Hello, my name is Serhat Engul. I have been working as a private tour guide in Istanbul since 2004. I organize private walking tours in Istanbul focusing on Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman history. In this article, you can find information about my private guided tours in Istanbul.
As a tour guide, I founded Istanbul Clues to provide detailed answers to my guests’ questions. There are 200 articles about Istanbul on the travel blog you are visiting right now. In case of need, you can find reliable insider tips about hotels, food, transportation and activities in Istanbul on the site.
Table of Contents
Do I Need a Private Tour Guide in Istanbul?
It is debatable how convincing my answer to this question will be. If you wish, let me tell you about the history of the city and you decide whether it is really necessary to hire a private tour guide in Istanbul.
Istanbul was founded as an Ancient Greek city in the 7th century BC. Then it was conquered by the Romans. It was declared the co-capital of the Roman Empire during the reign of Constantine the Great.
After the partition of Rome, it became the capital of the Eastern Roman Empire, which we know as Byzantium in modern history. It remained the capital of Byzantine Empire for 1000 years under the name of Constantinople.
In the 15th century, the rising power of the period, the Ottoman Empire, captured Istanbul. The city had once again become the capital of a powerful empire. It remained the main port of the Eastern Mediterranean trade routes for centuries.
Istanbul’s history consists of many layers and it takes time to make sense of it. An experienced and knowledgeable tour guide who can convey this information to you in the shortest way can offer you a completely different vision.
In addition to visiting historical places in Istanbul and listening to their unique stories, it is also important to get to know the cosmopolitan food culture of the city. You can learn a lot about Istanbul’s history, culture and food in a short time on my private guided tours.
My Private Guided Tours in Istanbul 2023
There are some districts that must be visited to really get to know Istanbul. Among these, Sultanahmet, Fener & Balat, and finally Beyoglu districts stand out. In the lines below, you can find my private guided tours in Istanbul covering these districts.
In this article, you can find 5 tours about the history of Istanbul that complement each other. Although the first two tours are almost similar, one takes a half day and the other a full day. The main difference between the two is the Topkapi Palace visit. Since it takes more than 3 hours to visit the palace, the activity becomes a full day tour.
In third place is a Byzantine tour for those interested in Roman history in Istanbul. Since the Byzantine period lasted for 1000 years, there are many historical artifacts from this period in the city. This tour covers Constantinople between the 4th and 15th centuries.
In the fourth and fifth titles, there are walking tours covering Fener & Balat and Beyoglu districts for those who want to go out of the tourist route and do something different in Istanbul. Among them, the Fener Balat tour focuses on the life of non-Muslims in Ottoman Istanbul, and the Beyoglu tour focuses on the cosmopolitan Istanbul of the 19th century.
In my opinion, these are the places that should be visited with a private tour guide in Istanbul. However, in some custom tours, I add activities such as Bosphorus cruise, walking from Ortakoy to Bebek, and Kadikoy Fish Market.
1. Half Day Istanbul Old City Tour
Half Day Istanbul Old City Tour gives you a great insight about the Istanbul’s history, culture and hidden treasures. Since this tour takes half a day, it is not tiring and you can spend your afternoon with other activities.
Half day tour starts at 10:00 O’clock in the morning. Duration of the tour is 3 to 4 hours. The price of the tour is 200 USD (same price up to 4 people). Please also note that your entrance fees are not included. Admission is free for licensed tour guides.
This tour starts by meeting at Sultanahmet Tram Station. Afterwards, the Hippodrome, Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Basilica Cistern and Spice Bazaar are visited respectively. During the tour, you will get an idea about the Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman periods of Istanbul.
After visiting the historical monuments in Sultanahmet, we pass by Sirkeci and Eminonu, where the city’s best local restaurants and dessert shops are, and end the tour at Spice Bazaar. In this way, you can make your choice for a great lunch with the tips you receive during the tour.
The half-day old city tour is ideal for those who come to Istanbul for the first time. You can also read this article for more information about a half-day private guided tour in Istanbul.
2. Full Day Istanbul Old City Tour
Full Day Istanbul Old City Tour covers the most important tourist attractions in Sultanahmet, the heart of the Old City. This tour is a bit tiring as it takes 7-8 hours, but it is suitable for those who love history and walking.
