Experience the best of
Istanbul with Withlocals

"Ayşenur is an amazing guide who knows Istanbul inside out. She is very well versed in arts and history, and could really provide deep and authentic perspectives on many aspects of Istanbul beyond what a typical tour guide could offer. Highly recommended! "

"Istanbul is an extraordinary city, a place where magic, history, and complexity intertwine in a unique balance. Every corner tells a story from the past, every artistic detail reveals the soul of an ancient culture. Thanks to Mine and her deep love for her city, I experienced something far beyond a simple visit…it was a true journey through time and traditions. Through her captivating stories and vast knowledge, I was able to immerse myself in the fascinating history of Istanbul, grasping nuances that I would have otherwise missed. But the experience didn’t stop at the iconic landmarks, Mine also guided us in discovering hidden and authentic spots, offering valuable tips on how to explore the city independently in the following days."

"We got so lucky to spent half of the day with our tour guide Emre. He took care of us, took us to super interesting and not tourist delicious spots that were a real hidden gems! It is amazing when a local truly loves his city and wants to share its beauty with you and show you the best of it! We hit several spots for breakfast, lunch, snacks, dinner, deserts and of course coffee. Emre was providing us with history hints, his personal experience back from his childhood and all that made this tour unforgettable. We highly recommend Emre ❤️ Next time we are in Istanbul - we are doing another one with him for sure! Thank you Emre! "

"We had an absolutely fantastic experience exploring the Old City of Istanbul with Abdullah. From the moment we met, he made us feel incredibly welcomed and set the tone for an unforgettable day. His deep knowledge of history brought the Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque to life, making every stop more meaningful. Not only was he super informative, but he was also genuinely eager to ensure we had the best experience possible. He helped us navigate the markets, taking us to the right places to shop without any pressure, which made our experience even more enjoyable. He even joined us for lunch at a fantastic local restaurant he recommended, giving us an authentic taste of Istanbul beyond the usual tourist spots. His enthusiasm, professionalism, and warmth truly set him apart. I’ve had many tour guides over the years, but he was one of the best I’ve ever had. If you’re looking for an exceptional guide in Istanbul, I highly recommend Abdullah. You won’t be disappointed!"

"Kemal is a confident, cosmopolitan guy who takes pride is making sure you have a great day out. He's quick to build rapport and seems to build lasting friendships with many of his tour groups. It is impressive how quickly he could customise the itinerary based on the weather, season and your preferences - he truly knows Taksim's food scene very well. His standard route for 10 Tastings of Istanbul is through Taksim, focusing on classic street food from mainstream chains. He also spontaneously worked in the chance to try Turkish wine at a nice place in Pera, and a delicious quince dessert which would otherwise be easy to miss. If you want exposure to more inventive regional cuisine, it would be worth discussing the itinerary in detail in advance. No matter what, there's no avoiding how meaty Turkish cuisine is, so considering the timing of the tour carefully and don't plan it eat much before and after this tour!"

"Hands down, Ayşenur is the best guide I have ever had! She customized my tour perfectly. Her friendly, fun and engaging approach made her extensive knowledge range even more palatable. Thank you so much for an amazing tour and I look forward to next. (There will absolutely be a next time!)"

"Our 3 hour tour with Neslihan was amazing: we laughed a lot, seen a lot, learnt a lot and ended up with a list of recommendations for the rest of our trip. Neslihan loves the city and it’s infectious! She knows it’s history and culture and shares her knowledge in a light and engaging way: surprised just how much we’ve learnt whilst having fun! Could not recommend Neslihan highly enough."

"Alp was clear, concise and timely with communications. He allowed our group of two to ask many questions and make requests. We toured during February’s 1st snow and Alp graciously continued to guide us stopping a few extra times for hot beverages and warmth. He was quite knowledgeable about Turkey’s broad history, current events, Europe & Asian sides as well as extensive details on the who:what:why:when of the STREET ART. The community jewels (restaurants, stores, architecture, etc.) were welcome additions to our journey. We enjoyed this modern glimpse into the heartbeat of Turkey. "

"We were looking for a reason to explore the Asian side of Istanbul, and found this tour. We're so glad we did it! We had a wonderful afternoon with Alp - his tour is more than just street art, we went to a couple of local cafes, learned about culture and history, and even got some great shopping tips. Alp is a friendly, knowledgeable guy, and adjusted the pace where we wanted to stay a bit longer & take photos, or move on to the next things. I can't recommend this tour highly enough!!"

"I honestly don’t know where to start. Dilek was amazing and it was like I was learning about the city from a friend. Her communication, from the moment I set up the tour until the moment I met her was fabulous. We chatted and got to know each other. She arranged for me to have transportation and it was the best decision! Dilek’s in depth knowledge of Istanbul is second to none, and we had wonderful conversations wandering the cobblestone streets lined with cafes and restaurants. We were able to see the Hagia Sofia, Cisterns, Spice Market, old city, new city, galata port, and so much more! I fell in love with Istanbul in large part because of Dilek. I didn’t just have a tour. I explored an amazing city with a friend, and made memories that will last me forever. "