Istanbul Small-Group City and Secret Streets Tour with Guide
Recommended by 96% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
Istanbul, Turkey
- 3 hours (approx.)
- Group discounts
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
See Istanbul’s most notable landmarks and secret backstreets on this small-group walking tour. Learn about the city’s Byzantine and Ottoman history from an English-speaking guide. Pass by Hagia Sophia, the Hippodrome, the Blue Mosque, the Grand Bazaar, and the Spice Bazaar. On this tour, learn about the attractions, but not venture inside. Discover where locals eat and drink.
- Spot Istanbul’s landmarks, including the Hagia Sophia and Grand Bazaar
- Learn about the city’s history from your guide
- Wander the city’s secret backstreets
- Stop by Grand Bazaar and Spice Market
What's Included
- English Speaking Professional Guide
- Small-group or private tour (depending on option chosen)
- Gratuities (Recommended)
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- Foodie-ist Cafe and BrasserieAlemdar, Muhterem Efendi Sk. No:13 Zemin kat, 34122 Fatih/İstanbul, Türkiye
In front (outside) of FOODIE-IST CAFE AND BRASSERIE. It is approximately 2 minutes walking distance from (T1) Sultanahmet tram stop. Your guide will wear a tour guide badge and will be easy to spot.
End point
- Egyptian BazaarRüstem Paşa, 34116 Fatih/İstanbul, Türkiye
Our tour concludes after visiting Spice Market in Eminönü and leaving you free to continue your Istanbul sightseeing
Itinerary
1
Basilica Cistern
10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
2
Sogukcesme Sokak
10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
3
Caferaga Medresesi
10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
4
Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque
10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
5
TopkapI Palace
10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
6
Sultanahmet District
10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
7
Walled Obelisk
10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
8
German Fountain
10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
9
Hippodrome
10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
10
Blue Mosque
10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
11
Serpent Column
10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
12
Sultanahmet Square
10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
13
Tahtakale District
10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
14
Misir Carsisi (Spice Market)
10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Near public transportation
- Infants must sit on laps
- Most travelers can participate
- There is a moderate amount of walking involved
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 15 travelers
Supplied by
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Reviews
4.8
based on 208 reviews
Katrina_K, Jan 2026
Our guide was Errol and he was super friendly, open and very well informed
As it says in the description you visit all the key sites, understand what they are and why they are there and then if you want to go back and enjoy in more detail you can. The tours also included a meander through a couple of markets and plenary of time for general chat about the city, customs and food with lots of tips. It’s about 3.5 hours so you might want to stop for a coffee half way. It’s a great intro to the city and Errol was an excellent host.
Araceli_A, Oct 2025
This was a small-group tour and it happened to just be 2 people on this walking tour and we have been to Istanbul 10 years ago. We got more specific and we appreciated how Tolga tailored it to our curiosities.
Randi_M, Sep 2025
It was all walking and that wasnt expected. I wouldnt do it again. Our guide was nice and knowledgeable but too quiet so hard to hear and understand.
Marc_S, Mar 2025
Zeynep (aka Dimple) was amazing!! Super friendly, personable and very knowledgeable.
Wonderful perspective of the city and the rich history.. Would highly recommend.
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We're thrilled to hear that your experience with Zeynep (also known as Dimple) was so amazing.
It’s great to know that you found her to be super friendly, personable, and knowledgeable. We believe our guides are key to sharing the rich history and unique perspective of Istanbul, and it sounds like she did a fantastic job.
Your high recommendation means a lot to us, and we'll be sure to pass on your kind words to her.
Asia_H, Mar 2025
It was a great and detailed tour. The tour guide knew the information well. I was really late to my tour and the tour guide waited. I really appreciated that.
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Thank you for sharing your experience! We're so glad you had a great and detailed Istanbul tour and that your guide was so knowledgeable.
We also appreciate you highlighting our guide's patience. We understand that unexpected delays happen, and we are proud that our guides go the extra mile to make sure our guests have a positive experience from start to finish. We'll be sure to pass along your kind words to your guide.