Full day tour starts at 09:00 O’clock in the morning. Duration of the tour is 7 to 8 hours. The price of the tour is 300 USD (same price up to 4 people). Please also note that your entrance fees are not included. Admission is free for licensed tour guides.
The tour starts by meeting at Sultanahmet Tram Stop. After visiting the Hippodrome and the Blue Mosque, we go to Topkapi Palace. We take a lunch break at a traditional restaurant after the palace visit. In the late afternoon we will visit Hagia Sophia, Basilica Cistern and Spice Bazaar.
The half-day tour in the previous title also looks the same at first glance. However, Topkapi Palace makes the difference. Since Topkapi Palace is spread over a huge area, an average visit takes 3 hours. When the lunch break is also added to it, it becomes a full-day activity.
This tour is great for history buffs. It introduces you to the main structures of Istanbul in the Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman periods. So you learn the sophisticated history of the city. You can read this article for more information about the full-day private guided tour of Istanbul.
3. Byzantine History Tour
Byzantine History Tour helps you discover the Christian heritage in Istanbul. Istanbul was one of the leading centers of Christianity for a millennium. Today, it still carries the legacy of those days.
Constantine the Great was a Roman emperor who changed the course of history. He made Istanbul the co-capital of Rome under the name of Constantinople, and more importantly, he became the first Roman ruler to accept Christianity.
Constantinople was now the city where the emperors lived. For this reason, the authority of the eastern bishops sometimes overshadowed even the Pope. This power reached its peak during the reign of Emperor Justinian.
Today, there are city walls, churches, cisterns and palace ruins among Byzantine sites in Istanbul. The half-day Byzantine tour includes the Hippodrome, Hagia Sophia, Great Palace Mosaic Museum, Basilica Cistern and the Hagia Irene Museum.
Byzantine history tour starts by meeting in front of Sultanahmet Tram Station at 10:00 in the morning. Duration of the tour is 4 hours. The price of the tour is 200 USD (same price up to 4 people).
Normally there is also a full day version of this tour. That tour also includes Chora Church, Theodosian Walls, Palace of the Porphyrogenitus and Church of St George. However, as Chora Church (Kariye Mosque) is under restoration, I cannot do the full-day tour for now.
4. Fener and Balat Walking Tour
Fener and Balat walking tour is to enjoy history, architecture and food. These districts were the places where non-Muslims lived in Ottoman Istanbul. Fener was the Greek quarter and the Orthodox Patriarchate is still here. On the other hand, Balat was the Jewish quarter in the city.
Nowadays there are art galleries, antique shops, cafés and restaurants in the oldish streets of Fener and Balat. This walking tour is also the most productive activity for those who want to take pictures in Istanbul.
In Istanbul, you need a private tour guide most during the Fener Balat walk. Because the churches in these districts are normally closed to visitors. However, guides who know the area can call the attendants in advance and get permission to enter.
Fener Balat walking tour starts by meeting in front of Kadir Has University at 10:00 in the morning. Duration of the tour is 4 hours. The price of the tour is 200 USD (same price up to 4 people).
5. Beyoglu Walking Tour
Beyoglu walking tour perfectly complements the historical experience you have in other tours. After seeing the early Ottoman structures in Istanbul Old City, you will continue your historical journey in Beyoglu.
There are two periods in the history of the Ottoman Empire. The first is the Classical Period, when the empire was at its peak. You can see the traces of this period in and around Sultanahmet. Topkapi Palace and Blue Mosque reflect this period very well.
The Modern Period represents Westernization. The Ottomans started to build European-style palaces and structures from the 19th century. You can see the best examples of this period in Beyoglu.
The Beyoglu tour covers the relatively new places of the city such as Karakoy, Galata, Istiklal Street and Taksim Square. A walk in these districts will introduce you to the last century of the Ottoman Empire.
The Beyoglu walking tour starts at 10:00 in the morning by meeting in the courtyard of Kilic Ali Pasha Mosque next to the Tophane Tram Stop. Duration of the tour is 4 hours. The price of the tour is 200 USD (same price up to 4 people).
Serhat Engul on TripAdvisor
I signed up for TripAdvisor in 2015 as Private Tour Guide Serhat Engul. Since then, more than 50 guests have written detailed reviews about my private guided tours in Istanbul. Among the notes you can see references to each of the tours I’ve introduced in this article.
