Fully licensed · Owner-operated · Personally arranged

Private Istanbul Tours
& Custom-Made Turkey Travel

Your own licensed guide. Time for your interests.
From a private day in Istanbul to a longer journey through Turkey.

Private Istanbul Walking Tours is an owner-operated boutique travel company, co-owned by a woman and founded by two licensed professional guides. We arrange premium private tours in English, shaped around your interests, dates, and preferred pace.

Request a custom itinerary · Read guest reviews

Istanbul waterfront and historic skyline seen from the Bosphorus

Where would you like to begin?

Istanbul · Bestseller

2 Days - Private and Guided Istanbul Old City Walk and Food Tours

Old City landmarks on one day; food and markets across Europe and Asia on the other. Includes private English-speaking guiding, Hagia Sophia and Topkapi Palace admission, and the food tour's tastings, non-alcoholic drinks, and public transportation.

From USD 1,200 total for two

Hotels and airport transfers are additional.

View Istanbul Programs & Booking
Istanbul · Signature Tour

Private and Guided Istanbul Food Tour – Taste of Istanbul

Breakfast in Karakoy, coffee and baklava, then a ferry to Kadikoy for markets and local kitchens. Five to six hours with your own guide, food tastings, non-alcoholic drinks, and public transportation included.

Morning, evening, and dietary options are described on our food tours page.

View Private Food Tours & Booking
Beyond Istanbul · Private Turkey Journeys

Istanbul, Cappadocia
& further through Turkey

Hotels, domestic flights, private guides and transfers, and agreed experiences brought together in a custom-made itinerary. Begin with Istanbul and Cappadocia, or include Ephesus, Pamukkale, or Gallipoli.

Six-day journeys from USD 9,000 total for two

One double or twin room with breakfast. International flights excluded; final pricing depends on dates, availability, and arrangements.

View Turkey Journeys & Prices

Prefer a single sightseeing day? View our Old City, Two Continents, and neighborhood tours.

Derya, co-owner and licensed Istanbul guide, at a rug shop
Derya · Co-owner, licensed guide & shopping specialist

Shopping only by request

Private shopping assistance
& rug shopping in Istanbul

Handmade rugs and kilims, Iznik tiles, ceramics, jewelry, and textiles. Share what you would like to find, and we will arrange visits with time to compare and ask questions.

Our guiding fee is agreed with you. We receive no commissions or kickbacks from purchases, and there is no obligation to buy. Private transportation is an optional addition.

Beyond Istanbul

Hot air balloons over Cappadocia

Cappadocia

Cave hotels, private sightseeing, and balloon flights when conditions permit.

The ancient city of Ephesus

Ephesus

The ancient city and the House of the Virgin Mary.

Travertine terraces at Pamukkale

Pamukkale

White travertine terraces and ancient Hierapolis.

Memorial and cemetery at Gallipoli

Gallipoli

Battlefields, ANZAC history, and visits around your interests.

For a longer journey, we begin with the way you like to travel: your preferred hotels, the experiences that interest you, and where you would like more time. We then bring the arrangements together in a Turkey itinerary prepared personally for you.

More ways we can help

Layovers & Stopovers

Private touring around your Istanbul Airport flights, including Turkish Airlines connections. Independently arranged.

Transfers & Experiences

Airport transfers from USD 125 per vehicle, private Bosphorus yachts, hammam reservations, cooking classes, and ebru workshops.

Luxury Travel Advisors

Your local Turkey DMC for private client arrangements, from individual guided days to complete journeys.

A small local team,
personally involved

Furkan and Derya remain active as licensed guides, alongside our consistent team of guides, drivers, and operations colleagues. We support local businesses and make donations to TEMA as part of our commitment to sustainability in Turkey.

Your private tour starts
with a conversation

Send your dates, number of travelers, children's ages, and what you would enjoy. For a longer journey, include your preferred hotel style and approximate budget. Please mention dietary restrictions or mobility needs before booking so we can discuss suitable arrangements.

We welcome English-speaking travelers worldwide, particularly from the United States, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand, including expats in the UAE and Qatar .

Practical travel FAQs · info@privateistanbulwalkingtours.com