Experience City tours in 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"

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

"Ayfer is a phenomenal guide! She is so easy to talk to and modified our itinerary to accommodate our specificities. Do not hesitate to book any of her tours; she is a STAR. Thank you Ayfer! ❤️"

"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. "

"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"

"From the very moment we began the tour with Cengiz, we found ourselves instantly at ease, drawn in by the warm atmosphere he creates and the depth of his knowledge. Even now, we still say he stands out by far as one of the finest guides we’ve encountered in our travels around the world. In a city as layered and, at times, challenging to navigate as Istanbul, everything felt remarkably effortless and enjoyable with him. Cengiz possesses a truly refined aesthetic sensibility, which proved to be an exceptional advantage when it came to capturing beautiful photographs in just the right places and moments. This artistic touch is also reflected throughout his tours. If you are considering booking a tour, make sure it is with Cengiz"

"Anyone who is in Istanbul for any amount of time and wants to connect with a genuine, highly educated and experienced person - Esra is at the top of the list! She not only hits all the highlights at a pace you are comfortable with but is also super flexible, confident and easy to work with. Whether it’s spending more time with your questions or taking you to off the touristy areas, she is there for you! My wife and I have never been to Istanbul and the hustle and bustle, aggressive solicitations from vendors at every turn and so much to see…we would have been lost in minutes! She leads the way with confidence and her vast experience with fast tracking huge lines, ticket purchases and knowledge are invaluable. She goes out of her way and well beyond the expectations for the duration of the tour to provide guidance with best restaurants, reservations all to meet your highest expectations. A more engaging down to earth person who exudes a passion and enthusiasm for her city and country is hard to imagine. Don’t hesitate - book today! Jon and Jodi from BC, Canada 🇨🇦 I would have given /10 for price rating value but (personally) don’t like that the “Withlocals” takes such a high percentage/cut of the total rather than have more go directly to the guide…regardless, they are lucky to have her and so will you be if you book her."

"Cengiz was great with our two boys who are 7 and 9. He engaged them in little games and knew when they would be bored by the history that the adults were interested in, so found spots for them to play. We did the blue mosque and basilica cistern and then he took us to the grand bazaar and some secret spots. Cengiz seemed to know everyone and was very talented at getting us to skip lines. Would highly recommend Cengiz for any tour and particularly for families! "