Private English Tours · Istanbul

The Istanbul
most visitors
never find.

I'm Guide Taha, a born-and-raised Istanbulite with many years of guiding experience. No group buses, no script — just real stories, hidden corners, and the kind of day you'll talk about for years.

★★★★★
80+
Verified reviews
Many years guiding
Istanbul
Bosphorus Strait
Bazaar
Grand Bazaar
Food
Local Food
80+Verified TripAdvisor reviews
5.0★TripAdvisor rating
Years of experience
24hBooking confirmation
What I Offer

Private tours, crafted for you

Every tour adapts to your pace and curiosity. No rush, no crowds.

01
tour
🏛 Historic & Cultural
Empires & Minarets
From Byzantine basilica to Ottoman palace — 2,500 years of history told through the streets, tiles, and stories most tours skip entirely.
⏱ 5–6 hours 👥 Up to 8 people 📍 Sultanahmet
€75 / person
02
tour
🍽 Food & Gastronomy
A Taste of Istanbul
Balık ekmek by the Galata Bridge, börek from a 3rd-generation bakery, çay in a rooftop garden. Istanbul, through your tastebuds.
⏱ 4 hours 👥 Up to 6 people 📍 Eminönü → Karaköy
€65 / person
03
tour
🗝 Hidden Locals
Off the Beaten Path
Balat's painted houses, Karaköy's art galleries, and Cihangir's cat-filled courtyards. The Istanbul only locals know.
⏱ 4–5 hours 👥 Up to 8 people 📍 Balat → Beyoğlu
€60 / person
04
tour
⛵ Bosphorus Cruise
Two Continents by Boat
A private boat glides between Europe and Asia as I point out yalıs, fortresses, and share the Bosphorus's best-kept stories.
⏱ 3 hours 👥 Up to 10 people 📍 Eminönü Pier
€95 / person
05
vip tour
👑 Private VIP ✦ Exclusive
The Full Istanbul Experience
A fully tailored full-day journey — private transport, skip-the-line access, rooftop dinner, and places normally closed to visitors.
⏱ Full day 👥 1–4 people only 📍 Your hotel
€280 / group
Licensed Guide
Guide Taha with guests at Topkapi Palace
Many
Years
Guide Taha

Not a tour. A friendship.

I grew up in the backstreets of Fatih, and Istanbul is as much a part of me as my own heartbeat. For many years I've been sharing this city's stories — not the ones in guidebooks, but the ones whispered in tea houses and written on crumbling walls.

"Istanbul is not just a city. It's a conversation between civilisations. I want you to hear every word."

I hold a certified professional guide licence from the Turkish Ministry of Culture & Tourism. Every tour is private, small, and shaped entirely around you — your pace, your curiosity, your appetite.

🎓Ministry licensed guide
🌍Fluent English
🔑Local-only access
🐈Cat-approved routes
Book with Taha
Guest Stories

What travellers say

5.0
★★★★★
TripAdvisor · 80 reviews
★★★★★
TripAdvisor

"We had an amazing tour with Taha. His sense of humor is spot on, and the whole experience was fun from start to finish. We laughed a lot and learned even more. When it comes to history and mythology, Taha really knows his stuff."

N
Nico
February 2026 · TripAdvisor
★★★★★
TripAdvisor

"Taha is exceptional. Very knowledgeable and knows history through and through — not only local history but world history. I learned a lot on this private tour. He even knows local spots for shopping and the best vendors."

K
Kieran S.
January 2026 · TripAdvisor
★★★★★
TripAdvisor

"We visited Istanbul with a few friends and felt very lucky to meet Taha. He has incredible knowledge and is a very fun person. We visited the Hippodrome, Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia and the Basilica Cistern — about 5 hours of pure magic."

M
Mia H.
January 2026 · TripAdvisor
Get in Touch

Ready to explore Istanbul?

Send me a message and I'll get back to you within 24 hours with a personalised tour proposal. No group buses, no rush — just Istanbul, at your pace.

📱
WhatsApp & Phone
+90 543 150 74 98
💬
Languages
English · Türkçe
📍
Meeting Point
Wherever you're staying in Istanbul
Request a Tour
I'll reply within 24 hours with a personalised plan.