Owner-operated · Private tours · Licensed local guides
Private Istanbul Tours with Licensed Local Guides
Explore Istanbul with your own guide: the Old City, food and markets across two continents, palace visits or a private yacht on the Bosphorus. Choose an individual tour or combine two or three days.
We are a fully licensed, owner-operated boutique travel company. Our owners are professional guides, and we work with a small, consistent team. Meet your team.
For a custom route, mobility concerns, dietary restrictions, children’s needs or a larger party, please contact us before booking online. We listen first and confirm the arrangements around your interests, available time and preferred pace.
Private Istanbul History & Food Tours
Private Tour of Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque and Grand Bazaar
Around 5–6 hours
Spend time at Hagia Sophia and Topkapi Palace before continuing to the Blue Mosque and the Grand Bazaar. A private Old City walk for travelers who want to include the palace alongside Istanbul’s best-known religious landmarks.
Included: Private English-speaking guide and entrance fees to Topkapi Palace and Hagia Sophia.
History Tour of Istanbul: Hagia Sophia, Basilica Cistern, Blue Mosque and Grand Bazaar
Approximately 3.5 hours
A shorter Old City route combining Hagia Sophia, the underground chambers of the Basilica Cistern, the Blue Mosque and the Grand Bazaar. Choose this tour for an introduction to these landmarks without a palace visit.
Included: Private English-speaking guide and entrance fees to Hagia Sophia and the Basilica Cistern.
Private and Guided Istanbul Food Tour - Taste Of Istanbul
Around 5–6 hours · Europe and Asia
Begin with Turkish breakfast in Karakoy, followed by baklava and coffee. Take the public ferry to Kadikoy for market walks, street food and Turkish home-style dishes or kebabs. Tell us about dietary requirements before booking so we can discuss suitable selections.
Included: Private English-speaking guide, food tastings, non-alcoholic beverages and ferry tickets, including your return crossing to the European side. Alcoholic drinks are additional.
Two or Three Days in Istanbul
Choose the Old City and food combination, add a third day in Fener and Balat, or pair the Old City with a Two Continents walk. Each program has its own included museum visits and experiences.
2 Days - Private and Guided Istanbul Old City Walk and Food Tours
Two private touring days
One day at Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, the Blue Mosque and the Grand Bazaar; another devoted to our signature food tour, from Turkish breakfast in Karakoy to the markets and local cooking of Kadikoy on the Asian side.
Included: Private English-speaking guide, Hagia Sophia and Topkapi Palace entrance fees, food tastings and non-alcoholic drinks on the food tour day, and public transportation.
3-Day Private Guided Istanbul Tour — Old City, Food Tour, Fener & Balat
Three private touring days
Combine the Old City and our signature food tour with a third day at the Spice Market, Rustem Pasha Mosque, Fener and Balat. Palace visits, neighborhood walks and food tastings give each day a different focus.
Included: Private English-speaking guide, Hagia Sophia and Topkapi Palace entrance fees, food tastings and non-alcoholic drinks on the food tour day, and public transportation.
Two-Days Istanbul Old City and Two Continents Walking Tour
Two private touring days
Visit Hagia Sophia, the Basilica Cistern, the Blue Mosque, the Hippodrome and the Grand Bazaar on the first day. On the second, explore the Spice Market, Rustem Pasha Mosque and Galata, stop for rooftop coffee, and cross by ferry to Kadikoy.
Included: Private English-speaking guide, Hagia Sophia and Basilica Cistern entrance fees, public transportation, and the second day’s rooftop coffee stop. Meals are additional.
These are private touring programs. Hotels and airport transfers can be arranged separately. For more options, see our multi-day Istanbul tours.
More Private Istanbul Tours & Experiences
Istanbul Two Continents and Backstreets
Approximately 5 hours
Visit Rustem Pasha Mosque and the Spice Market, walk through Galata and stop for coffee at a rooftop cafe. Continue by public ferry to the Asian side with your private guide. This is a neighborhood and cultural walk; lunch is additional.
Included: Private English-speaking guide, public ferry tickets and the rooftop coffee stop.
Private and Guided Fener and Balat Walking Tour / Off the Beaten Track
Approximately 4.5 hours
Begin at the Spice Market and Rustem Pasha Mosque, then take the public tram to Fener and Balat. Walk through residential streets and past religious landmarks in neighborhoods long associated with Istanbul’s Muslim, Christian and Jewish communities.
Included: Private English-speaking guide, public transportation and donations to the sites. Food and drinks are additional.
Private Tour of Topkapi Palace & Harem, and Grand Bazaar
Approximately 5 hours
Devote time to Topkapi Palace and its Harem, including the tiled rooms and courtyards of the sultan’s private quarters, before continuing to the Grand Bazaar. The program focuses on the palace, the Harem and the bazaar.
Included: Private English-speaking guide and admission to Topkapi Palace and the Harem.
