Istanbul has a history of 2700 years. It was founded in the ancient Greek period and later became a Roman city. It first became the capital of the Byzantine Empire and later the Ottoman Empire. Istanbul’s history consists of many layers. In order to listen to the story of Istanbul, you can join private guided Istanbul tours with Serhat Engul.
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Private Guided Tours of Istanbul
Hello, I’m Serhat Engul, I have been a licensed tour guide in Istanbul for about 17 years. I do private guided tours of Istanbul that introduce Istanbul’s history, culture and cuisine.
In this article, I would like to introduce you to 5 types of private guided tours that you can join in Istanbul. The first two of them represent the same kind of tour as half and full day. In the third place, there is also a concept tour such as the Byzantine history tour. There are also places outside of Sultanahmet, which is known as the historical city of Istanbul.
Fener and Balat and Beyoglu walking tours, which you can see in the bottom lines, complement the classic Sultanahmet tours. In particular, the Fener Balat tour is an off the beaten track tour that focuses on the life of non-Muslims in the Ottoman period.
1. Half Day Istanbul Guided Tour
Half day Istanbul guided tour gives you a great insight about the Istanbul’s history, culture and hidden treasures. It’s easy to combine this tour with your 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 100 EURO (same price up to 4 people).
Please also note that your entrance fees are not included. Admission is free for licensed tour guides.
Private Half Day Istanbul Tour Includes:
- Hippodrome
- Blue Mosque
- Hagia Sophia Museum
- Basilica Cistern
- Spice Bazaar
2. Full Day Istanbul Guided Tour
Full day Istanbul guided tour is the bestselling and common tour. It is easy to see one attraction over another by walking and discover 2700 years old history of Istanbul. This tour covers Sultanahmet and its surroundings, described as “Istanbul Old City” in guidebooks.
Full day tour starts at 09:00 O’clock in the morning. Duration of the tour is 6 to 8 hours. The price of the tour is 150 EURO (same price up to 4 people).
Please also note that your entrance fees are not included. Admission is free for licensed tour guides.
Private Walking Tour of Sultanahmet Includes:
- Hagia Sophia
- Blue Mosque
- Topkapı Palace
- Hippodrome
- Basilica Cistern
- Grand Bazaar
3. Byzantine History Tour
Byzantine History Tour will give you the opportunity to see more of the wonderful city of Constantinople and marvel at the beautiful architecture that the Byzantines imbued the city with.
Byzantine history tour starts at 09:00 O’clock in the morning. Duration of the tour is 6-7 hours. The price of the tour is 150 EURO (same price up to 4 people).
Please also note that your entrance fees are not included. Admission is free for licensed tour guides.
Private Byzantine History Tour Includes:
- Hippodrome of Constantinople
- Hagia Sophia
- Basilica Cistern
- Great Palace Mosaics Museum
- Greek Orthodox Patriarchate
- Valens Aqueduct
- Chora Church
- Palace of the Porphyrogenitus (Tekfur Palace)
4. Fener and Balat Walking Tour
Fener and Balat walking tour is to enjoy history, architecture and food. Greek and Jewish communities of Istanbul lived in Fener and Balat during the Ottoman era.
Nowadays there are art galleries, antique shops, cafés and restaurants in the oldish streets of Fener-Balat. You would definitely enjoy the off the beaten path Istanbul while walking through these streets.
Fener and Balat tour starts at 10:00 O’clock in the morning. Duration of the tour is 4 hours. The price of the tour is 100 EURO (same price up to 4 people).
Fener and Balat walking tour includes many churches, mosques and synagogues. As synagogue visits in Istanbul require a lengthy bureaucratic process, I describe the synagogues on the list from outside. Fener Balat tour is one of the most productive tours for those who want to take photos in Istanbul.
5. Beyoglu Walking Tour
Beyoglu walking tour perfectly complements the historical experience you have in other tours. After seeing the early Ottoman structures in Sultanahmet 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 Ottoman built European-style palaces and structures from the 19th century. You can see the best examples of this period in Beyoglu.
Beyoglu as the name of a district includes places such as Taksim Square, Istiklal Street, Galata and Karakoy. A walking tour in this district will give you information about the last periods of the Ottoman Empire.
Beyoglu walking tour starts at 10:00 O’clock in the morning. Duration of the tour is 4 hours. The price of the tour is 100 EURO (same price up to 4 people).
About Serhat Engul
Serhat Engul is a local guide who was born and raised in Istanbul. He has been a licensed tour guide for 17 years. You may find some references about him on travel surveys, magazines and blogs.
Recommended on TripAdvisor
You can find reviews about my private guided tour of Istanbul on TripAdvisor. Many guests who commented on my page wrote in detail about their tour experience with me.
You may check my TripAdvisor reviews from here
The Culture Trip
You may browse my articles on TheCultureTrip.com
GoBackpacking.com
The 8 Most Instagrammable Places in Istanbul
Dave’s Travel Corner
Istanbul’s Secret Gems on Dave’s Travel Corner
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Istanbul Guided Tours by Serhat Engul
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.