Experience Istanbul
Beyond the Guidebooks

A private tour is the best. We had a very good experience. Feruza gave good information. We did no need to be waiting too long for other people and we can ask any questions anytime.

It was nice being able to see the best parts of Istanbul. The tour felt super customizable and we loved that it was just our group.

Feruza was wonderful! She helped to get us around and shop in the bazaar.

Exploring Istanbul with my guide, Feruza was like spending the day with a friend, visiting various districts on both the Asian and European sides of the city. I told Feruza that I could see the well known Istanbul sights on my own and asked her to show me some of the local neighbourhoods. She shared many interesting stories about Istanbul’s history, social and cultural scene as well as handy tips on the public transport system, where to shop and eat, and suggestions for what to do for the rest of my stay. I did this tour on my first day in Istanbul and it was the perfect introduction to this remarkable city.

The tour was exactly what I envisioned. The hospitality of Ipek was outstanding. She listened, answered all my questions and took me to places where I hoped to see and more. Thank you, Ipek!

Great Tour!!

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!

Our private vegetarian tour with Ipek was the perfect day of digesting history and culture in Istanbul. She promptly picked us up from our hotel and immediately began sharing her knowledge on the unique and ancient area we were walking around. She answered all our questions along the way, and we were extremely impressed with the images and extra info she carried in her bag and iPad. She took us to many important landmarks and highlighted other significant locations casually found around town. Ipek also helped us with our (very broken) Turkish, and even got our fortunes read from our coffee grounds haha. It was awesome to eat like a local, with a local at all the local spots - and we were so full from all the food. 10/10 - would book again for the Asian side next trip :)

We did a fabulous evening food tour with Burak. We went to places we would not have found on our own and tried food we wouldn't have known to try. He was very knowledgeable and had lots of fascinating information that made the tour amusing and interesting. It was just what we wanted

Burak was an exceptional guide who made the effort to identify what things were of most interest for us, rather than deciding that he knew what would be best for us

Knowledge Flexibility

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.

We booked a half-day “Explore Istanbul with a Local” tour with Tugba, and she was absolutely outstanding. We told her we wanted to see as much as possible without wasting time in long lines — even if that meant skipping the Blue Mosque — and she delivered exactly what we hoped for. She guided us through hidden gems, the spice shops, the Grand Bazaar, and even introduced us to simple but wonderful street foods like roasted corn and chestnuts. Her knowledge and passion for the city made every stop meaningful. By the end of the day, Tugba was even calling to make us breakfast reservations at her favorite local spot for the next morning — such a thoughtful touch! Spending the afternoon with her felt like exploring Istanbul with a close friend who knows all the city’s secrets. If we’re ever lucky enough to return to this remarkable city, Tugba will be the first person we contact. Highly recommend!

We booked a half-day “Explore Istanbul with a Local” tour with Tugba, and she was simply outstanding. We explained that we wanted to see as much as possible without waiting in long lines — even if it meant skipping the Blue Mosque — and she delivered exactly what we hoped for. She guided us through hidden gems and lively neighborhoods, sharing insights and stories that made the city come alive, all while keeping us away from the crowds. By the end of the tour, Tugba was even making breakfast reservations for us at her favorite local spot — such a thoughtful touch! Spending the afternoon with her felt like exploring the city with a close friend or family member who knows all the best tips, tricks, and secrets. If we’re ever fortunate enough to return to Istanbul, Tugba will be the first person we contact. Highly recommended!

We booked a tour with Tugba with my 6 year old daughter and Tugba was just amazing, so patient and kind with my daughter, adapted the pace, and we overall had a wonderful experience!

An amazing experience with my 6 year old daughter. Tugba was such a kind, patient and knowledgeable guide, it was wonderful

The trip was excellent Emir provided just what we asked for. He was very knowledgeable and entertaining. I would definitely recommend the trip and Emir as a guide.

The tour guide been really good, lots of knowledge and the tour was well organized and personalized.

Emir manages to combine fun with educational experience. His love of people made us so comfortable while learning cuisine, history and culture.

Tolga was an amazing guide full of knowledge. Very personable and friendly. Able to answer any questions we had and extend on it. Obviously passionate about his work. Thank you

Tolga was a great guide. He was friendly and outgoing, and very knowledgeable about the history of Turkey and Istanbul. We had a fantastic meal and he explained all the local foods to us

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.

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.

Mert was exceptionally responsive in reaching out to us ahead of the trip and planning the trip with our requests in mind. We highly recommend Mert, especially when it comes to seeing places that are off the usual tourist path (and worthwhile seeing in Istanbul).