Family-Friendly • 4 hours 5.0 (6)

Family day in Istanbul with a local

The Grand Bazaar and Turkish delights (we don’t just mean the sweets).

Bargaining is an integral part of the carpet-shopping experience in Turkey so don't be shy and just go with the flow!

What makes this experience special

Key highlights

  • See Istanbul your way with activities to entertain your whole family, with a trusty host by your side
  • Experience the colorful city streets with a stroll or enjoy some time in the Middle Eastern side of the city
  • Visit the beautiful Blue Mosque, explore the Grand Bazaar and recharge in lush palace gardens
  • Pop into a cafe or feast on street food on the move like Turkish pizzas, fresh pastries or some sweet treats
  • Get the scoop from your host for other things to do in the city that your family will love

What to know before you go

Here’s everything you need to know before your day unfolds.

4 hours
Fully tailored to your preferences
English Other languages may be requested

What’s included

A private and personalized experience
4 hours with your host
Walking experience (if required, your host can suggest public transport or private taxi options)
Hotel meet-up (available on request for central locations)

What’s not included

Food and drinks
Tickets to any attractions
Transportation costs
Gratuities (optional)

Meeting point

Your hotel/apartment or any other central location

Cancellation

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience

What to bring

  • We recommend wearing comfortable shoes and carrying a light bag for your essentials.
  • Public transport may be used during the experience - please bring a travel card or small amount of cash for fares.

How your day could unfold

A flexible, unscripted experience designed entirely around your interests. Your host will adapt the day based on what excites you most

What you’ll do

You’ll discover what jewels there are waiting for you in Istanbul - a fascinating destination for you and your family if ever there was one! Life here is lived in the streets, and so you’ll join one of our local Istanbul hosts to explore the city together; they can’t wait to share with you the market culture, the outdoor cafes, the street food, and history with you.

Your wish is our command - kind of like having a fairy godmother - so let us know your pace and your family’s style, and we’ll stick to it. You could visit impressive sights like the world-renowned Blue Mosque, stroll through the lush gardens of the Dolmabahce Palace or explore an Aladdin's cave of wonders (also known as The Grand Bazaar).

All of that exploring will obviously call for a snack or two - what about some lahmacun, a kind of Turkish pizza, some flaky borek pastries stuffed with meat or spinach, or even some Turkish delight? It would almost be rude not to. Along the way, your host will spill the secrets of some other great, family-friendly spots to visit during the rest of your trip.

1. Select a date
2. Select start time
3. Tailor your experience
Answer a few quick questions to help your host craft the perfect day tailored to you.
1. What’s your preferred hosting style?
2. How would you like the pace of your day?
3. What’s your walking comfort level?
4. Are you celebrating something special?

Real Stories, Real Connections

See our hosts and guests creating memories

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What travelers think of this experience

Jan, Mar 2025

Ipek gave us an amazing private food tour! Very delicious and interesting information about the city along the way. She adjusted the tour according to our requests and needs. Highly recommended!

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Elizabeth, Mar 2025

Feruza was a great guide. We told her we wanted to go off the beaten path as we could see the major tourist sites on our own. She took us to some really interesting neighborhoods in Istanbul that gave us a real flavor for the city. Highly recommend.

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Kevin, Mar 2025

We had Feruza who was amazing! I would highly recommend this tour as we learnt a lot and a walking tour in Istanbul is perfect way to explore the city. One thing we were concerned about when picking a tour was some of them hard sell you but Feruza tailored our tour based on what we wanted and didn’t take us anyway to sell anything, in fact it was almost like walking around with a friend. She also took us to a hidden lunch gem spot which was the most delicious we had!

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Sian, Mar 2025

We had a great day with a selection of fabulous food, coffee and sweet treats with the tour taking in many of the highlights of Istanbul which was a beautiful bonus for first time visitors. Lots of things we wouldn’t have attempted solo, including a ferry trip over two continents, the biggest potato we’ve ever seen, the best baklava tasted, a gorgeous coffee with added bonus of fortune telling! A fabulous fun day with a brilliant, patient guide!

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Colin, Mar 2025

Really enjoyed our trip today. We were tired after several intense days and despite his huge knowledge and wealth of options he managed to cater to our needs and made everything interesting and worthwhile

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Cynthia, Mar 2025

As a woman traveling solo, having a guide to take me to the places I wanted to see was wonderful. Emir narrated beautifully and even worked out a route that ended back at my hotel. Pro tip: when exploring the Grand Bazaar and the Spice Market, go early in the day. They get more crowded as the day progresses.

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