
2500 years of history, Ottoman mosques, and a mosaic-encrusted Byzantine basilica.
Here’s everything you need to know before your day unfolds.
Did you ever think you could travel across two continents and 2500 years of history in just 4 hours? Nope, us neither, but that was before we went to Istanbul. As the capital of four empires: the Roman Empire, the Byzantine Empire, the Latin Empire, the Byzantine Empire (again), and the Ottoman Empire, there’s a lot to take in, but don’t let that overwhelm you.
You’ll flit between ornate mosques and mosaic encrusted basilicas, stroll through lush palace gardens and visit one of the oldest markets in the world. We won’t bore you with dates and facts, rather you’ll see the city’s history come to life as you explore with your local Istanbul host.
Stop to pick up street eats like flaky borek pastries or kebab - this is the country which introduced kebab to the world, and we think that counts as history too! Just let us know if you’d like to discover the impressive, world-famous minarets and domes which dot the city’s skyline or you’d like to lose yourself (figuratively, not literally) in the narrow, winding streets of a historic neighborhood - you’ll soon see why the city is so fittingly known as the Jewel in Bosphorus Strait’s Crown.
Trusted and recommended by travelers worldwide, including 99% on Google and TripAdvisor.
Absolutely wonderful! Feruza went above and beyond the call of duty as our host! She met us at the airport, showed us the sites in Istanbul while providing detailed information and context, introduced us to some delicious foods, brought us back to our hotel and made sure we didn't overpay for our taxi ride back to the airport the next day. She is also one of the most pleasant, kind, and generous people I've ever met. This tour turned out to be indispensable to us because there is no way we would have been able to navigate our way through Istanbul on a 1-day layover by ourselves and see all that we got to see. Thank you, Feruza and City Unscripted!
Show moreWe had an amazing tour of Istanbul today with our guide, Ipek. She was incredibly knowledgeable and made the city’s rich history and culture come alive with her storytelling. We visited iconic spots like Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, the Grand Bazaar, and even enjoyed breathtaking views from the Bosphorus. Ipek’s passion for Istanbul is contagious, and she tailored the experience perfectly to our interests. Her warm and professional approach made the day so special, and she gave us great local tips for the rest of our trip. If you want to truly experience Istanbul, Ipek is the guide you need!
Show moreWe had an incredible day touring Istanbul with Ipek. She brought places like Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, and the Grand Bazaar to life with her stories and insights. Her passion, friendliness, and attention to detail made the day unforgettable. Highly recommend her to anyone visiting Istanbul!
Show moreTugba is incredibly passionate about her city and this comes across in her tours. You are guaranteed a customised and informative walk with many tales and anecdotes that allow you to see Istanbul for a perspective not offered by mainstream tours.
Show moreBurak was fantastic! He understood our pace for the tour and gave great information on the popular sites in the Sultanahmet area. We liked him so much we asked for a second day with him and he took us to Chora, the aqueduct, Suleymaniye Mosque (which is better and less crowded than the Blue Mosque), and some local neighborhoods. His explanation of the mosaics at Chora were awesome. He definitely made our experience in Istanbul more enjoyable and we definitely recommend him.
Show moreThis tour was amazing. Guide was very knowledgeable and friendly. Answered all our questions and personalized the tour to our interests. Highly recommend.
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