Istanbul Private Tour With Official Licensed Guide Fast Entry

Our time with Tanju was very enjoyable. His knowledge of the city and history is fantastic. We enjoyed several meals together and he explained about the different influences and spices. Our party consisted of 5 -- a mixture of older and younger. Tanju was able to connect with all of us and we all felt engaged.

Very informative, very willing to wait and help with any questions, very knowledgeable about the tours, would recommend anytime

We had a fantastic private tour of Istanbul with our guide, Tanju, and couldn’t recommend him highly enough. From the very beginning, it was clear how knowledgeable and passionate Tanju is about Istanbul and its incredible history. He didn’t simply take us from one famous sight to another — he genuinely cared about what he was showing us, bringing the history, culture and stories of the city to life in a really engaging and personal way. We toured on a very busy Sunday, and having Tanju’s fast-track access was absolutely invaluable. The queues at some of the major attractions were extremely long, so being able to avoid much of the waiting made a huge difference and allowed us to make far better use of our time. Another highlight was being taken to some wonderful local restaurants and historic Istanbul institutions that we would almost certainly never have discovered on our own. It gave us a much more authentic feel for the city and made the whole day feel very special rather than simply a standard sightseeing tour. Tanju was knowledgeable, thoughtful, enthusiastic and excellent company throughout. His experience and local knowledge added enormously to our visit. A huge thank you to Tanju for making our time in Istanbul so memorable. We thoroughly enjoyed the day and would have no hesitation in recommending him to anyone looking for an exceptional private guide in Istanbul.

Tour guide was very knowledgeable and passionate about Turkey's history. Made for a wonderful activity. He knew facts and managed to keep us all interested. Time flew by without realizing.

I spent one day in Istanbul with Tanju on a private tour and it was great. He shared “his Istanbul” with me, from Hagia Sophia and the mosques to local markets and the Taksim neighborhood, with small streets and authentic spots I would never have found on my own. He was friendly and flexible, and I really enjoyed our conversations and all the tour. I highly recommend him if you want to experience the city like a local.

Tanju is a very knowledgeable guide, who knows all the things we wanted to know about Istanbul, and did not even have to ask. The tour was informative to say the least, he kept us moving, adjusting out itinerary to suit the goal of seeing all the sights with no lines to wait in. Was so thankful for the short or no waiting part, there where lots of people since ourctourcwas on a Friday. We had a requested traditional Turkish breakfast, not prearranged, he just listened to us and off we went. Tanju kept us smiling, even treated us to a traditional Turkish coffee at a place few foreigners get to see, let alone be served in. Thank you for making my wife's birthday so special Tanju. Book this tour, enjoy an engaging tour guide, as you are escorted thru the magical Istanbul history of so long ago.

We spent an amazing day in Istanbul with Tanju seeing Hagia Sophia, Topaki Palace, Basilia Cistern and Grand Bazzar. Tanju was incredibly knowledgeable, warm, friendly and fun. He took us to an authentic and delicious lunch (our best meal in Istanbul) and introduced our kids to Turkish Ive Crram. We loved the whole day and highly recommend

Tanju was recommended by a friend and he did not disappoint. We only had two days in Istanbul but felt like we were able to fit everything worth seeing and doing into our short time. Tanju was great at giving us the history of the City but as important immersed us in the culture. We would hire him for a week if we could. Definitely will recommend him to anyone traveling to this beautiful city.

I was referred to Tanju from another friend who came here. I was a bit nervous because I didn’t know who to trust here. I contacted him and he made time in my schedule the next day. He took me around the city for hours, giving great details of its incredible history. His English is amazing, he was attentive and I felt very comfortable and safe. I would recommend him to any group!

I went on this tour with Tanju and he was super knowledgeable and friendly. He communicated well and helped us find the meeting spot. We just booked a Hagia Sophia tour and it was a little bit short so if I had to do it again I would have have Tanju tour us through the Blue Mosque as well. But overall a nice visit to Hagia Sophia.

