Istanbul is one of the most magnificent cities in the world. It’s full of fascinating history, vibrant mix of cultures and exquisite food variety, making it a must-have on anyone’s bucket list.
However, with so many attractions and exciting options for places to visit and things to do, it can get a bit overwhelming when planning your trip to Istanbul, Turkey.
This is why booking a tour with an experienced and knowledgeable guide is the best way to make the most of your time in Istanbul.
So let’s dive in and find the best private tours in Istanbul for you. I have also hand-picked the best private day trips from Istanbul if you’re looking to explore more of Turkey’s incredible sights!
9 Best Private Tours in Istanbul in 2024
1. Best of Istanbul – 1, 2 or 3-Day Private Guided Istanbul Tour
This private Istanbul walking tour is perfect for first time visitors looking to take in all that the city has to offer.
With a flexible daily itinerary tailored to your schedule as well as skip-the-line priority access to the must-visit sights in the city, this is the top pick for private tours in Istanbul that covers all the bucket list worthy places.
Your expert local guide will help you immerse yourself in the local culture while sharing the city’s rich history and secret gems with you.
Depending on your schedule and how much of the city you’d like to explore, you can choose between a 1,2 or 3-day itinerary for your exclusive private tour around Istanbul.
Details:
Private guide: Yes
Duration: 7 hours per day (approximately)
Hotel pick up: Available
Entrance fees: Not included
Lunch: Not included
Transportation between sites: Not included
2. Taste of Istanbul – Private and guided Istanbul food tour
One of the absolute best things to do in Istanbul is to try out the variety of delicious local foods. Hands down some of the best food we’ve had on our travels has been in Istanbul.
And what better way to sample all the local delicacies than with a private guided food tour around the city.
Your local guide will take you to all the best spots for food in Istanbul, including indulging in a traditional Turkish breakfast and coffee, tasting authentic dishes like tantuni and stuffed mussels, and best of all; all the Turkish traditional sweets you can imagine.
Best of all, this tour not only introduces you to local delicacies but also takes you around some of the historical parts of the city, giving you the opportunity to experience the local culture by visiting local markets and bazaars through the expert knowledge of your local guide.
The tour is fully customizable and can be tailored to your needs and tastes. So if you’re vegetarian or vegan, or have any other dietary requirements, don’t worry! There’s still plenty of delicious food options for you, just let your guide know in advance.
Details:
Duration: 6 hours (approximately)
Hotel pick up: Available
Food and drinks: Included
Transportation between sites: Not included
3. Private Luxury Yacht Cruise on Bosphorus
Ever dreamt of having your own luxury yacht? Well, this private luxury yacht cruise on the Bosphorus can make your dreams come true even if only for a day! It’s definitely one of the best private tours in Istanbul!
Make your Istanbul trip extra special with this exclusive experience suitable for couples, families or groups of friends, enjoying the beauty of Istanbul’s skyline in privacy and style.
Having your own yacht crew serving you fresh fruit, snacks and refreshments is sure to make you feel like a VIP.
You’ll also have the option to hear about Istanbul’s culture and history from your private guide, while cruising past some of the city’s highlights like the Dolmabahce Palace and the Ortakoy mosque.
For those Instagram-perfect photos, your guide will be more than happy to help you take some amazing pictures to add to your holiday memories.
A truly unique luxury experience that you and your loved ones will love!
Details:
Duration: 2 hours
Coffee and tea: Included
Snacks: Included
Bluetooth speakers: Available
Hotel pick up/drop off: Can be arranged
Alcoholic beverages: Can be purchased
4. Private Photoshoot in Istanbul’s Best Photo Spots
Apart from Istanbul’s rich history, the city is also famous for being one of the most picturesque places in the world!
If you’re looking to get those insta-worthy photos in some of the best photo spots in city, then this private photoshoot in Istanbul is an absolute must-do for you!
Your professional photographer will take you to Istanbul’s most iconic spots, as well as some hidden gems to capture some unique photos of you.
Recep, your photographer, is highly recommended as he makes all his guests feel super comfortable and gives them guidance on how to pose so you can have the most beautiful photos.
Best of all, Recep is not only pationate about capturing beautiful images. But also about Istanbul’s history and culture, and he happily shares his local knowledge with you about the sites you’ll be visiting.
This private photoshoot is a truly incredible and memorable experience and one of the best private tours in Istanbul, a must-do on your trip to Istanbul!
Details:
Duration: 2 hours
Transportation fees between locations: Included
Photos: You’ll receive 500 jpeg photos + 50 edited photos after the photoshoot
Languages: English, Russian, Turkish
5. Istanbul Private Layover Tour
If you’re having a long layover in Istanbul, what better way to spend it than to explore some of the countless beautiful sites the city has to offer?
