Have Your Own Private Guide in Istanbul
130530P3
130530P3
130530P3
130530P3
130530P3
130530P3
130530P3
130530P3
130530P3
130530P3
Overview
* Customize the itinerary according to your schedule and interests with your guide. Decide the sights and places to visit at the beginning of the day.
* Pricing is per group (up to 10 people) , not per person!!
* We meet with the travelers at the hotel and walk to the sites together or use tram to reach the old city. Guide will meet you at the Hotel Lobby (Old City Area) and we will walk to the sites together.
Tour at a glance
What's included
- Private Guided Tour (up to Group of 6 People)
- Licenced Professional Tour Guide
- Meeting at the Lobby & Plan Your Day with your Guide
Not included
- Museum / Attraction Tickets
- Graduatities
- Transportation
Itinerary
-
1
Blue Mosque
Blue Mosque one of Istanbul’s most venerable monuments. From the courtyard you will enjoy the striking view of the cascading domes and semi-domes. Once inside you will see how the mosque got its name, viewing the colorful blue Iznik tiles that adorn the interior. These tiles were made at the peak of Iznik tile production in the early 17th Century
Pass by (no stop) Admission free -
2
Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque
St Sophia, the Church of Divine wisdom and a testament to the sophistication of the 6th Century. The vast edifice was built over two earlier churches and inaugurated by Emperor Justinian in 537. The immense dome is an architecturalmarvel, as it seems to hover overhead
1h Admission free -
3
TopkapI Palace
Visit the magnificent Topkapi Palace Museum. Gain a fascinating insight into this grandiose complex of buildings that formed the residence of the Sultans for 400 years. There are four main courtyards which contain extensive gardens,pavilions, fountains, royal gates, kitchens, library and mosques. Enjoy the exhibitions such as ‘Sacred Trusts’, ‘Portraits of Sultans’, ‘Kitchen’ and ‘Imperial Weapons’ ****Topkapi Palace is closed on Tuesdays***
1h 30m Admission not included -
4
Hippodrome
Hippodrome, which was one of the largest chariot race grounds of the Byzantine Empire. Here you can see the Egyptian Obelisk and the Serpentine Coloum.
20 min Admission free -
5
Basilica Cistern
Basilica Cistern was built in 6th Century as an underground water reservuar. It has 360 coloums and famous Medusa Heads as coloum bases.
30 min Admission not included -
6
Grand Bazaar
Visit the Grand Bazaar, the largest and oldest covered Bazaar in Turkey with more than 4,000 shops. A variety of handicrafts from carpets to souvenirs all sold in the famous Grand Bazaar.
2h Admission free -
7
Visit Spice Bazaar - the most colourfull historical bazaar of Istanbul
1h Admission free -
8
Taksim Square
Most Famous Square of Istanbul with pedestrian streets, shops, coffee houses and more
Pass by (no stop) Admission free -
9
Suleymaniye Mosque
It was built in 16th Century by the famous Ottoman Architect Sinan and commissioned by Sultan Suleyman the Magnificent.
45 min Admission free -
10
Galata Tower
As the oldest tower of city, it offers 360 degree view of the city. Ps: Guides do not have priority to skip the line for Galata Tower.
45 min Admission not included -
11
Dolmabahce Palace
Last residence of Ottoman Sultans. Built in European style with more thn 200 rooms. It hold the biggest chandelier collection in the world.
1h Admission not included
Meeting & pickup
Hotel pickup is included for all travellers.
Tour guide meets you at central Istanbul hotels or port. Then we walk to the sites or use tram to reach to old city.
Schedule
Good to know
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Grand Bazaar is closed on Sundays. It can be replaced with Spice Bazaar
- As Hagia Sophia is a museum-mosque. Tour guides don't have skip-the-line priority there. Entrance Fee is 25 Euro
- Dolmabahce Palace is closed on Nov 10. Due to commemoration ceremony. Also, it is closed every mondays
- Galata Tower will be visited from outside as tour guides have no priority to skip the line due to Galata Tower regulations
- During the national and religious festivals, visiting times of the sites can be changed or they can be closed
- Skip the line service is not available for active mosques - there is a queue for the entrance. Ladies must cover the head with a scarf at the mosque visits. Please bring your scarf. Shoulders and knees must be covered
- Topkapi Palace is closed on Tuesdays can be replaced with alternatives.
- This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Traveller reviews
My guide Mustafa was friendly and kind. He took me to all the places I wanted to visit and told me all about the history and meaning of sites in Istanbul. I had a great day and highly recommended for solo travellers.
