Private Tour
Have Your Own Private Guide in Istanbul
Overview
Available languages
Mobile ticket
* Time to explore the Highlights of Istanbul, its people, history, culture and cuisine with expert local Professional Guides.
* Customize the itinerary according to your schedule and interests with your guide. Decide the sights and places to visit at the beginning of the day.
* Pricing is per group (up to 10 people) , not per person!!
* We meet with the travelers at the hotel and walk to the sites together or use tram to reach the old city. Guide will meet you at the Hotel Lobby (Old City Area) and we will walk to the sites together.
Additional Info
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Public transportation options are available nearby
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Grand Bazaar is closed on Sundays. It can be replaced with Spice Bazaar
As Hagia Sophia is a museum-mosque. Tour guides don't have skip-the-line priority there. Entrance Fee is 25 Euro
Dolmabahce Palace is closed on Nov 10. Due to commemoration ceremony. Also, it is closed every mondays
Galata Tower will be visited from outside as tour guides have no priority to skip the line due to Galata Tower regulations
During the national and religious festivals, visiting times of the sites can be changed or they can be closed
Skip the line service is not available for active mosques - there is a queue for the entrance. Ladies must cover the head with a scarf at the mosque visits. Please bring your scarf. Shoulders and knees must be covered
Topkapi Palace is closed on Tuesdays can be replaced with alternatives.
This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Blue Mosque
Blue Mosque one of Istanbul’s most venerable monuments. From the courtyard you will enjoy the striking view of the cascading domes and semi-domes. Once inside you will see how the mosque got its name, viewing the colorful blue Iznik tiles that adorn the interior. These tiles were made at the peak of Iznik tile production in the early 17th Century
Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque
St Sophia, the Church of Divine wisdom and a testament to the sophistication of the 6th Century. The vast edifice was built over two earlier churches and inaugurated by Emperor Justinian in 537. The immense dome is an architecturalmarvel, as it seems to hover overhead
What‘s Included
Private Guided Tour (up to Group of 10 People)
Licenced Professional Tour Guide
Meeting at the Lobby & Plan Your Day with your Guide
Museum / Attraction Tickets
Graduatities
Transportation
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Options
1 Day - Private Guided Tour
1 Day Private Guided Tour: Sample Itinerary: Blue Mosque, Hippodrome, Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, Grand Bazaar
Pickup included
2 Days - Private Guided Tour
Sample itineray Day 1:: Blue Mosque, Hippodrome, Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, Grand Bazaar
Day 2:: Basilica Cistern, Spice Bazaar, Bosphorus Cruise, Dolmabahce Palace
Pickup included
Reviews
15 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Enriching experience on all points of view.
722hafide,,Sep 12, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Mustafa GÖKMEN for me the best guide in Istanbul a unique experience with a friendly and welcoming guide. A perfect and enriching culture and explanation for me I am very happy with my experience with tourist places visits. Merci Mustafa
Exceptional day with a guide of impeccable quality. Just want to get back to Istanbul as soon as possible
SabFritz,,Sep 10, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Gökmen Mustafa best guide to Istanbul. I thank this person for the day of visitation that has not finished dazzling me and will remain etched in my head and heart forever. It was an exceptional day thanks to Mustafa and his knowledge of the story that he manages to convey with his passion for his work, his kindness and his patience.
Amazing Personal Experience
P3756NLbenjaminw,,Aug 26, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Mustafa Gokmen Evcili was one of the best tour guides we have ever had, not only was he super knowledgeable, but it genuinely felt like hanging out with a friend for the day who was showing us all the sights. He showed us around whatever we wanted to see and shared histories and facts and we also sat down for a lunch together mid way through. My partner and I are both architects and he was able to personalise the tour for us telling us interesting things that non-architects may not find so interesting. Being able to skip the lines at attractions was also a great positive, he seemed to know a lot of people and this allowed for special treatment. Would highly recommend this tour to anyone, it is well worth the cost, we were also able to swap contacts incase we are wanting to reconnect for anything when we are back in town. Just an overall great experience and a great way to see Istanbul!
