Must see Istanbul with a local
Must see Istanbul with a local
Must see Istanbul with a local
Must see Istanbul with a local
Must see Istanbul with a local
Must see Istanbul with a local
Must see Istanbul with a local

What you'll do

How could anyone expect you to explore a city which straddles two continents in just one day? But, with one of our Istanbul hosts by your side, you can certainly make a go of it.

There’s a mosaic-encrusted Byzantine basilica waiting for you, the stunning Blue Mosque to marvel at, the lush gardens of Dolmabahçe Palace to stroll through and the Grand Bazaar to get lost in as you haggle for a Turkish tea set (you never know when you’ll need one).

Along the way, you’ll enjoy a feast of mezze on a terrace overlooking the Bosphorus Strait, duck into an obscure-looking tavern for some traditional dishes or spend the whole day munching on street eats.

This being said, we know that a city is more than a place, it’s a feeling. So what we’ll ensure you experience is the inimitable feeling of the city, experienced through the authentic lens of someone who knows and adores it.

Shoot for the moon, and if you fall you’ll land amongst the stars. Or maybe on one of the turrets of Topkapi Palace.

  • Private & 100% personalized tour

  • 8 hours

  • Matched to your ideal host

  • Walking Tour

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

  • Meet at your accommodation or a central location

Experience outline

  • Get to know the real Istanbul with a local, avoiding the tourist traps but seeing the highlights.
  • Tick off your ‘must see’ famous sites in a day
  • Eat Turkish delicacies at places that are loved by locals - pick up some street food on the run or give your feet a break and stop by at a Meyhane Tavern
  • Pause to indulge in delicious sweet treats like Turkish Ice Cream or Baklava
  • Soak up the history of the city by chatting to locals or engaging your host in conversation
  • Get tips from your host (over a tea or beer, perhaps) for the rest of your stay in Istanbul

Things to know

What’s included

  • A private and personalized experience
  • 8 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 location)

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

    Atilla was an amazing guide and I am so glad we got this tour. He gave us invaluable insight into the local culture, showed us beautiful mosques, helped us bargain for lamps and carpets, took us to great places for wine and kabobs, and was just an all around wonderful person to know in Istanbul. I really appreciated how he read the survey we filled out and personalized our visit accordingly. He took us over to the Asian side by ferry, and even though he lives there, he rode the ferry back with us at the end of the night and put us in a cab to make sure we got back to our hotel safely. It was above and beyond the call of duty. Teşekkürler, Atilla!

    June 2022

    Shahirah M

    Wonderful Istanbul Tour with Atilla Atilla was an amazing guide and I am so glad we got the full-day tour. He gave us invaluable insight into the local culture, showed us beautiful mosques, helped us bargain for lamps and carpets, took us to great places for wine and kabobs, and was just an all around wonderful person to know in Istanbul. I really appreciated how he read the survey we filled out and personalized our visit accordingly. He took us over to the Asian side by ferry, and even though he lives there, he rode the ferry back with us at the end of the night and put us in a cab to make sure we got back to our hotel safely. It was above and beyond the call of duty. Teşekkürler, Atilla!

    June 2022

    Shahirah M

    We had a full day of fun walking around the city. It was a wonderful day. We enjoyed a lot just like two friends. Thanks to the cityunscripted :)

    October 2020

    Feruza H

    Colin is a globetrotter, kind and cool guest,he would like to discover city and cultural background, he has great enthusiasm for history and city's social life.

    September 2020

    Cerit C

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.

Other experiences you may be interested in

When in Osaka
make sure to try
“kushikatsu”!

See all experiences in Istanbul

When in Osaka
make sure to try
“kushikatsu”!

Other experiences you may be interested in

Half day in Istanbul with a local
Istanbul

Half day in Istanbul with a local

Vibrant culture, a very Grand Bazaar, and impossible to resist mezze.

$38.04 per person

4 hours

Escape the airport: see Istanbul on your layover
Istanbul

Escape the airport: see Istanbul on your layover

The Grand Bazaar, meze platters, and some serious haggling.

$50.86 per person

5 hours

Family day in Istanbul with a local
Istanbul

Family day in Istanbul with a local

The Grand Bazaar and Turkish delights (we don’t just mean the sweets).

$38.04 per person

4 hours

See all experiences in Istanbul