Half day in Istanbul with a local
Half day in Istanbul with a local
Half day in Istanbul with a local
Half day in Istanbul with a local

What you'll do

Think of this personalized experience with one of our local Istanbul hosts like spending the day with a friend. You’ll explore markets and get seriously hooked on haggling, see the enchanting sights and domes Istanbul is so famed for, hop between continents (you know, as we all do with our friends), and stop for a coffee or maybe an ice-cold beer and some mezze.

You could navigate one of the oldest bazaars in the world or wander through the lively Kadıköy district, stroll through lush palace gardens, or do some serious sightseeing. Just tell us what you’re into and we’ll do our best to make it happen.

Our hosts can’t wait to share their home city with you, and although half a day isn’t possibly long enough to see all there is in this bustling urban antiquity, we know you’ll embrace it all!

  • Private & 100% personalized tour

  • 4 hours

  • Matched to your ideal host

  • Walking tour (may use public transport)

  • Hosted in English (On request: French, German, Italian, Korean, Spanish)

  • Meet at your accommodation or a central location

Experience outline

  • Get what you want out of Istanbul on a private and personalized experience
  • Enjoy local music, vibrant restaurants, historic neighborhood strolls or simply go for a walk in the streets and take in the diverse ambiance
  • Fully immerse yourself in the atmosphere of Istanbul, getting the best of what the city has to offer in a limited space of time
  • Get a taste of what makes Istanbul one of the most popular tourist cities in the world, with a twist – your stories will be authentic and all your own!
  • Get the scoop from your host on other areas to explore and exciting things to do whilst visiting Istanbul

Things to know

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)

Cancellation

  • Cancel 7 days before the experience for a full refund
  • Worry-free cancellation terms: book with peace of mind knowing that you can cancel for free up to a day before the experience and receive a full refund.

Photos taken by our hosts and guests

City Unscripted guests photos

Reviews

    This walk with a local host is amazing. We did not bother with the main sights, but learnt about the Istanbul culture, and visited both the European and Asian sides of the city. We learnt how to use the local transport, how to say a few simple words, tips on bargaining/haggling and suggestions for the remainder of the week. This was the best way for us to start our week in Istanbul. Our host Atilla was fabulous!

    May 2023

    Kim M

    Gizem was an absolutely wonderful guide for us, we felt like we were being shown the city through the eyes of a good friend. Would highly recommend her.

    May 2023

    Kim M

    We asked Atilla to give us a good overview tour on our first day in Istanbul, with the idea of giving us a good overview and making us comfortable in navigating the city on our own. He exceeded our expectations and gave us wonderful insights to the city. Highly recommend him.

    May 2023

    Kim M

    Ferhat showed me all the important and iconic sites. He was very knowledgeable about the history and able to meet my curiosity with my many questions. He also very thoughtful and considerate of rest stops and finding alternative movement around town when I became a bit fatigued. Excellent tour and guide. Thankyou Ferhat

    July 2022

    Gail H

See more reviews

Meet our local hosts in Istanbul. One of them will tailor this experience to your wishes!

We’ll expertly match you to your best suited host based on your interests, personality and the experience vibe you’re after.

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