This isn’t a scripted sightseeing tour. It’s a City Unscripted experience, shaped entirely around you. Explore Istanbul with a local host who tailors your day to reflect your curiosity, whether that means tracing Byzantine history in backstreets near the Grand Bazaar, sipping tea on a quiet terrace overlooking the Bosphorus, or weaving through colorful markets and lesser-known lanes. Every moment is designed to connect you with the city’s living culture.
Before the tour begins, you’ll complete a short online questionnaire so we can match you with the ideal local host and craft an itinerary filled with authentic encounters, spontaneous discoveries, and the layered stories that make Istanbul unforgettable.
This is a private walking tour. Your host will meet you at your chosen hotel, or you can select the central meeting point instead, which we recommend for the best overall experience. If your hotel isn’t listed, please choose the central landmark option. No private vehicle is included.
This is a private walking tour. Your host will meet you at your chosen hotel, or you can select the central meeting point instead, which we recommend for the best overall experience. If your hotel isn’t listed, please choose the central landmark option. No private vehicle is included.
See Istanbul through the eyes of someone who calls it home, uncovering ancient history, vibrant culture, and hidden charm with a passionate local host by your side. This isn’t just a tour. It’s a City Unscripted experience: real people, real connections, designed around you, full of authentic moments and unforgettable discoveries. Before your adventure begins, you’ll receive a short online questionnaire so we can craft an itinerary that reflects your interests, whether it’s sampling street-side pho, navigating narrow alleyways in the Old Quarter, or sipping egg coffee in a tucked-away café only locals know. Here are some highlights to spark your curiosity:
Admire the iconic Blue Mosque from the outside as your local host shares its historical and cultural significance. Then, explore nearby courtyards and surrounding streets steeped in Ottoman heritage.
Stroll through the palace’s peaceful gardens and take in the grandeur of its exterior. Your host will share stories from the Ottoman Empire’s final era and offer insights into nearby neighborhoods along the water.
Get lost in the colorful maze of one of the world’s oldest markets. Whether you’re browsing, buying, or simply soaking up the energy, your host will point out hidden corners and help you navigate like a local.
Pause at scenic spots overlooking the Bosphorus Strait. You may enjoy a mezze platter on a terrace, sip traditional Turkish tea, or simply take in the panoramic views that link two continents.
Explore the winding streets below Galata Tower, far from the usual crowds. Your host shares the stories that give this historic district its character, from merchant history to modern-day creative spaces.
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For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
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