Family-Friendly • 4 hours 5.0
(6)

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

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What travelers think of this experience

Kathleen May 2025

Ipek was incredible! She put me at ease in this huge city immediately. Very knowledgeable. Relaxed fun tour, it felt like I was hanging out with a friend. Highly recommend booking her!

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Michael May 2025
Kathleen May 2025

Ipek was very friendly & knowledgeable, and her English was exceptional. She was easy to talk to & listen to, and I appreciated her insights. I enjoyed visiting the Asian side of Istanbul and seeing an authentic modern neighborhood.

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Martha May 2025

We had a great day in Istanbul with Tugba who crafted her suggestions based on how much we could take in. We really enjoyed chatting with her and hearing more about life experiences in Istanbul. It was as our first day in the city, and it was so nice to let someone else do the navigation. We really recommend a day with Tugba!

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Lowell May 2025

We had the very best day of our trip so far thanks to our amazing guide, Ipek. Communication leading up to our visit was friendly, excellent, and thoughtful. We were able to share about our interests which resulted in a beautifully curated tour of the Bazaar and fine shopping sites. Ipek helped us navigate the always busy and loud Bazaar with confidence. Her knowledge and professionalism aided us in finding lovely gifts for friends as well as some fabulous gifts for us. We found everything we hoped to buy, and ended our day at a spectacular ceramic gallery which included an educational and fascinating overview of pottery making and history. We highly recommend this private tour for anybody visiting Istanbul and we absolutely recommend our wonderful guide, Ipek.

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Stephen May 2025

Great tour and visit with Ipek. She tailored the tour to our interests and the weather. She was very knowledgeable and helpful providing useful advice. Definitely recommend this company and tour

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