Blake_S, Feb 2025
This was a great tour providing extensive information about the sites and history of Istanbul Turkey. I learned so much in a short period of time. Our guide Erol was very enthusiastic, passionate and personable. I highly recommend him and the tour!
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Thank you for this fantastic review! We are so glad to hear that you had a great experience on our Istanbul tour and that it provided you with so much information in a short period of time.
We are incredibly proud of Erol, and it's wonderful to know that his enthusiasm, passion, and personable nature made such a positive impact on your tour. We will be sure to pass along your high recommendation to him.
Sondra_O, Dec 2024
Tour guide was very knowledgeable and answered all of our many questions. We saw all the major highlights and felt he covered all topics well. He gave us recommendations plus took us to some place that we asked about but wasn’t part of the tour but made time for something we wanted to see without taking away from everything else on the tour. Well worth it!
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Thank you for the fantastic review! We are so glad to hear that you had a great experience with our tour guide.
It's wonderful that you felt he was so knowledgeable and that he covered all the major highlights and topics so well. We're especially proud that he went the extra mile to accommodate your specific request, showing you something you wanted to see that wasn't on the original itinerary.
That kind of personal touch is what we aim for, and we agree—it makes the experience well worth it! We'll be sure to pass along your kind words to him.
Jesse_M, Dec 2024
Excellent guide, extremely knowledgeable. Don't know how to spell his name something like Torg. Interesting
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Thank you for your review! We're so glad you had such a great experience and found your guide to be excellent and extremely knowledgeable.
It sounds like you're referring to **Tolga**, and we'll be sure to pass along your kind words to him. We're proud to have him on our team!
Julian_R, Nov 2024
Alp was a great guide. Very knowledgeable and excellent English. He clearly had a passion for his topic.
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Thank you for your review! We're so glad to hear that **Alp** was a great guide and that his knowledge and passion for the topic made such a positive impression. We'll be sure to pass along your kind words to him.
Christopher_B, Nov 2024
Enjoyed our walk thru Istanbul. Did it on our first morning to get a look around. Host was friendly and knowledgeable. Recommended.
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Thank you for the review! We're so glad you enjoyed your walk through **Istanbul** on your first morning and found it a great way to get a feel for the city. It's wonderful to hear that your guide was both friendly and knowledgeable. Your recommendation is much appreciated!
Ulises_V, Oct 2024
You ask us to change our 8:30 tour ( canceled ) to 13:00 hrs
When we began this tour we noticed it was not the same program as the 8:30
We canceled with the guide and go to visit places by ourselves
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Thank you for sharing your experience. I'm very sorry for the last-minute change to your tour and for the confusion about the itinerary. This is not the standard of service we aim for, and I sincerely apologize for the inconvenience this caused.
We understand how frustrating it is when a tour doesn't match what was promised. Our goal is to provide a seamless and enjoyable experience, and we clearly missed the mark here.
Your feedback is crucial, and we are investigating this issue to ensure our tour descriptions and scheduling are accurate. We hope you were still able to enjoy your time exploring the city. We would love the opportunity to provide a better experience for you in the future.
Julia_F, Oct 2024
This tour was outstanding with our guide Hüseyin sharing his deep knowledge and giving a fascinating insight into the layered history of Istanbul. The pace was easy and manageable and seeing some backstreets just fabulous. Thank you would highly recommend
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Thank you for your fantastic review! We are so glad to hear that you had an outstanding experience on our **Istanbul Small-Group City and Secret Streets Tour**.
It's wonderful that your guide, **Hüseyin**, was able to share his deep knowledge and give you such a fascinating insight into the city's layered history. We love that you found the pace easy and enjoyed seeing the backstreets. Your high recommendation means a lot to us, and we'll be sure to pass on your kind words to Hüseyin!
Danielle_L, Oct 2024
Abdullah, our guide, was very attentive and sensitive to the needs and interests of our group of about 9 people. Besides being very knowledgeable about the various sights he showed us, he did it in a way that always put the guests first (e.g., making sure we were in the shade when he stopped to share more detailed information or history about a site, proving ample rest room breaks). He even went out of his way to escort me and my husband on the tram back to our hotel to be sure we returned okay. That was completely beyond his duties as our tour guide but it was extremely appreciated.
