Flexible Full-Day Discovery
4.9 (35)

Full day in Istanbul with a local

8 hours English
4.9 (35)
100% Personalized

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

Tugba
Tugba
Emi̇r
Emi̇r

Match with one of our local hosts

Be matched with a host based on your interests and preferences, to tailor your perfect day.

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100% Flexible: Adapt in real time

Your host will fine-tune the experience in real time to match your mood.

Experience Overview

Time:

8 hours

What to expect:

Fully tailored to your preferences

Language:

Hosted in English (Other languages may be requested)

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.

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)

Key Highlights:

  • Spend the day with a host who will create an experience that's fully customized to your interests and what you'd most like to see
  • See Istanbul’s iconic attractions as well as some secret Istanbul spots
  • Get a unique local perspective as you explore the city - avoiding tourist traps is key
  • Discover the highlights of the area or neighborhood that you explore
  • Eat and drink like a local, picking up street food from a food stand or popping into a meyhane tavern
  • Chat to your host, getting tips and advice on exciting things to do and places to see during the rest of your trip

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Brian 1 November 2025

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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Brian 1 November 2025

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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Laurie 1 September 2025

Burak was a fabulous guide who shared the history with through storytelling which made the experience so much more rich. He was flexible and was very attentive. I would highly recommend him.

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Lindsey 1 July 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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Barbara 1 June 2025

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.

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Barbara 1 June 2025

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, 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.

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What you’ll do

Oh, the places you’ll go on your day in Istanbul! Most experiences don’t offer you the opportunity to hop between continents, but then it’s not every day you’re in Istanbul. You’ll join one of our local Istanbul hosts who can’t wait to share with you their favorite places to hang out, where to get your hands on the best food and show you what makes their city so unique.

You’ll weave your way through a neighborhood or two (we recommend checking out one on either side of the Bosphorus Strait), showing you a glimpse into life in Istanbul, which is lived out in the streets.

From dazzling waterfront spots to artistic neighborhoods on the Middle-Eastern side, you’ll discover some secret spots as well as landmarks like the Blue Mosque or Grand Bazaar.

Whether you see yourself lounging on a terrace of a meyhane tavern and feasting on mezze, then haggling your way through markets or you’re in for something faster-paced, you’ll feel like you’re spending the day with a friend.

Real Stories, Real Connections

Beautiful memory

Beautiful memory

Beautiful memory

Beautiful memory

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Tugba_Kurti_Istanbul_BR-1267458343

Echoes of History: A Memorable Encounter

Echoes of History: A Memorable Encounter

Capturing Smiles and Adventures

Capturing Smiles and Adventures

Embracing Adventure in Istanbul's Heart

Embracing Adventure in Istanbul's Heart