Private Guided Historical Tour in Istanbul: Customized Selection of City Highlights
4.9
59 Ratings
Fatih
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
  • Topkapi Palace - We visit the longest serving, historical and non-western style imperial palace of the Ottomans. The admission fee is approx. $28 (usd)
  • Hagia Sophia Mosque - We visit one o the oldest and the greatest houses o worship in the world; a church/mosque o the Romans and the Ottomans.
  • Blue Mosque - We visit the one of the most beautiful, 4 centuries old blue tiled Ottoman mosque.
  • Basilica Cistern - We visit the 6th century built spectacular water reservoir o the Romans. a real proof of the advanced Roman architecture. The admission fee is approx. $17 (usd)
  • 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.
  • Grand Bazaar - 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.
  • 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.
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
(59 Ratings)
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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.
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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.
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Seaside61273306745
Apr 3, 2024
Top guide - Best guide for a cultural visit to Istanbul, tickets were arranged through hell, we didn't have to queue anywhere, we went through everything smoothly. He also showed us around the grand bazaar for shopping at the better places, arranged a good hammam for us, nothing was too much to ask!
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Wahh2024
Mar 26, 2024
Fantastic guide to Istanbul - We had a family trip to Istanbul and Sel was our guide to the old city. He is knowledgeable and friendly, and told us many of the details about the historical sites. Sel also took us at our pace and it was a lovely tour. Highly recommended!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jane
Mar 6, 2024
No Better Way to Tour Istanbul - Sel was a fabulous tour guide. I felt as if we were seeing the sites with a history professor. We were able to appreciate the sites and their significance to Turkey's history and culture so much more than had we toured on our own. Sel was engaging and a pleasure to spend time with. We thoroughly enjoyed our conversations and his insights about many aspects of Turkish life. We hope to return to Turkey soon and will definitely contact Sel to be our guide again.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Sandrod2018
Nov 23, 2023
Istanbul - Fantastic tour of key sights in historic Istanbul, with excellent and in-depth historical overview. Extremely knowledgeable and very friendly and hospitable guide. Very warm introduction to Istanbul.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Traciw_13
Nov 20, 2023
Great tour and great Guide - Sal did a fantastic job bringing the history to life for our family. Our family ranged from 16 to 65 and he was able to keep everyone’s attention and take all of our needs into consideration.
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Janir355
Nov 16, 2023
Six stars for our guide! - A foreign country made so incredibly welcoming was at the hands of Selcuk! Knowledgeable, professional and personable, Selcuk made our time in Istanbul magic! If you book a private tour be sure to request him because he will show you the beauty of his beloved city as well as treating you like family! Five stars but should be 6!⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Passport513377
Oct 28, 2023
Excellent service - Our guide was Sema, she was very knowledgeable, very patient and took us to the best places. Her hospitality went beyond. her job and all her recommendations were excellent. Beyond the job she helped us with logistics as well. Anyone booking a tour with this company must insist on the company of Sema.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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June 2024
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