Istanbul unforgettable private tours with locals

100%
private & personalized tours 100% private &
personalized tours

Friendly, knowledgeable &
individually selected locals

From first time visits to off the
beaten path experiences

Istanbul private & personalized tours and experiences

Discover the heart of Istanbul just like you would if you were visiting a friend who lives there on a tour 100% tailored to you.

Video chat with a local

*New*

Chat to a virtual friend in
Istanbul and plan your visit!

How it works

1

Tell us about you! Once you book, fill in a quick questionnaire and tell us what you’d like from your experience.
2

We introduce you to your perfect local Build your perfect tour and experience together
3

The best part! Experience the city like you would with a knowledgeable friend living there

Meet some of our local guides in Istanbul

Explore more private tours in Turkey

See all destinations

Reviews for Istanbul

Best things to do in Istanbul

Essential city info, articles & travel tips from our local hosts

In a prime position straddling two continents, Turkey’s capital, the final stop on the ancient Silk Road, has seen its fair share of visitors – Greeks, Romans, Venetians, and Ottomans – over the centuries. Relics of these civilizations lay peppered through the city, and merchants who decided to make Istanbul their new home built a colorful culture that still exists today. On an Istanbul tour, diversity is visible in each of the city’s attractions, from the Grand Bazaar (the covered market dating back to 1461) to the historic center’s architecture (glittering gold mosaic-adorned mosques, frescoed churches, cascading domes) to the food (Istanbul’s cuisine, some of the most famous in the world, is as varied as the city’s heritage). In contemporary neighborhoods, the aroma of freshly brewed Turkish coffee wafts through streets lined with galleries, theaters, and cinemas, while the outskirts house ancient ruins and magnificent centuries-old structures illustrating legendary tales of Istanbul’s past.

Istanbul next 7 days weather

If you’re lucky to be visiting soon, you may be interested in Istanbul’s next week weather forecast

Istanbul weather

Private Tours in Istanbul

Whether you have a full day, half a day, or just three hours, it’s more than enough time to explore mosaic-adorned mosques, frescoed churches, and incredible markets on our city tours of Istanbul. Led by a local guide who’s intimately familiar with their city, our private tours in Istanbul uncover the hidden haunts and lesser-known landmarks of the city that straddles two continents. On a private tour of Istanbul, the city opens itself up for exploration beyond its top tourist sights. From the iconic Grand Bazaar to traditional Turkish taverns, the city is brimming with amazing attractions – but our personalized tours of Istanbul also let you see the Turkish capital through a local lens. The city may be a living museum, but some of the best things to do in Istanbul are the modern pastimes of the people who call it home. On a walking tour at any hour, you’ll marvel at ancient architecture, explore the crisscrossing lanes of local markets, and discover hole-in-the-wall eateries serving the best Şiş Kebap. A private tour with City Unscripted won’t get you caught in a tourist trap – simply tell us what a dream local tour of Istanbul looks like to you, and we’ll make it happen!