I highly recommend Locally Istanbul for anyone visiting Istanbul! Erk made planning my short trip seamless, tailoring the itinerary to my preferences and making sure every detail was taken care of. He was extremely responsive and patiently answered all my questions.
My guide, Ms. Ezgi, was fantastic—knowledgeable, engaging, and made the entire tour both enjoyable and stress-free. She shared fascinating historical insights about each location we visited, which truly enhanced the experience.
If you're planning a trip to Istanbul, booking a tour with Locally Istanbul is a must!
Thank you for a fantastic experience on our recent visit! Thank you Erk for working with me to customize our tour days in order to get the most out of our visit in our limited time. Guides Umit and Ezgi could not have been more accommodating, engaging or knowledgeable. Thanks to you we leave Istanbul with great memories and and wealth of new knowledge and I really appreciate this. I would highly recommend a tour with Locally Istanbul to any visitor!
One of the best tour guides we've had with Umit Aggul. Great stops, lots of information, beautiful stops, flexed to our interests, excellent follow-up, and suggestions of additional things to eat and experience on our additional days.
Our trip to Turkey with Erk and Locally Istanbul was simply phenomenal! From the moment we booked until the very last goodbye, they went above and beyond to make our experience truly unforgettable.
Each day was meticulously planned, yet still allowed for spontaneity and personalization, giving us both structure and freedom. Our guides were incredibly knowledgeable, not only about the iconic sites in Istanbul like Hagia Sophia, or Cappadocia’s fairy chimneys, but also about the rich history, culture, and hidden gems of Turkey. They shared fascinating stories, local legends, and personal insights that brought the country to life in a way that felt deeply meaningful.
Some of the highlights were our experiences in small, family-owned workshops in both Istanbul and Cappadocia that we never would have found on our own. We got hands-on with local artisans and learned about centuries-old traditions (silk rug making and pottery) in such an intimate setting. Locally Istanbul arranged everything flawlessly, and it was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Beyond the amazing sights, what really stood out was how much they genuinely cared about our experience. They accommodated every request, including last minute schedule changes based on our interests. Erk was very quick to respond with any questions, and made himself available to us throughout the duration of our trip.
If you’re considering a trip to Turkey and want a company that treats you like family, respects the local culture, and provides an outstanding, well-rounded experience, look no further than Locally Istanbul.
What an incredible experience! Umit and Erk went beyond being typical tour guides; they crafted a curated experience that made us feel like we were exploring Istanbul with close friends. From the moment we got in touch, they were responsive, friendly, and tailored the tour to our interests. We visited hidden gems and lesser-known spots that tourists rarely find, all while learning about Istanbul's rich culture and history in a relaxed and engaging way. Umit gave us insider tips and funny anecdotes that made the days unforgettable. It was indeed an authentic experience that we could not recommend more! I can't wait to come back and learn more.
We reached out to Erk and company at the strong recommendation of a trusted colleague from a tour she took years ago. As their first touch points, they asked what kind of tour we’d be interested in and sought to learn more about us, then offered a couple options with clear pricing structure. We arranged a tour and date for the two of us (American couple in our early 30s). Erk and his business partner Ümit were in frequent communication with us from the beginning and connected via WhatsApp the day before our tour. Ümit met us at our hotel exactly as promised and quickly established a rapport with us, setting our expectations on what to expect from him and the tour for the day. He eagerly entered into the role of ambassador for this beautiful crossroads of humanity, sharing details about everyday Istanbul life, Ottoman history, Islam, Turkish orthography and linguistics, food, and culture, as we walked through the neighborhoods of Pera/Beyoğlu. We stopped at mosques, coffee shops, baklava makers, the Grand Bazaar, the Spice Market, and more. Even more fascinating than the places we saw was the commentary and insight Ümit could provide for each and every thing we encountered. He had a way of putting us at our ease and engaging with others to facilitate our tour. We always felt safe and well taken care of. The entire process was seamless and Ümit ensured we knew our way home at the end. As the cherry on top, he shared a great deal of expertise for our coming days of self-guided touring, making sure we didn’t miss a couple off-the-beaten-path sights, and giving us permission to skip a couple overplayed destinations. Ümit and Erk, we can’t thank you enough for being such a formative part of our first experience in this beautiful city. We would recommend you to anyone and can’t wait to see you again when we return.
Thank you so much, it really means a lot to us that you had a memorable experience ❤️🍀
Ken Leebow2024.09.30
We had an excellent time. We got to experience the Turkish culture with two great lunches. The Bospherus boat ride was exceptional. I didn’t realize that it was just us on the excursion. That made it special since we weren’t packed in like sardines on the typical Bospherus cruise.
We learned much about the a Turkish history. Every place we visited was incredibly interesting…from the mosques to the palace and everything else.
Avrim “held our hands” so it was a no-brainer getting on the trams and into the attractions. I told her she will do great when she visits New York City.
I have to admit, we didn’t know much about Istanbul or the Ottoman Empire. Now, we are much more educated about both.
You have a fascinating city. We will encourage our friends to visit and recommend you when they come to Istanbul.
Thank you so much, it really means a lot to us that you had a memorable experience ❤️🍀
Wayne S2024.09.27
Verified
An insider's view of Istanbul
What a great way to get insight into this fabulous city. Our guide Dedem was fantastic, knowledgeable, flexible and full of options for less mainstream experiences that avoided the crowds and really showed the history and heart of the people. A packed morning that delivered above expectations.
