Istanbul
Full day in Istanbul with a local
Flexible Full-Day Discovery • 8 hours
4.9
(21)
Full day in Istanbul with a local
The Bosphorus Strait, a meyhane tavern, and some good old market haggling.
What makes this experience special
Key highlights
- Spend the day with a host who will create an experience that's fully customized to your interests and what you'd most like to see
- See Istanbul’s iconic attractions as well as some secret Istanbul spots
- Get a unique local perspective as you explore the city - avoiding tourist traps is key
- Discover the highlights of the area or neighborhood that you explore
- Eat and drink like a local, picking up street food from a food stand or popping into a meyhane tavern
- Chat to your host, getting tips and advice on exciting things to do and places to see during the rest of your trip
What to know before you go
Here’s everything you need to know before your day unfolds.
8 hours
Fully tailored to your preferences
English Other languages may be requested
What’s included
A private and personalized experience
8 hours with your host
Hotel meet-up (available on request for central location)
Walking experience (if required, your host can suggest public transport or private taxi options)
What’s not included
Food and drinks
Tickets to any attractions
Transportation costs
Gratuities (optional)
Meeting point
Your hotel/apartment or any other central locationCancellation
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experienceWhat 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 mostWhat you’ll do
Oh, the places you’ll go on your day in Istanbul! Most experiences don’t offer you the opportunity to hop between continents, but then it’s not every day you’re in Istanbul. You’ll join one of our local Istanbul hosts who can’t wait to share with you their favorite places to hang out, where to get your hands on the best food and show you what makes their city so unique.
You’ll weave your way through a neighborhood or two (we recommend checking out one on either side of the Bosphorus Strait), showing you a glimpse into life in Istanbul, which is lived out in the streets.
From dazzling waterfront spots to artistic neighborhoods on the Middle-Eastern side, you’ll discover some secret spots as well as landmarks like the Blue Mosque or Grand Bazaar.
Whether you see yourself lounging on a terrace of a meyhane tavern and feasting on mezze, then haggling your way through markets or you’re in for something faster-paced, you’ll feel like you’re spending the day with a friend.
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
17,500+ 5-Star Reviews and Counting
Trusted and recommended by travelers worldwide, including 99% on Google and TripAdvisor.
recommended by 99% of travelers on google
recommended by 99% of travelers on tripadvisor
We don’t make deals with businesses - giving you unbiased and authentic local experiences.
What travelers think of this experience
Seth
Apr 2025
My guide, Feruza, was timely and met me at the discussed meeting location. She inquired about my sightseeing priorities. Her English was very good. She was a delightful guide. L
Show more
Brian
Apr 2025
Emir was our excellent personal Guide that made our entire day with him in Istanbul an amazing lifelong memorable experience. He took the time to teach us about his City, Culture and Country. Emir ensured that we tried all types of local street foods, Turkish teas and coffees. We traveled to all the various neighborhoods of Istanbul and Emir did everything to ensure we were learning as much as we could.
Show more
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.
Show more
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!
Show more
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
Show more
Cordelia
Feb 2025
My son and I had a wonderful time learning about Istanbul with Feruza. We booked our walking tour for the first day of our stay in Istanbul and visited the Blue Mosque, Basilica Cistern, Topkapi Palace, several places along Istiklal Street, and the Galata Tower area. We also took a ferry together to the Asian side of the city. Feruza was a wealth of information, answered all of our questions, and gave us ideas on what to do with the remaining days that we were going to be in Istanbul. Feruza showed us a city that is vibrant, beautiful, and very well run, and I highly recommend her if you are looking for a personalized tour of Istanbul with a local!
Show more