Explore the must-sees like the spectacular Hagia Sophia, the stunning Blue Mosque, and the colorful Grand Bazaar on a private city highlights tour. Personalize your plan with your favorite local and enjoy Istanbul the right way, the local way!
Explore the must-sees like the spectacular Hagia Sophia, the stunning Blue Mosque, and the colorful Grand Bazaar on a private city highlights tour. Personalize your plan with your favorite local and enjoy Istanbul the right way, the local way!
Always private. It’s just you and your local host. No strangers, no groups.
More you, less checklist
Let your local host tailor the experience completely to your wishes.
Travel that feels good
Our tours are designed with people, places, and the planet in mind.
Top 10 city tours in Istanbul
Make your stay in Istanbul complete with these things to do
1
Choose your favorite local
City Kickstart Tour: Istanbul
103 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.
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.
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.
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!
Go off the beaten path on a journey full of hidden gems! Escape from the hustle and bustle of the city and discover tranquil green spaces, local neighborhoods with a lively atmosphere, and a bazaar filled with interesting handicrafts, Turkish products, and textiles.
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.
No trip to Istanbul is complete without a cruise along the Bosphorus! Hop on private yacht and experience the perfect combination of nature, history, culture and luxury, all of this while you enjoy a glass of wine and relax. There is no better way to see Istanbul!
Uncover Istanbul’s Jewish history with a passionate historian. Visit the Jewish Museum and historic synagogues, entering at least one. Explore hidden Jewish landmarks beyond the usual tourist paths.
Let me know if you’d like any further refinements!
To fully experience Istanbul, you have to do it as a local! Step into the Asian side of the city, and see how the locals like to unwind, shop and have fun at some of the hippest neighborhoods in Istanbul. Join me on this private tour & enjoy becoming a local for a day!
"Emir was an amazing tour guide. Me and my two friends came to Istanbul for just 2.5 days, so we knew we needed to make the most of our time. Emir’s kickstart tour gave us a great history of Istanbul, taught us about all the major sights, showed the neighborhood of Karakoy (which we would have probably missed on our own!), and guided us on must try foods and the best spots. He made sure we had a successful trip by showing us the best baklava in the city and giving us a list/links of must see sights. To top it off he has such a great and vibrant energy and is a wonderful storyteller. Thank you for being such an amazing host, Emir & going above & beyond! "
"We booked a three hour Istanbul introductory tour with Safiye. She met us right on time at Galataport. We took public transport to Sulthanamet via the tram. I booked specially because three in the group prefer Spanish and Safiye has a great working knowledge of the language, plus her English is excellent. We toured the Blue Mosque and Aya Sophia, and the Topkapi gardens, plus she provided tips to continue visiting Istanbul the next day (which was the last day as we were on a cruise). Safiye is very kind, personable, and patient, and deeply knows the city’s history and its landmarks. We very much enjoyed our time with her and highly recommend her if you are visiting Istanbul."
"We had a blast with Esra- from start to finish. We saw all the landmarks we wanted to see. Skipped the queues and heard the wonderful history from an extreme knowledge guide!!! Esra you rock. Will see you again soon!!!"
"This was our first trip to Istanbul and we had just one day and wanted to make sure we saw the major sights of the city but also could experience some off the beaten track spots and get a sense of the local flavor. Apo was an outstanding guide in that regard. He listened carefully to what we wanted to do and then crafted a great itinerary. Apart from the major highlights, we saw a gem of a street with lovely bookshops behind the Suleimani Mosque, had lunch at a lovely little restaurant that was not on the usual tourist beat, and he helped us shop for a few things that we wanted to pick up. Apart from his knowledge of the city and customizing the itinerary to exactly what we wanted, we liked that he has a great sense of humor and was not only informative but was great company through the day. Thank you for an outstanding introduction to your beautiful city Apo, and I hope you were successful in using the “you are like the moonlight” line! 😀"
"I was only able to spend a few hours with Muhammad but I can’t recommend him highly enough. Lots of insight. He got me to go over to the Asian side of the city and a ride on the ferry. Thank you. Made it special…and a lovely guy!"
"Neslihan was an exceptional guide during our time in Istanbul. She effortlessly showed us all the best parts of the city, providing insightful historical context and making sure we experienced everything to the fullest. Her knowledge and enthusiasm made our trip unforgettable. Highly recommend Neslihan for anyone visiting Istanbul!"
"We had a full day visit to Istanbul Sultanahmet with Abdullah and really recommend booking a tour with him! We told him in advance what we would like to see and he made sure we saw all of it and added some of his own recommendations. He was very knowledgeable about the sites we were visiting and gave us lots of recommendations besides that. We had a fun day and learned a lot, great way to start your visit to Istanbul/ Turkey - thank you Abdullah!"
"Ouzo was a great guide. He brought us to some areas less crowded. Explained the Tram to us which we used several more times while in the city. We had had a wonderful day with our new friend.
Thank you Oz.
"
"We had the pleasure of a wonderful tour of Hagia Sophia and surrounding area with Gülce. She knew all the history which made the experience for all of us so much better. She even got us into the “tour” line for the Bassillica Cistern which saved us a lot of waiting around (and she also hard great knowledge on the Cistern as well). Thank you, Gülce, for making our trip so enjoyable!"
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.
Tailored to your wishes
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.
Chat before you book
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.
Travel that supports locals
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.
Feel good about where your money goes
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.
Trusted by millions
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.
Secure & flexible booking
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.
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.
Tailored to your wishes
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.
Chat before you book
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.
Travel that supports locals
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.
Feel good about where your money goes
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.
Trusted by millions
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.
Secure & flexible booking
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.
Private & personalized city tours in Istanbul with a local
Discover Istanbul like never before with a private city tours led by a local guide. These tours are tailored just for you, with no fixed routes or crowds. Whether you’re into history, hidden alleys, iconic landmarks, or everyday local life, your guide will customize the experience to match your interests.
Walk through Istanbul with someone who truly knows the city, hear the stories behind the sights, and uncover corners most tourists miss. Want to focus on art, neighborhoods, or cultural quirks? It’s your tour, your pace. Perfect for first-time visitors or seasoned explorers, our personalized city tours help you connect with Istanbul in a meaningful way.
Say goodbye to generic tours and hello to a one-of-a-kind local experience in Istanbul.