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Private tour in Istanbul Semih K

Highlights of Istanbul Private Tour

4.9

(22) reviews

-
Hours icon 6 hours
Walking
Private tour for 1-10 people
Your party size

1

Tour date
View our cancellation policiesUpgrade for total flexibility with Last-Minute Cancellation
Book with a depositSecure your tour today and pay your balance later
-
Hours icon 6 hours
Walking
Private tour for 1-10 people
Your party size

1

View our cancellation policiesUpgrade for total flexibility with Last-Minute Cancellation
Book with a depositSecure your tour today and pay your balance later

Semih K.

4.9

Guide rating

82

Reviews

Tours delivered

8 hrs

Avg. response time

Hi, My name is Semih. I have been working as a tour guide with a great enthusiasm in Turkey since 2007. I am an active licensed professional tour guide in Turkey and willing to add personal touches to every single tour I conduct. It is always my pleasure to help travelers with their itineraries and provide them the most memorable vacation. It is also quite important to me that my guests return home with full of experiences to remember and come back!. I studied on english, archeology, mythology, religions, guidance, history, tourism marketing. . . etc at the Tourism Guidance Department of Suleyman Demirel Universiy. After I graduated from the university, I attended a language school in Malta for 6 months. It was a great experience and chance to practise the language which, I had been improving since primary school. When I came back to Turkey, I sat the English KPDS exam which is compulsory to pass to receive a guiding licence from the Ministry of Tourism. Moreover, I travelled 36 days around Turkey with archeologists and comprehensively learnt all the cities' history including with different traditions. Now, I am looking forward to welcoming my dear guests here in Istanbul, Turkey. I have the professional tour guide license since 2007 I don't drive,however I can arrange the transportation with a professional driver, when it is required.

Have a question or want to customize this tour? Message Semih K.

Overview of your Istanbul tour

Roman Hippodrome, which took a lot of effort and the formidable task to built an arena enormous in size for thousands who watched the chariot races, has less ruins left to see but definitely a lot to talk to bring it alive. Blue Mosque is truly an elegant building, in a way also competing Hagia Sophia while facing each other, reveals its beauty right after the first step in. Hagia Sophia once was the biggest church of Christendom is an active mosque, generously welcoming visitors today. It is a blessing building to our country, provided by history. Topkapı Palace is a huge museum, one can easily spend the whole day to digest the entire royal families' lifes. Walking through the rooms is quite like feeling the past in the present. Grand Bazaar is the biggest historical shopping mall, employs over 16 thousands and welcomes millions. You should definitely take the advise of your guide to choose the one out of nearly 4 thousands stores in it. Come and join me, let's explore this amazing city together!

Recent Reviews

Brenda B.United States
September 2025

We had the absolute pleasure of spending a full day in Istanbul with Semith as our guide, and it was truly unforgettable. He led us through some of the city’s most iconic sites—the Cistern, Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, and the Grand Bazaar—sharing fascinating history and insights along the way. He even helped us finish the day at the Spice Market, making sure my daughter’s spice list was completely checked off! Midday, he brought us to a wonderful local restaurant, where we enjoyed one of the best meals we had in all of Turkey. His deep knowledge, warm personality, and thoughtful planning made the day seamless and so enjoyable. Semith began the day as our guide, but by the end, we felt like we had made a friend

Karl W.
July 2025

Semih is a great tour guide. We had a wonderful day seeing all the sights around Sultanamet. He was well informed and was flexible with our wants and needs. He also stayed longer than he needed to just to show us around the neighborhood adjacent to Hagia Sofia. I recommend Semih as your tour guide.

Randy M.United States
June 2025

We had a wonderful introduction to Istanbul. Semih was very knowledgeable and helped us use the tram system to avoid extra walking and used his contacts to help us skip the ticket line at the Hagia Sofia. The two Mosques were amazing and afterword he took us to the most amazing Turkish restaurant. I would definitely use Semih the next time we come to Istanbul.

