Meet Your Istanbul Tour Guides and Professional Travel Advisor Team in Istanbul
Private Istanbul Walking Tours is a fully registered, women-owned boutique travel company in Istanbul, founded in 2016. We design private, tailor-made experiences for travelers who value comfort, trust, and high-quality local expertise — with transparent pricing and zero shopping pressure.
Each year, we curate 500+ private guided tours and custom itineraries across Istanbul, Cappadocia, and throughout Turkey for guests visiting from the USA, Australia, Canada, England, the European Union, and beyond. We don’t believe in “one-size-fits-all” touring. Every itinerary is crafted around you — your pace, interests, style, and priorities — so your time in Turkey feels effortless and truly personal.
Boutique service, designed around you
Our mission is simple: make your journey in Turkey smooth, refined, and unforgettable. From first message to final goodbye, we handle the details with care — thoughtful planning, insider timing, and professional guidance — so you can relax and enjoy Istanbul at its best.
Whether you are:
a honeymoon couple seeking privacy and romance,
a family focused on safety and comfort,
a female solo traveler who wants a secure, supportive experience, or
an LGBTQ+ couple looking for a welcoming atmosphere,
Seeking a food tour of Istanbul - Istanbul Food Tour (Taste of Istanbul) for your family,
A relaxing Bosphorus Yacht Tour,
We are a women-owned boutique company offering private guided tours in Istanbul with licensed Istanbul tour guides and fully custom-made itineraries across Turkey and tailor every day to match your needs and travel style — with a calm, respectful approach that helps you feel confident navigating local customs. You can read verified guest feedback on TripAdvisor, Google, and in testimonials page.
Choose Private Istanbul Walking Tours for a more personal way to discover Turkey — where every detail is thoughtfully planned, every tour is private, and every experience feels made just for you. See details of our Private Guided Istanbul Tour
Furkan Gokcel
Senior Travel Advisor & Professional Tour Guide (20+ Years)
With over two decades of experience guiding in English and designing tailor-made itineraries, Furkan is one of the key experts behind our private tours. He specializes in custom-made, high-quality travel planning and creates smooth, well-paced days that match your interests and travel style.
Furkan is also the creative eye behind our brand: many of the photos on our website and social media are taken by him. When he is not guiding, he is usually traveling, exploring new places, and discovering great food.
Quick facts:
Traveled across Asia, Europe, the Americas, and Africa
Loves photography, quality food, and a good Turkish tea break
Favorite cities: Istanbul, Siem Reap, Washington DC, Saint Petersburg
Favorite authors: Dan Brown, George Orwell
Non-smoker
Derya Artan
Tour Guide & Bazaar and Shopping Expert (15+ Years)
Warm, energetic, and easy-going, Derya is loved by guests who want a relaxed experience with a local friend vibe. With 15+ years of guiding experience, she is especially known for helping travelers navigate markets and shopping areas with confidence and comfort, always keeping things pressure-free.
Derya also leads female-only tours for travelers who prefer that option. She studied tourism guidance, Greek language, and history, and brings a fun, curious perspective to every day.
Quick facts:
Tea lover (seriously)
Great photographer and shopping guide
Interested in astrology (courses and workshops) and Turkish coffee reading
Rock music fan
Non-smoker
Mestan
Chief Quality Control Officer (Office Cat)
Mestan is 6 years old and fully convinced she was a dog in a past life — because she genuinely loves car rides (okay, about 30 minutes… which is still impressive for a cat). She’s also our unofficial “detail inspector,” keeping a close eye on everything from itinerary planning and website updates to any mechanical fix happening at home or in the office.
If you’re working on something important, Mestan will stand right beside you until you finish exactly what you’re supposed to do. As I’m writing this, she’s lying next to my computer — and we wouldn’t have it any other way.
Bahadir Can
Travel Advisor & Tour Guide (5+ Years)
With a background in Physical Therapy and tourism guidance, Can brings a unique mix of care, detail, and organization to every tour. Over the past five years, he has become an expert at tailoring luxury-style private itineraries, especially for travelers who want comfort, flexibility, and clear planning.
He speaks English and Indonesian, loves adventure travel, and is known for being extremely organized, the kind of guide who makes your day feel effortless.
Quick facts:
Speaks English and Indonesian
Loves tennis, football, and adventure travel
Enjoys quality cuisine and great coffee
Traveled widely across America, Europe, and Asia (including an extended stay in Indonesia)
Sevgi Eda
Operations & Guest Support (Remote) | 4+ Years
Sevgi Eda is the calm, capable force behind the scenes who helps keep every detail organized before you arrive. Part of our team for over four years, she supports our operations remotely with excellent computer skills, strong attention to detail, and exceptional organization — the kind that makes trips feel smooth and effortless.
Sevgi is also a confident, independent woman who plays an important role in supporting our solo female travelers and women-only tours, helping ensure guests feel comfortable, informed, and looked after from the planning stage onward.
When she’s not working, she loves cooking, enjoys great coffee, and brings a warm, steady energy to our team.
Umit Yasar
Senior Driver & Transportation Coordinator (30+ Years)
With over 30 years behind the wheel, Umit is the trusted professional who keeps your travel day running smoothly. He learned driving from his father and has built a reputation for being exceptionally careful, punctual, and reliable. As our main driver, he also coordinates transportation details for our guests — ensuring every pickup, drop-off, and private transportation & airport transfers feel effortless.
Known for his formal style and calm presence, Umit is highly respected by his colleagues and valued by guests for his steady, attentive approach. He’s married, a proud grandfather, and always happy to share friendly conversation when you feel like talking.
Signature strengths: on-time service • safe and smooth driving • polished, professional presentation