We joined a private tour of Istanbul with our guide, Tanju, and it was an amazing experience. He is extremely knowledgeable, especially about Roman, Ottoman and modern Turkey history, and his storytelling made everything come alive. We entered the museums without waiting ticket line, which made the day even more enjoyable. This wasn’t just a regular tour — it was a mix of history, culture, gastronomy, and local flavors. Tanju is very polite, humble, and genuinely attentive. He took great care of us throughout the day. I would definitely recommend this experience to anyone visiting Istanbul

We had an amazing tour in Istanbul with Tanju! He showed us all the key sights with the perfect balance of history, culture, and fun stories. Every stop became even more interesting thanks to the way he explained the city’s past and connected it to what we were seeing. We also asked him many tricky questions, and he somehow had an answer for every single one of them! Truly impressive knowledge and a great sense of humor. If you want a guide who brings Istanbul to life and makes the whole experience unforgettable, Taju is the one. Highly recommended!

Tanju was excellent. Extremely knowledgeable. It’s a cliche, but he really did make Istanbul come alive. And his personality and friendship doubled the enjoyment of our trip. Get him if you possibly can.

Everything was delightful. This was my second time and they always take great care of me when I visit. Outstanding job!!

I highly recommend this tour! It’s very interesting. Plus, the guide, Tanju, is amazing because he gets us into many attractions and points of interest without having to wait in line. This makes the day much more dynamic, fun, and engaging. Tanju’s attitude is very friendly and warm, which makes us feel at home and eager to come back to Istanbul.

It was an amazing experience!! I would totally recommend it, the food, company and scenery was exquisite!! 10/10 would do it again!!

Whenever I travel, I always try to learn about a city through the eyes of a local guide. Finding the right one is often a matter of pure luck — but meeting Tanju in Istanbul felt like something more than luck. Though I’m not religious, I truly believe it was fate. Tanju is not just an outstanding guide — he’s a storyteller, a historian, and a beautiful soul who makes the city come alive. Whether you’re a curious first-timer or a seasoned scholar of Constantinople’s history, he’ll meet you at your level with passion, humour, and astonishing knowledge. Since our first private tour almost five years ago, Tanju has become much more than a guide — he’s become a dear friend and collaborator. Together we’ve even curated events for my clients, because his professionalism and creativity go far beyond traditional guiding. And I cherish this relationship. Tanju is the Genie of Istanbul — he doesn’t just go the extra mile, he’ll swim across the Bosporus for you! He will open the doors to hidden gems, secret courtyards, and unforgettable experiences that you’ll never find on your own. If you want to experience Istanbul in its full magic and depth, book with Tanju — but do it early! He’s the most sought-after guide in Istanbul and beyond for a reason.

Tanju was incredibly informative! We were able to cut the line and get into Hagia Sofia easily. The tour was dynamic! He described the history of the structure and the fascinating insights - encompassing Christian and Islamic history! He also was incredibly accommodating to my 12 year old brother - though I would not recommend this tour to smaller children as they will probably not find the same joy as adults do in the details. 10/10 would recommend his tour!

If you are visiting Turkey, do not miss the chance to tour with Tanju from Skip the Ticket Line! He is without a doubt the best tour operator in the country, incredibly friendly, professional, and full of knowledge about Istanbul’s rich history and hidden gems.