Trevor B.Australia
April 2025

Semih is one of the 3 best Tours By Locals guides we have engaged (out of 33 TbL tours we have taken worldwide). He was genuinely interested in tailoring a 2-day visit to Istanbul for us, taking into considerstion our pace, interests and traffic conditions at the time to see 6 significant sites. He was friendly thoughout, informative and polite.

James S.United States
September 2024

Semih was fantastic. We had a great tour with him and he showed us all the highlights we wanted to see. He was very infomative, knowlegeable and we enjoyed our tour with him immensely. He made Istanbul such a wonderful place!

Amanda W.United Kingdom
August 2024

Semih was a superb tour guide for our three days in Istanbul. Very knowledgeable and passionate about his country. He also took us to some fantastic restaurants that we never would have found.

Your Istanbul tour itinerary

Here is my suggested itinerary, efficiently based on the time and the distance between museums. We start the day with the Roman Hippodrome, built in the 4th century A. D. and walk to Blue Mosque. After seeing the 17th-century Mosque with its fabulous blue tiles, We can continue our day with Hagia Sophia. After lunch break, you enjoy your time at the imperial palace and finally the Grand Bazaar. 1- Hippodrome 2- Blue Mosque 3- Hagia Sophia 4- Topkapı Palace (closed on Tuesdays) 5- Grand Bazaar (Mentioned places are all within walking distance and not permitted to drive, therefore we can only use the vehicle to pick up and drop off, if booked).

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Tell your guide which places matter to you, skip what doesn't, and tailor the experience for your group's needs. Not finding what you want? Message your guide to build something unique.

Transport details
Type: Walking

Depends on the location of the hotel (meeting place) and the number of visitors, transportation will be suggested accordingly. We can efficiently use the public transport, such as tram, taxi or metro. Please do not hesitate to contact me for a custom tour if you wish to include transportation.

What's included
Private Guide
What's not included
Other: Personal expenses and ( per person admission fees approximately in USD) Hagia Sophia: 50 ,Topkapı Palace: 60 ,Blue Mosque: free ,Hippodrome: free ,Estimated lunch:30 USD
Public Transportation
Food Drinks Snacks
Tickets
Private Transportation
Private Transportation With Driver
Accommodation
Services
Classes Workshop
Equipment
Tastings
Meeting location

İstanbul, İstanbul, Türkiye

1-Airport 2-Cruise Terminal 3-Hotel 4- Location suggested By me Or, You can request a different meeting location (for example, your hotel) during the checkout process.

  • You can request a specific meeting location (for example, your hotel) during the checkout.
Other details
Tour categories
City Highlights
Food And Drink
Tour reference number
533471
Languages
English
Activity level
Moderate
Accessibility
Kid Friendly

Traveller reviews

4.9

FAQs

Who is this private tour in Istanbul best suited for?

This private tour in Istanbul is perfect for travellers who want to explore the city's rich history and vibrant culture with a knowledgeable local guide. It's suitable for families, including kids, as well as those who prefer a moderate level of activity. With Semih K., you'll gain deeper insights into the city's fascinating landmarks.

What should I bring or wear?

Can this private tour in Istanbul be customized to focus on what I want to see and skip places I've already visited?

How long is the tour, and can the start time or duration be adjusted?

Where does the tour start and end?

Is transportation included?

How much walking is involved, and is it suitable for kids, seniors, or travellers with mobility concerns?

What languages is this tour offered in?

What's included in this private tour, and what should I budget for separately?

Is this a private tour? What is the maximum group size and the starting price?

AI-generated. Please confirm details with your guide

-
Hours icon 6 hours
Walking
Private tour for 1-10 people
Your party size

1

Tour date
View our cancellation policiesUpgrade for total flexibility with Last-Minute Cancellation
Book with a depositSecure your tour today and pay your balance later
-
Hours icon 6 hours
Walking
Private tour for 1-10 people
Your party size

1

Tour date
View our cancellation policiesUpgrade for total flexibility with Last-Minute Cancellation
Book with a depositSecure your tour today and pay your balance later
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If your tour is valued over $200 USD and booked at least 45 days before the tour date, you can book with a 20% deposit!

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