As someone who loves Istanbul, I passionately share what I know about the city with my guests. I am happy to see that I have managed to share this information with people through my tours and my blog.
Conclusion
You can read most of what a tour guide will tell you about Istanbul from books. After all, I learned most of what I know from history books. But how many books can you read before visiting Istanbul? Or how many times do you have to visit Istanbul to find out the tips a local tour guide knows about the city?
The private guided tours of Istanbul that I present on this page are designed to provide you with the most information in the shortest way. And this website will give you clues about the depth of my knowledge about Istanbul.
If you are coming to this city and really want to know the history and culture of Istanbul, you can book one of my private guided tours. In order to inquire about availability, please fill out the form on the contact page.
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Dear Serhat, we are fro Georgia, Tbilisi and planing open new package Tbilisi-Turin-Trier-Istanbul and in Istanbul we wanted for your help. By our proggram in Turckey ur travelers must seen Chora Church, Aya Sofia, Orthodox other places, also St.George church which located on one of the icelands of Turckey icelands named “Principle Icelands”. We will be appreciate if you help us in above cases.
Hello Levan, Thank you for reaching out, I will be replying your questions and requests through personal e-mail. All the best!
Dear Serhat
I write to you in regards to our visit to Istanbul couple of days back
I would like to thank you for a memorable tour of Istanbul. I am very glad to have engaged your services. You have extensive knowledge of Istanbul history which kept us engaged at all times. We had a fantastic time seeing the various historic places in the Old city.
Warm Regards
Dear Abhijit,
I am very happy to see your great review. It was a pleasure and honour for me to accompany you during your visit to Istanbul. Thank you for your kind words.
Warm regards,
Serhat Engul.
We are starting to plan our trip to turkey. I have saved your information for over a year and now ready to correspond.
We are a couple, aged 60 and 64. 1/2 and full day price for guided tour through you? Best time of year to come to avoid largest crowds or holidays.
Do you have connection in central turkey? We will stay i istanbul for 2 or 3 days then go to the north coast then central.
Dear Akua Lum-Reeser, It’s nice to hear from you. I remember your comment on my blog post related to Sultan Suleiman. Yes the half and full day tours are guided by me.
I think you may consider Winter to avoid the crowds. Because Istanbul’s high season starts at April and ends by the end of October. November might be also a good choice. December, January and February is really calm in Istanbul, if you don’t mind about the cold weather.
I am a tour guide based in Istanbul, but I have connections with other parts of Turkey through my collaboration with Turkland Travel Agency.
Hi – do you provide guided tours in Spanish or only in English? We are going to Turkey on 2022 but my husband does not speak English.
Dear Marjorie Alvarez, I only provide guidance in English. We have two options here: First, I will explain to you, and you can translate it to your husband. I’ve done several tours this way. Or I can recommend a friend who can guide you in Spanish.
We had wonderful half day tour around Istanbul Old City. Serhat is really good guide. His knowledge is very impressive. It was a great pleasure to spend time with Serhat.
Hi Malgorzata, I am very happy to see your review here. It was nice meeting you and your family. It was also a pleasure to guide people who love history like you. Best regards, Serhat Engul.
I’m interested in the history of Constantine and his mother Helena, and in Justinian and especially Theodora. NOT interested in seeing blue mosque or Hagia Sophia. can we do a half-day tour with that focus in mind?
Dear Kenneth Atchity, yes this type of tour can be done. However, I must state that although I have extensive knowledge of Emperor Constantine’s life, my knowledge of his mother Helena is limited.
I can tell you the stories of Emperors Justinian and Theodora. Although, the story about them may be incomplete without seeing Hagia Sophia. Because it was their greatest work in their lifetime.
Since your tour will be one that focuses on history and narrative rather than sightseeing, the program should be determined accordingly. Maybe it would be beneficial in this sense to visit quieter places instead of a crowded place like Hagia Sophia.
A half-day tour that includes the Hippodrome, the Great Palace Mosaics Museum, Church of Sains Sergius and Bacchus (Little Hagia Sophia) and Hagia Irene Church may allow me to tell you the life stories of the emperors Constantine and Justinian.
