* 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.
Prices change with the date; the lowest is shown.
From the operator’s live schedule on Viator, checked Oct 12.
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
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
Visit the magnificent Topkapi Palace Museum. Gain a fascinating insight into this grandiose complex of buildings that formed the residence of the Sultans for 400 years. There are four main courtyards which contain extensive gardens,pavilions, fountains, royal gates, kitchens, library and mosques. Enjoy the exhibitions such as ‘Sacred Trusts’, ‘Portraits of Sultans’, ‘Kitchen’ and ‘Imperial Weapons’ ****Topkapi Palace is closed on Tuesdays***
Hippodrome, which was one of the largest chariot race grounds of the Byzantine Empire. Here you can see the Egyptian Obelisk and the Serpentine Coloum.
Basilica Cistern was built in 6th Century as an underground water reservuar. It has 360 coloums and famous Medusa Heads as coloum bases.
Visit the Grand Bazaar, the largest and oldest covered Bazaar in Turkey with more than 4,000 shops. A variety of handicrafts from carpets to souvenirs all sold in the famous Grand Bazaar.
Visit Spice Bazaar - the most colourfull historical bazaar of Istanbul
Most Famous Square of Istanbul with pedestrian streets, shops, coffee houses and more
It was built in 16th Century by the famous Ottoman Architect Sinan and commissioned by Sultan Suleyman the Magnificent.
As the oldest tower of city, it offers 360 degree view of the city. Ps: Guides do not have priority to skip the line for Galata Tower.
Last residence of Ottoman Sultans. Built in European style with more thn 200 rooms. It hold the biggest chandelier collection in the world.
Tour guide meets you at central Istanbul hotels or port. Then we walk to the sites or use tram to reach to old city.
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
Excurgo comparison of 3,628 Viator tours, recalculated daily.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Have Your Own Private Guide in Istanbul lasts about 5–8 hours. The itinerary has 11 stops.
Prices start at $195 per person for this Istanbul experience, booked through Viator with the price shown before checkout. There are 2 booking options, so the final price depends on the option you choose.
According to the operator’s current schedule, it runs every day, starting at 9:00 AM, 9:30 AM, 10:00 AM, 10:30 AM, and 11:00 AM.
Yes. Cancel at least 1 day before the start for a full refund. Later cancellations are non-refundable.
Yes, pickup is offered. Tour guide meets you at central Istanbul hotels or port. Then we walk to the sites or use tram to reach to old city. Pickup points include Orient Occident Hotel Istanbul, Autograph Collection, Asilzade Hotel.
The experience is available in EN.
It is a private experience: only your party takes part. Up to 15 travellers can book together.
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Yes, bookings are confirmed instantly.
Travellers rate it 5.0 out of 5 across 18 reviews on Viator and Tripadvisor; it is run by Impetus Travel.
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
My guide Mustafa was friendly and kind. He took me to all the places I wanted to visit and told me all about the history and meaning of sites in Istanbul. I had a great day and highly recommended for solo travellers.
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Wonderful companion who met us at the Fairmont for breakfast and asked one basic question: do you have any must dos and what are you thinking ? Since we were newbies and had a short stay… we just said… we’ll follow It was fun filled day of food, art and history We couldn’t have asked for anything more Perfect
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Mustafa was an excellent guide and made our time in Istanbul both enjoyable and efficient. His knowledge of the city, history, and local culture was impressive, and one thing we particularly appreciated was his ability to pivot around crowds and adjust the day to keep things moving smoothly. That flexibility made a big difference in helping us enjoy the city without feeling rushed or overwhelmed. A highlight of the experience was exploring some off-the-beaten-path local restaurants that we almost certainly would not have found on our own. We had what was probably the best künefe I’ve ever had, and those food moments ended up being some of the most memorable parts of the tour. For future travelers, one thing to be aware of is that the tour may include ceramic and rug showroom visits. While interesting from a cultural perspective, these experiences do involve sales presentations and can feel a bit more commercial than the rest of the day. Personally, that part was not my favorite and took away slightly from an otherwise fantastic experience. Overall, Mustafa is a knowledgeable, personable, and highly capable guide, and I would absolutely recommend him to anyone wanting to experience Istanbul with someone who truly knows the city.
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Mustafa 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
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Gökmen 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.
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Mustafa 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!
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An 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!
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My 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.
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Mr 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 !
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The 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.
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| Tour | Duration | Rating | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Have Your Own Private Guide in Istanbul | 5–8 hours | 5.0 (18) | $195 | |
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