Let our local experts guide you through a handpicked selection of things to do on a private tour. Think hidden gems, insider stories, and all the local vibes. Ready to find your private tour of Istanbul? Your adventure-packed day is just one click away!
Top 10 tours in Istanbul
Make your stay in Istanbul complete with these things to do
1
Choose your favorite local
City Kickstart Tour: Istanbul
128 reviews
1.5 hours | City highlight tours | Istanbul
Welcome to Istanbul! Want to know the best places to eat? Cool events in town? Which places to go to and which to avoid? Or simply get some help to navigate the city? Book this private tour with a local and get the perfect introduction to Istanbul to start your city trip on the right foot.
Ready to taste the best food in Istanbul? Satisfy your cravings for local food and culture with highlights along the way, together with a foodie host. Enjoy 10 delicious and typical tastings that range from sweet to savory as well as drinks on a tasty food tour in Istanbul.
Want to see the best of Istanbul? We got you covered. But as you can expect from a Withlocals experience, the real excitement is its hidden gems. Join your favorite local and get a feeling of the city's real vibe on a tour that has it all, so you can say: I experienced the real Istanbul!
As the sun sets, Istanbul lights up, the heat of the day fades, and the tourist crowds start to thin out. This is the time to enjoy the city at its atmospheric best on a private tour with a local! Take in glittering highlights and the local ambiance that only the evening brings out in Istanbul.
You’ve probably heard that Istanbul is well-known for Hagia Sophia, but do you know the stories and origin behind it? Or how much influence it has on the locals daily life? On this private city tour, you are in for a cultural treat!
Explore Topkapi Palace & Surroundings with a Local
2235 reviews
3 hours | Skip the line tours | Istanbul
A quick visit to the Topkapi Palace is not enough. There are other spots worth checking out outside this attraction, and your local host knows exactly where. Combine your visit to the Topkapi Palace with a touch of hidden gems and an easy access to this famous attraction, and you are set for a good time!
Ready for a jam-packed tour, full of history, culture, stories, and sights? Checkmark from your travel bucket list all your must-sees of Istanbul, because if there’s a Withlocals tour that shows you all the city's ins and outs, it’s this complete and personalized tour of Istanbul.
Did you know that the Istanbul tour of your dreams exists? Yes, and it’s 100% personalized and created by your local host around your interests. Customize and see only the places that spark your interest. From classic landmarks to neighborhood walks - your wishes are our command!
Ready to taste the best food in Istanbul? Join your foodie host for a food tour in Kadikoy and satisfy your cravings for local food, culture, and city highlights. Enjoy 10 delicious tastings that range from sweet to savory as well as drinks on a tasty food tour in Istanbul.
Kadikoy is the place to be! Explore one of the hippest neighborhoods in Istanbul and discover it bite by bite. Go to up & coming places and try one of the best Turkish dürüm kebap (wraps), street food in a hipster little pop-up restaurant, and a nice beer or cocktail in a local hip bar.
"My sister and I had a wonderful morning with Gülce in the Sultanhamet area of Istanbul. We were especially interested in a more in-depth experience to understand the history of the area, and Gülce was the perfect choice. She has expert knowledge of the history and explains it in a way that is interesting - a beautiful story-teller!
I have experienced many local guides in my travels, and Gülce is definitely one of the best I have met. From my initial inquiry to delivery on the day, Gülce was efficient, professional and personable. I couldn't recommend her more highly."
"Alp was an incredible guide for our food tour of Istanbul. He is friendly, knowledgeable and dedicated to showing off all the best Istanbul has to offer. He took the time to ask about foods we had already tried and was sure not to repeat them, so the tour was quite unique, one-off and bespoke. Alp is also knowledgeable about the various neighborhoods of Istanbul and the good restaurants in them, and helped us plan another experience on our the next day. Finally, I’m a street art lover and Alp leads tours of that as well. He snuck in a few great pieces as we were walking. Excellent way to spend a day in Istanbul."
