Guests' Feedback on Our Private Istanbul Tours!
Immerse yourself in the enchanting city of Istanbul with our private Istanbul tours! Our expert local guides will lead you through hidden gems and iconic landmarks in Istanbul, sharing fascinating stories and insights along the way. Hear firsthand accounts from our delighted guests who praise our unique and personalized adventures that cater to your interests. Whether you're curious about history, culture, or local cuisine, we tailor each Istanbul tour to create a memorable experience just for you. Contact us today to embark on an unforgettable journey through the vibrant heart of this magnificent city!
Wade C.
The best way to experience Istanbul!
I thoroughly enjoyed my Istanbul Food & Wine Tour with Furkan; it was such an amazing experience! He takes you to the best Turkish breakfasts located in some of the most scenic neighbourhoods in Istanbul, which are a feast for both the eyes and stomach! It is the perfect tour for the solo traveller as well, as Furkan is so genuine and welcoming that you feel like you’re travelling with a good friend right from the start. The wine tasting on the Asian side is a great experience as well, accompanied by copious amounts of various cheeses. I have a physical disability and am mobility impaired, and Furkan went above and beyond to accommodate me to ensure that I could enjoy the tour to the fullest. The first day was so enjoyable that I booked a second day with him to see more of Istanbul’s colourful neighbourhoods and cafes, and yet another fun day of great food, plenty of engaging and interesting conversations and a few laughs along the way. I also met Derya a couple of times, and she is lovely as well! It’s such a great way to experience the real Istanbul. Thank you, Furkan, for a wonderful two days. Without a doubt, you provide the best tours of Istanbul!
Alena C.
Lift the veil of real Istanbul - experience of a lifetime
My husband and I visited Istanbul for a week as a side trip tagged to my work conference.
We are both foodies and love learning about the culture of the countries we visit through food. We have heard great things and expectations were high. But oh my goodness - this tour and our guide, the lovely Derya has lifted the veil of real Istanbul during our walking tour with her. The food, the smalls the people, culture and traditions of this beautiful country were explained and experienced through Derya’s experience and knowledge. Every request was catered too and accomodate. Every question about history, food and tradition was answered by the very knowledgeable and lovely Derya. There is absolutely no way that we could have seen what we have seen tasted what we have tasted and experience what we have experienced without Derya by our side. I could not recommend this tour and Derya enough - if you want to experience real Istanbul I highly recommend this tour. We met a guide we said goodbye to a friend. This incredible experience won’t ever leave our memories!
Garry Sato.
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.
Cathy R.
A review can’t capture how wonderful our experience was – I feel like I should write a book instead!
My adult daughter and I met up in Istanbul together, for a mother/daughter trip and the first tour we did was a 6-hour walking food tour. Derya was our guide and we learned so much about the food, the different areas of Istanbul, and Turkey in general. And it was such fun! We booked one more day with the three of us, and then I booked two days alone with Derya, while my daughter did some solo exploring of areas Derya recommended to her. Derya provided just the right amount of information about the locale, food, mosques, and history to really give us a picture of Istanbul, past and present.
She tuned in quickly that I love architecture and we spent some quiet time in each mosque (we went to four), so I could just stare and soak it all in. For one lunch, I “ate like a local” with a dish of bean stew, rice, a dish similar to plain yogurt, and pickled veggies. That was one of my favorite meals and she sent me the recipe for the stew a couple of days after I landed back home.
I am an introvert, and I had some anxiety about this whole trip. I really didn’t know how it would be to partner, for days, with someone I had just met. But after just a couple of hours on the first day, Derya felt like family. It was such a lovely experience.
My husband and I are already puzzling out when we can go together to Istanbul – maybe for the Tulip Festival? – and hope to monopolize Derya’s time once again!
Margery S.
My husband and I recently embarked on an incredible food tour in Istanbul with Furkan, who guided us through both the European and Asian sides of the city. The day began with a delightful breakfast featuring traditional dishes that set the perfect tone for the culinary adventure ahead. We savored melt in your mouth baklava and rich pistachio and enjoyed refreshing ice cream that was both creamy and flavorful. As we explored the bustling streets, we indulged in stuffed mussels, perfectly seasoned and served warm, followed by mouthwatering kebabs that captured the essence of Turkish cuisine. The highlight of the tour was definitely the seasonal street food, showcasing local specialties that truly reflected the vibrant culture of Istanbul. Every bite offered a new story, making it a memorable journey for any food lover. This was undoubtedly the most amazing food tour we've ever experienced.
T.G
Look no further- Furkan is IT!
We had a one day private Istanbul walking tour with Furkan. What a GREAT experience. He met us promptly at our hotel. The tour included the major sites in the old town, the cisterns, some shopping in the bazar, a trip to some specially selected stores and an authentic lunch spot (yum). Furkan is very knowledgable and fun to talk to, and we appreciated the great insights into the history and culture of Istanbul. As an added bonus his wife (also a wonderful guide) joined us after lunch. Felt like we were sightseeing with good (and smart!) friends. A wonderful day, cannot recommend more.
