Istanbul Food Tour: Authentic Turkish Culinary Exploration in Historic Old City

Embark on an authentic culinary journey through Istanbul’s historic Old City. Discover hidden Turkish delicacies, explore local markets, and immerse yourself in the rich history and culture of this vibrant city.

Duration: 2 days
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights

Private & Guided Istanbul Old City Tour - Highlights Of Istanbul

Blue Mosque - The tour starts at the Blue Mosque. The Blue Mosque is the second largest mosque in Istanbul, built during the Ottoman Period. It is known for its blue Iznik tiles and as the only Ottoman mosque with 6 minarets. (Please note due to the renovation work, the Blue Mosque…

What's Included
  • Entrance fees of Topkapi Palace and Basilica Cistern
  • Lunch
  • Breakfast
  • Public transportation
What's Not Included
  • Lunch during the old city tour.
  • Harem entrance at Topkapi Palace.
Additional Information

Embark on a journey back in time with the Istanbul old city tour, where you’ll explore the historical landmarks of Byzantine and Ottoman civilizations. Experience the authentic flavors of Istanbul with our food tour, diving into the local cuisine and trying delectable Turkish delights that might otherwise stay undiscovered. As you discover the local…

Cancellation Policy

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

Customer Ratings
5.0
(18 Ratings)
5 stars
4 stars
3 stars
2 stars
1 star
Vanessa
May 22, 2024
7- day trip to Istanbul and Cappadocia. - We had a wonderful experience working with Can from Private Istanbul Walking Tours during our seven day trip to Turkey, which included visits to Istanbul and Cappadocia. Can took care of everything for us, from arranging airport pick-ups and hotel bookings to organizing guided tours and dinner reservations. Everything went smoothly, and he was always available to answer our questions and accommodate any schedule changes. In Istanbul, we had the pleasure of being accompanied by the excellent tour guide, Furkan, who introduced us to the city’s culture, history and culinary delights. He was patient with our many questions and made the tours enjoyable. Furkan also assisted us with shopping at the Grand Bazaar for beautiful rugs and custom made jewelry. We stayed at The Bank Hotel in Istanbul which was lovely and conveniently located near the tram station, so we didn’t need a private vehicle. In Cappadocia, we stayed at the unique Millstone Cave Suites, which offered a wonderful view. Our guide in Cappadocia, Elif, was fantastic and had an in depth knowledge of the area’s attractions and local connections. Our trip to Turkey exceeded our expectations, and we had an amazing holiday.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Vacation42610339948
Feb 13, 2024
Stunning tours with Furkan - This was our first trip to Istanbul and my husband Oliver and I indulged in some exciting activities that we thoroughly enjoyed. We were highly recommended to hire Furkan as our tour guide, and he didn’t disappoint us. Furkan had planned an incredibly two day guided tour for us, which included visits to some several popular tourist attractions such as Basilica Cistern, Blue Mosque, The Grand Bazaar, Rustem Pasha Mosque, a baklava shop, a family run wine house, an authentic Turkish family style restaurant in the bazaar, and a kebab restaurant in Kadikoy. We finished the tour at a chocolate shop that served the best ice cream dessert. Furkan was an incredibly prepared tour guide, and his his attention to detail impressed me. He came equipped with hand sanitizer and napkins, and he gave us plenty of time to take Instagram-worthy pictures of the food and sites we visited. He made sure to inquire about our interests, preferences, and what we wanted to learn and taste, which he incorporated into the tour, giving it a personalized touch.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Pygmykingfisher
Nov 10, 2023
Incredible high-end bespoke guides - Derya was amazing. My husband and I were looking for a bespoke food, shopping and historical tour over two days--who wants to be stuffed for one day, when you can do it over two?! We went to so many niche eateries off the beaten path but that were genuine Turkish cuisine and so, so delicious (Pistachio coffee!). In addition, she took us to fantastic shopping places to meet our needs--high quality carpets, hand-made light fixtures, spices, foods and so much more. She also gave great recommendations and helped us with also exploring on our own. I cannot more highly recommend her small business!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
626umari
Aug 9, 2023
Can't be missed walking and food tour! - Truly amazing experience. Furkan was our guide. One can tell he been doing this a long time. He extremely knowledgeable about Istanbul and will taylor the tour for you.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Arlequin-nyc
Mar 8, 2023
An intricate city with an astounding guide - It took less than a minute to realize how brilliant Furkan was. He was extremely detail-oriented and had an exciting and knowledgeable answer to every question we asked him for two days. The most impressive was seeing the respect between him and everywhere he took us—a breath of fresh air to see such high-quality interaction and care between humans. My favorite thing, however, was how our walks were not with a stranger but with a close friend. Not rushed, not too slow, somehow everything revolved around my wifes' and my rhythm of absorbing all the layers and beauty of such a wonderful city with such a fantastic guide.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
