Private Tour

Private Istanbul Half-Day Tour with a Local: Highlights & Gems

Overview

Available languages

English

Turkish

Mobile ticket

Istanbul is considered to be one of the largest cities in Europe but with half a day to spare, you may be wondering how you can make the most of your time here. You couldn’t possibly explore all of Istanbul in a week, let alone a day – but we can help make your trip a memorable one by pairing you up with a Host who can take you to the places you've always wanted to experience. You may prefer to spend your time wandering through the city's cobbled streets and bustling bazaars, losing yourself in Istanbul's rich cultural diversity, or you could instead absorb Istanbul's history with a trip to one of its museums. Within 24 hours of your booking, we will contact you to find out about your interests so we can assign a like-minded local who will create a bespoke experience for you. Your Host will suggest an itinerary and agree a meeting time and place, but you can always change your mind about what you want to do.

Additional Info

Wheelchair accessible

Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller

Service animals allowed

Public transportation options are available nearby

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

Historic Areas of Istanbul

Visit the many iconic mosques, churches and palaces and marvel at the glorious architecture of Istanbul IMPORTANT: As this is a private and personalised experience, the places you visit may differ from those listed and these will be chosen by your host based on your interests and preferences

Admission Not Applicable

Eminonu Square

Explore the shops and markets of Istanbul, where you can put your bargaining skills to the test IMPORTANT: As this is a private and personalised experience, the places you visit may differ from those listed and these will be chosen by your host based on your interests and preferences

Admission Not Applicable

What‘s Included

The entire experience is tailored according to your interests (meeting /attractions visited)

3 or 4 hours in the city with a Host

Private and personalised experience

Hotel meet-up (available on request for central location)

Walking experience (if required, your host can suggest public transport or taxi options)

Food and drinks

Tickets to any attractions

Transportation costs (public transportation and taxis can be used on the day at an extra cost)

Gratuities (optional)

Options

4 hour Istanbul Walking Tour

Duration: 4 hours

3 hour Istanbul Walking Tour

Duration: 3 hours

Reviews

5.00

4 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

A private tour is a great best value for your time and budget
Maggie2152014,,Oct 8, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
We had a wonderful experience with our guide Tugba who crafted the tour around our interests so we could maximize our time. She was very knowledgeable about the history and culture of Istanbul and greater Türkiye. She patiently answered all of our questions and provided helpful travel tips. I highly recommend Tugba as a guide. The fee with City Unscripted was quite reasonable and doing a private tour with Tugba was definitely worth our time and money.
Perfect day in Istanbul with Tugba
Philip W,,Aug 28, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
We booked a half-day “Explore Istanbul with a Local” tour with Tugba, and she was absolutely outstanding. We told her we wanted to see as much as possible without wasting time in long lines — even if that meant skipping the Blue Mosque — and she delivered exactly what we hoped for. She guided us through hidden gems, the spice shops, the Grand Bazaar, and even introduced us to simple but wonderful street foods like roasted corn and chestnuts. Her knowledge and passion for the city made every stop meaningful. By the end of the day, Tugba was even calling to make us breakfast reservations at her favorite local spot for the next morning — such a thoughtful touch! Spending the afternoon with her felt like exploring Istanbul with a close friend who knows all the city’s secrets. If we’re ever lucky enough to return to this remarkable city, Tugba will be the first person we contact. Highly recommend!
Wonderful Introduction to a Fantastic City
lynnmD6309XP,,Oct 1, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Istanbul is a large and diverse city – and it was wonderful to have someone like Feruza show us around. We started our day with a tram ride from our hotel-area to the Old Town, where we descended into the sprawling Grand Bazaar and Spice Market. What an experience! Yet the best part of our time together was talking about the city and its people, sitting outdoors at a café, and getting to know each other personally. We enjoyed seeing some off-beat areas of the city, eating street food amongst the din of the vendors and the conversations of the locals, and generally walking about and taking in all the sights-n-sounds of this fantastic city. And all of this is thanks to our special host/friend, Feruza.
Fantastic first day in Istanbul
michaellK1586VH,,Jun 9, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
A fantastic introduction to Istanbul with our guide Feruza! She was friendly, knowledgeable, engaging and customized the tour to our taste. Culturally immersive! We highly recommend!