Private guides. Personal planning. Istanbul at your pace.
Private Istanbul Tours with Licensed Local Guides
Explore Istanbul with a guide working exclusively with you. Spend time in the Old City, cross to Asia for markets and local food, discover quieter neighborhoods, or enjoy a private yacht on the Bosphorus.
We are an owner-led, women-owned boutique travel company based in Istanbul. We welcome travelers from the United States, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and beyond who value knowledgeable guiding, thoughtful planning, and personal attention.
Choose a private tour below or tell us what you have in mind. We listen first and adapt the arrangements to your interests, available time, and preferred pace.
Which Tour Suits Your Visit?
For a first visit, start with the Old City. Choose the Topkapi Palace route if you enjoy museums and Ottoman history, or the Basilica Cistern route for a shorter introduction to the main sights.
If food and everyday life interest you, consider Taste of Istanbul or the Two Continents walk. With two days available, combine history with a food tour. Returning visitors may enjoy Fener and Balat or Dolmabahce Palace.
Families are welcome on our private tours. Share your children's ages and interests so we can recommend a realistic route and leave time for breaks.
Choose Your Private Istanbul Tour
History Tour of Istanbul: Hagia Sophia, Basilica Cistern, Grand Bazaar
Begin with Hagia Sophia, visit the Blue Mosque and Hippodrome, step into the sixth-century Basilica Cistern, and finish at the Grand Bazaar.
This is a useful alternative for travelers who prefer a shorter Old City route without an extended palace visit. We can discuss adjustments for families, cruise arrivals, and limited time in Istanbul.
Included: Licensed private guide and entrance fees to Hagia Sophia and the Basilica Cistern.
Signature Tour
Private and Guided Istanbul Food Tour - Taste Of Istanbul
Begin with Turkish breakfast in Karakoy, followed by coffee and baklava, before taking a public ferry to Kadikoy. Explore the market and discover local dishes, street foods, and the places our guides enjoy themselves.
We shape the tastings around your appetite and preferences. Tell us about dietary restrictions or allergies before booking so we can discuss suitable arrangements.
Included: Private guide, food tastings, non-alcoholic drinks, and public transportation. Alcoholic drinks are extra.
Istanbul Two Continents and Backstreets
Discover the Spice Market and Rustem Pasha Mosque, cross to Kadikoy by public ferry, and explore local markets and neighborhoods. The route can also include Galata and a rooftop coffee stop near the tower.
This is a cultural walking tour rather than an included-tastings food tour. We discuss the route and stops around your interests and available time.
Included: Licensed private guide and the ferry crossing. Food and drinks are additional unless specified in your confirmed arrangement.
Private and Guided Istanbul Old City Walking Tour
Explore Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, the Hippodrome, Topkapi Palace, and the Grand Bazaar with a licensed guide. This route suits travelers who want an introduction to Istanbul's main landmarks with time devoted to Ottoman history.
We plan the order around opening arrangements, visitor numbers, and your pace. Shopping is included only if you request it.
Included: Licensed private guide and entrance fees for the museum visits included in your selected tour. Confirm the exact route and inclusions before payment.
Bestseller
2 Days - Private and Guided Istanbul Old City Walk and Food Tours
Spend one day exploring the Old City and a second discovering Istanbul through its food, markets, and ferry crossing to Asia. It is a varied introduction without trying to fit everything into one day.
Included: Private guiding on both days, entrance fees for the confirmed Old City visits, and the food tour's tastings, non-alcoholic drinks, and public transportation.
Private and Guided Fener and Balat Walking Tour / Off the Beaten Track
Explore Suleymaniye Mosque, Kadinlar Pazari, the Aqueduct of Valens, Zeyrek, and the streets of Fener and Balat, with time to understand the city's layered religious and neighborhood history.
The route can finish at the Fener Orthodox Patriarchate, subject to opening arrangements.
Included: Licensed private guide and private transportation for this itinerary, as specified in the booking details.
Topkapi Palace & Harem, Basilica Cistern, and the Grand Bazaar Tour
A history-focused route with time at Topkapi Palace and its Harem section, followed by the Basilica Cistern and the Grand Bazaar.
Your guide explains palace life, the Ottoman court, and the stories behind the places you visit. This route does not include Hagia Sophia or the Blue Mosque.