2-Hour Bosphorus Private Yacht Tour — Exclusive to Your Party, with Your Guide and Crew
Two hours on a private yacht
A two-hour Bosphorus cruise with the yacht reserved for your party, your guide and the crew. See waterfront palaces, Ottoman houses and neighborhoods along the European and Asian shores. Meet at Kabatas tram station, by the ticket vending machines.
Included: Private English-speaking guide, two-hour yacht rental, tea, coffee and water. Alcoholic beverages are additional.
Private Shopping in Istanbul — Rugs, Jewelry & Home Decor
Approximately 3 hours
Visit trusted specialists in and around the Grand Bazaar for rugs, jewelry, ceramics and textiles. Your guide helps you compare materials, craftsmanship and designs according to what you would like to find. There is no pressure to buy and no commission on your purchases.
Included: Private English-speaking guide and non-alcoholic beverages. Purchases and private transportation are additional.
Dolmabahce Palace, Rustem Pasha Mosque and the Spice Market Tour
Approximately 4–5 hours
Visit the nineteenth-century Ottoman palace on the Bosphorus, then continue to the Spice Market and the Iznik tilework of Rustem Pasha Mosque. An alternative for returning visitors and travelers with a particular interest in architecture and Ottoman history.
Included: Private English-speaking guide and the Dolmabahce Palace entrance ticket.
Before You Book
Meeting Your Guide
For Old City tours, meet at the House of Medusa restaurant, beside the Basilica Cistern exit gate. The food tour meets at Karakoy T1 tram station by the vending machines.
For Fener and Balat, meet by the ITIMAT shop at the Spice Market’s main entrance, facing Galata Bridge. The yacht tour meets at Kabatas tram station by the ticket vending machines.
Your confirmation gives the meeting point for your selected tour and each day of a combination program. If you are staying in the Old City or along the tram line, contact us in advance about meeting at your hotel on foot.
Museum Tickets & Entry
We arrange advance tickets where available. Basilica Cistern tickets are purchased at the location. Advance tickets can reduce the ticket-purchase queue; security checks and queues inside attractions still apply.
The Blue Mosque usually involves a wait of around 10–15 minutes for security and dress-code checks, with longer waits possible at busy times. Wear comfortable walking shoes and clothing covering shoulders and knees. Women need a scarf for mosque visits.
Your Pace & Preferences
Tell us about children’s ages, mobility concerns, dietary restrictions or allergies before booking. We can discuss a shorter route, a different order of visits or other adjustments.
Historic streets involve uneven ground, steps and standing. Food venues use shared kitchens, utensils and preparation areas, so cross-contact with allergens is possible.
Inclusions & Arrangements
Each tour lists its included admissions and experiences. Private transportation and airport transfers are additional unless specified in your confirmed program. Shopping is your choice, with no hidden shopping stops or commissions on purchases.
For guidance alone, see our private guide-hire service. Review our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Notice before booking.
Questions About Private Istanbul Tours
Are these private tours?
Yes. Your guide works exclusively with you and your travel companions. Public ferries and trams used on walking tours are shared transportation, and museums remain open to other visitors. The Bosphorus yacht is reserved for your party, your guide and the crew.
Can we customize a tour before booking?
Yes. Please contact us before booking online if you would like to change the route, combine tours, discuss mobility needs or dietary requirements, or arrange a larger party. We will confirm the itinerary, inclusions and price with you.
What is included in the price?
Each tour description lists its inclusions. Museum entrance fees are included for the sites named in that tour’s Included section. The food tour includes its tastings, non-alcoholic beverages and ferry tickets. Hotels, airport transfers and private vehicle service are separate unless specifically included in your confirmed booking.
Where do we meet our guide?
For Old City tours, the meeting point is the House of Medusa restaurant, beside the Basilica Cistern exit gate. For the food tour, meet at Karakoy T1 tram station by the vending machines. For Fener and Balat, meet by the ITIMAT shop at the Spice Market’s main entrance, facing Galata Bridge. The yacht tour meets at Kabatas tram station by the ticket vending machines. Check your booking confirmation for the meeting point on each day.
Can you accommodate dietary restrictions and mobility concerns?
Please discuss your requirements with us before booking. We can suggest adjustments to the route, pace and food selections. Historic streets and sites include uneven surfaces, steps and periods of standing. Food venues use shared kitchens and preparation areas, so we cannot guarantee an allergen-free experience.
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.
How do we check dates, prices and cancellation terms?
Use the booking button beneath your chosen tour to see its live availability, price for your party and cancellation terms. For a custom arrangement, contact us first. Our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Notice are also available on the website.
Continue Beyond Istanbul
We also arrange custom-made Turkey journeys including Cappadocia, Ephesus, Pamukkale and Gallipoli. Hotels, domestic flights, private airport transfers and experiences such as a Cappadocia balloon flight can be included in your proposal.
For Istanbul, we can arrange airport transfers, hamam reservations and other experiences, or adapt your visit around a cruise arrival or pre- and post-cruise stay.
info@privateistanbulwalkingtours.com
WhatsApp: +90 537 741 00 62