Choose a currency
Tour guide in Istanbul Hanifi Y.
Istanbul, Turkiye
English, Turkish, Arabic
Tours Delivered,
Since Apr 12, 2010
9.0
Hours, Avg. response time
I'm Hanifi Y., your private tour guide in Istanbul
Guide #392
Official Registration: Observer Travel (TURSAB-8036) Welcome to Turkey! I’m Hanifi, a licensed professional tour guide and entrepreneur with over two decades of experience guiding curious travelers through Turkey since 2005. To me, guiding is not just about showing places; it’s about bringing history, vibrant culture, and breathtaking architecture to life. As a student of Philosophy at Istanbul University, I don't just share dates and names—I love exploring the "why" behind Turkey’s rich heritage, connecting the dots between Eastern and Western thought. Whether you want a deep historical dive or a relaxed cultural journey, I craft custom-made, seamless itineraries tailored perfectly to your pace and interests. Let's discover the captivating spirit of Turkey together! 📜 Legal Note & Quality Assurance In accordance with Turkish tourism regulations, all my tours are officially operated and guaranteed through our registered A-Class Tourism & Travel Agency, Observer Travel (TURSAB-8036). This ensuring your journey is fully insured, completely legal, and maintained at the highest professional standards. 🎓 Qualifications & Achievements Licensed Professional Guide & Driver (Ministry of Culture and Tourism) Bachelor’s Degree in Tourism Administration – Karaelmas University Degree in Management – Anadolu University Philosophy Degree (Candidate) – Istanbul University Entrepreneurship Award Winner – TÜSİAD (Turkish Industrialists' and Businessmen's Association)
Delivers tours starting at
Istanbul
Tours by Hanifi Y.
Customize your tour
Contact your local guide to know more!!
Traveller reviews for this guide
320 reviews
- Patricia D.June 2026
Hanifi met us at the port and showed us around key sites in Istanbul. His skip-the-lines tickets and queuing were great, and really made the most of our time in the city. We enjoyed our lunch stops on both days, and his recommendation to skip the Spice Bazaar but go to a local spice shop was good. The van was a bit cramped with 7 of us, but his driver was...
Replied from Hanifi Y.
Hello Patricia, It was pleasure being with you. Best wishes from istanbul. Hanifi
- James D.May 2026
We had a wonderful 2 day tour with Hanifi. He was pleasant, knowledgeable, and knew how to avoid most of the crowd backlogs that inevitably occur in busy city like Istanbul. It helps having a separate drive and guide as parking would have been impossible. As arranged, he procured most of our admission tickets in advance so we lost no time with the ticket lines. His...
Replied from Hanifi Y.
Hello James, All of you were very nice people. I am very happy that you liked the tour. Thank you for your lovely comments. Best wishes Hanifi
- Matt C.May 2026
Hanifi was excellent! From the transportation to the information about everything we saw, Hanifi made it all very easy and entertaining. He was open to making changes to the tour tempo in order to accommodate our needs and was able to direct us to the best shopping in the Grand Bazaar. Thank you for a great tour Hanifi!
Replied from Hanifi Y.
Hello Matt, Thank you for your lovely comment. I am wishing you and your wife SU the best. You are always welcome. Hanifi
- Kenneth T.May 2026
This would have been a 5-star review, had TOURS BY LOCALS not contacted me just 3 DAYS before our arrival in Istanbul saying "this guide is no longer able to deliver your tour". (This had een booked months in advance & I had corresponded - once - with our tour guide!) We happened to be in the bush on safari in Kenya when I received this notice. Saying I was "upset"...