Sandy M.
This food tour was so much fun (and delicious). Our guide, Furkan, was the best...knowledgeable, funny and kept the pace easy for our group of 10. We saw so much of the local neighborhoods (and sampled so many Turkish foods) that we would not have seen if not on this tour (with an added stop to sample raki(?)). This experience is well worth the time, whether visiting Istanbul for a day or several days. Furkan was conscious of the time we needed to be on board our cruise ship and had us at the port in plenty of time. This tour is not to be missed!!
Sachin P.
Furkan was amazing and always so nice and information. He planned the most amazing trip in our four days in Istanbul. He was with us the entire way showing us pearls and introducing us to some amazing cultural experiences that you would never get on your own. We did several tours with his company, and some of the highlights were the food tour and going to the different mosques
We went to Taxim Square as well as some of the neighborhoods on the Asia side. He is super educational, enthusiastic, and got along well with the whole family. I can’t say enough about how amazing our experience was because of him I would highly recommend his company anywhere in Turkey.
Kim H.
What an amazing way to see a new place! My husband and I were looking to see Istanbul for the first time with someone "in the know" and this experience with Derya was amazing! Having a guide that knows the area, speaks the language, and understands what we as visitors would be interested in makes the time more enjoyable and efficient. Knowing that your only at your destination for a few days, you should definitely cut out all the guess time and go with someone that knows how to get your there! We had an automatic friend with us on those first couple of days and she was delightful. I recommend this company highly if you want to really see Istanbul and all it has to offer.
Sadie R.
We arranged a food tour ahead of our arrival at the Istanbul cruise port, and it turned out to be a fantastic decision. Furkan met us at Galataport and guided us through an enriching five and a half hour experience, where he shared insights into Turkish cuisines, history and culture. This tour was undoubtedly the highlights of our two week Mediterranean journey. The warmth and friendliness of the Turkish people made us feel very safe and comfortable as we explored Istanbul. If you’re planning a visit to the city, I highly recommend taking a tour with Furkan to truly appreciate all that Istanbul has to offer.
Alexis B.
We had an awesome vacation, all thanks to the amazing planning by the Private Istanbul Walking Tours travel company. It was our first time using a travel agent, and it was great to have everything sorted out by Furkan, who knows the country so well. All the accommodations, drivers and tours were perfect and we didn't have to worry about anything. Our ten-day itinerary was just right for exploring Turkey and visiting Istanbul, Cappadocia, Ephesus and Bodrum. Each day was full of advanture, and we never got bored. Learning about Turkey's history was fascinating, the Istanbul food tour and Cappadocia hot air ballon tour were our highlights. The tours were informative without being overwhelming. We also had a blast in Bodrum, especially the day we spent on a boat. We highly recommend Furkan and his team.
Adnan I.
Furkan was an amazing guide. He was punctual and met us at the hotel. We started the day with lovely Turkish breakfast, followed by coffee and baklava. Then we took a relaxing ferry ride to the Asia side for lunch. We also visited local shops on the Asian side for local treat. Along the way, Furkan gave insights on the importance of the Turkish cuisine, and historic culture of the city. He was very knowledgeable and answered all of our questions patiently. Tour lasted 5 hours (perfect balance of walking and eating).
I would highly recommend this tour!
Wrenly D.
I typically don’t post reviews, but the Istanbul old city tour I took with Derya was amazing, and I want to share my experience with anyone visiting Istanbul. Derya was incredibly friendly from the moment she greeted me at the hotel. It felt like I was exploring Istanbul with a long time friend. She even went above and beyond, extending her time to help me shop for authentic handcrafted items in the bazaar. I wish I had more time to spend with her in Istanbul. I will definitely return to see more of this wonderful city.
Brianna R.
Hassle free personalized food tour in Istanbul.
I just had to share about our incredible time exploring Istanbul with Furkan. He was our third tour guide in Istanbul, and we really wished we had found him sooner. Unlike the other tour guides, Furkan never rushed us or took us to shops. From the moment he greeted us at our hotel to the end of the tour, we had a blast and tried so many delicious local dishes at hidden gems we wouldn’t have found on our own. My teenagers loved the fish sandwich and kebab restaurant, while I couldn’t get enough of the breakfast and Turkish coffee. Furkan knows all the best spots; everybody greets him with a big smile. Get ready for lots of walking, laughter, and eating. We were so full by the end that we didn’t even need dinner that night. It was the perfect way to wrap up our time in Istanbul. Furkan offers all kind of tours in Istanbul and Turkey, and next time we’ll definitely book all our tours with him.
Aubrey S.
Eat and learn at the same time.
I visited Istanbul multiple times for work, but it was my first time joining a guided food tour. I had heard great things about Furkan from my colleagues, so my expectations were high, and he exceeded them all. His knowledge, energy, and passion for food were incredible. It’s clear that he loves Istanbul and definitely knows his food. I highly recommend Private Istanbul Walking Tours, especially with our wonderful guide Furkan. One quick tip for travelers: be prepared for a good amount of walking, so wear comfortable shoes. Also, it’s better not to plan a big dinner as you’ll be eating a lot of food. Lastly, it can get hot in Istanbul in July and August.
