Full Day Private Guide in Istanbul

Istanbul, Turkey

6 to 8 hours (approx.)
Pickup offered
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

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Overview

What's Included

8 Hours Professional Guiding
Satisfaction Guarantee (Money Back Guarantee)

Transportation (Optional)
Entrance Fees to Attractions
Food & Drinks

Meeting and Pickup

You can head directly to the meeting point, or request pickup

Pickup points

Select a pickup point

Pickup details

We pick you from hotels in Istanbul and also from "Galata Cruise Port for cruise passengers. Small Group tours have no pick up, meeting point is German Fountain in Sultanahmet Square.

Meeting point

German Fountain
Binbirdirek, At Meydanı Cd, 34122 Fatih/İstanbul, Türkiye
Small Group tours have no pick up, meeting point is German Fountain in Sultanahmet Square.

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

Itinerary

Istanbul (Pass By)

The Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque, Istanbul

1 hour • Admission Ticket Free

Blue Mosque

1 hour • Admission Ticket Free

Sultanahmet Square

1 hour • Admission Ticket Free

TopkapI Palace

2 hours • Admission Ticket Not Included

Basilica Cistern

1 hour • Admission Ticket Not Included

Grand Bazaar

1 hour • Admission Ticket Free

Bosphorus Strait

1 hour • Admission Ticket Not Included

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Wheelchair accessible
Stroller accessible
Service animals allowed
Near public transportation
Infants must sit on laps

Infant seats available
Transportation is wheelchair accessible
Surfaces are wheelchair accessible
Most travelers can participate
This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate

Supplied by

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Gallery picture 1 (from a traveler's review)

Reviews

4.1

based on 14 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

We perform checks on reviews

Not Quite as Promised

Timothy_R, Sep 2025

I was a bit disappointed in the tour. Yes, they tell you that you can make your own itinerary, but that wasn't the case on my trip. Apparently, they called someone who did not work consistently for their company to do the tour. Although she was a very good guide, there was no discussion of what I wanted to do. We essentially went to the Old City and did the square, Blue Mosque, Topakpi Palace, Haggia Sofia, and that was it. But it was about 5 hours long, not 8. And nobody bothered to mention before that date that the Grand Bazaar would not be available because it was closed on Sundays. So, I payed 190 bucks for an 8 hour Istanbul tour, received about 5 hours of sites withing 200 meters of each other and that was it. I didn't think it was a good value, and I do not think the tour operators took enough care to make sure I received what was promised in the ad. The tour guide was very good, but I don't think they told her about the tour that was promised and instead just had her give me a basic Old Town tour. I had the very distinct impression that they hired her only a couple of days before my tour date because they didnt have any of their own guides available. That would be fine, but in those cases they need to make sure the new guide knows what product has been sold to the customer.

Response from Host, Nov 2025

Dear Timothy, Thank you for your feedback. We’re sorry your Istanbul tour didn’t meet expectations. The 5-hour duration was due to short museum wait times, and as you didn’t share specific preferences with our guide, a standard Old City itinerary was followed. We regret not communicating the Grand Bazaar’s Sunday closure. Despite having our contact number, we received no feedback during the tour. We provided a complimentary meeting point from the Asian side for you before your tour date. We appreciate your input and wish you the best in future travels. Plus, this tour is satisfaction guaranteed, and we now issued your refund. Sorry about the inconvenience. Best Regards, Gizem

Tour guide is knowledgeable

Duyen_P, Jul 2025

Ilker was nice and very knowledgeable. We were happy with our tour. He took time to explain the history about the pla es to us.

Response from Host, Jul 2025

Thank you for your review.

Disappointed

Sheila_M, Jul 2025

Our guide did not turn up at meeting point and the company did not try to contact us at any time to inform us he wasn’t coming . He was apparently unwell but we should have been informed. We were left with no assistance at all in Istanbul. Refund paid but not even apology from company.

Response from Host, Jul 2025

Dear Sheila, you did not experience the tour. We refund your payment. We have informed you immediately and refund your payment in full. So why you are reviewing with 1 star and damage a local business? What else do you want?

Istanbul private guide

Noel_W, Jun 2025

Excellent way to explore Istanbul. Tubs our guide was a lovely lady , very knowledgeable and spoke very good English. She paced the walking for us which was appreciated, she ensured that we did everything that we wanted to see as well as the Bazzar. There is a lot of walking but it’s easy flat walking , can’t thank Tuba enough for the time spent with us. 5 stars .

Response from Host, Jun 2025

Thank you for your review!

Ozkan and the great city of Istanbul. 👍🏻

brad_s, Jun 2025

Ozkan was an outstanding guide. I booked this tour around 10 am the day of the tour. Was not sure about it being so last minute but Ozkan was super accommodating. The tour was private so just him and I - meaning we could go/see anything I chose at my pace!!! Big plus. Second big plus was my guide had excellent english. Ozkan was very personable through out the tour about all kinds of topics from religion, modern culture, city history, living and working in Istanbul. Just all around pleasant conversation all day. We visited: the hippodrome, Hagia Sophia, the Blue mosque, the grand bazar, the royal gardens and my personal favorite the basilica cistern. I would highly recommend Ozkan to anyone looking for a great private guide!

Response from Host, Jun 2025

thank you for your review!

Exploring istanbul

Victoria_T, May 2025

It was a great tour with knowledgeable guide. We had a wonderful time. Istanbul is a city filled with history.

Response from Host, May 2025

Thank you for your review!

Very nice experience!

MARIA_T, Mar 2025

The experience was as expected. Oscar was patient and kind. We enjoyed the tour of the places we visited.

Response from Host, Apr 2025

Thank you

Explanation in Japanese Be careful

Takezo_F, Jun 2025

Admission to Hagia Sophia was charged free of charge because the details in Japanese were not what they actually were. I inquired and the truth was that there was a fee, correct my Japanese, I was uncomfortable, but the others were very knowledgeable guides, very different from the last travel agency tour. It was a great satisfaction.

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Response from Host, Jun 2025

Thank you for your review 🙏

Nous avons eu la chance...

Patrick_B, May 2025

Nous avons eu la chance de réserver Bahar à la dernière minute pour une visite privée d'Istanbul, et ce fut une expérience parfaite du début à la fin. Elle a tout de suite su s'adapter au rythme de notre famille, notamment à nos deux jeunes enfants, avec beaucoup de patience, de douceur et d'attention. Très professionnelle, chaleureuse et passionnée, Bahar a su captiver petits et grands en nous plongeant dans l’histoire fascinante de Sainte Sophie, du palais de Topkapi et de la Mosquée Bleue. Grâce à elle, cette journée restera un souvenir précieux pour toute notre famille. Nous la recommandons vivement !

Response from Host, Jun 2025

Thank you for your review!

Fijne ervaring

Antonie_P, Mar 2025

Tour gedaan met Mustafa. Veel kennis van de plaatsen waar we zijn geweest met duidelijke uitleg. Was alleen jammer dat er verwarring was over de invulling van de tour. In de beschrijving staat dat je de hele dag een gids hebt en je naar wens de tour kunt invullen.. Hierover was wat verwarring en uiteindelijk is dit naar onze wens ingevuld. De gids kon hier zelf niets aan doen. Al met al een fijne dag met nieuwe plekken die we gezien hebben in Istanbul.