Istanbul

Kickstart your trip to Istanbul

City Essentials: First Day • 3 hours 5.0

(21)

Kickstart your trip to Istanbul

This is the one where your host spills all their local secrets, and you ask all your questions!

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

Find your feet in Istanbul with one of our who will show you how to navigate through the city - from the metro to buses and trams, it all starts with figuring out your transport (including on foot, if that’s your style!)
Take in some highlights on your experience, like the glittering mosaics at the Hagia Sophia Museum and be awe-inspired by its iconic dome
Step back in time (not literally, unless you have a time machine?) to the 1600s, during the rule of Ahmed, with a trip to the historic Blue Mosque
Wander through the bustling alleys of the Grand Bazaar as you get orientated in the city and learn about local life, and how to haggle for a bargain!
Ask your host any questions you have about exploring Istanbul, what to visit and what to eat - they can’t wait to share their local tips with you

What to know before you go

Here’s everything you need to know before your day unfolds.

At a glance What’s included Things to know

3 hours

Fully tailored to your preferences

English Other languages may be requested

What’s included

A private and personalized experience

3 hours with a Host

Start when you like (but an early start means you beat the mad crowds)

Meet-up at your accommodation (as long as it is in reasonable distance. Hooray!)

What’s not included

Food and drinks

Transport costs

Gratuities

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

Istanbul is a magical city alive with beauty, culture, and history. This is where empires once ruled! But if it’s been a while since you were in town or this is your first visit, joining one of our local Istanbul hosts to help you find your feet is the perfect way to get your trip off to a good start. Get oriented in the city streets and find your feet as you learn how to get around the city (there are tons of transport options available - from the metro to trams, taxis, and buses).

Spot some landmarks along the way, like the Blue Mosque, and soak up Istanbul’s beauty and history. From the bustling alleys of the Grand Bazaar to the vibrant Taksim district, there’s not a second to waste! And luckily, with a host to show you the ropes, not a second will be. You will be feeling right at home once they’ve shared their tips for where to eat, how to get around, and spilled a local secret or two.

Real Stories, Real Connections

See our hosts and guests creating memories

See what happens when you travel unscripted!

17,500+ 5-Star Reviews and Counting

Trusted and recommended by travelers worldwide, including 99% on Google and TripAdvisor.

recommended by 99% of travelers on google

recommended by 99% of travelers on tripadvisor

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What travelers think of this experience

Stephen May 2025

Absolutely excellent tour and time spent in learning the history and culture of Istanbul and Turkey. Our guide dove in our our particular interests and adjusted the tour to meet our needs. We could not have been happier that he adjusted the tour to our specific priorities. We will use and recommend City Unscripted in the future

Roni Apr 2025

Excellent tour! Lots of information. Our guide İpek was so knowledgeable and fun! She treated us like family and knew all the best ways to get around old town.

Roni Apr 2025

Ipek was our guide and she was Fantastic! She made us feel very welcome to Istanbul. By the time our tour was complete we felt like we had made a good friend. Her knowledge was astounding. I am so glad we took the time to do the tour. We look forward to coming back!

Kelly Feb 2025

I had an amazing private tour in Istanbul with Feruza, and I highly recommend her to anyone looking for a knowledgeable and engaging guide! She studied English in Boston, which made communication good, and her insights into the city's rich history and culture were good. Feruza planned an efficient itinerary, ensuring we saw the highlights while also allowing time to explore hidden gems. She shared fascinating historical details, answered questions, and kept the tour fun and engaging. Her enthusiasm and deep knowledge of Istanbul truly enhanced the experience. If you're visiting Istanbul and want a guide who is professional, personable, and well-informed, Feruza is a great choice! I would absolutely book another tour with her.

Kamil Jan 2025

Tugba 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.

Apoorva Jan 2025

Emir -- our walking guide was fantastic. he started the tour at the heart of the historic Istanbul and charted a customised plan to suit our preferences mixing history and cullinary culture of Istanbul.. We went to Blue Mosque and Emir ezplained the historic, architectural, and political/social aspects of the monument and the religion so well.. he knows the city inside out and took us to taste some of the most authentic kunefe and chai through small lanes of historic part of Istanbul .. Emir was great to chat with, and absolutely went out oglf the way to plan our days in Istanbul (even if it was clearly not his task) Recommend highly

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