Honestly the best gift you can give to yourself is a tour with Locally Istanbul especially as a first timer in the city. It was my dream to visit Istanbul and I had seen Locally Istanbul a few years back on Instagram, so I knew that when I visited the city I wanted to do it with them and let me tell you I made the best choice! From start to finish everything is super organised and smooth, the entire team is so nice and make you feel so comfortable! Prior to our trip I was communicating with Erk who tailored our itinerary to our likes and interests and was available for all of our questions and gave us super cool tips as we were also visiting Bodrum. We did 2 tours - The Bohemian Side which was our first day with Ümit who is so nice and knowledgeable and it was an amazing experience getting to know all the vibrant neighbourhoods and discovering the city through his eyes. Our second day was The Old City Tour with Ezgi who is so lovely and the way she describes honestly felt like she was telling us a fairytale transporting us back in time. Locally Istanbul is not your regular tour agency they go above and beyond and we felt like we made new friends at the end of our experience. I cannot recommend them enough and I would definitely book again new tours with them on future visits to Istanbul.
Thank you so much, it really means a lot to us that you had a memorable experience ❤️🍀
Okahu2024.08.15
Verified
Excellent local knowledge walking tour
Ümit was a fantastic guide. Passionate, informative, interesting and fun to explore Istanbul with. We roamed the bohemian neighbourhood and Asian side. Ümit went above and beyond even after our tour had finished he was still organising bookings for us and making wonderful suggestions to enjoy.
Outstanding tour
Umit ensured we had a wonderful experience in Instanbul. Fantastic personalised service and care taken to ensure we saw the best of the Asian side of Istanbul.
Highly recommended tour company for an in-depth and personal experience in Istanbul.
After reading positive online reviews from other cruise ship passengers who used Locally Istanbul, I reached out to co-founder Erk Erkaya to help us design 2 days of tours that would immerse us in the sights, sounds, architecture, culture and history of Istanbul. We arrived by cruise ship, so we only had time for two 6-hour tours, which is not much time to see everything that Istanbul has to offer. Erk was able to craft up tours which showed us the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Basilica Sistern and Spice Market as well as spending time walking through the streets stopping at a famous local baklava shop for a treat, listening to the call to prayer at a small historic mosque and eating a delicious lunch while wandering around in the vast Grand Bazaar. Our two guides were Erk's partner Ümit and Evrim, both of whom did a fantastic job giving us a feel for Turkish life and history. In addition to all that we saw, Ümit also gave us suggestions for a rooftop bar that had the most amazing 360 degree views of Istanbul as well as booking us reservations at a Turkish bath house that dates back to 1556. Instead of walking around as part of a 40 person group tour, the 4 of us got a very personalized and intimate experience from native Turkish guides who were passionate about their country and culture.
Personally tailored for our needs as a family of four - very responsive and our guide Umit went out of his way to help us navigate Istanbul even outside of the guided walk and wonderful private Bosphorus boat trip we did with him. Excellent service.
Street Food Tour of the Bohemian side was a hit with my teenage boys.
Personally tailored for our needs as a family of four - very responsive and our guide Umit went out of his way to help us navigate Istanbul even outside of the guided walk and wonderful private Bosphorus boat trip we did with him. Excellent service.
With Locally Istanbul you are in good hands to discover the city and other places too. Besides Istanbul, we also travelled to Cappadocia. In both places the guides were experts, knowledgeable, and fun people. Whether related to the arts and history in Istanbul or archeology and trekking in Cappadocia, these guys were experts. They knew what they were doing and saying. Days after the tours ended I could ask them for recommendations and they were very responsive. I recommend Locally Istanbul to anyone visiting Turkiye. I will definitely contact them for my next trip to Turkiye next year.
Our recent trip to Turkey was phenomenal. All of our guides were amazing and the planning they did was seamless!! We had Locally Istanbul plan our tours in Istanbul, Cappadocia and Bodrum and nothing was short of perfection. We can't wait to return and see our guides again. One of the best trips we have ever taken and we COULD NOT have done it without Locally Istanbul.
Istanbul and Cappadocia with experts that are fun too.
I travelled to Turkiye with my wife and thanks to Erk and his team it was an outstanding experience. In Istanbul, we did the Bohemian Side tour and then we did two day tours in Cappadocia. In both, the guides were very knowledgeable, fun, and trustworthy. In the Bohemian Side tour i saw places that I didn't know, despite having been in the city several times. Umit, the co-founder, taught us many facts of Turkiye's history, literature, and the arts while walking through cafes and bars. In Cappadocia, Yunus was an archeology expert and hiker, ideal combination to see the Open Air Museum and the many frescoes and relics that are in the hiking trails and underground cities. i recommend 00% Locally Istanbul to anyone travelling to Turkiye. You might find cheaper options but none that is better.
Memnun kaldık
Otel güzel havuzu temiz yemekler lezzetli ve çeşitli Güzel ustanın ellerine sağlık anismasyon ekibi çok enerjik aktiviteler eglenceliydi özellikle Hande hanıma cocugumuza ilgisinden ve guleryuzunden dolayı çok teşekkür ediyoruz . Aquapark çocuklar için çok keyifli biyerdi ayrıca hizmeti de cok iyiydi .
Had the most amazing day touring the Old City with Ezgi. Her knowledge & passion for all the sites we visited was outstanding. Thanks again for a brilliant day.
Fabulous way to explore Istanbul!
Our delightful tour guide (Fatma) helped us get under the skin of Istanbul with stories of history and of today. She is knowledgable, of course, but even more than that she made Istanbul feel personal. A living city with vibrant history. And she tailored information and destinations to our interests. Erk, who set everything up, is lovely to deal with, responsive, accommodating, and sets the bar for excellent tours!
Verified Company
