Experience Istanbul like never before with a local guide! Uncover hidden gems like cozy cafes and panoramic hilltop vistas while deepening your knowledge of Turkish culture.
Explore famous landmarks like the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia on a full-day sightseeing tour through Istanbul with an experienced guide. This customizable Private Tour Guide In Istanbul is suitable for first-time travelers as well as cruise ship passengers.
History
An ancient city like Istanbul offers plenty to discover on a small-group tour that lets you avoid lines. Discover daily life through your guide's eyes as you visit sites like Grand Camlica Mosque, Beylerbeyi Palace, and Hippodrome Park - ideal experiences for first-time travelers or cruise ship passengers who don't have much time. With payment tailored according to individual interests or pick-up services provided directly at hotels or ports - explore the depths of history at your own pace with this enriching private tour experience today - visit their website now to book or find more details!
Experience Turkish culture up close on these small-group adventures that explore Istanbul from within. Gain an insider perspective of city living while exploring landmarks such as the world's biggest Byzantine church, largest Ottoman mosque, and other noteworthy locations.
Culture
Istanbul's past as the meeting place for cultures has resulted in an astoundingly vibrant present, as evident by its beautiful architectural landscape that features both neoclassical and Ottoman splendors side-by-side. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, it also plays host to bustling market, cafe, and restaurant life.
The best Istanbul culture tours provide travelers with an exclusive insider view into local life and traditions, meeting people from across Turkey. Additionally, these excursions act as an extra safety net to avoid scams or any unwelcome encounters; most Istanbullus welcome and enjoy meeting visitors; however there may also be individuals looking for ways to exploit their presence.
If you want to gain more insight into Turkish culture, try Withlocals' tour, which operates under the philosophy of "friends with benefits." They can customize an Best Private Tour Guide Istanbul specifically to your interests and will adjust its itinerary on the fly accordingly; plus you'll gain the benefit of meeting a local person and learning more from them about Istanbul!
Their pay-what-you-wish tours include an introductory walking tour that's ideal for first-time travelers and cruise ship passengers alike. You'll see iconic landmarks like Galata Tower and Ataturk Cultural Center along the way, while most streets here feature street art with hidden meaning that Withlocals local guides can help untangle.
Food
Begin a culinary tour and uncover the rich culinary history of Istanbul through its cuisine. Discover tasty treats like kokorec (lamb intestines), tantuni (julienned lamb or beef wrapped in a wrap), and gozleme, which is a large pancake filled with fillings that's cooked over an iron stove - these make one of the local tour guide istanbul for foodies who want to experience local flavors! This tour offers one of the best opportunities for foodies who wish to explore local flavors!
As part of your tour, you'll sample classic Turkish foods and visit artisan food shops located within the Grand Bazaar area. Indulge in traditional Turkish breads and desserts such as trileche - a Spanish-inspired milk sponge cake, as well as Kazandibi made with chicken breast pudding; try even meengic coffee made from roasted terebinth berries!
This half-day tour allows you to discover Istanbul's culinary scene while learning about its rich history. Your guide will lead you on an excursion to two of its world-famous food markets and some lesser-trodden streets featuring authentic Turkish dishes. Plus, there's Cicek Pasaji formerly known as Passage de la Europe plus one of Istanbul's oldest Turkish baths! For lunch you will enjoy mezes and grilled lamb in Beyoglu Old Town.
Scams
No matter where you travel, some locals may try to take advantage of tourists. One way to minimize potential problems in Istanbul is joining a tour with an established local guide, so that you can gain knowledge about cultural nuances important for understanding local life and how best to deal with possible encounters that could potentially cause difficulty.
"Let's Have a Drink" scams are one of the most prevalent fraud schemes targeting male travelers alone or in groups. They typically involve an attractive male who poses as your friend before inviting you to a bar or club for drinks - at which time an outrageous bill awaits and scammers immediately try to force their way in before forcing you out again by handing over money as part of an elaborate scheme.
Taxi driver scams are another popular ploy that happens frequently around the world, including Istanbul, where taxi drivers may overcharge and take long detours to overcharge customers. To protect yourself against this practice, it is wise to avoid taxis unless you know their driver and use only taxis that use meters for payment.
Restaurant scams can also be common in Istanbul; certain establishments will not give their menu out and instead lure customers in with low prices and delicious meals. If in doubt about any place, it is recommended that they offer menus written in English as an added measure.