Family-Friendly • 4 hours 5
(60)

Family day in Istanbul with a local

The Grand Bazaar and Turkish delights (we don’t just mean the sweets).

Bargaining is an integral part of the carpet-shopping experience in Turkey so don't be shy and just go with the flow!

What makes this experience special

Key highlights

  • See Istanbul your way with activities to entertain your whole family, with a trusty host by your side
  • Experience the colorful city streets with a stroll or enjoy some time in the Middle Eastern side of the city
  • Visit the beautiful Blue Mosque, explore the Grand Bazaar and recharge in lush palace gardens
  • Pop into a cafe or feast on street food on the move like Turkish pizzas, fresh pastries or some sweet treats
  • Get the scoop from your host for other things to do in the city that your family will love

What to know before you go

Here’s everything you need to know before your day unfolds.

4 hours
Fully tailored to your preferences
English Other languages may be requested

What’s included

A private and personalized experience
4 hours with your host
Walking experience (if required, your host can suggest public transport or private taxi options)
Hotel meet-up (available on request for central locations)

What’s not included

Food and drinks
Tickets to any attractions
Transportation costs
Gratuities (optional)

Meeting point

Your hotel/apartment or any other central location

Cancellation

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience

What to bring

  • We recommend wearing comfortable shoes and carrying a light bag for your essentials.
  • Public transport may be used during the experience - please bring a travel card or small amount of cash for fares.

How your day could unfold

A flexible, unscripted experience designed entirely around your interests. Your host will adapt the day based on what excites you most

What you’ll do

You’ll discover what jewels there are waiting for you in Istanbul - a fascinating destination for you and your family if ever there was one! Life here is lived in the streets, and so you’ll join one of our local Istanbul hosts to explore the city together; they can’t wait to share with you the market culture, the outdoor cafes, the street food, and history with you.

Your wish is our command - kind of like having a fairy godmother - so let us know your pace and your family’s style, and we’ll stick to it. You could visit impressive sights like the world-renowned Blue Mosque, stroll through the lush gardens of the Dolmabahce Palace or explore an Aladdin's cave of wonders (also known as The Grand Bazaar).

All of that exploring will obviously call for a snack or two - what about some lahmacun, a kind of Turkish pizza, some flaky borek pastries stuffed with meat or spinach, or even some Turkish delight? It would almost be rude not to. Along the way, your host will spill the secrets of some other great, family-friendly spots to visit during the rest of your trip.

1. Select a date
2. Select start time
3. Tailor your experience
Answer a few quick questions to help your host craft the perfect day tailored to you.
1. What’s your preferred hosting style?
2. How would you like the pace of your day?
3. What’s your walking comfort level?
4. Are you celebrating something special?

Real Stories, Real Connections

See our hosts and guests creating memories

Tugba_Kurti_Istanbul_BR-1267458343

Tugba_Kurti_Istanbul_BR-1267458343

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What travelers think of our Istanbul experiences

Olivia Jul 2025

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!

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Joanna Jul 2025

Ipek was a wonderful host - I really don’t believe we would have got as much out of the tour if we had done it ourselves - it would have taken so much more time and we would have missed out on enjoying the special moments .

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Michael Jul 2025

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.

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Lindsey Jul 2025

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!

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Mohammed Jul 2025

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.

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Amarjit Jul 2025
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