Icons & Secrets
4.9 (39)

Full day in Istanbul with a local

8 hours English
4.9 (39)
100% Personalized

The Bosphorus Strait, a meyhane tavern, and some good old market haggling.

How It Works

Book your date

Choose your preferred date, start time and group size for your experience.

Share your interests

Complete your personalisation form after booking, for a tailored experience.

Explore with your matched host

We match you with a local host who shapes the route around you.

Experience Overview

Time:

8 hours

What to expect:

Fully tailored to your preferences

Language:

Hosted in English (Other languages may be requested)

Meeting point:

Alemdar, Divan Yolu Cd. No:68/B, 34110 Fatih/İstanbul, Türkiye

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.

What’s Included:

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

What’s Excluded:

Food and drinks
Tickets to any attractions
Transportation costs
Gratuities (optional)
Mostly walking, with food, drinks, transport and entry fees paid separately unless stated.

Reviews of Our Istanbul Experiences

Ozlem was a great guide! She showed us so many places we wouldn’t have found on a list or on Google. Ozlem guided us through Istanbul with her local and expert knowledge of the city and we got to meet a lot of locals and have special experiences with vendors that just wouldn’t have happened without her. A truly unique experience that we’re grateful to have had!

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G
Gregory
Istanbul

I liked that we walked the whole way and it felt very personable since it was just me and a local

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T
Thais
Istanbul

I had a wonderful custom day tour in Istanbul with my guide. Ipek was incredibly knowledgeable, and you could genuinely feel her passion for what she does. Beyond her expertise, she was also very kind and attentive. What I appreciated most was the pacing — the day never felt rushed or crammed with too many activities. She thoughtfully designed the itinerary so we could truly soak in the city, be present, and enjoy each place at a meaningful pace. It made the experience feel personal rather than transactional. Highly recommended if you want a deeper, more intentional way to experience Istanbul.

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V
Vivian
Istanbul

We had a wonderful custom day tour in Istanbul with our guide. Ipek was incredibly knowledgeable, and you could genuinely feel her passion for what she does. Beyond her expertise, she was also very kind and attentive. What I appreciated most was the pacing — the day never felt rushed or crammed with too many activities. She thoughtfully designed the itinerary so we could truly soak in the city, be present, and enjoy each place at a meaningful pace. It made the experience feel personal rather than transactional. Highly recommended if you want a deeper, more intentional way to experience Istanbul.

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V
Vivian
Istanbul

Burak was a great guide that took us to out of the way attractions that weren’t on the group tour. He took us to great eating places to test the local cuisine. We got to see the real Istanbul by walking local neighborhoods on both the European and Asian sides of the city. Better tour in one day than 2 days on the group tour. Highly recommend the private tour!

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B
Brian
Istanbul

Burak discussed what we wanted to see and listened. He took us to see some lesser known sites and through local areas. We learned about Istanbul both in history and what it is today. I would hire him again!

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B
Brian
Istanbul
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Istanbul, Our Guests Way

Here are our guests exploring on a City Unscripted experience.
Beautiful memory

Beautiful memory

Beautiful memory

Beautiful memory

Tugba_Kurti_Istanbul_BR-1267458343

Tugba_Kurti_Istanbul_BR-1267458343

Smiling faces amidst the ancient columns of Istanbul's past.

Smiling faces amidst the ancient columns of Istanbul's past.

Sharing smiles on a cool day in vibrant Istanbul.

Sharing smiles on a cool day in vibrant Istanbul.

Smiles all around at an iconic mosque in Istanbul.

Smiles all around at an iconic mosque in Istanbul.

Evening lights softly illuminate a bustling Istanbul riverside walkway.

Evening lights softly illuminate a bustling Istanbul riverside walkway.

Admiring vibrant modern art along Istanbul's scenic waterfront.

Admiring vibrant modern art along Istanbul's scenic waterfront.

Chandeliers illuminate the intricate details of Istanbul's stunning architecture.

Chandeliers illuminate the intricate details of Istanbul's stunning architecture.

Amidst white tulips, a lone pink flower catches the eye.

Amidst white tulips, a lone pink flower catches the eye.