Daily departures, ten to twelve people at most, led by licensed local guides.
Walking and food tours in groups of ten to twelve at most, led by licensed guides who live in the city. They run through the year, from morning to evening.
Departure times are listed with each tour below. If the date you want is not showing on a tour page, ask us, because we can often add one. Any of these can be run privately for a group of four or more, and if none of them is quite what you want, we build days from scratch on the tours designed by you page.
Half a day in the quieter corners of the old city, the ones that sit in between the famous four. Streets that are hard to find on your own, the stories behind them, and the main sights taken in on the way past with an English speaking guide who has walked the route for years.
Mornings, 09:00 to 13:00. Maximum ten people. This one is not on the online calendar at the moment. Message us for the next departure.
An afternoon away from the tourist precincts, in the western districts along the Golden Horn. St George’s, the iron church of Sveti Stefan, coloured Ottoman houses under UNESCO protection, and the Greek, Jewish and Ottoman history that survives near the old land walls.
Daily, 14:00 to 17:00. Maximum ten people.
An evening of eating that crosses the water. Dinner on the Asian side, dessert back in Europe, and a ferry in between as the light goes. It makes a city of two continents and seven hills feel a good deal smaller.
Daily, 18:00 to 22:00. Maximum ten people.
The sights everyone comes for, in one morning: Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque and the Basilica Cistern. Along the way the Roman Hippodrome with its Egyptian obelisk and serpent column, the German Fountain and Constantine’s column. The morning finishes in the Grand Bazaar, or in the Spice Bazaar on Sundays when the Grand Bazaar is shut.
Daily, 09:00 to 13:00. On Fridays, 13:30 to 17:30. Maximum twelve people.
For people who have already seen the famous four, or who would rather not. The Şehzade Mosque with no coach party outside it, a glass of boza, the twelfth century Pantokrator church that is now a mosque, a walk under the fourth century Valens aqueduct, and the Fatih market where the food comes from eastern Turkey. Lunch is buryan at a lokanta.
Daily, 10:00 to 13:00. Maximum twelve people.
Tours are led by guides licensed by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. The group sizes above are the maximum rather than the target, and a tour needs three people to run.
6 tours in this group
Never more than a handful of people, so the guide is talking to you and not to a crowd.
A full morning of eating across two continents, starting with a proper Turkish breakfast and finishing with künefe and Turkish coffee.
Istanbul at its best hour. A ferry across the Bosphorus as the light goes, then the Asian side eating and drinking its…
The four sights everyone comes for, in the right order, at the right time of day, with a licensed guide who gets…
The Istanbul most visitors walk straight past. Working neighbourhoods, small mosques, hidden courtyards and a buryan lunch that is worth the walk…
Coloured houses, a Greek Orthodox patriarchate, old synagogues and antique shops, in the two neighbourhoods that show how many Istanbuls there have…
A half day through the quieter corners of the old city, the ones that survive between the famous four.
Salih was an outstanding guide for this walking tour through Fener, Balat, and the old Greek and Jewish quarters. His knowledge of the neighborhoods' history was impressive; he brought the streets to life with stories about the different communities that shaped this part of Istanbul over the centuries. He was engaging, spoke excellent English, and clearly loved sharing his city with visitors. He also gave us great tips for exploring on our own afterward. Highly recommend this tour, and ask for Salih if you can. He made the experience truly memorable.
Exploring Balat in Istanbul was easily one of the highlights of my trip. The tour brought this historic neighborhood to life with its colorful streets, charming old houses, and deep cultural history. Walking through the narrow alleys felt like stepping back in time, with every corner offering something unique, from vibrant cafes to hidden churches and local artisan shops. What really made the experience special was the guide. They were incredibly knowledgeable, sharing stories about the neighborhood's diverse past, including its Jewish, Greek, and Armenian influences. It wasn't just sightseeing, it felt like understanding the soul of the area. I also loved how authentic Balat felt compared to more touristy parts of Istanbul. It's a perfect mix of history, culture, and everyday life. If you're looking for something beyond the typical attractions, this tour is absolutely worth it. Highly recommend for anyone visiting Istanbul, especially if you enjoy photography and history.
The tour was wonderful. Onder Denker is an excellent guide, kind, attentive, and he explains how other peoples, such as the Greeks and Jews, have been part of Istanbul's history. The Fener and Balat neighborhoods, with their hillsides and colorful houses, are delightful. The stop to have tea and a traditional dessert was wonderful. Having a guide on this tour is essential, as it's the only way to learn about the history of the area, including the churches we visited. I highly recommend it!
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Ready when you are
Tours with a calendar can be booked on the spot. Anything private, or anything you are not sure about, gets a written answer from Salih.
