Istanbul Old City: Private Guided Walking Tour

Experience the magic of Istanbul on a private full-day walking tour. Explore the old city, indulge in local cuisine, and skip the lines with a knowledgeable guide.

Duration: 7 hours
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • Hagia Sophia Mosque - The Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque is a stunning example of architectural excellence, initially constructed by Constantine the Great in the 4th century and beautifully rebuilt by Justinian in the 6th century. This historic gem is a must-see. Please be aware that visits are not allowed on Fridays until 3:00 PM due to prayers. A…
What's Included
  • Bottled water
  • Priority passes in museums as much as possible
  • Flexible walking tour programme
  • Private guiding
  • Professional licensed tour guide
What's Not Included
  • Gratuities
  • Lunch
  • Entry Fees
  • Pickup transportation fees
Additional Information

Guests are treated as valued friends, guaranteeing a memorable experience. With a certified, professional guide who has 20 years of experience, visitors will discover intriguing insights that make their visit exceptional. Enjoy genuine local dishes, carefully suggested by the guide. Optimize your time and skip the long queues with our special admission…

Location
German Fountain
At Meydanı Caddesi
We meet by the German Fountain (Alman çeşmesi ) at hippodrome.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
5.0
(108 Ratings)
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1 star
Ploving
Mar 3, 2026
Nothing short of amazing! - Our guide was spectacular- not only was he knowledgeable about the history, but served as a personal photographer to ensure that we missed nothing..🥰❤️
Review provided by Tripadvisor
457radug
Feb 16, 2026
Great Istanbul Tour - We had an exceptional experience on this tour. It was engaging, insightful, and thoughtfully curated. Serkan is incredibly knowledgeable, but what truly sets him apart is how effortlessly he brings history to life with energy, humor, and depth. He went above and beyond to make our visit feel personal and memorable. Seeing the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia in person was unforgettable. Both are extraordinary architectural masterpieces layered with centuries of history, culture, and craftsmanship. Having such a well-informed guide added meaningful context that transformed what could have been a simple visit into a truly enriching experience. Highly recommended for anyone wanting to understand Istanbul beyond the surface.
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Irfan4777
Feb 5, 2026
I have the best time with Mr Serkan on the tour. He has in depth knowledge of every thing of the tour. I have best time - I have an excellent time on the tour. My tour guide Mr Serkan has very good knowledge of history and he explained the importance of every aspect.
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Hern_nc2016
Feb 3, 2026
Great Spanish Private Guiding in Istambul - We had the chance to spend two full days with Liz, our Spanish guide from Serkan's team. She has been an excellent guide, we have been through all the city highlights with her and been able to learn first hand the history and secrets of each place. She is also an excellent person, really committed to her guests.
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Globetrotting199197
Jan 17, 2026
Istanbul and Serkan - We met Serkan yesterday for our private tour of Istanbul. First let me tell you that he is one of the best humans I’ve ever met. He was friendly, knowledgeable and definitely knows his history. I travelled with my elderly mom and he made sure my mom was comfortable and matched her pace. We did not wait in line to enter at any of attractions. He also know how to take amazing pictures at the best spots. If you plan a trip to Istanbul make sure you reach out to IST travel and ask for Serkan. By the end of our tour it felt like we were saying bye to an old friend.
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32olgaw
Jan 13, 2026
The Best Christmas Gift in Istanbul: A Magical Day with Serkan! - Our family absolutely loves to travel, and our "golden rule" for every new city is to book a walking tour. It’s the best way to get the lay of the land, dive into the history, and see the top sights. On December 25, 2025, Santa gave us the best Christmas gift ever: an experience with our guide, Serkan, that was truly like no other. What makes Serkan stand out is his incredible ability to balance a diverse group. He kept our 11-year-old daughter fully engaged while equally impressing our most experienced traveler, my mother. He managed to satisfy my husband’s deep hunger for historical facts while patiently encouraging all the photo stops that I was so excited about. Despite being an all-day tour, not one of us got tired or felt like we needed a break—his energy is infectious! We covered an incredible amount of ground, including: • Topkapi Palace & Hagia Irene • Hagia Sophia • Sultanahmet Mosque (The Blue Mosque) • Hippodrome Obelisks • Grand Bazaar From the hidden gems where we ate to the iconic sites we visited, the entire day was pure magic ❤️. This Christmas Day will forever warm our hearts. A little extra "pinch of magic": Serkan is an amazing photographer! The pictures he took of our family are professional quality—they look like they belong in a luxury travel pamphlet for Istanbul. If you are looking for a guide who is knowledgeable, kind, and a master of his craft, look no further than Serkan. He turned a holiday trip into a lifelong memory.
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Mstkc
Jan 12, 2026
Serkan - Serkan wax fantastic! He was a perfect family guide and highly recommend him! He is very responsive to our interests and provided incredible details of Istanbul.
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Serapp2026
Jan 11, 2026
Well planned and easy to enjoy - We had a very pleasant and well-organized experience on this private Istanbul tour. From the beginning, everything felt smooth and easy, which made the day truly enjoyable. Serkan was calm, polite and very knowledgeable. He explained the history and meaning of each place clearly and patiently, and answered all our questions with care. What I appreciated most was that the tour never felt rushed — the pace was comfortable and well thought out. Skipping the ticket lines made a big difference, especially at busy locations. It allowed us to focus on the places themselves rather than on logistics. The explanations were clear and interesting without being overwhelming. Overall, this tour was a great way to explore Istanbul in a relaxed and comfortable manner. It was well planned, informative and enjoyable, and I would confidently recommend it to anyone visiting the city.
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987beyzap
Jan 11, 2026
Exactly what we were looking for - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ We joined this private Istanbul tour as a family and honestly couldn’t have asked for a better experience. From the very beginning, Serkan made us feel relaxed and welcome, like we were exploring the city with a knowledgeable local friend rather than being on a typical tour. Skipping the ticket lines was a huge advantage, especially with family members of different ages. It saved us so much time and energy, and allowed us to really enjoy places like Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque and Topkapi Palace without feeling rushed or overwhelmed. What stood out most was how clearly and engagingly Serkan explained everything. He shared historical details, cultural context and little stories that made each place much more meaningful, while always adjusting the pace to our needs. He was also very patient, helpful and attentive, making sure everyone in our group was comfortable and enjoying the day. We also appreciated the small but thoughtful touches — great photo spots, practical tips, and a nice local recommendation for a break. By the end of the tour, we felt like we had truly experienced Istanbul, not just visited its landmarks. I would absolutely recommend this tour to anyone visiting Istanbul, especially families who want a smooth, well-organized and genuinely enjoyable experience.
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Agnesmuratore
Jan 11, 2026
Istanbul tour with Perfect guide - It was a great experience. Serkan is a nice, adaptable and unbeatable guide. He knows everything and everyone in Istanbul. If you want a personnalized and unique tour I recommend !
Review provided by Tripadvisor
From $23
up to 15 guests
1 - Adult
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).