While planning our cruise to Greece and Turkey we were researching tour guides for our stop in Istanbul. We came across Tanju’s page on Instagram and were impressed with his credentials and testimonials. After reading all the reviews there and on TripAdvisor we reached out to him and were able to confirm a tour for the dates we were making a cruise stop in Istanbul. Tanju was prompt with responding to our messages, understanding our expectations and provided us with easy-to-follow specifics about meeting him upon arrival. All this let us feel very relaxed and confident that we would be in good hands. That was just the preview. From the minute he greeted us outside the cruise port with his beaming smile, sharp professional demeanor, using our names and welcoming us with all the warmth one could expect, we were double sure of the experience ahead. Tanju has an energy about him that is very personable and warm that helps form connections immediately. His extensive experience with American tourists and diplomats, ably supported by his eduction in the US make communicating with him very easy. And, he has a very good understanding of what we would likely enjoy the most. He used that knowledge to realign with us, now in person, to plan the rest of the day to our liking, priorities and constraints. He was quick to customize the plan, understand the pace at which we wanted to explore and led the way. Istanbul turned out to be our best stop through several ports in Greece and Turkey. It was because of the gracious and generous hospitality, the informative insights and interesting tours of sites, a delectable peek into the local cuisine and culture, shopping and hamam experience, and great conversations that were made possible by Tanju, an amazing tour guide. Our day-long interaction also forged a beautiful friendship with this warm, compassionate, knowledgeable and trustworthy human who is no longer only our tour-guide, but also a new friend we now have in Istanbul. I would highly recommend engaging him for whatever your tour needs are as his planning, flexibility and consideration will create the most wonderful experience for anyone seeking his services. Read on for specifics about what Tanju’s itinerary for us involved: We started with the key attractions - Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Basilica Cistern - Tanju got us through the VIP entrances where we could skip long lines and waits. He provided us with great insights and information about the history and significance of each in an easy to follow and interesting manner. In particular, his keen eye for photo ops was an added plus. At the Cistern we captured some of our favorite pictures. We then splurged in the world-famous Turkish coffee and tea with sweets in one of the legendary cafes outside the Blue Mosque. We entertained ourselves with Tanju teaching us greetings in Turkish language - Merhaba, “Teh-sheh-kull-erh Ed-erh-im” and Janam! Next, we wanted to stroll through the historic town and Tanju took us to the University campus while sharing great info about the secular and local culture of Istanbul. The next stop on our request was to experience the best local cuisine, especially kebabs. His pick of restaurant was par excellent and for the wine enthusiasts we are, he also introduced us to the best local wine. This is where we also learned about another of Tanju’s talents…one of our co-travelers was interested in coffee reading. We didn’t have to look any farther as expertise in reading coffee grounds is another of his skills. After this wonderful day touring the beautiful city and its rich heritage, as we were about to wrap up we asked Tanju about the Bosphorus sunset cruise. He connected us with the best yacht service for this experience which turned out to be another highlight of our stop in Istanbul. Before saying our goodbyes I asked Tanju about guidance on local shopping and hamams for the following day. He gave us some great pointers and then went above-and-beyond with what he did next. When we told him we would be interested in shopping the next morning, he made himself available to take us to a couple of the best stores that we would not have found on our own. We found the best stuff and shopped without feeling the usual tourist-pressure at such places. He also pointed us to the best, most exotic and oldest hamam to experience the other thing Turkey is known for.

My friend and I consider ourselves very lucky to have gotten Tanju as our guide. He was an outstanding guide: a consummate professional and an engaging storyteller. We benefited from his comprehensive knowledge and generosity in sharing tips (ex. for where to eat afterwards). I will be recommending him to any friends heading to Istanbul.

We highly recommend booking your private tour of Istanbul with Tanju. He was a very personable and considerate guide. He made our day in Istanbul an experience to remember. Right from booking the trip he was easy to communicate with, replied promptly and met us at our designated meeting spot on time. He had pre booked tickets where possible and had all the local knowledge to skip the queues. Tanju’s training and depth of knowledge of Art history and architecture was evident during our visit to the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia and the Cistern, which had been on our bucket list. Absolutely worth every cent having a personalised tour. Thank you Tanju for making it a memorable day!

We highly recommend booking your private tour of Istanbul with Tanju. He was a very personable and considerate guide. He made our day in Istanbul an experience to remember. Right from booking the trip he was easy to communicate with, replied promptly and met us at our designated meeting spot on time. He had pre booked tickets where possible and had all the local knowledge to skip the queues. Tanju’s training and extensive of knowledge of Art history and architecture was evident during our visit to the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia and the Cistern, which had been on our bucket list. In addition he took us to a beautiful tea house for Turkish tea to try some yummy baklava and a walk through the spice market. Absolutely worth every cent having a personalised tour. Thank you Tanju for making it a memorable day!

My husband and I had an absolutely spectacular trip to Istanbul hitting all of the sites as well as some local mosques and restaurants. Enjoyed the Bizarre, the Blue Mosque, the Aya Sofiya, the Basilica Cistern, and the spice market. Tanju was a gracious and educated host who spoke perfect English. We did this one day tour before a 12 day cruise and it is still the most memorable part of our trip.

Let me start of by saying Tanju is a GODSEND. Not only did he make this the most beautiful memory making trip for my family and I, but he helped us in a crisis. I am a type one diabetic, and had unexpectedly run out of my medication. Panicked and not knowing where to look or how expensive it would be, Tanju didn’t think twice and reached out to a friend who worked at a clinic. Within a couple minutes, he got me the medication I needed. Tanju is the sweetest most amazing person and 10/10 on his knowledge. He’s very compassionate and considerate. We went along with my grandfather and Tanju would always make stops when we needed a break. Amazing and such an awesome guy. Thank you Tanju!!