This Istanbul Private Layover Tour includes a pick up and drop off from the airport in your private vehicle, making it a completely hassle-free experience for you.
Immerse yourself in the city’s centuries-old history while exploring some of the must-visit sites like the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace and the Grand Bazaar with a knowledgeable local guide.
The tour is fully customizable and suited to your flight schedule. So attractions may vary depending on your arrival time and how long you have until your next flight.
Nevertheless, this is the best way to spend your layover in Istanbul and get a glimpse of what the city has to offer!
Details:
Duration: 6-8 hours (approximately)
Airport pick up/drop off: Included
Airports included: Istanbul Airport (IST) and Istanbul Sabiha Airport (SAW)
Entry fees: Not included (only required for Topkapi Palace)
Languages: English, German, Spanish, Portuguese, French
If you’re landing at Istanbul airport (IST) and want to book a tour in Russian or other languages, you can also check out this tour here which offers a similar itinerary but only from one of Istanbul’s airports, the one with (IST) code.
6. Private Day Trip to Cappadocia from Istanbul
Cappadocia! There probably isn’t anyone that doesn’t have seeing the rock formations and whimsical hot air balloons on their bucket list.
If you have a few days in Istanbul and want to venture out and see the incredible Cappadocia, this private day trip from Istanbul to Cappadocia is the best way to do it.
After taking a domestic flight from Istanbul to Cappadocia, your private tour guide takes you around all the highlights of the region, sharing his expert knowledge and local insight.
From visiting the Goreme National Park, the rock-carved houses of Pigeon Valley, and Kaymakli Underground City, this express tour covers all the must-see attractions in Cappadocia.
The trip is all inclusive from start to finish. It includes your hotel pick up and drop off, domestic flights, lunch and private ground transportation to all the sights.
Details:
Duration: 16-18 hours
Roundtrip domestic flights: Included
Roundtrip airport transfers: Included
Entry fees: Included
Lunch: Included
Languages: English, Spanish
7. Private day trip from Istanbul to Ephesus
Ephesus is one of the most beautiful and well-preserved ancient cities in Turkey. It’s one of Turkey’s must visit sites, especially for history buffs and enthusiasts.
With this private day trip from Istanbul to Ephesus you’ll get to experience the top sights in Ephesus at your own pace, without being limited by a group itinerary.
The Temple of Artemis, Ephesus, St. Mary’s House and The Basicila of St. John are the highlights of the tour, and you get access to the knowledge and insight of your local guide sharing all the history and interesting information about the sights.
Details:
Duration: 14-15 hours
Roundtrip domestic flights: Included
Roundtrip airport transfers: Included
Entry fees: Included
Lunch: Included
Languages: English, Spanish
8. Private 4-Day Tour from Istanbul to Cappadocia, Ephesus and Pamukkale
The ultimate multi-day trip from Istanbul! If you’ve got some extra days in Istanbul and would like to see more of Turkey, this is the perfect tour for you.
Covering three of Turkey’s most popular attractions and must-see sights, this private multi-day tour to Ephesus, Cappadocia and Pamukkale is full of history and stunning sites.
The tour company takes all the preparation and planning in their hands, while leaving room for customisation and tailoring it to your preferences.
However, what’s best is that it removes the hassle of having to organise your transportation and day trips, by sorting everything on your behalf.
You get to experience Turkey’s most beautiful sites and given insider information by your knowledgeable local guide, making sure your trip is one to remember.
Definitely check this awesome private multi-day tour out if you’re looking to venture beyond Istanbul!
Details:
Duration: 16-18 hours
Roundtrip domestic flights: Included
Roundtrip airport transfers: Included
Entry fees: Included
Lunch: Included
Languages: English, Spanish
Is a private tour in Istanbul for you?
By booking one of the best private tours in Istanbul you not only get to explore the city with a knowledgeable local guide who can show you hidden gems most tourists miss. But it also gives you the flexibility to customize your itinerary to your interests and preferences.
It also means you don’t have to worry about not knowing the local language or being ripped off, as your guide will be able to bridge any gaps in communication with local vendors and help you get your best Istanbul souvenirs.
All tours have English speaking guides, and some even have other languages like Russian, Spanish, German etc. so it makes exploring Istanbul that much easier!
Where to stay in Istanbul
There’s so many hotels and hostels in Istanbul to fit any need and budget! To stay close to the majority of the historical sites, I’d recommend staying in the area of Sultanahmet.
My other favourite areas to stay in is the cluster of Taksim Square, Istiklal Street and Galata Tower. Here, you’re close to some of the best Turkish Breakfast restaurants in Istanbul as well as being a short distance away to all the historical sights of interest.
Read my other Istanbul blogs
I spent two months exploring Istanbul in search of the most beautiful places and experiences. These are some of my most popular guides about Istanbul that will be super helpful for planning your trip!
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