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
122 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
2148 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.
"We enjoyed the tour with Emir. He was a great guy with a lot of historical information and interesting historical perspectives. Our walking experience was perfect and the links he gave us after to other sights and restaurants added to our trip! We would definitely contact him again if we were to return to Istanbul. "
ssrfwf5h5mAbout local EmirIstanbul, October 21, 2025
5.0
Amazing Day with Oguz!
"We booked an all day outing with Oguz and were not disappointed. Oguz was right on time at our planned meeting spot. All along the way he was informative and accommodating. Oguz kept a casual pace and we never felt rushed, although we packed in a lot. We toured the Hagia Sophia Mosque, strolled through the old Hippodrome, skipped the crowded Basilica Cistern and instead had an exclusive intro to the 2nd largest Birbindirek, the Grand Bazaar with a rest stop for tea, Suleymaniye Mosque, Spice Bazaar with a Turkish Delight tasting, the tram to Balat neighborhood with a hike up the hill, and finally a ferry ride across the Bosphorus! It was a fantastic day. Highly recommended Oguz as a guide."
"Choosing Emre to take us on an evening food tour of Istanbul was one of the best decisions ever. In spite of my mess up of not checking my emails and never answering any of the messages he sent me, he still was waiting for us at the tour starting spot with a smile .\n The hours we spent walking and tasting were also filled with cultural facfs and fascinating information. If you are going to Istanbul you need to start your visit with Emre as your guide."
PauletteAbout local EmreIstanbul, October 19, 2025
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!
"My family - husband, 2 adult kids, and I - spent the best 2 days with Emre seeing and learning about many of the highlights of Istanbul along with some wonderful hidden gems. We also did a food tour on both the European and Asian parts of the city. \nEmre was knowledgeable, informative, funny, and so very generous with his time. We learned so much about the beautiful city and its history, and sampled a variety of delicious foods. \nEmre went above and beyond. We felt he was a part of the family. Felt like being with a true local "
"Emre is the best. Not only is he super knowledgeable, he knows the best spots for local cuisine, he finds the out-of-the-way places, he also knows everyone and everyone knows him! We learned a lot of history, local culture, and felt the warmth of Turkish hospitality with him. Excellent tour. Highly recommend. "
"Cengiz was our guide at the Hagia Sophia and he was wonderful. He knew his history, taught us many new details, and was exceptionally helpful. I would take a tour from him again. Nothing but good things to say about our experience."
"Spent a perfect morning with Ayse seeing the historical sites of Istanbul exactly as we wanted to with just the right balance of context, insight and detail. \n\nAyse is professional, friendly and knowledgable and was an excellent host for us. Her English is faultless and she answered all our questions and was good company throughout. \n\nWould 100% recommend Ayse as a tour guide and really enjoyed our day. "
"We had a brilliant time with the knowledgeable and friendly O\u011Fuz exploring and learning. Highly recommended. "
BenAbout local O\u011FuzIstanbul, October 16, 2025
5.0
A fabulous engaging tour
"With her depth of historical knowledge and engaging manner, Nihal brought to life the riches of the Hagia Sophia and old Constantinople. She welcomed our questions and through her answers deepened our knowledge and understanding of Istanbul's past and present. I would thoroughly recommend a tour with her. \nOne thing to note - it was not clear at the time of booking that the entry price to the Hagia Sophia was not included, hence the price-value rating."
"Hi\nHaving Ogus to guide us was amazing, he explained all the history and other architectural points of the places we visited in a such a way that was fun and easy going \nHighly recommend him\nRegards Darren "
JenniferAbout local OguzIstanbul, October 16, 2025
Private & Personal
Your tour is just for you. No strangers, no groups.
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Private & Personal
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.
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
Choose your favorite local
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