Tanju was a perfect guide for us, extremely professional and attentive at the time. Show us every little detail and Istambul’s curiosites , always ready to help !!

Tanju is amazing and very knowledgeable of all the areas. He took us to really amazing places and great places to eat. He is very knowledgeable. I'm looking forward to repeat this experience.

During our recent trip to Istanbul with my in-laws, we relied on Get Your Guide to book tours and excursions, as we often do to make the most of our travels. Unfortunately, the tour we booked for the Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque didn’t go as planned. We couldn’t locate the group and were left without a way to get in our tour and unsure of what to do next. As we were walking around, just by chance,Tanj, who had been my mother-in-law’s tour guide two years ago recognized her as we passed and like that, he saved the day! Tanju is hands-down the most professional, entertaining, and hospitable guide we’ve ever encountered while on vacation. He went above and beyond to make sure we had an unforgettable experience. His tours are rich with history, full of energy, and truly bring each site to life. He’s not just knowledgeable, he’s kind, attentive, and genuinely passionate about what he does. Beyond the tour itself, Tanju helped confirm our restaurant reservations and even assisted us in coordinating other excursions. His generosity and dedication are unmatched. If you're heading to Istanbul, do yourself a favo book a tour with Tanju. You won’t regret it.

We had an unforgettable day touring Istanbul with Tanju, whose deep knowledge of Roman and Ottoman history brought each site vividly to life. From the majestic Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque to the atmospheric ancient cistern and bustling Grand Bazaar, every stop was enriched by his insights and storytelling. Thanks to his local connections and expertise, we avoided long lines and enjoyed top service throughout the day. The delicious lunch and traditional Turkish coffee were highlights, and the shopping experience was curated and relaxed. Tanju was not only incredibly knowledgeable but also warm, engaging, and attentive, delivering a high-end, seamless experience that far exceeded our expectations.

Tour guide was exceptional. Knowledgeable, personable and interesting. Was able to skip the line on all sites. Highly recommend Tanju our guide and the tour itself.

my Tour guide's name was Tanju Abo. We've taken many tours in many cities and this guide was the absolute best!!!!! Istanbul is a beautiful and interesting city. But what made this the best ever was our guide who seemingly knew everything. He was a great ambassador for the city and country. I can't say enough kind things about him. Tanju requested we start an hour early to beat the crowds, and boy was he right. We practically had the Hagia Sophia to ourselves. When we entered we were told there were only 20 people that went in ahead of us! It was wonderful being able to listen and take phoyos without any distractions. We probably spent over an hour in there because he had so much interesting facts and history. And he presented the information very well. My wife couldn't make the tour because of an ailment, so I asked Tanju if we could cut the trip a bit short only going to the places that were on my bucket list to see so we could stay closer to the ship. He obliged and kept saying "if your wife is able to join us later, I will sit you down somewhere and walk back to the ship to get her." Amazing. You don't get that type of service often...it was much appreciating and kept my mind at ease. I think we cut down a 5 hour tour to about 3 hours. Saw everything except the bazaar and the palace. It was a wonderful tour...I can't say enough goo things about Tanju!

Tanju-The Best guide in Istanbul! He took us the most beautiful part of the city churches mosques and local bazaar without waiting! we have learned a lot about Roman Ottoman’s and Modern Turkey! I highly recommended Tanju! He is seriously the best

We had a day in Istanbul prior to a 12 day cruise. We wanted a quick trip about town to learn about the history and see the sights. Tanju was wonderful. He got us to the places that are mentioned in all the tour books as well as some local favorites. We hit the AyaSofya, the Basilica Cistern, the Blue Mosque, the Bazaar, the Spice shops, a local mosque, a family owned Turkish rug shop, and had a wonderful lunch. Tanju is a licensed tour guide so we skipped all the lines. He also knew what time to get us to the different sites to avoid the crowds. It was mid May and I could not recommend this time of year to travel more. The weather was beautiful and the crowds not overwhelming. We felt in our one day in town we saw the highlights and learned so much of the history. Thanks to Tanju.