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Thank you for sharing this wonderful review! We're so glad you had such a positive experience on the **Istanbul Small-Group City and Secret Streets Tour**.
It's fantastic to hear that **Abdullah** was not only knowledgeable but also so attentive and sensitive to your group's needs. His thoughtfulness in finding shade for you and providing ample breaks truly shows his dedication to guest comfort.
We're especially proud to hear that he went above and beyond by personally escorting you back to your hotel on the tram. That kind of exceptional care is what we strive for, and we will be sure to pass on your heartfelt thanks to him.
Richard_B, Oct 2024
Our guide, Gamze, was a perfect host. Very knowledgeable, friendly and she was happy to tailor our tour in whatever way we wanted. We spent time inside the Blue Mosque and Basilica Cistern and walked around many other sights, including Topkapi Palace and the Hagia Sofia. We learned so much. Gamze did very well to keep our group of 10 organised and together in such a busy city, and gave us some excellent restaurant recommendations for us to consider after the tour. Highly recommended.
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Thank you for the fantastic review! We're thrilled to hear that you had such a wonderful experience exploring historic **Istanbul** and that **Gamze** was a perfect host.
It's great that her knowledge, friendly demeanor, and willingness to tailor the tour to your group's interests made the day so special. We're proud to hear that she expertly managed your group of 10 through the busy city and provided excellent recommendations.
We're so glad you learned so much and that you highly recommend the tour! We'll be sure to pass on your kind words to Gamze.
sarah_n, Sep 2024
Great guide. With only a small amount of time in Istanbul, this was a great way to see and find out about some of the key areas
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Thank you for the review! We're so glad you had a great experience and found our tour to be an ideal way to see and learn about the key areas of **Istanbul** when you were short on time.
Jeri_A, Sep 2024
Moustafa, or Jack, was highly entertaining and we managed to see quite a few of the big cultural sites. He is very educational and his ability to help us understand cultural differences was fantastic. Just a word of caution: he took us to a pottery shop that was very pushy and very expensive. The artwork was beautiful and it was educational to see the process used in the blue Mosque, it was a high-pressure sales program. It was uncomfortable.
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Thank you for sharing your experience. We are so glad to hear that Moustafa, or Jack, was such an entertaining and educational guide for you. His ability to share cultural insights is something we are very proud of, and we'll be sure to pass on your wonderful feedback to him.
We sincerely apologize for the uncomfortable experience at the pottery shop. We never want our guests to feel pressured or uneasy. We will be speaking with our guides and partners to ensure that any shopping stops are presented as an optional, no-pressure experience. Your feedback is invaluable as it helps us maintain the quality of our tours and the comfort of our guests. Thank you for your honest review.
Julie_C, Sep 2024
Ozzie was good fun & very knowledgeable. Using his iPad he really brought to life how Istanbul was. We entered basilica cistern; blue mosque & first courtyard of Topkapi. We visited the other sites but did not enter. He showed us best photo spots & how to negotiate at the bazaars. Well worth doing to understand how 2 continents & empires collide. And I’m know Ozzie will take pleasure in showing you the real German fountain! A good afternoon packed with information.
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Thank you for your fantastic review! We're thrilled to hear that you had such a great experience with our guide, **Öz** (also known as Ozzie).
It's wonderful that his use of an iPad helped bring Istanbul's history to life for you. We're also glad he could show you the best photo spots and give you tips on negotiating at the bazaars.
We agree that the tour is a great way to understand the city's unique history, and we'll be sure to pass on your kind words to Öz—especially your note about the German fountain!
Shamala_M, Aug 2024
I booked a small group tour, which was made magical as we were accompanied by the most patient and knowledgeable English speaking guide. Errol was extremely learned and so helpful. Having an indepth knowledge of the culture and history in Istanbul he took his time to speak to us at length at every sight we visited. Absolutely enjoyed the tour!!
