Private Guided Historical Tour in Istanbul: Customized Selection of City Highlights

Experience a personalized, private guided historical tour in Istanbul with an Istanbul-born professional tour guide. Explore the city’s highlights at your own pace and immerse yourself in its rich history, culture, gastronomy, and shopping.

Duration: 7 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Blue Mosque - We visit the one of the most beautiful, 4 centuries old blue tiled Ottoman mosque.
  • Hippodrome - We visit the surviving monuments of the Hippodrome of Constantinople where the Roman chariots used to race, a stadium of the time which was bigger than any soccer stadium of today.
  • Hagia Sophia Mosque - We visit one o the oldest and the greatest houses o worship in the world; a church/mosque of the Romans and the Ottomans.
  • Deraliye - In a convenient time of the day, we have a lunch break and it will be the time to experience the great Turkish cuisine.
  • Basilica Cistern - We visit the 6th century built spectacular water reservoir o the Romans. a real proof of the advanced Roman architecture.
  • Kapali Carsi - You experience the oriental way of shopping in the oldest and the biggest indoors shopping mall of Europe with an age of nearly 6 centuries, shops of 4000 and entrance/exit gates of 21.
What's Included
  • Licensed professional guide included.
What's Not Included
  • All fees and/or taxes
  • Lunch
  • In-vehicle air conditioning
  • Basilica Cistern Admission fee
  • Hagia Sophia Admission Fee
  • Gratuity
Additional Information

I am an Istanbul born and raised professional tour guide since 1997. I provide private customized tours for your needs in my city. I will be delighted to share my knowledge and experience with you in a private tour, special to you through the streets of Istanbul in which you can adjust the pace and see or to do more or less. You can enjoy history, culture, gastronomy and shopping of the city in the best customized way with me.

  • Not recommended for travelers with wheel chair or serious walking difficulties
Location
German Fountain
At Meydanı Caddesi
German Fountain, Hippodrome, Sultanahmet area, old city.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.9
(65 Ratings)
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Curiosity23007334111
Jul 13, 2024
Selcuk - a great guide - Our tour with Selcuk took in the Blue Mosque, the Hippodrome, Aya Sophia and the Basilica. Selcuk was interesting and very knowledgeable with a unique way of bringing the history of Istanbul to life. It was a pleasure to spend the day with him and obtain a real insight into the culture, politics and way of life of the city’s inhabitants over the ages. We would definitely recommend him to anyone looking for a guide.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Curiosity23007334111
Jul 13, 2024
City tour - Our tour with Selcuk took in the Blue Mosque, the Hippodrome, Aya Sophia and the Basilica. Seljuk was interesting and very knowledgeable with a unique way of bringing the history of this fascinating city to life. It was a pleasure to spend the day with him and obtain a real insight into the culture, politics and way of life of the city’s inhabitants over the ages. We would definitely recommend him to anyone looking for a guide.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Sqrblk11
Jul 11, 2024
Fantastic experience - Selcuk was great. One of the most knowledgeable people about middle east history, turkish history, and religious history you could possibly meet. His explanation of the historical significance of each sight is amazing. Takes time to explain, answer questions, Including those about the country, home life, government, struggles, obstacles, etc. His intent is to expose clients to high end Turkish cuisine, which often involves a visit to a rather high end restaurant, but realize the mid day meal in Turkey is their largest meal, thus more time, options, expense. Every experience was great! Would absolutely use Selcuk again!
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Robynclarkaus
Jun 12, 2024
Exploring Istanbul - We are an older couple & had Sel as our guide in Istanbul for two days. He was easy to get on with, flexible & accommodated our interests. Day 1 we explored the old city and the sites we wanted to see which included the Hagia Sophia and the Cistern. He knew the authentic lunch spots. Day 2 we ventured into the Grand Bazaar and visited spice shops, saw silk weaving, visited rug & watch shops- really anything we were interested in. Again another nice spot for lunch. In the afternoon onto the local ferry for a view of the city from the Bosphorus Strait. Having Sel to guide us, orientate us to many aspects of such a large city made our time here very easy. Highly recommend Sel to make the most of your visit to Istanbul
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Sofiamf588sv
Jun 6, 2024
An amazing tour with Sel, would definitely recommend!!! - Sel's tour was absolutely wonderful! We visited some of the main historical sites such as the Hagia Sofia, the Blue Mosque, the Basilica Cistern, etc. He was very flexible and patient, adapting the tour to the places we really wanted to explore. The tour was full of surprises since he took us to a lovely scarf shop, a ceramics studio, a rug shop, and to his favorite stall at the Spice Bazaar. He took time to explain the history of the city, answer all of our questions, and accommodate our desires. Sel is a great guide and a very nice person so we highly recommend booking a tour with him during your visit to Istanbul. Thank you Sel, from Sofia and Will!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
758arlettep
Jun 4, 2024
The greatest tour guide & friend in Istanbul - Sal is the greatest guide tour my family and I ever met. He’s more than prepared to give you historic and cultural information, he knows all the good places in Istanbul. The best restaurants, shopping stores, the perfect spots to take pictures, tastings and get in to the city with a real environment of the traditions and culture of this beautiful place. He thinks in everything and understands people like no one else. We enjoy Istanbul with kids because of him and we also considerate Sal a good friend from now on because of his warmness and kindness. Thank you Sal!! We'll be back soon!
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Kylie
Jun 4, 2024
Very highly recommended - A private tour where Sel quickly tuned in to our strong interest in history. He had an immense knowledge of ancient and modern history and politics. He was quickly able to anticipate our questions. We spent 5 hours with him and he paced the day, giving us time to wander and time with him to listen. We recommend him very highly. A lot of the subtleties of the evolution of the sites were only possible because of his fun and interesting commentary.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Adventurerkk
May 16, 2024
Great day in Istanbul with Selcuk! - Selcuk was a great guide to take us around Istanbul. We saw all the big sights with wonderful information on the history of them. He answered all our questions - not only about the historical sights but also questions we had about politics, religion, and life in the country and city. Highly recommend Sel as a guide!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Seattlejlb
May 10, 2024
Look no further Selcuk is who you need!! - Found Selcuk via a recommendation from a friend of a friend. Having never been to Istanbul, we (4 of us) wanted to make sure we had a guide to help us with tickets & lines as well as someone who knows the history and wow!, does he ever. Had Selcuk for two days. I had asked for 6 of the main tourist sites and he split them over the two days. Apart from the main sites, he took us to see where pottery was made, carpets being woven and the most amazing store in the spice market where we were able to sample some delicious nuts, teas and Tukish delight which is nothing like what I grew up eating, it was incredibly good!! He was on time, had perfect English, outstanding historical knowledge and a truly lovely man. How lucky we were to have been able to book Selcuk for our visit, I would highly, highly recommend.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
P3616uapeters
Apr 9, 2024
Great Guide in Istanbul - Selcuk was the perfect guide for exploring the old city of Istanbul. He was timely and clear about our meet up spot and took us to all of the famous spots in the Old city. He was very knowledgeable about the history and culture of Istanbul, Turkey, and the specific sites. I would recommend him for any tour around Istanbul.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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