Experience the best of
Istanbul with Withlocals

"Friendly and knowledgeable."

"She was great and we would’ve never seen these lively neighborhoods had we not done this tour. We would recommend her highly!"

"We had a truly wonderful day in Istanbul with our private guide, Cengiz. As a group of eight women, we telt completely at ease from the very beginning. His deep knowledge especially of the city's social and political history brought everything to life in a way that felt both engaging and effortless. We visited the Blue Mosque, Topkapı Palace the Basilica Cistern, and the Galata Tower area, and even navigated the tram like locals in 8hours. In the Grand Bazaar, Cengiz offered genuine insider access: introducing us to a renowned textile and costume merchant, guiding us through the gold jewelry street, and showing us a silversmith transforming raw silver into an ingot. We even stopped at a currency exchange to get a behind-the-scenes understanding of how it all works. Cengiz is warm, personable, and in perfect tune with the rhythm of the city. He also took us to a delicious lunch spot near the Grand Bazaar. Thanks to him, Istanbul felt vibrant, immersive, and full of character. I would highly recommend him as a private guide"

"My husband and I did three individual tours with Ugur as our personal guide. On our first day in Istanbul, we did the City Kickstart Tour & then on the following day, the Explore Topkapi Palace & Surrounds, as well as the Highlights & Hidden Gems of Istanbul. They were two days very well spent. Ugur is a highly professional, experienced and talented guide. He is extremely knowledgeable and passionate about his city and his country’s history. He’s a fine storyteller with a sharp sense of humour and a quick wit. He’s also charming, personable and empathetic. He readily tailored the three tours to suit our special needs and interests. At the end of the two days, we felt we had a solid understanding of contemporary Türkiye and it’s magnificent past. We are so thankful we had such an exceptional guide and would unreservedly recommend Ugur to all. "

"Cengiz was amazing. So fun and well informed. Great day in Istanbul because of him-highly recommrnd"

"Awesome tour. Ayse was extremely knowledgeable and knew her way around. She took us to the best sites, and also showed us hidden gems in the city that added even more to the experience. "

"We had a great experience and can highly recommend Faruk to everyone"

"My friend, my two sons and I had a fantastic time with Cengiz. Prior to meeting he reached out to get an idea of what we were interested in and where best to meet. Despite our vague (unhelpful ) “we like anything” he really used his inside knowledge of Istanbul to tailor the experience for us. He was very patient and attuned to what my sons (11 and 14) would like and in between the delicious bites also gave us a great tour of parts of Istanbul we had not seen. He even made sure we were able to get on the tram when my card refused to work. Absolutely would recommend and already planning on reaching out to him when I convince other friends to go back to Istanbul with me! "

"This tour was undoubtedly one of the highlights of my time in Istanbul. While the opportunity to visit such remarkable monuments was impressive in itself, it was the depth of historical insight that truly elevated the experience beyond my expectations. Our guide, Cengiz, was exceptional. From the outset, the day felt less like a structured tour and more like exploring the city with a well-informed friend. He has a remarkable talent for bringing each site to life through rich, engaging storytelling, all while maintaining a light and enjoyable atmosphere. What made the experience even more special was his thoughtful attention to detail. He kindly helped us capture beautiful photos along the way, leaving us with lasting memories of the day. His enthusiasm, warmth, and extensive knowledge were evident throughout. I would wholeheartedly recommend this tour to anyone visiting Istanbul. It offers a perfect balance of history, culture, and genuine enjoyment"

"A fantastic tour and guide. I suggest your trip will not be complete without doing this tour. We saw so many murals, and some sculptures. Also learned the background of each, and the meaning behind the elements of the mural. Also learned much about the neighborhood. His restaurant and coffee recommendations turned out to be great. Highly recommended. "