Hello, I’m Serhat Engul, a private tour guide in Istanbul with over 20 years of experience. Over the years, I’ve guided thousands of travelers through Istanbul’s Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman heritage. My mission is to help visitors go beyond the tourist traps and discover the city’s hidden gems with engaging historical narratives and local insights.
My tours have been featured in international travel publications such as Rick Steves’ Turkey Forum and Culture Trip, and I have received 60+ verified reviews on TripAdvisor. This recognition reflects my dedication to offering authentic experiences and up-to-date historical knowledge.
Private Guided Tours in Istanbul
I offer a variety of private guided walking tours in Istanbul, each designed to highlight a different part of the city’s unique history and culture. Below you can find the details of the five main tours:
1. Sultanahmet (Old City) Walking Tour
This tour covers the iconic landmarks of Istanbul’s historic peninsula, including the Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Hippodrome, and Basilica Cistern. These monuments tell the story of how Istanbul evolved from the Roman and Byzantine empires to the Ottoman era.
Because I visit these museums frequently, I keep my articles about them up-to-date. You can also check the detailed posts in the Museum category for the latest entrance fees, opening hours, and skip-the-line ticket options.
2. Fener and Balat Walking Tour
Fener and Balat are among the most colorful and historically rich neighborhoods in Istanbul. Once home to Greek Orthodox and Jewish communities, these districts are full of churches, synagogues, and Ottoman-era wooden houses.
This is the most off-the-beaten-path tour I offer and is perfect for those who want to experience authentic local life away from the busy tourist areas.
To learn more about the Fener and Balat trip, which has been the fastest-rising trend in Istanbul in recent years, you can take a look at the Fener Balat walking tour article.
3. Beyoglu Walking Tour
Beyoglu reflects Istanbul’s late Ottoman modernization and European influence. The tour includes Galata, Karaköy, Istiklal Street, and Taksim Square. It’s a fascinating blend of 19th-century architecture, vibrant local life, and unique cafes and shops.
The Beyoglu tour is a great opportunity to go beyond the classic tourist experience, and you can review the details of this activity in the Beyoglu walking tour article.
4. Kadikoy (Asian Side) Walking Tour
Kadikoy offers an entirely different perspective of Istanbul. On this tour, we explore bustling markets, traditional pastry shops, and vibrant street food culture while enjoying the relaxed atmosphere of Istanbul’s Asian side.
Born and raised in Kadikoy, I take particular pleasure in introducing my hometown to my guests. You’ll undoubtedly feel like an Istanbulite familiar with the backstreets as you explore places like the Kadikoy Fish Market, Bahariye Street, and the Moda neighborhood.
5. Byzantine History Tour
If you are a history enthusiast, this thematic tour focuses solely on Byzantine Istanbul. We visit lesser-known sites such as the Great Palace Mosaic Museum, Palace of the Porphyrogenitus and the Chora Church, exploring the city’s fascinating 1,000-year Byzantine legacy.
A Byzantine history tour promises history buffs a mysterious journey through time. You can trace the history of a vanished civilization and learn a great deal about Istanbul’s medieval history. For details on this activity, please review the Byzantine history tour article.
The picture above was taken on the roof of a Byzantine palace (Palace of the Porphyrogenitus) during a Byzantine tour with my four history-enthusiast American guests. The photo, which I’ve turned into an illustration on ChatGPT, symbolizes a beautiful day filled with history for me.
Read reviews on TripAdvisor
My guests, who have been on a walking tour with me, wrote long reviews on my page on TripAdvisor. What I care about most during my tours is to make Istanbul’s exciting history come alive in the eyes of my customers. You can see from the comments how the stories and legends I have told inspire travelers.
Current Information About Istanbul Museums
In addition to guided tours, I frequently update detailed blog posts about Istanbul’s major museums, such as the Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, Basilica Cistern, Blue Mosque, and Dolmabahce Palace.
You can browse the Museum category, where main museums and mosques in Istanbul are introduced in detail, including current entrance fees, visiting information, and skip-the-line ticket recommendations.
Hire a Private Tour Guide in Istanbul
Istanbul is a city of layers, and exploring it with a private tour guide allows you to experience its rich history and vibrant culture in the most meaningful way.
If you would like to embark on one of these unique private tours, please feel free to contact me.
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