Official tour guides in Istanbul for regular or customized routes and visits
Hello! I am a licensed, professional tour guide with 25 years of experience, based in Istanbul and accredited by the Ministry of Tourism (License No: IRO – 011037). If you are in need of an English-speaking guide for your private tours in Istanbul, please feel free to reach out to me. I can offer one of my standard routes or create a customized itinerary tailored to your specific needs and interests. You can explore my recommended tours and contact me through the form below. I will get back to you as soon as possible.
My Recommended Tours in Istanbul
DAY 1 – Essential Historical Sites (7 hours); Topkapi Palace, Harem, Saint Irini, Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Roman Hippodrome, Sultan Tombs, Basilica Cistern. Means of transportation; walking. Price; 140 € for 2 people + 10 € for each additional person. Includes; guiding. Excludes; entry tickets, food, drink, transportation. Notes; Entry tickets will be paid on-site. You will have priority to skip the lines for Topkapi Palace and the Basilica Cistern. This tour is private and exclusively for you. If your hotel is not far from the old town, I can meet you there. I will cover my own expenses.
DAY 2 – From Old Town to New Town; Column of Constantine, Grand Bazaar, Pera district, Istiklal Street, Saint Antuan Church, Cite de Pera, Pera Palace Hotel, Ataturk’s room, Galata Sufi Monastery, Second Oldest Metro Line in the World, Taksim Square, and Opera House (6 hours). Means of transportation; walking, tram, and funicular. Price; 140 € for 2 people + 10 € for each additional person. Includes; guiding. Excludes; entry tickets (only for the Sufi house), food, drink, transportation. Notes; Entry ticket will be paid on-site. Public transportation will cost approximately 1.5 € per person. This tour is private and exclusively for you. If your hotel is not far from the old town, I can meet you there. I will cover my own expenses.
DAY 3 – Bosphorus, Asian Side & Turkish Cuisine; (7 hours) Spice Bazaar, Yeni Camii, Galata Bridge, Bosphorus Boat Tour, Asian Side (Üsküdar & Kadıköy) including 10 different authentic food tastings from Turkish cuisine (6 hours). Means of transportation; walking, ferry, metro. Price; 200 € for 2 people + 60 € for each additional person. Includes; guiding, boat tour tickets, 10 kinds of food, 3 kinds of soft drinks, public transportation. Excludes; — Notes; This tour is private and exclusively for you. If your hotel is not far from the old town, I can meet you there. I will cover my own expenses.
DAY 4 – Live and Feel Like a Local (7 hours); this tour is designed for those who want to observe the lives of real Istanbulites and experience authentic Turkish culture, away from the city’s tourist areas. Our journey begins on the European side with a beautiful 25-minute ferry ride to the Asian side. After exploring some of the city’s youngest and most vibrant neighborhoods and savoring local delicacies that will leave you wanting more, we will take a taxi along the coast to one of the most popular and elite neighborhoods on the Asian side. Here, we will relax with a cup of Turkish tea among young Turks enjoying their time on the grassy waterfront.
Next, we will stroll down Bağdat Avenue, one of the best shopping streets in both Istanbul and the world, where you can people-watch and shop if you like. Leaving this upper-class area, we will head further east to a different neighborhood where middle-class Turks live. Here, we will visit a local market that sets up once a week, selling fresh produce from all over Turkey. In this traditional market, you will witness ordinary Turkish families doing their weekly shopping.
Afterwards, we will visit a Turkish home for a traditional afternoon tea party, using the products we bought from the market to eat and drink together. While preparing some practical and delicious Turkish dishes, you will also learn the secrets of making Turkish coffee, brewing Turkish tea, and preparing other traditional dishes. Following this, we will walk for about 20 minutes through neighborhoods where middle and upper-middle-class families live, petting the lovely stray cats cared for by locals, until we reach the metro station. From there, you can take the metro and get off at a location close to your hotel without any transfers. During this tour, you will cross between two continents, both above and below the sea.
Means of transportation; walking, ferry, metro, minibus, taxi. Price; 200 € for 2 people + 60 € for each additional person. Price includes; guiding, all transportation tickets, all food and soft drinks, which will be enough for the day. Notes; This tour is available only on Thursdays because the local market is open on that day.
I can also assist you with the following:
- Best local eateries frequented by locals
- Recommended areas of the city to stay in and spots to avoid
- Nearest best beaches in and around Istanbul
- Private vehicle with a driver
- Private boat for a Bosphorus cruise
- Information on traditional hammams, Sufi/dervish shows, and dinner boats on the Bosphorus
Alternative tours and routes in Istanbul;
- DAY 1 – Historical Peninsula (Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Roman Hippodrome, Sultans Tombs, Basilic Cistern (7 hours)
- DAY 2– Column of Constantine, Grand Bazaar, Spice Bazaar, Dolmabahçe Palace, Bosphorus Tour (6 hours)
- DAY 3– Bohemian Europe to Asian Side, Marmara Sea ferry pass and authentic Turkish foods (Galata, Pera, Istiklal Street, Beyoğlu, Kadıköy quarters) (6 hours)
- ALTERNATIVE ROUTE 1 – Istanbul Food Tour from European to Asain Side, including Spice Bazaar (4 hours)
- ALTERNATIVE ROUTE 2 – Pera, Istiklal Street, Beyoğlu, Dolmabahçe Palace, Bosphorus Tour (5 hours)
Detail of the tours conducted with a private guide
Day 1 – Historical Peninsula (7 hours)
Embark on a journey through Istanbul’s historical heart with a private tour guide. Begin with a visit to Topkapi Palace, the opulent residence of Ottoman sultans, where your professional guide will help you explore its rich history, stunning architecture, priceless artifacts, and the fascinating daily life in the Harem. Next, marvel at the architectural wonder of Hagia Sophia, a symbol of Byzantine and Ottoman grandeur, enriched with insights from your guide. Continue to the Blue Mosque, renowned for its six minarets, magnificent blue tiles, and serene ambiance. Wander through the Roman Hippodrome, once the social center of Constantinople, where horse and chariot races were held. Visit the Sultans’ Tombs, where Ottoman royalty rests, and conclude the day by descending into the enchanting Basilica Cistern, an underground marvel explained by your knowledgeable guide.