Hello,
I love how you have provided information about Istanbul. I would like to request a half day tour of old Istanbul.
I am arriving in Istanbul on the evening of 16th May 2022. Kindly get in touch via email.
Hi Salmaan, thanks for your feedback about the site. Your e-mail address is registered in the system, I will contact you shortly.
Is the Chora Church and Museum still closed? I am having trouble finding current information. My husband and I are visiting in October and are interested in a tour that would include the Chora church/museum.
Hello Erna, first of all, it should be noted that while Chora was a church during the Byzantine period, it served as a mosque during the Ottoman period and as a museum during the republican period.
However, with a decision taken in 2020, the Kariye Museum was turned into a mosque again with the name “Kariye Mosque”. However, I think that both using it as a mosque and protecting the mosaics is a very difficult problem to solve.
Kariye Mosque is currently closed as this problem has not been resolved yet. A similar problem exists in the mosaics in the second floor gallery of Hagia Sophia. For this reason, the second floor of Hagia Sophia is also closed.
Since Fethiye Museum, a third place where you can see Byzantine mosaics, is currently under restoration, it is not possible to see examples of Byzantine mosaic art in Istanbul these days. I am sure these issues will be resolved in time.
Serhat was fully booked for the days we planned to tour Istanbul so, he quickly replied with all the information we needed to plan our visit. Someone this responsive and helpful, even when he will not receive payment, is very rare. I completely, without reservation, recommend his services.
Dear Bill, thank you for your nice comment. I am glad that the information I gave contributed to your trip. Thanks again for all your kind words.
Hi Serhat, thanks for setting up this blog which is super super helpful to my upcoming travel to Istanbul! I would very much like to sign up for your tour but my parents only speak Chinese – could you kindly by any chance recommend a Chinese-speaking guide to me?
Hi Christine, many thanks for your feedback on the site. There is only one Chinese guide I know in Istanbul. She is a colleague named Sultan. Frankly, I don’t know her very well, but she seems like someone who does her job well. If you wish, you can reach the Instagram address here.
Thank you Serhat for the reference!
You are welcome!
Hi Serhat, I only lately started following you. I will be traveling to Istanbul late September till October.
I am joining a MSC cruise and after that I will be going on a bus tour for 11 days. I will have some time available on the 26th September before I leave on the cruise and again on the 7th October before my bus tour. After the bus tour I will have the 19th and 20th October free.
I would love to visit the following areas: Besiktas, Cihangir, Fener, Balat and Beyoglu.
On the 26th September I will be in the Karakoy/Galataport areas. The other days I will be close to the Spice Bazaar.
What would you recommend for me to be able to visit all these places?
Thank you so much
Maria van Heerden
South Africa
Hi Maria, if I were you, I would first look at the Istanbul Tourist Map and find out where these districts are.
Afterwards, I would read Fener and Balat, then Beyoglu and Besiktas articles respectively and make a travel plan for myself.
Most of the questions asked are already in the blog posts. This specific post is about my private guided tours.
Good evening, Mr. Serhat. We want to thank you for the excellent tour you gave us last week on our first time to Istanbul. We learned a lot, we saw a lot, and amazingly (somehow) our 3 young children (aged 12, 7, and 7) also stayed engaged and well behaved, despite considerable walking and even a little bit of light rain. This is a very good skill you have!
We were a little nervous about signing up the children to a 3-4 hour tour, but we tried it anyway and we were very pleased that the whole thing proceeded smoothly from one site to the next. The kids loved the Basilica Cistern in particular. In addition, you suggested a nice affordable family restaurant for us at the end as well as great merchants to see within the Spice Market. Keep up the good work!
Dear Mr. Mario, thank you so much for taking the time to share your impressions of my tours.
I am sure this comment will be a reference for families who want to join my guided tours in Istanbul with their children.
Thank you very much again for your kind feedback. I wish you and your family a great year!
Hello,
My husband and I are interested in a half day walking tour of the old city. We would like enough time to experience a Turkish bath in the afternoon.
We will be arriving at the port on July 10. Do you have availability on that date?
Dear Mary Jane Rants, thank you for reaching out. Unfortunately, I am not available that day. I have another tour booked for July 10th.