Chris and EmmyAbout local AlpIstanbul, January 4, 2026
5.0
Dlightful, knowledgeable and courteous
"It was a real pleasure for my husband and I to be guided by Faruk during our first visit to Istanbul. It is a large city and can feel overwhelming,so having Faruk for our City Kickstart Tour on day 1 was extremely helpful. We cannot recommend him highly enough. He goes above and beyond to meet requests and his love for the City and its rich history and culture is clear. "
Mary-AnnAbout local Faruk Istanbul, January 4, 2026
Enjoy the Best of the Istanbul Like a Local
Why is Withlocals the best place to buy a tour?
Private & Personalized Tours in Istanbul with a Local
When you hit the road and land in a new city like Istanbul, there's an exciting way to dive into its soul: personalized local tours. Forget the typical touristy routes – these tours are like having a local friend show you around all the cool spots.
Imagine having someone who lives and breathes Istanbul spill its secrets. That's what local guides bring to the table. They know the hidden alleys, the best bites, and stories that never made it to the guidebooks. Whether you're into munching through food tours, wandering the city's streets, or going off the beaten path, a local guide hooks you up with a private tour that's authentically Istanbul.
The best part? These tours are all about you. No herding in big groups or rushing through places you're not interested in. With private tours, you're the boss. Whether it's snapping pics at iconic landmarks, diving into history, or checking out the art scene, the tour is tuned to your vibes at your tempo.
But it doesn't stop at city limits. Day trips let you escape the urban jungle and explore nearby wonders. And if you're just setting foot in Istanbul, kickstart tours give you a taste of everything. Think of it as a crash course in Istanbul awesomeness, guided by a local who knows the city like the back of their hand.
So, next time you're in Istanbul, ditch the ordinary. Grab a local tour and unlock the city's real magic – the stories, flavors, and places that make it uniquely Istanbul. Get ready to explore like a local!
"Alp was exceptional, personal and a knowledgeable guide. He chose places and foods that we would never have thought to try. Each dish was delicious and gave us a local flavour of the district, Katakoy. We really appreciated that it was just us and the guide. We would recommend him to friends and family. "
"I booked Gulce many months before my visit to Istanbul and the communication and flexibility outstanding. Booked 2 morning tours - mosques and markets. Met me at my hotel every morning and left no stone unturned. Also took me to a traditional rug maker and to her own mothers spice vendor"
"Emre was the Perfect Guide for us. Besides his knowledge about Istanbul, Turkey and history he guided us to typical places to taste delicious food. It could not have been better - a 10 of 10 rating from us. Highly recommended!"
GabrieleAbout local EmreIstanbul, December 27, 2025
5.0
Charming morning spent in good company
"Emre took us on the tastes of Istanbul tour and introduced us to places and foods we would never have found for ourselves. He was friendly, interesting and really informative. On the tour he gave us recommendations for the rest of our holiday and followed up with links and top tips. Would highly recommend booking a tour with him. "
"My wife and I decided to combine the Food Tour and Hidden Gems Tour into one extended experience due to our limited time in Istanbul, and it was the perfect way to maximize our visit. Our guide, Gülce, was outstanding and delivered a truly authentic adventure. Every food stop was delicious, and we were delighted to find no other tourists around, just genuine local spots. Gülce managed the day flawlessly, ensuring we spent exactly the right amount of time at each location. Her deep historical knowledge was impressive, and she shared the captivating stories of Istanbul’s past in an engaging and memorable way."
"My wife and I decided to combine the Food Tour and Hidden Gems Tour into one extended experience due to our limited time in Istanbul, and it was the perfect way to maximize our visit. Our guide, Gülce, was outstanding and delivered a truly authentic adventure. Every food stop was delicious, and we were delighted to find no other tourists around, just genuine local spots. Gülce managed the day flawlessly, ensuring we spent exactly the right amount of time at each location. Her deep historical knowledge was impressive, and she shared the captivating stories of Istanbul’s past in an engaging and memorable way."
"We had a wonderful private food tour with Emre. The tastings were delicious and perfectly paced — satisfying without being overwhelming. What really stood out was learning about Istanbul’s history and culture along the way.
Emre is warm, incredibly knowledgeable, and thoughtful — he even reached out before the tour with helpful suggestions and continued sharing great recommendations during and after our experience. We truly enjoyed ourselves and highly recommend this tour."
Choose your favorite local
Choose your favorite local
Choose your favorite local
Choose your favorite local
Choose your favorite local
Choose your favorite local
Choose your favorite local
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