Unforgettable Experience!!
tbriggs0213,,Jun 24, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00An Unforgettable Experience with the Best Guide in Turkey! Mustafa was hands down the highlight of our trip to Turkey. From the moment we met him, it was clear we were in the hands of a true expert and passionate storyteller. He didn’t just guide us—he brought the rich history and culture of Istanbul to life. Whether we were standing in awe beneath the dome of the Hagia Sophia, admiring the intricate beauty of the Blue Mosque, or walking through the opulent halls of Dolmabahçe Palace, Mustafa knew every detail, legend, and hidden corner. His knowledge is encyclopedic, but it never felt like a lecture—it felt like we were exploring with a friend who genuinely loves his city and wants you to love it too. He also took us to an incredible local restaurant (still dreaming about that meal!) and a stunning rug shop with no pressure, just warmth and hospitality. Every stop on our tour felt authentic, personal, and perfectly curated. We cannot recommend Mustafa enough. If you’re visiting Turkey and want to experience the country’s history, culture, and charm in the most enriching way possible, Mustafa is your guy!
Seeing Istanbul As A Local!
SkidadJMB,,Jun 17, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00My wife and I had two days to explore Istanbul and wanted to make the most of our visit. On day one, we hired Mustafa Evcili at the recommendation of the concierge at our hotel. We opted for the 8 hour guide as we felt that 4 hours may not be enough and we could always end the day early if we were tired. Needless to say, the 8 hours flew by with Mustafa as our guide. His knowledge of the city (and region!) was so helpful in bringing what we were seeing for the first time into historical perspective. While taking us to the sites we requested, he paid attention to what we liked and, based on the questions we asked and our discussions, he then took us to places off the beaten path that he thought might interest us. I was amazing! We felt we got an insider's view of the Grand Bazaar and the Spice Market, as well as a few stops to do a bit of shopping where no tourist would ever find. We can't thank Mustafa enough. Please seek him out as your guide. You will not be dissapointed.
Istanbul Great City and nice people
edwardmartinc,,May 24, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Mr Mustafa, showed us around Istanbul and definitely an excellent tour guide . From local food, sightseeing, walking tour, and shopping it is worth it . Speaks Good English also !
Private Tour of Istanbul with Guide Serkan
Sheila H,,Jan 17, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00The private day long tour of the highlights of Istanbul with my guide Serkan was a very interesting and positive experience. The day went quickly despite rainy conditions. Serkan was a wealth of knowledge and also quite kind. I would recommend a tour with Serkan.
A full, fun, informative day walking Istanbul with Evran
12356710,,Mar 3, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Evran, our guide for the day, was waiting in the lobby of the Grand Yavuz Hotel (where we stayed compliments of Turkish Airlines’ layover program) before 9:00 AM and was very friendly and communicative right away. Our tour of Istanbul was entirely on foot, and I did wonder now and then if he’d checked ahead of time to be sure we were all fit enough to walk the city’s hilly streets from 9 to 5! He brought us to all the sights, giving advice (it was fine, for example, for the women in our group to don hoodies at the mosques instead of purchasing veils) and providing history and facts on each. We were surprised when he brought us to an out-of-the-way shop called Vezirhan Carpets & Kilim and the staff showed us silkworms and weaving techniques, like it was a museum tour. Then they sat us down and offered drinks. Huh? Then the show continued as rug after rug was presented and explained and we were invited to walk barefoot on the rugs. Was it all a set up so we’d buy a $2,000 rug? We hadn’t planned to do so, and eventually walked out empty-handed. Evran said “no need to tip them!” when we tried. He brought us to the Grand Bazaar to the “best places” and we did buy some artwork from Nick Merdenyan’s tiny stall and spices and tea from another place. Evran took us to a lunch spot and sat down with us to eat when invited. We had a lovely lunch. Evran was knowledgeable, fun to chat with, and helpful. I rate him 5 out of 5 stars!
Great guide.
hmmgd,,Jul 9, 2022
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Amazing, great personality, knowledgable, funny. Great guide. Knew history and practicalities of getting around. Accommodated well to our needs as tourists.
Brilliant
946hariss,,Mar 21, 2022
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Evren Bozan is an amazing guide! Super helpful, great knowledge, happy to divert for random requests! And he gave us brilliant shopping & food recommendations, helping us avoid scams! Thank you Evren!
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Operated by Impetus Travel