Have Your Own Private Guide in Istanbul

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

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.

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

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.

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!

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!

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.

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 !

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.

Evran, 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!