Istanbul Old City Private Tour With A Licensed Storyteller Guide

We chose to spend a day on a walking tour with Kadir. He taught us so much about the history of Istanbul and we saw some amazing places and ate delicious food. It's worth having a guide to explore here instead of going on your own. There are things you would miss and facts you won't learn about the places you're seeing without a guide. He was happy to answer questions and make suggestions for places even days after our tour was over. Kadir is a wonderful human being. Bonus, you will have a new friend in Istanbul after your tour!

We had a great experience with Kadir, he is very kind, patient and knows a lot about history, we fully recommend him! He is always looking the best way to give you a good experience.

Best guide award goes to Kadir! You weren’t just professional and knowledgeable—you were funny, thoughtful, and so clearly passionate about the history of Istanbul. Thanks to you, our visits to the Hagia Sophia Mosque, the Blue Mosque, and the Basilica Cistern were unforgettable. We loved your restaurant recommendation Galeyan such a perfect spot! The private van was spotless, and the driver was excellent. Although you call Turkey home, we truly believe you’re a citizen of the world!

I had the pleasure of exploring Istanbul with Kadir Genc, and it was truly an unforgettable experience 🌟. Kadir is not only a professional guide but also someone who deeply loves his city and its history. His impressive knowledge, engaging storytelling, and attention to detail made every moment of the tour special. He was attentive, kind, and fully involved, creating an atmosphere where I could both learn and enjoy the beauty of Istanbul. Thanks to him, I discovered the city’s highlights as well as its hidden gems. It was an outstanding tour, and I highly recommend Kadir to anyone who wants to experience Istanbul in the best possible way! ✨🇹🇷

Overall the tour well organized and really enjoyable thanks to the work of Kadir as tour guide. He made use of the short time available, brought up a good energy and made it easy to connect with the rest of the group.

We took the ferry (easy-stress free, time saving, inexpensive, with panoramic views) from Kadikoy to our destinations on the European side. Where... Kadir then took me to Basillica Cistern, there, you can literally hear the stones whispering from the historic underground andnext,Mimar Mehmet, Ağa Street, to shop for the finest Turkish Carpets. (purchased two artistic gems). Truly inspiring 🙌 Kadir Genç is well read, local expert, and the man you want to guide you thru vibrant, culturally rich, historic, Istanbul. Highly recommend 👌 👍 👏

Leading a group of eight Canadian ladies on a walking tour of Istanbul is no small feat, but Kadir handled everything with professionalism, patience, and warmth. His English was impeccable, which made communication seamless and allowed us to truly engage with the rich history and culture he shared. More importantly, he had an intuitive understanding of our group’s interests and adjusted the day’s plans to suit us perfectly. One of the highlights was a special detour to experience traditional Turkish coffee – not just tasting it, but learning how it’s made, which gave us a deeper appreciation of the culture behind it. He also went above and beyond by securing a reservation at a fabulous local restaurant that we would never have found on our own. The food was outstanding, hummus, tomatoes and pomegranate seeds...yes please. His knowledge of Istanbul’s history, architecture, and hidden gems kept us captivated, and his calm, friendly demeanor made us feel at ease. It’s rare to find someone who can balance professionalism with such a personal touch, and he did it effortlessly. This tour was without a doubt one of the best days of our entire trip. We’re so grateful for the care, insight, and thoughtful planning he provided. Highly recommended!

Kadir, was our tour guide in Istanbul. This was the first stop of a whirlwind tour of Europe and he was absolutely amazing. He set the bar so high that no other guide came close to delivering the service that Kadir provided to our group of 8 Canadian women. He was incredibly kind, very attentive, and made sure we had a wonderful experience during our visit. His English is near perfect and his knowledge of all things is incredible. He is a book lover and it is evident! He was always willing to accommodate our requests. To extend certain parts or shorten portions of the day that we were not really into. One person in our group wanted a Turkish coffee experience and he made it happen. Turkey was my favorite stop and I can't wait to return. When I do, I will be sure Kadir has 2 days free to tour us around.

Best guide in Istanbul! Knows so much a about history and will take you to those just local known places to give you a full experience as a tourist and as a local as well ❤️‍🩹

We had the pleasure of exploring with Kadir, and the experience was outstanding. His knowledge of history is truly impressive – not only does he share accurate and fascinating information, but he also connects it to the broader historical context, making each story vivid and memorable. Every place we visited came to life through his engaging storytelling, unique details, and interesting anecdotes you won’t find in books or online. Beyond his expertise, he was patient, dedicated, and always ready to answer our questions. His enthusiasm and passion for history are contagious, making the whole tour much more meaningful and enjoyable. Highly recommended for anyone who wants to not just see the sights, but truly understand the history and significance behind them.

Kadie, Our tour guide in Istanbul was absolutely excellent! He was incredibly kind, very attentive, and made sure we had a wonderful experience during our visit. His knowledge and warm personality made the tour truly memorable. We couldn’t have asked for a better guide!

I visited Istanbul Kadir was an amazing guide! The care and experience that he showed me was unforgettable. I feel like I have a new friend for life.

Thank u for the schedule and accompanying all of us had a nice trip in Istanbul, which made me want to visit here again, we have a nice trip and great time. Thanks!🥰

We had a layover in Istanbul and we couldn’t have a better guide to show us the old part of the city, the experience was unforgettable. Kadir’s deep knowledge of Türkiye’s history and its places is beyond the average one a tourist guide can have. He is a very cultivated person, proud of his country and his Ottoman ancestors. But he is not the boring guide; you will have the right information with a friendly smile and a level of English native people could envy. As a good Turkish, he is passionate and in his words, you can feel the love for his home city. His organization was flawless — everything ran smoothly, from transportation to timing. He was also attentive and responsive to the group’s needs, making sure everyone felt comfortable and engaged. Whether we were walking through the awe-inspiring Hagia Sophia, navigating the Topkapi palace, or enjoying local food in a hidden gem of a restaurant, his insights added a whole new level of depth to our visit. I can’t recommend him highly enough. If you’re planning a trip to Istanbul and want to truly connect with the city beyond just the surface, this is the guide to choose.

Kadir is a really friendly person and we had a great time with him. He provided us with plenty of knowledge and he made the tour really pleasant with his sense of humour!