Let our local experts guide you through a handpicked selection of things to do on a private tour. Your personalized escapade in Istanbul tomorrow is just a click away - don't miss out!
Make your stay in Istanbul complete with these things to do
















Learn about their personal stories and find out how you can explore Istanbul with locals








Always private. It's just you and your local host. No strangers, no groups.
Let your local host tailor the experience completely to your wishes.
Our tours are designed with people, places, and the planet in mind.
Our locals will give you the best experiences that Istanbul has to offer
Your tour is just for you. No strangers, no groups.
You'll experience the city one-on-one (or with your own travel group) in a relaxed, personal way. No rushing, no scripted group tours.
From highlights to hidden gems, your host adjusts everything to fit you.
Want to skip a museum, add a food stop, or focus on street art? Just ask. Every experience is shaped around your pace, preferences and interests.
Message your host directly to customize your experience.
Ask questions, get local tips, or make special requests. Our hosts are real people, ready to make your day unforgettable.
Every booking supports independent locals and their communities.
We believe tourism should benefit the people who live there. Your host earns directly and often invests it right back into their neighborhood.
You're choosing meaningful travel, not mass tourism.
Withlocals is built on fair pay, human connections and travel that leaves a positive mark for both you and the places you visit.
Loved by over 1,000,000 travelers all around the world.
Withlocals hosts consistently earn 5-star reviews for their kindness, knowledge and the personal stories they share.
Book with peace of mind: safe payments and easy changes.
Your plans can shift and that's okay. We offer flexible cancellation and real support when you need it.
Your tour is just for you. No strangers, no groups.
You'll experience the city one-on-one (or with your own travel group) in a relaxed, personal way. No rushing, no scripted group tours.
From highlights to hidden gems, your host adjusts everything to fit you.
Want to skip a museum, add a food stop, or focus on street art? Just ask. Every experience is shaped around your pace, preferences and interests.
Message your host directly to customize your experience.
Ask questions, get local tips, or make special requests. Our hosts are real people, ready to make your day unforgettable.
Every booking supports independent locals and their communities.
We believe tourism should benefit the people who live there. Your host earns directly and often invests it right back into their neighborhood.
You're choosing meaningful travel, not mass tourism.
Withlocals is built on fair pay, human connections and travel that leaves a positive mark for both you and the places you visit.
Loved by over 1,000,000 travelers all around the world.
Withlocals hosts consistently earn 5-star reviews for their kindness, knowledge and the personal stories they share.
Book with peace of mind: safe payments and easy changes.
Your plans can shift and that's okay. We offer flexible cancellation and real support when you need it.
As the promise of a new day dawns upon us, the question arises - how best to uncover the treasures of Istanbul? Look no further than the expertise of local guides. Amidst the myriad things to do, a guided tour led by those who call Istanbul home offers an unrivaled experience.
While guidebooks provide insights, a local's perspective unveils hidden gems and tales that breathe life into the streets. From historical anecdotes to culinary delights, local guides curate authentic experiences tailored to your interests. Beyond mainstream attractions, they lead you to charming cafes, serene alleys, and the pulse of the city.
With a private tour, your adventure unfolds at your pace. No bustling crowds, no missed opportunities. Solo explorers, couples, or families - all can relish Istanbul through the eyes of a local. As the sun sets on today, let a local-led tour illuminate your tomorrow, revealing the heart and soul of Istanbul unlike ever before.
Discover experiences based on your interest
Find the perfect private tour
Select one of our local experts
Enjoy Istanbul like a local
Reviews from guests about our tours and locals
"We spent an incredible morning with Tolga. It felt like we were old friends from the very start. What added to that, is that he is a native who also spends part of his year in Europe and has a great world view. That made it so easy to connect. He has a ready laugh and clearly knows his city and its history. We loved that we were able to tailor our time together to see and do what we wanted and he helped us get the most out of our time in the city. We highly recommend a tour with Tolga. You'll be happy you did. "
"We have best experience. Asye one of best guide I have ever get. 🌸"
"Ayse is incredible - so friendly and full of amazing insights / history and of course food to try. We loved our time with her - we had a three year old with us and Ayse went above and beyond to make sure he was entertained. Thank you Ayse for making our trip so special! "
"After several visits to Istanbul we wanted a soft and friendly introduction to the city for our adult son and his wife (who was visiting for the first time). Goda was exactly the right person. Flexible, informative, easy going… some history, some social commentary and a young person’s perspective on life in the EU and Turkey. We walked and talked, had a cup of tea and enjoyed the sites as if visiting with a friend. We are recurring users of WithLocals and Goda is an excellent example of why we enjoy the site and its local guides. She has very good English language skills and a good command of Turkish. If a relaxed and informative tour with a friendly guide interests you, we would highly recommend Goda. Her consistently high reviews by others are well deserved. We did discuss the Turkish wine industry and, although we didn’t pursue it further, she would have been our first choice if time permitted a further tour on this topic. "
"Cengiz took us to Topkapi Palace and transforms into historian, foodie, shopping guide, photographer, and friend so easily. He is an extremely fun and friendly guy to spend time with and made us feel very comfortable on the tour and with the city! Could not have had a better time!"
"We spent a wonderful afternoon with Cengiz exploring Topkapi Palace! From the start he was a great communicator and kept my 10 year old son involved as well. The palace was amazing but Cengiz truly helped to bring it to life for us. I would highly recommend!"
"My evening tour with Goda and Friends was a highlight of my time in Istanbul. As a first time visitor to the city, I never would have ventured to the charming neighborhoods or known the stories behind the buildings had I not been on this tour. Not only did Goda & Friends add context and history to my exploration, she was a wonderful conversationalist. Not only did I connect with Istanbul as a result of this tour but I made a connection with a beautiful stranger. "
"Dilek was very good. She was open to requests and very informative about both food and culture- We tried things on our tasting tour we never would have tried by ourselves and glad we did. "
"On a quick trip through Istanbul, we booked a food tour for six of us with Alp via Tours with Locals. He was fantastic. We had a wide range of food that was both distinct to the region and some of Alp's personal favorites. Our samples were generous--really more than we could eat--and included appetizers, main dishes, various drinks, and desserts. Alp shared historical context and cultural context for each dish. His English is excellent and he has a great sense of humor. One of our group was in a wheelchair, and he made some accommodations for that so that everything ran very smoothly. Definitely a 10/10 experience! If we go back, I would do another tour with him in a heartbeat."
"As a family of 4, teenagers incl, we had a fab day. Great host"