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Thank you for the wonderful review! We're thrilled to hear that you had such a magical experience on your small-group tour.
It sounds like **Erol** made a fantastic impression with his patience and extensive knowledge of **Istanbul's** culture and history. We're proud to have guides who take the time to provide such in-depth insights at every sight. We're so glad you absolutely enjoyed the tour!
Morvarid_C, Jul 2024
We had the most incredible and informative tour with Hoessein! He spent hours teaching us the history of Istanbul, showing us special key stores in the bazaar and even gave us the best tips for our future days in Istanbul. Both our children (ages 10 and 12) were captivated. Couldn’t recommend the tour enough!
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Thank you for your fantastic review! We are so thrilled to hear that you had such an incredible and informative tour with **Hüseyin**.
It's wonderful to know that he was able to captivate both you and your children, and that his insights into Istanbul's history, the special stores in the bazaar, and his great tips were so valuable. We agree that his passion for the city makes him an exceptional guide. Your high recommendation means a lot to us, and we'll be sure to pass on your kind words to him!
Maria_B, Jun 2024
A Great morning walking tour to get your bearing.
This tour does not go inside any of the listed attractions except for the Blue Mosque. If you want to go inside the Basilica Cistern it’s an extra cost.
Our guide Kismet was excellent. She explained the history of Istanbul, the transport system and how and where to buy tickets to the various attractions etc.
The meeting place to easy to find.
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Thank you for sharing your experience! We're so glad you had a great morning walking tour and found it helpful for getting your bearings in **Istanbul**.
We appreciate you clarifying that the tour provides an overview and only goes inside the Blue Mosque. We also appreciate you mentioning the additional cost for the Basilica Cistern so that future visitors are aware.
It's fantastic to hear that our guide, Kiymet, was excellent. Her insights into Istanbul's history and practical tips on transport and tickets are exactly the kind of valuable information we want our guests to have. We'll be sure to pass on your kind words to her!
PaulL_M, Jun 2024
Excellent
Great time
Lots of fun.
Amazing
So much to see in Turkey.
Guide was the very best in whole country.
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Thank you for the fantastic review! We are so glad you had such a great time and found the tour to be so much fun. We agree, **Turkey** is an amazing place with so much to see.
It's wonderful to hear that your guide was the "very best in the whole country"! We're very proud of our team and will be sure to pass on your high praise.
Tracy_S, May 2024
Had a lovely time on this walking tour. We got to see all the major sites, and our guide even added the Cistern tour (added charge, but we planned to go anyway, so this was perfect!) for us.
Response from Host, Sep 2025
That's wonderful to hear! We're so glad you had a lovely time on the walking tour and that you got to see all the major sites. It's great to know that your guide was able to customize the experience to include the Cistern tour since you were already planning on visiting. We love when our guides can go the extra mile to make a tour perfect for our guests.
Thank you for your review. We hope you made some fantastic memories in Istanbul!
Roslyn_F, May 2024
Our guide Torga, was very knowledgeable and fun. He was considerate and enthusiastic. I would highly recommend this tour.
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Thank you so much for the wonderful review! We're thrilled to hear that your guide, **Tolga**, was knowledgeable, fun, considerate, and enthusiastic. It's fantastic to know that he made your experience so enjoyable. Your high recommendation means a lot to us!
Inna_D, May 2024
Very informative and interesting tour. Our tour guide Tolga was very knowledgeable and very helpful. He even walked with me to the starting point so I can find my way back to the hotel. The pick up location was very easy to find. The group was very small as advertised. I would definitely recommend this tour.
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Thank you for the wonderful review! We're so glad you had such an informative and interesting tour with Tolga.
It's fantastic to hear that he was not only knowledgeable but also went the extra mile to make sure you found your way back to your hotel. We believe that personal touch makes all the difference.
We're also happy that you found the pick-up location easy and that the small group size was perfect. Your recommendation means a lot to us, and we hope to welcome you back to Istanbul on another tour soon!