Included: Licensed private guide and admission to Topkapi Palace, the Harem, and the Basilica Cistern. The guiding is private; the attractions remain open to other visitors.
Luxury Bosphorus Tour 2-Hour Long Yacht Tour
See Istanbul from the water, passing waterfront palaces, neighborhoods, and landmarks along the European and Asian shores. A private yacht offers a different pace from the walking tours.
Included: Private yacht and licensed guide. Wine tasting can be discussed as an optional addition. The meeting point and any transportation arrangements are confirmed before booking.
Ethical Shopping Tour - Bargains and Bubbles
Looking for a handmade rug, ceramics, jewelry, textiles, or something for your home? We arrange independent shopping assistance at reputable specialists, with time to compare materials, craftsmanship, and designs.
There is no obligation to purchase. We receive no commissions or kickbacks from your purchases. Transportation can be arranged when useful.
Dolmabahce Palace, Rustem Pasha Mosque and the Spice Market Tour
Visit the nineteenth-century Ottoman palace on the Bosphorus, then explore the Spice Market and the Iznik tilework of Rustem Pasha Mosque.
A different perspective on the city for returning visitors or travelers particularly interested in architecture and Ottoman history.
Please contact us for further details and availability.
Included: Licensed private guide and the Dolmabahce Palace entrance ticket.
What to Expect When You Book
Every sightseeing tour is private: your guide works only with you and your travel companions. Admission to the museums named as included in your selected tour is covered. Food tours include their stated tastings, non-alcoholic drinks, and public transportation.
Private vehicle service is included only where specified. For Old City and Karakoy accommodation, meeting your guide on foot is often practical. Share your hotel or cruise details so we can confirm the meeting arrangements.
Advance tickets can reduce the ticket-purchase queue at selected sites, including Hagia Sophia and Topkapi Palace. They do not remove mandatory security checks. Basilica Cistern tickets are purchased on arrival.
If you prefer guidance alone, our private guide-hire service starts from USD 300 total for up to six people . Entrance fees, food, and transportation are additional for that service.
Book the Tour You Have Chosen
Use the booking button beneath your preferred tour to open its own availability and booking options. Review the date, number of travelers, price, and inclusions before continuing to checkout.
For Dolmabahce Palace, custom itineraries, or special requests, contact us so we can confirm the arrangements and price personally.
Questions About Private Istanbul Tours
Are these shared tours?
No. Your guided tour is reserved for your party. Public ferries used on the food tour and Two Continents walk are shared transport, while your guide remains exclusively with you. Attractions remain open to other visitors.
Can you customize the tour?
Yes. Tell us your interests, available time, hotel or cruise details, and preferred pace. For a custom route or changes to a listed tour, contact us before paying so we can confirm the arrangement and price.
How do we check availability and pay?
Click the booking button beneath your chosen tour to view its available dates and price for your party, then follow the checkout steps. Tours without online booking link to our contact form. For a custom itinerary, contact us first so we can prepare a proposal.
Are entrance fees and transportation included?
Our sightseeing tour packages include admission to the museums specified in the selected tour. Food tours include their stated tastings, non-alcoholic drinks, and public transportation. Private transportation is included only where specified. Guide-only hire has separate exclusions.
Can we request a female guide?
Yes. A female guide can be requested, subject to availability. Please contact us before booking if this is important to your plans.
Are your tours suitable for families or travelers with mobility concerns?
We can adapt the pace and suggest suitable routes. Please share children's ages, walking preferences, and mobility concerns before booking. Istanbul's historic areas involve uneven surfaces, steps, and periods of standing; a private vehicle does not remove all walking inside the sites.
Where do we meet our guide?
The meeting point is confirmed for your selected tour. Depending on the route and your location, we may meet at your accommodation or at an agreed point in the city. Galataport arrangements and private transportation can be discussed in advance.
Will there be shopping stops?
Only if you request them. We do not add hidden shopping stops or commission-driven detours. Dedicated private shopping assistance is available separately.
Can you arrange tours beyond Istanbul?
Yes. We arrange private travel in Cappadocia, Ephesus, Pamukkale, Gallipoli, and other destinations across Turkey, including multi-day itineraries and transportation.
Tell Us What You Would Enjoy
Share your dates, party size, accommodation or cruise details, and the experiences that interest you. We will suggest a suitable private tour or plan a custom itinerary.