Private Istanbul City Tour: Discover History and Magnificent Architecture with a Local Guide

Discover the history and magnificent architecture of Istanbul with a professional local guide. Visit iconic landmarks such as Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, and Topkapi Palace. Customize your tour for a stress-free and immersive experience.

Duration: 7 hours
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • Blue Mosque - Not the oldest, not the largest but the most visited 17th century mosque of Istanbul got its nickname ( Blue Mosque ) from the ceramic tiles decorating the interior walls. We will visit interior to see beauty of tiles and stained glass windows which create a peaceful atmosphere inside.
What's Included
  • Private guided tour
  • Skip the ticket line opportunity
  • Private licensed tour guide
What's Not Included
  • Transportation
  • Lunch
Additional Information

Embark on a journey through one of the world’s most historical and enchanting cities with a certified local guide. Get ready to be captivated by striking architectural designs as you delve into their histories. Let your local guide make your day tour hassle-free and optimized. The tour kicks off with a visit to Hagia Sofia and Blue Mosque, then drops by…

Location
German Fountain
At Meydanı Caddesi
This well known building is located in the middle of Sultanahmet At meydanı square and 100 meters away from Sultanahmet tram station.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.9
(95 Ratings)
5 stars
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1 star
Docbkline
May 10, 2025
Istanbul’s best - Serkan was a wonderful guide. He met us at the cruise port and escorted us to the old city. He is a lifelong resident of Istanbul and extremely knowledgeable about its history. We had a fantastic lunch and visited Hagia Sophia, the blue mosque, basilica cistern, the hippodrome and the spice market. Serkan was really mindful of my elderly mother’s limitations. He even helped push her in her chair. We were able to go at our own pace instead of trying to keep up with a large tour group. I would highly recommend this tour, but especially with Serkan.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Cornelius
May 6, 2025
Wonderful personal guided tour of Istanbul - Was a wonderful guided tour by Burak. Very detailed explanations of cultural and historical sites. Highly recommended
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R1449frdianew
May 1, 2025
Very informative. Enjoyable. Rich history and heritage. - We enjoyed our tour, Ozgur was very knowledgeable. He is a very patient and kind man. Should we return to Istanbul in the near future, we would certainly love to have him as our tour guide. I will certainly be recommending him to friends coming to Istanbul.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Alez3327rm
Apr 21, 2025
A day tour with Burak - During our unforgettable day in Istanbul, our tour guide Burak proved to be both knowledgeable and passionate, bringing the city’s rich history to life. We began our journey at the striking German Fountain, where Burak introduced us to its imperial origins and intricate details. From there, we explored the ancient Obelisk of Theodosius, with Burak skillfully explaining its Egyptian roots and significance in the Roman Hippodrome. As we entered the Blue Mosque, his deep understanding of Islamic architecture and Ottoman history gave us a whole new appreciation for its grandeur and spiritual atmosphere. Next, we visited the awe-inspiring Hagia Sophia, now known as the Sophia Hagia Mosque, where Burak seamlessly wove together stories from its time as a church, mosque, and museum, highlighting its role as a symbol of Istanbul’s layered identity. The Topkapi Palace was a true highlight—Burak guided us through the opulent courtyards and chambers once inhabited by sultans, sharing captivating tales of palace intrigue and imperial life. For lunch, Burak led us to a local Turkish restaurant where we enjoyed authentic flavors in a cozy, welcoming setting, perfectly chosen to complement our cultural experience. In the afternoon, Burak continued to impress us with his insights as we descended into the mysterious Basilica Cistern, painting vivid images of Byzantine engineering and the legends surrounding the Medusa heads. Our final stops were the vibrant Grand Bazaar and the aromatic Spice Market, where Burak helped us navigate the bustling stalls, sharing tips on bargaining and introducing us to traditional Turkish goods. Throughout the day, Burak's friendly demeanor, storytelling skills, and genuine love for his city made our tour not only informative but truly memorable. If you book this tour ask for Burak
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Emilyrd7961zg
Apr 12, 2025
Awesome Experience - Burak was an amazing tour guide! He was so knowledgeable and let us modify the tour to spend more time in some places and less in others. We had such a great day, highly recommend!
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Nickwo3851nq
Apr 8, 2025
Awesome guide! - We really enjoyed our day with the Ozgur, and knowledgable and fantastic guide. He met us at our hotel, was super knowledgable and friendly, and we got a lot more out of our day than we would have without him! Definitely would use him again.
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Ajh561
Apr 5, 2025
Excellent knowledgeable guide! - Burak was a wonderful guide who was highly knowledgeable and very pleasant to be with. I would recommend him highly to anyone. Also the experience provided by Trip Advisor and Viator was simple and very effective
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Fatimaer9600ju
Mar 19, 2025
The Best Guide in Istanbul - This was the first time i was visiting Istanbul with my two college kids who were on Spring Break. Ozzie was recommended to me by a friend and I cannot tell you how pleased we are! Ozzie speaks English fluently and he is very knowledgeable about the rich cultural history of Istanbul. He is well-versed in all the architectural aspects of the beautiful mosques and monuments in the city and will also discuss them with historical context. He goes above and beyond to answer any questions you may have. He is a local so he gives the best recommendations for shopping and restaurants. His polite demeanor is an added bonus and I guarantee you that by the end of your trip he will make you fall in love with Istanbul!! ❤️
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Tjen0912
Mar 15, 2025
The BEST guide in Istanbul! Super friendly and always had a smile! - Ozzie was an amazing tour guide! His expertise for the whole tour and friendly attitude was great! From the moment he picked us up to dropping us back off at the hotel, Ozzie was friendly, youthful and always had a smile of enthusiasm when going into amazing details for each part of the tour. We took a nice break between viewing the city for a nice at a recommendation of his as well. He was always greeting others as well as being recognized by the locals everywhere we went. Super fun! I highly recommend doing a smaller group tour if you can! I cannot wait to come back with family and seeing if Ozzie can give us another tour!
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Elenany5954ao
Apr 29, 2025
Excellent tour with a knowledgeable guide (but the tour price skyrockets because tickets are not included!) - The guide was great - very knowledgeable and took us to the right places and views. He is trained in guiding tours and had a great background in history and culture. He responded to all our questions. He also helped us understand modern Turkey. He adjusted the pace and stopped by for a quick snack at a local place. The four places that we visited is a lot in one half-day but they are all close by and are definitely worth visiting. I am giving four stars only because of the price. The tickets to all these places are not included in your tour price so we ended up paying an additional $460 for four of us. I wish the company figured out a pass or a discount. Or it would have been helpful to see the total price with the tickets in advance (the total tour for four is $660).
Review provided by Tripadvisor
From $200 (Per Group)
up to 12 guests
1 - Traveler
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).