Maree_J, May 2024
The guide was poorly briefed. We were exoecting an orientation walking tour looking at the outside of highlights of central Istanbul. Our guide wanted us to either queue for entry tickets or catch the tram. Some left 1/2 way thru the remaining 2 were less than happy
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Thank you for your candid feedback. I am so sorry to hear that the tour did not meet your expectations and that the guide was not properly briefed on the tour's purpose. We understand that you were looking for a walking tour focused on the exteriors of Istanbul's highlights, and it is unacceptable that the guide did not follow this plan.
We will be addressing this issue with our guiding team immediately to ensure all guides are properly prepared and understand the specific itinerary for each tour. Your experience highlights a clear training gap that we need to fix.
We deeply apologize for the disappointment and for the inconvenience this caused for you and the other guests. We hope you will give us another chance to show you the quality of tours we are known for.
Shan_C, May 2024
The tour was informative and I had a great time. However, I would like to call out that the tour description is misleading. It suggests 'free admission' however none of these were included we simply passed by.
The one admission which was included (the blue mosque) the tour guide was late which meant we missed it due to prayer times. She said she would take us back at the end but then said sorry she has another tour so couldn't take us back.
That aside it was a good tour.
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Thank you for sharing your feedback. I am so glad to hear that you found the tour informative and had a great time overall.
However, I am very concerned to hear that the tour description was misleading regarding admissions and that you missed seeing the Blue Mosque. This is not the experience we want our guests to have, and I sincerely apologize for the miscommunication and the inconvenience this caused.
We are immediately reviewing the tour description to ensure it is accurate and transparent about what is included. We are also addressing the issue with our guides to ensure punctuality and a better contingency plan if something like this happens again.
We truly appreciate you bringing this to our attention. Your feedback is crucial for us to make these important improvements.
Kerry_L, May 2024
Great guide. MUCH history, almost too much to take in. In all, covers much of the old city. The best!
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Thank you for the wonderful review! We're so glad you had such a great experience and that our guide was able to cover so much of the **Old City** for you.
We understand that **Istanbul**'s history is incredibly rich and there's a lot to take in. It's fantastic to hear that you found the tour to be the best!
Samantha_S, May 2024
We enjoyed our tour around Istanbul. Erol was friendly, engaging and knew so much about this outstanding city. It was a great introduction. Particularly enjoyed the visit to the Blue Mosque and learned so much.
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Thank you for sharing your wonderful experience! We're so glad to hear that you enjoyed your tour and that Erol made such a positive impact. It's fantastic that his friendly and engaging personality, combined with his deep knowledge of Istanbul, helped you learn so much.
We're especially pleased that you enjoyed the visit to the Blue Mosque. Erol truly is an exceptional guide, and we'll be sure to pass along your kind words to him. Your feedback is a great reminder of why we do what we do.
Robert_M, Apr 2024
Gamze was such a kind and warm person, so knowledgeable, proud of her country and enthusiastic. Her English was amazing and we thoroughly enjoyed our tour with her. We had some great conversations with her about Turkey and history and she was happy to answer and discuss anything. Gamze, thank you for getting us off to an incredible start on our trip to Istanbul. We are so grateful :)
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Thank you for sharing this beautiful review! We are absolutely thrilled to hear that **Gamze** made such a positive and memorable impression on you.
It sounds like her warmth, knowledge, and genuine pride for Turkey truly set the stage for an incredible start to your trip. We're so glad you enjoyed the conversations and felt comfortable asking questions—that's exactly the kind of engaging and personal experience we strive to provide.
We will be sure to pass on your heartfelt thanks and gratitude to Gamze. We hope you had a fantastic rest of your time in **Istanbul**!
Nancy_M, Apr 2024
Much more than I expected! Great overview to get your bearings plus see the inside of the blue mosque.
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Thank you for the wonderful review! We're so glad that our tour was "much more than you expected" and that it gave you such a great overview of Istanbul.
It's fantastic to know that you found it helpful for getting your bearings and that you enjoyed seeing the inside of the Blue Mosque. We hope you had a wonderful time exploring the rest of the city!
From $70.42
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