Private Tour
Highlights of Istanbul with Private Tour Guide Zerrin
Overview
Available languages
Mobile ticket
Istanbul is such a marvelous city where east and west meet and split. It had been capital of empirements for 1700 years where Europe Continent ends and Asia Continent starts. Therefore, it has been the city of palaces, royal churhes, mosques and shopping. Most beautiful buildings had been built here. Finest arts had been prepared and crafted here. Let's meet and explore all these highlights in old city together. I will do my best to introduce Highlights of Istanbul with my 30 years guidance experiance. Also, I have a priority to skip ticket lines. So You are not going to be waiting for tickets in Basilica Cistern and Topkapı Palace.
Additional Info
Wheelchair accessible
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Specialized infant seats are available
All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque
Hagia Sophia was built as most impressive royal curch of 6th century. It had been used as a church nearly a thousand years and converted to a mosque during Ottoman period. After foundation of Modern Turkey, It was converted to a museum. But nowadays, It has been used as a mosque again.
TopkapI Palace
Topkapı Palace was built just behind of Hagia Sophia after conquest of Istanbul in 1460s. Ottoman Empire had been ruled from Topkapı Palace for 450 years until building Dolmabahce Palace in 19th century. It is best place to see finest quartz İznik tiles especially in Harem section. I have a priority to skip ticket line as a licensed tour guide.
What‘s Included
Proffessional Guidance
Private transportation
All drinks and meals are excluded
Admission fee of Topkapı Palace with 2400TL(53USD) per person
Admission fee of Basilica Cistern is 1700TL (37USD) per person
Hagia Sophia upper gallery 25EURO (28USD) per person
Pickup points
Istanbul International Airport
Istanbul Turkiye
Sabiha Gokcen
Istanbul Turkiye
Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul At Sultanahmet
Tevkifhane Sokak No. 1 Istanbul Turkiye
Options
Highlights of Istanbul with Private Tour Guide Zerrin
Pickup included
Reviews
21 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Zerrin was an amazing guide for us in Istanbul!
TashaT2020,,Aug 8, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our Istanbul tour was unforgettable thanks to Zerrin! We visited in August 2025. She tailored the experience to our pace, shared fascinating historical insights, and truly brought the city's rich history to life. Despite only having one day, it became the highlight of our extended trip. Highly recommend her to all families visiting Istanbul!
And sniffing lovely day with Zerren
DoctorJ10011,,May 4, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I’m in New Yorker and have traveled all over the world for work as an eye surgeon and for travel. I have worked with the doctors in Turkey before and recently a very international medical meeting in Istanbul. Always lovely people smart and very civilized. The reputation of turkey in the west is nothing like what I have come to know. Zerren took me to all the historical high spots in the Sultanahmet area. She knows everything about everything in history and turns out to have a degree in archaeology. If you want go deep into the history of the world, she has incredible academic and direct knowledge of the stories that go back to 12,000 years ago. In Turkey and the cradle of civilization She is a great guide and person. It was an amazing and charming day. She also helped me figure out the buses and trams so that my next day free, I could explore a couple of really delightful old neighborhoods.
Excellent time in Istanbul with Zerrin
BoardingPass190286,,Nov 25, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Zerrin took us around Istanbul in a very professional manner. We saw the best places with her detailed explanations and without spending much time in the crowds. We shared stories and laughs on the way, and this was in addition to Zerrin's stories about Istanbul and its history. Yes, we were exhausted by the end of the day but in a good way! We also got recommendations on what we could visit ourselves later - e.g., The Blue Mosque.
Amazing Istanbul Tour!
travelHappily woohoo,,Oct 10, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had an incredible experience touring Istanbul with Zerrin! She was not only knowledgeable about the rich history and culture of the city but also made the tour engaging and enjoyable. From exploring the stunning Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace to walking through the mysterious Basilica Cistern, every moment was fascinating! Thank you!
Amazing Istanbul tour with Zerrin
R6160GPstepheng,,Jul 10, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had an excellent time with our tour guide Zerrin. A private tour with Zerrin is the way to go, such a personal experience where you don’t miss a single detail of the history and any questions answered immediately. We were met each day at our hotel and we had two full days of visiting the famous historical sites of Istanbul and some not so famous that you wouldn’t get to see with a large group tour. We ate at local recommended restaurants for lunch and then used Zerrin’s recommendations to choose where to have dinner that evening. Her lifetime of studying Turkish history was evident with the knowledge she passed to us at every location we visited and along the way. I would highly recommend to take a tour with Zerrin
Zerrin’s Private Tour Is The BEST!
1984janaa,,Jun 29, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Zerrin met us at the port as scheduled when we disembarked our ship. Communication with Zerrin leading up to our arrival in Istanbul, through What’s App and Viator, was exemplary. She conscientiously planned our visits to the 4 major sites to avoid crowds and minimize lines and delays to enter. From the port Zerrin assisted us in purchasing a tram ticket to get to the Sultanahmet area where the mosques, cistern and palace are located. During our tram ride, and while walking from place to place, Zerrin shared her wealth of knowledge and throughout our time together it felt like we were being guided by a friend. I requested that she purchase tickets in advance so we could skip and/or minimize standing in line. She did and I reimbursed her for all tickets as entry fees are not included in the price of the tour. Important to note, Zerrin is a LICENSED tour guide. This means with her you enter through a separate guided tour guide entrance. The only delay to entry would be if another guided tour group happened to be in this special line ahead of us which we did NOT encounter at all. Another bonus, beyond Zerrin’s wealth of information and experience, is she has a photography background and takes fabulous photos. This was fantastic because I am usually the person taking photos (and rarely in them) and Zerrin was proactive about taking photos with her camera and ours when she saw a good photo op. I knew our day would be long so I asked that she include a lunch stop and to choose a restaurant that offered vegan options. She did and we enjoyed a lovely delicious meal together which was our pleasure to treat. Zerrin is extremely personable, genuine and knowledgeable and we could not have asked for a better person or guide to spend our day with.
Wonderful day in Istanbul!
janellew521,,Sep 17, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had limited time and wanted to make the most of our day. Zerrin was amazing! She planned a fantastic itinerary and enriched our time with local and historical knowledge. Thank you!!
Fantastic private tour in Istanbul including secret gems.
SevaNYC,,Sep 3, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Excellent private tour. Zerrin is incredibly knowledgable and gave us 2 fantastic days in Istanbul. Highly recommend.
Zerrin Istanbul Tour
S1372YFabbyp,,Sep 3, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Zerrin was amazing. Me and my family had the best time strolling around and looking at all of the attractions. Zerrin was understanding, helped us with everything and made us feel comfortable. No words can describe how amazing she was.
Beautiful Istanbul!!
FarAway19096435371,,Aug 27, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had a fantastic time in Istanbul. Zerrin was a fun tour guide with lots of experiences, knowledge, and passion on the history, culture and arts in Istanbul and Turkey. The tour was a fun leaning experience! We visited historical sites of mosques and palaces, bazaars for shopping and boat trips around Istanbul. Our 4 day trip with Zerrin was full of unique experiences, good laughters and fun stories. Thank you Zerrin for organizing the 4 full day itineraries for us and showing us the beautiful city, Istanbul!!! We miss Istanbul already!
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