Jan R.
Furkan was the perfect tour guide for us. He provided a lovely itinerary and all the right background information. He even picked spots for food that catered to our preferences. Because he knew all the right spots, we were able to get a broader sense of the city and our day gave us a better understanding of the place for the remainder of our trip. It was a wonderful experience — highly recommended! Istanbul is just a wonderful city and Furkan made it even better.
Amira A.
10 out of 10! This is the best touring company in Istanbul!
10 out of 10! Derya is exceptional. They know everything about the city, its history, and the best food. Derya worked at the Grand Bazaar for several years, so she knows the entire 4,000 shop complex inside and out! Our private tour of the Bosporous was beautifully guided and accompanied by chai, Turkish coffee and delicious baklava. My parents have been using Derya’s touring services for the past decade, but it was my husband’s and my first time to have the pleasure of working with her! Do not look any further if you want to truly discover the jewel that is Istanbul—Derya is ready to open its doors.
Leah C.
The most fun part of our trip.
We were so lucky to find Furkan on TripAdvisor. From the first email to the end of the tour, he was always helpful and polite. He showed us around Istanbul for two and a half days, taking us to all the must-see spots like Topkapi Palace, Basilica Cistern, Blue Mosque, and the Grand Bazaar. We even had the best food tasting tour ever. To cap it off, we ended our time with a Bosporus cruise on a private yacht, which was incredibly relaxing and peaceful. We’ve traveled a lot, but these were the best guided tours ever. Furkan knows Istanbul inside out and is an excellent storyteller, so we had a blast with him!
Carissa E.
Fabulous food tour for all ages.
We went on this awesome private and guided Istanbul food tour with Furkan as our guide. He met us at the Galataport cruise terminal and even dropped us off at our hotel after the tour. We got to keep our suitcases in the van during the tour, so we didn’t have to worry about checking out from the cruise. The tour lasted almost six hours and took us to both the European and Asian sides of Istanbul, with stops at hidden gem locations where we got to try so many delicious Turkish foods. The baklava and kebab were out of this world! Furkan was super cool, fun and really engaged with our group. He’s definitely the best tour guide we’ve ever had, and the service they provided was top notch.
Remi N.
Female-led history and shopping tours of Istanbul.
My buddies and I went to Istanbul with a group of 10 ladies before my cousin’s wedding. We got in touch with Furkan from Private Istanbul Walking Tours and asked for a female tour guide. Furkan arranged a three day trip for our group and assigned Derya as our guide. From the moment we met Derya until we said goodbye, she was warm, friendly, knowledgeable and most importantly, flexible with us. It felt like hanging out with an old friend while exploring Istanbul with her. We were so impressed that we’ve invited her to our wedding in Washington D.C. in October. We highly recommend booking your trip with Derya and her team - you won’t be disappointed.
Jennifer W.
Europe and Asia private food tour of Istanbul.
My friends and I had the most fantastic food tour in Istanbul with our excellent guide, Derya! She met us at our hotel, and we kicked things off with a fantastic breakfast at a local favorite pastry shop. The freshly baked borek,cheese, olives, menemen, and our group’s absolute favorite, honey, and clotted cream, were to die for! We even tried rice pudding cooked with chicken, which turned out to be delightful surprise. Throughout the day, we explored both Asia and Europe, making six delicious stops, all of which were excellent. The tour included plenty of walking, lovely ferry ride, and tons of laughter. It was the perfect way to enjoy our time in Istanbul. Thank you, Derya! You truly made our experience unforgettable!
Karol R.
Fantastic two days with Furkan.
We took an old city walking tour with Furkan. He met us in the lobby at 8:00 AM and led us on a very informative and enjoyable tour of Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace and the Grand Bazaar. He had booked the tickets in advance, allowing us to skip the long lines, and since we started early, we were able to beat the large crowds at the museums. Furkan was incredibly knowledgeable about his country and its history. His great sense of humor made the historical tour even more enjoyable. At the end of the tour, he also assisted us with our shopping in the bazaar, helping us negotiate and find authentic handcrafted rugs and tiles. He was so impressive that we ended up booking another tour with him for the following day to explore less-visited tourist sites and local food. Once again, we were not disappointed! The food tour was the highlight of our Istanbul trip. This was our first food tour, and from now on, we plan to book a food tour wherever we go. We loved it!
Discover what our guests have to say about their experiences with our private Istanbul tours, local guides, and Private Istanbul Walking Tours. For genuine reviews that showcase our commitment to quality, visit our pages on Tripadvisor, Google, and GetYourGuide. Your adventure in Istanbul awaits!If you're interested in discovering genuine reviews about our exceptional private Istanbul tours, knowledgeable local guides, and reliable travel agency, we invite you to explore our pages on Tripadvisor, Google, and GetYourGuide. Your unforgettable experience awaits!