837garrys
Jan 17, 2023
Once in a lifetime experience - After 12 days from Venice, Greek Islands, and Turkey with many guides, Furkan and Derya are certainly at the top of my list of private guides. I was able to communicate with Furkan ahead of our arrival as our cruise could not give a certain arrival time to disembark the ship and meet Furkan. Furkan was so very accommodating, as my wife had sprained her ankle several days before in Rhodes and we were not sure she would be able to do private walking food tour. Furkan assisted in every way from customizing the routes, using trams, ferries, and even one day with private bus. My wife loves to shop, Furkan showed us many local shops, stalls, bazaars, to by local goods. Furkan insisted and carried my backpack with all the purchases the entire day and back to the hotel. All the while making sure my wife was able to continue holding her arm over the cobblestone streets and walkways of Istanbul. Furkan and Derya were warm and friendly made us feel like old friends showing us their hometown of many favorite shops and eateries which would not have happened on our previous port stops. The places that Furkan took us were not all the typical tourist trap locations where the cruise ship excursion guides would take people to. They took us to some of shops and cafes that their family frequents. There were many long lines of tourists at the famous landmarks of Istanbul which I was not looking forward to but Furkan knew all the side doors, and had special passes which took us right in ahead of the crowds, I was very impressed. Ferkan and Derya asked what we wanted to do, see, eat, shop, etc and then customized our tour days accordingly. This was truly a visit that my wife and I will treasure for the rest of our lives. We are so thankful that we were able to meet Furkan and Derya to show us their magical, magnificent city of Istanbul. If you visit Istanbul, I highly recommend reaching out to my new dear friend Furkan about a private tour.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Rory
Dec 22, 2022
Could not have imagined a better tour! - Furkan, Had to take time to send Christmas greetings to you, and to thank you again for your great tour around  Istanbul! It was a highlight of our month abroad. You did an awesome job enlightening us on more history than we could have thought. Tasting all the delicious Turkish food was a highlight for sure! Appreciated your thoughtfulness regarding mobility challenges. Loved every minute of our time. You are an incredible guide and we were so very fortunate to land those two days with you. Lord-willing, we'll be coming back, and will certainly be in touch again. In the meantime, best of luck to you in the coming year and have a blessed Christmas season. Kind regards, Colleen & Rory Nichols
Review provided by Tripadvisor
144figene
Aug 9, 2022
Istanbul with love - The best tour guide exp. With two of the most professional, knowledgeable, and welcoming guides. Derya was our guide and from the moment we met she was an instant ray of sunshine. Our tour was catered to our needs & expectations. All our travel requirements were arranged by Furkan with absolute professionalism and the communication was exceptional. Do not wait, book this lady and you will be on the road to the best trip of istanbul. Good food, good company and the most important, memories you will cherish forever. Derya you made our trip one we will never forget. Istanbul would not been the same without you.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
117miriw
May 13, 2022
Highly recommend - We took a 3 days trip in Istanbul, food, shopping and more. We are a family of 5, 3 of them are teenagers. And I have only one thing to say- WOW!!! Furkan was the best ever! We got recommendations from friends, and we didn't know what to expect, and it turned out to be the best decision ever Furkan designed a 3 days tour especially for us, considering all the things we will enjoy, he was very attentive to our needs, He responded quickly, took care of everything, and always with a smile and courtesy. It is clear to us that every visit to Istanbul is only with Furkan! Highly recommended!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Sst2812hu
Sep 25, 2021
See Istanbul like you're being shown it by a family member! - Derya was our guide for both days of this 2-day tour. Day one was spent wandering through the Old City, Spice Market, and Bazaar just like the locals. We visited many different food vendors, stopping to sample their specialties, chat, and have a traditional glass of tea. The ferry-ride from the Asian to European sides provided panoramic views on a beautiful day. We finished the day happy, tired, and stuffed! Our second day was spent in the cultural and historic tour of Istanbul: The Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, and Suleman the Magnificent's Mosque tours. We also walked through the old city, saw the stadia and ancient ruins, and visited a couple nice local places for coffee and lunch. Again, it felt like we were amidst locals, and not just the tourist herd. Derya and her husband are superb guides, have great historical and geographic knowledge, and are warm, wonderful people. Finally, the best recommendation: We're planning to go back for more tours with them next year!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Select Date and Tickets
up to 15 guests
1 Adult
December 2024
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Today