you the best of this incredible city!

My knowledge & interests

Hosts expertise Food Hosts expertise Drinks Hosts expertise Nature / outdoors Hosts expertise History Hosts expertise Culture & customs
Street food Local cuisine Desserts Food markets Fine dining Unique & unusual foods Theater Cinema Art galleries & museums Street art Parks Gardens Scenic routes Wildlife Hikes Political history Economic history Social history Architectural history Religious history Cityscape photography Street photography Modern architecture Classical architecture Wine Third wave coffee Local beers Artisanal tea High-end fashion boutiques Department stores Vintage shops Street markets Handicrafts & souvenirs Traditional culture Popular culture Religious customs Lifestyle culture Rituals & ceremonial customs Alternative or underground culture Gourmet food Vegetarian food Vegan food Local speciality drinks Traditional drinks Sculpture Performance art Traditional art Digital art Folk art Contemporary art Art history Thrift stores Second-hand markets Specialty shops Bookstores Video game stores Music stores Antique shops Landscape photography Wildlife photography Action photography Food photography Night photography Nature photography Post-modern architecture Gothic architecture Baroque architecture Ottoman architecture Ethnic culture Classical music Pop music Jazz music Rock music Blues music Traditional music Folk music R&B Soul music Funk music Metal music
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istanbul

My reviews

    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.

    June 2025

    Barbara M

    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, 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.

    June 2025

    Barbara M

    Kiymet is awesome tour guide! She made this a memorable experience for my wife and I.

    June 2025

    Eric T

    May 2025

    Michael D