Get a Glimpse of Life in Istanbul on These 5 Guided Tours

The Istanbul Highlights tour covers the city’s key sights as well as off-the-radar secret spots that will help first-time visitors understand what makes Istanbul tick, all in the company of an expert English-speaking guide. Explore the famous Grand Bazaar, and wander the backstreets of Sultanahmet. Next, check out the ancient Sahaflar Carsisi (book bazaar), followed by a visit to the lush gardens of the Süleymaniye Mosque. This four-hour child-friendly tour also includes tea at a traditional teahouse. Meet at the Pudding Shop Lale Restaurant in the heart of Sultanahmet for the start of the tour.

Turkish cuisine largely originated from the Ottoman Empire, mixing delicious flavours from the Balkans, Middle East, Eastern Europe and Central Asia. On the Home Cooking with a Local tour, you get to sample a home-cooked feast in a Turkish household, learning about another culture and experiencing the daily life of its residents, which would usually be difficult to do on a short visit. Try your hand at typical Turkish pursuits such as backgammon and waterpipe smoking, and take tea at a Turkish teahouse on this three-hour child-friendly (age six and older) tour. It’s an excellent opportunity to ask your hosts about everyday life in modern Turkey, with a bilingual guide at hand to translate and then take you through the streets of historical Sultanahmet. Meet at the Pudding Shop Lale Restaurant for the start of the tour.

Group tours can be frustrating when they don’t focus on your specific interests. Skip the queues and explore at your own pace with an experienced guide on this one, two or three-day private tour of Istanbul’s most stunning sights. Discover the Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Topkapı Palace and the Grand Bazaar on day one, while day two covers Taksim Square, the Spice Bazaar and a cruise on the Bosporus. If you’re only in Istanbul for a few days, this tour is the perfect way to immerse yourself quickly into a bustling world of markets, shops, restaurants, bars and people. You will be picked up from your Istanbul hotel for this tour.

Turkish coffee is known for its deliciously rich, thick, full-bodied character, and is a must-try on a visit to Istanbul. Learn the traditional way of brewing the coffee, using a sand stove and copper vessel, during a 30-minute workshop. Your expert guide will explain the history of Turkish coffee and take you to an authentic Istanbul coffee house to sample the flavour. This tour also includes a visit to a spice bazaar to see how the Ottomans stored coffee. You’ll also discover how to tell fortunes using coffee grounds and take home your own bean blend, cezve, and cup set. There is a pick-up service from hotels on the European side of Istanbul.

If you don’t know your meze from your raki, this tour will introduce you to a host of Turkish delights. Your personalized Istanbul food tour experience starts with a warm welcome from your guide, who will meet you at your hotel reception, holiday rental, or Istanbul Galataport cruise port at the time of your choosing. We will begin by walking or taking a tram to Karakoy, where you’ll savor a delicious Turkish breakfast. Indulge in the flavors of Turkish menemen, sucuklu omelet, kaymak, and honey – all carefully selected to give you an authentic taste of Turkish cuisine. After relishing a scrumptious breakfast, we will accompany you on a leisurely walk through the vibrant neighborhoods of Tophane and Karakoy. During this walk, you will get to know the rich Turkish coffee culture and savor its unique flavor. Additionally, you will get a chance to satisfy your sweet tooth with the freshest baklava, paired with a scoop of delicious Turkish ice cream. After tasting various delicacies, the tour will end at Kadikoy ferry station on the Asian side. From there, you can take a ferry back to the old and new city of Istanbul.