Tanju was an excellent guide! He taught us so much about the history and culture in just a day, and had a great instinct for showing us the things we wanted to see without taking us through every single thing just because it's there. He also had plenty of fun tidbits about his life as a tour guide. I'd recommend him to anyone.

Tanju gives a very thorough background stories of Hagia Sophia. Explaining all the various mozaics and construction details.

Istanbul was on our "bucket list" but it was our tour guide, Tanju, that helped to make our time there a memory to truly cherish. Istanbul really is a magical city but without Tanju's expertise, wisdom and wit, we wouldn't have truly been able to experience the best of what Istanbul had to offer. Even before our trip, Tanju was kind enough to actively exchange with us on the details and was ready and waiting for us when we arrived for our tour. We saw several of the major landmarks (Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, etc) and in his capable hands, somehow managed to avert the lines - I am not overstating the fact that you will be made to feel like a VIP with how swiftly he navigates you through the crowd. He truly went above and beyond for us. Lastly but perhaps most importantly, being in his company is a pleasure - you rather feel like you are with a dear friend (who knows all about the history of Istanbul!) for an afternoon in the city versus an anonymous tourist. My husband and I can't rave enough about the experience so you can stop looking at other options ;-) and book this tour knowing you have found the best of the best. Thank you, Tanju, for making our time in Istanbul amazing.

How beautiful is Turkey!! I enjoyed the short 2 day visit SO MUCH that I can’t wait to return to see and learn more! Had the most amazing tour guide! Tanju was extremely knowledgeable in the richness of history and culture. We had a full day of exploring Turkey by walking and subway, and taking in the beautiful views! All by way of first class treatment! No waiting in a line/queue to see all the amazing places. Tanju had wonderful suggestions on places to eat and other things to do. Next visit I will definitely try a Turkish bath! Overall, best experience EVER! Definitely book a tour (ask for Tanju if you can) and GO VISIT TURKEY!

We had a great tour in the old town visiting some of the must see places such as Hagia Sofia, Blue Mosque, Top Kapi palace and more. Tanju is a great guide, knowledgeable and very friendly. He knows the place inside out, saved us lots of time so we started tour in the right time, skipped the queues and could enjoy this wonderful places in our pace and without rush. Also he provided us with other valuable tips, showing us a great non touristy place to eat and other tips and tricks. Highly recommended!

Competent and professional, we had a wonderful day with Khadir, he organised everything for us. He was very patient since we had in group someone with Wheelchair. It was worth every penny

Amazing knowledge, passion and dedication to all things Istanbul! Tanju is best kept Istanbul secrets holder. I can’t recommend him enough! Was alone, felt very welcomed and looked after very well, next time I will be with my family

The views in Istanbul is amazing. Although we had limited time, we saw the diversified faces of Istanbul, including old and modern parts of the city. Thanks for our tour guide-Tanju. He led us to know the city by walk, train, taxi and ferry. Most important, he is familiar with the history of Istanbul and always have way to make everything smoothly. We are very happy to have this travel.

Tanju was very professional, the tour was complete and very interesting, he also managed our Hotel/Airport transfert He is very patient and available on WhatsApp to make sure everything is ok I Recommend 100% !

Tanjur will anticipate you needs intuitively. He is very knowledgeable, pleasant, has a great sense of humor. His English is impeccable too

I recommend 100% Tanju!!! He explained every thing with passion and with a family treat. He was not only the best guide ever ! He helped me to take amazing videos and professional photos with my phone. He was like family for us! I want to go back to explore Istambul and I will call Tanju again

Spent 3 months traversing Europe. The best tour guide imaginable was Tanju in Istanbul. Experienced guides can make all the difference. We even got to be the first in Hija Sofia because of our guide and the tour of city with Tanju was priceless ❤️

I had the best and complete fastest tour. I really recommend it. You can visit de iconic Istanbul places with the best expirience, no lines, no waiting time, and interesting data no other tours have.

He is very professional about istanbul and history. Also he is kind and friendly. I enjoyed to had a tour in istanbul by him. Realy recommend.

The day we met Tanju, we didn't hangout with a professional and knowledgable tour guide only... we met a friend and lifelong relationship inshalla

Tanju is an amazing and excellent tour guide. He was genuine, caring, and full of positive energy when showing us around the beautiful city of Istanbul! Will definitely be