Istanbul city exploring from Cruise ship Galataport

Our trip to Istanbul was truly exceptional, and a huge part of that was thanks to our wonderful tour guides, Hakan and J. They were incredibly knowledgeable about the city’s history, culture, and hidden gems, making every day both fascinating and enjoyable. What really set them apart was their flexibility and willingness to adjust the itinerary based on our interests and needs. They made us feel like we were experiencing Istanbul in a personalized way rather than simply following a tour schedule. They also provided outstanding recommendations for restaurants, local sites to explore, and the best places to purchase spices and other authentic items. Their insider knowledge helped us discover experiences we would never have found on our own. Hakan and J. were professional, friendly, and genuinely committed to ensuring we had an unforgettable visit. We cannot recommend them highly enough and are grateful for the incredible memories they helped create in Istanbul.

Hakan was an amazing guide. The tour was with my wife and 10 year old daughter. He was perfect at striking a balance between entertaining our daughter and also giving my wife and I a ton of fascinating detail. His knowledge of Turkish history was second to none but he conveyed it in a very approachable way. He struck a perfect balance between top tourist sites and local favorites. He constantly asked about our personal preferences and pivoted on a dime to find the perfect option for us. He brought us to a local favorite for lunch that was delicious. Our 10 year old was licking the plate clean. When she became tired mid-afternoon he was ready and brought us on a Bosphorus cruise to relax and enjoy the scenery and still provide tons of interesting tidbits. And then he still got us back to the cruise port exactly when we asked. Hands down this was the best tour we’ve ever had.

Hakan was one of the best tour guides I have ever had. He is a true historian with an incredible depth of knowledge and was able to answer every question our group came up with. His passion for the subject matter made the tour both informative and engaging. The booking process through ToursByLocals was very easy, and the entire experience exceeded my expectations. I would highly recommend taking any tour hosted by Hakan. You won’t be disappointed!

Hakan was personable, extremely knowledgeable and humorous. He adapted the schedule to our wants and made for a wonderful day. I would use him again and would recommend him to my friends.

Four of us (two couples) spent an interesting 1-1/2 days seeing Istanbul with Hakan. We had a comfortable van and driver, and saw not only the important places like the Blue Mosque and the not-to-be missed Cistern, but took ferry rides across the Bosphorus to experience several Istanbul neighborhoods (including the ine where Hakan grew up). Hakan was informative, friendly, and didn't push beyond our limits. Highly recommended.

We absolutely loved Hakan. Not only was he very knowledgeable and charming, he noticed immediately that my husband had some mobility issues and adapted our schedule seamlessly. We felt we spent the day with an old friend. Thank you so much for our wonderful day in Istanbul.