Wonderful companion who met us at the Fairmont for breakfast and asked one basic question: do you have any must dos and what are you thinking ? Since we were newbies and had a short stay… we just said… we’ll follow It was fun filled day of food, art and history We couldn’t have asked for anything more Perfect
Mustafa was an excellent guide and made our time in Istanbul both enjoyable and efficient. His knowledge of the city, history, and local culture was impressive, and one thing we particularly appreciated was his ability to pivot around crowds and adjust the day to keep things moving smoothly. That flexibility made a big difference in helping us enjoy the city without feeling rushed or overwhelmed. A highlight of the experience was exploring some off-the-beaten-path local restaurants that we almost certainly would not have found on our own. We had what was probably the best künefe I’ve ever had, and those food moments ended up being some of the most memorable parts of the tour. For future travelers, one thing to be aware of is that the tour may include ceramic and rug showroom visits. While interesting from a cultural perspective, these experiences do involve sales presentations and can feel a bit more commercial than the rest of the day. Personally, that part was not my favorite and took away slightly from an otherwise fantastic experience. Overall, Mustafa is a knowledgeable, personable, and highly capable guide, and I would absolutely recommend him to anyone wanting to experience Istanbul with someone who truly knows the city.
Mustafa Gokmen Evcili was one of the best tour guides we have ever had, not only was he super knowledgeable, but it genuinely felt like hanging out with a friend for the day who was showing us all the sights. He showed us around whatever we wanted to see and shared histories and facts and we also sat down for a lunch together mid way through. My partner and I are both architects and he was able to personalise the tour for us telling us interesting things that non-architects may not find so interesting. Being able to skip the lines at attractions was also a great positive, he seemed to know a lot of people and this allowed for special treatment. Would highly recommend this tour to anyone, it is well worth the cost, we were also able to swap contacts incase we are wanting to reconnect for anything when we are back in town. Just an overall great experience and a great way to see Istanbul!
An Unforgettable Experience with the Best Guide in Turkey! Mustafa was hands down the highlight of our trip to Turkey. From the moment we met him, it was clear we were in the hands of a true expert and passionate storyteller. He didn’t just guide us—he brought the rich history and culture of Istanbul to life. Whether we were standing in awe beneath the dome of the Hagia Sophia, admiring the intricate beauty of the Blue Mosque, or walking through the opulent halls of Dolmabahçe Palace, Mustafa knew every detail, legend, and hidden corner. His knowledge is encyclopedic, but it never felt like a lecture—it felt like we were exploring with a friend who genuinely loves his city and wants you to love it too. He also took us to an incredible local restaurant (still dreaming about that meal!) and a stunning rug shop with no pressure, just warmth and hospitality. Every stop on our tour felt authentic, personal, and perfectly curated. We cannot recommend Mustafa enough. If you’re visiting Turkey and want to experience the country’s history, culture, and charm in the most enriching way possible, Mustafa is your guy!
My wife and I had two days to explore Istanbul and wanted to make the most of our visit. On day one, we hired Mustafa Evcili at the recommendation of the concierge at our hotel. We opted for the 8 hour guide as we felt that 4 hours may not be enough and we could always end the day early if we were tired. Needless to say, the 8 hours flew by with Mustafa as our guide. His knowledge of the city (and region!) was so helpful in bringing what we were seeing for the first time into historical perspective. While taking us to the sites we requested, he paid attention to what we liked and, based on the questions we asked and our discussions, he then took us to places off the beaten path that he thought might interest us. I was amazing! We felt we got an insider's view of the Grand Bazaar and the Spice Market, as well as a few stops to do a bit of shopping where no tourist would ever find. We can't thank Mustafa enough. Please seek him out as your guide. You will not be dissapointed.
Mr Mustafa, showed us around Istanbul and definitely an excellent tour guide . From local food, sightseeing, walking tour, and shopping it is worth it . Speaks Good English also !
The private day long tour of the highlights of Istanbul with my guide Serkan was a very interesting and positive experience. The day went quickly despite rainy conditions. Serkan was a wealth of knowledge and also quite kind. I would recommend a tour with Serkan.
Reviews are collected by Viator and Tripadvisor from verified travellers.
Frequently asked questions
How long does this experience last?
It lasts 8h.
Is hotel pickup included?
Hotel pickup is included for all travellers.
Can I cancel for free?
Yes. Cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.
Which languages is the guide available in?
Guide languages: EN
On which days does it run?
It runs Every day. Starts 09:00, 09:30, 10:00, 10:30 +1
How fast is the booking confirmed?
Instantly. Your e-ticket arrives by e-mail right after booking.
Is this a private tour?
Yes, this is a private experience for your group only.
Where do I complete the booking?
On viator.com, a Tripadvisor company, with live availability and secure payment. TourViaGo is a Global Partner of Viator.
Product code 130530P3
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