Day 2 – Column of Constantine, Grand Bazaar, Spice Bazaar, Dolmabahçe Palace, Bosphorus Tour (7 hours)
Start your day at the Column of Constantine in Çemberlitaş, learning about its historical significance with your private guide. Dive into the vibrant atmosphere of the Grand Bazaar, one of the world’s oldest and largest covered markets, where your guide can assist you in finding unique souvenirs and traditional crafts. Savor the scents and flavors of the Spice Bazaar in Eminönü, with expert recommendations from your guide. Visit Dolmabahçe Palace, an opulent 19th-century palace that reflects the grandeur of the Ottoman Empire, with your guide providing fascinating insights, including the Harem section. Conclude your day with a relaxing Bosphorus Boat Tour, enjoying breathtaking views of the city from the water, all while being accompanied by your private guide.
Day 3 – Bohemian European to Asian Side, Marmara Sea ferry pass and authentic Turkish foods (7 hours)
Discover Istanbul’s bohemian spirit with a private tour guide, starting in the vibrant neighborhoods of the historical Pera region on the European side. Explore the interior of Pera Palace Hotel, famous for hosting the passengers of the Orient Express, and visit the private room of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. Wander through the iconic Istiklal Street, known for its beautiful historical buildings, churches, lively atmosphere, and cultural richness. Then, visit Istanbul’s first Sufi/Dervish lodge to experience the city’s spiritual essence. Cross the Marmara Sea by ferry to the Asian continent and immerse yourself in the local ambiance of the Kadıköy quarter, guided by your professional tour guide. Savor authentic Turkish foods along the way, experiencing the city’s culinary delights as you explore both sides of the Bosphorus, with your guide ensuring you don’t miss any hidden gems.
Alternative Route 1 – Istanbul Food Tour from European to Asian Side, including Spice Bazaar (4 hours)
Embark on a gastronomic adventure through Istanbul with your professional tour guide, starting on the European side. Visit the Spice Bazaar, brimming with exotic spices and essential ingredients of authentic Turkish cuisine. Sample and purchase a variety of spices and Turkish delicacies, guided by your tour guide, or simply enjoy taking photos. Cross the Marmara Sea to the Asian side and explore local markets and eateries with your guide. Taste traditional Turkish foods, from savory kebabs to sweet baklava, and discover the culinary traditions that make Istanbul a food lover’s paradise, all under the expert guidance of your tour guide. You will sample more than 15 different kinds of food, mezes, and products.
Alternative Route 2 – Pera, Istiklal Street, Beyoğlu, Dolmabahçe Palace, Bosphorus Tour (5 hours)
Explore the cultural and historical treasures of Istanbul with a private tour guide, beginning in the lively district of Pera. Stroll down Istiklal Street, a bustling avenue filled with shops, cafes, historic buildings, and interesting stories shared by your guide. Discover the artistic and bohemian vibe of Beyoğlu. Visit Dolmabahçe Palace and its Harem section, a stunning example of Ottoman architecture and opulence, with your guide providing detailed explanations. End your tour with a scenic Bosphorus Boat Tour, enjoying panoramic views of the city’s skyline and iconic landmarks from the water, all accompanied by your tour guide.
Prices and cost of professional guiding in Istanbul and Turkey
The cost of hiring a licensed guide in Istanbul is significantly lower compared to cities like London, Paris, and Rome. For instance, while guide fees in Paris and Rome range from €70 to €120 per hour, the cost in Istanbul is typically between €15 and €30 per hour. In Turkey, the minimum fees for licensed guides are determined by a unit affiliated with the Ministry of Tourism, and these rates are updated annually. The fees are set on a daily basis rather than hourly. The minimum official daily guide fee in Istanbul is approximately €100. However, the commonly requested fees are usually higher, ranging from €140 to €300. Travel agencies and tour guides can set their own upper limits on pricing.
Several factors influence the determination of guide fees and costs:
- Rarity of guides proficient in the desired language
- The season (peak season vs. off-season)
- Number of people in the group
- Quality and experience of the guide
- Content and difficulty level of the tour itinerary
How Can You Be Sure If Your Tour Guide Is Official or Fake/Unlicensed?
Although not very common, it is possible to encounter unlicensed guides working illegally in Turkey, especially in languages like English, Arabic, Russian, and French. Despite strict controls, there is still a possibility that you might come across one of these fake guides. To ensure that the tour guide you are engaging with is licensed, you can ask them which guide association they belong to and request to see the badge issued by that association. For example, if your guide is affiliated with the Chamber of Tour Guides of Istanbul (IRO), they should have a license number from IRO.
P.S.: This website does not offer travel agency services; only licensed guiding services are provided. The tour programs you may see on this webpage are published solely to give travelers an idea.
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