Private Guided "Energy Of Istanbul-skip The Ticket Line" Tour

We booked a one day tour through our hotel, I was initially apprehensive to go on an all day tour as we had a 3 year old and it was our first time on a city break with him but as soon as we met Sel at the reception of our hotel, he was really friendly and engaged both us and my son. By the end of day my son asked if Sel could stay with us for the rest of the holiday! Sel is extremely passionate and knowledgable on his city and without him we would not have appreciated the true history and beauty of Istanbul. Sel planned the day with breaks, ensuring we skipped the queues wherever possible. He also took us to a shop with beautiful pottery where my son had the chance to take part in pottery making with an expert which he loved! Thanks Sel, would definitely recommend you!

From first contact and jointly deciding what sites to visit, to meeting up at our cruise port and visiting the sites went so well! We really enjoy Selcuk’s knowledge at the sites but my husband I also enjoyed just chatting with our guide over coffee in a small neighborhood. The place he took us to share his country’s cuisine was fantastic as well. His love for Türkiye is very evident and we are truly thankful we found him for our brief visit to Istanbul. We learned so much!

Very good tour today! Our guide Sel was very knowledgeable and friendly, he also adapted the sights to our requests. Let him know if you are interested in good shopping, he knows all of the quality places to go.

We absolutely loved our tour of Istanbul’s old city with Selcuk! He is incredibly knowledgeable about both Istanbul’s fascinating history and the vibrant city it is today. Selcuk tells his stories with so much energy and enthusiasm, making the tour engaging and fun from start to finish. He also did a fantastic job adapting the tour to our group and our interests. We had a wonderful time and would highly recommend Selcuk to anyone visiting Istanbul!

We had a wonderful 2 day tour with Selçuk. He was so knowledgeable about the local and regional history and we loved the skip the line aspect because our time was limited.

We had an excellent walking day tour with Selcuk! He was very knowledgeable about the entire area and we walked around Old Istanbul. Went into multiple sites and everything was seamless. By the time we walked up to the gate, he already had our tickets and was explaining where we’re going. He was able to cater the day to us and would definitely go on tour when we return!

Selcuk Senilcioglu was caring, attentive and very well versed in all places we visited. Seeing Istanbul with our guide was a highlight.

Sel is a knowledgeable, experienced, and patient guide. He knows all the cool spots and was great with our multigenerational group. Highly recommend.

Sal’s private Istanbul tour is incredible. He is extremely knowledgeable about the city, cultures, and history of this area and answered a million of our questions. He is extremely flexible with the experience to make it your own. He knows exactly which shops are the best quality for ceramics, spices, rugs, etc. I wouldn’t want anybody else showing me the city! 5/5

We booked a private tour with Sel, and it was easily one of the highlights of our time in Istanbul. He's knowledgeable without being scripted, the kind of guide who can walk you through centuries of history at Hagia Sophia and then pivot naturally into a conversation about what daily life actually looks like for people living in the city today. We came away feeling like we understood Istanbul, not just its monuments. Sel was practical, easy to talk to, and genuinely passionate about sharing his city. If you want more than a checklist of sites, he's your guide. Highly recommend.

Sejcuk is a really excellent guide. We spent a couple of days with him, and he showed us the main sights of the old city (skipping some long queues!), and some excellent lunch spots and shops in the grand bazaar. He is really knowledgeable and was able to give us a great sense of the history of the city. Highly recommended.

A personable and conversational English speaking guide with a great sense of humor. Very historically knowledgeable. Accommodating to all of your tour request needs.

Sel is a great guy. Easy going and very knowledgeable. We had him for the whole day and learned and saw so much. It was an in depth tour of the hippodrome, the Blue Mosque, the Hagia Sophia, the basilica cistern, the Topkopi Palace and the Grand Bazaar. Plus, we had three more modern life experiences: a visit to a rug vendor with a weaver there demonstrating her craft, an excellent restaurant to taste traditional cuisine and a pottery and tile shop where we learned about traditional iznik pottery and tile making. Both the rug and pottery vendors were long established, trustworthy vendors. Know that you are being shown products for purchase, and there’s pressure to buy, but you obviously don’t have to. We did buy some things and feel that the quality was very high.

Six of us spent two days with Sel and the decision to do so truly paid off! Sel adapted his time with us based on our likes and goals. We were on a cruise and the best decision we made was to not do one of their canned tours! Sel exceeded expectations! His knowledge and calmness in a very busy, hectic city made our experience amazing! Not only did he know the “right” shops to take us too, but he selected restaurants popular with the locals for amazing food. We want to return because of our experience AND we plan to have Sel with us again.

Sel is very knowledgeable about city history and great at guiding us in and out of tourist sites. He picked a great lunch restaurant- our best meal in Istanbul - and had other great tips we put to use during our visit. And he seems to know everyone in town.

Sel is the mayor of Istanbul and seems to know everyone, especially other guides. He also knows the history and how to get you in and out of crowded tourist sights. He also suggested a great lunch restaurant and gave us good tips for visiting the Asian side that came in handy when our other Viator guide was first 20 minutes late (due to “bathing his grandfather”) and we gave up after an hour of waiting and just used the tips Sel gave us to tour the Asian side on our own.

Sel was very Knowledgable and also gave us great recommendations for restaurants, boat tours etc. no waiting in line guaranteed

After an amazing two-day tour with Sel in 2024, we didn’t hesitate to book him again—this time a full year in advance—for our October 2025 trip. We returned with two other couples for another unforgettable two-day adventure, and once again, Sel exceeded every expectation. Sel is a total pro—knowledgeable, engaging, and genuinely kind. His deep understanding of the region’s culture, history, and religion makes every stop come alive. It’s also clear that local vendors and guides know and respect him, which means we could explore comfortably without any hassle or harassment. What really sets Sel apart is how he tailors each experience. He customized our itinerary with the perfect balance of cultural, historical, and religious sites, mixed with visits to outstanding vendors and stores. If you’re lucky enough to book with Sel, do it—you’ll get so much more than just a tour. You’ll get an unforgettable, seamless experience led by one of the best in the business.

We did a private two-day tour of Istanbul with Sel, and it was honestly the best money we spent on our trip! Sel was super friendly, knowledgeable, and made exploring this huge city so easy. He took us to some absolutely beautiful mosques, knew all the best spots to shop (no tourist traps!), and even brought us to local restaurants where the food was authentic and absolutely amazing. Getting around Istanbul can be a bit overwhelming, but with Sel guiding us, everything felt smooth and relaxed. We learned so much, saw so much, and had such a great time. Highly recommend booking a tour with him — you won’t regret it!

Mr. Selçuk was extremely knowledgeable and thoughtful. His numerous years of experience showed as he expertly guided us between attractions. I would definitely recommend him to anyone seeking both an informative and experienced tour guide. My only regret is that I did not book him for multiple days. It is difficult to see all that Istanbul has to offer in just 1 day.

We had a great 2 days with Sel!! The knowledge and history he shared as we toured various Sites made the experience that much more interesting and exciting Skip the line tickets saved significant time His choices for both lunches were delicious!!

We had a great tour of Istanbul today. The city is amazing. Even more amazing was our guide, Elif. She was very knowledgeable, considerate, funny and made sure we saw everything we wanted to see, and then some. I highly recommend this tour.

What a fantastic tour! Sel was not only informative, but his passion for Istanbul was over the top. I would recomend this tour to anyone that has a day to explore the city, and we could not have asked for a better guide experience. Thank you!

Our first morning in Istanbul began with Sel, our incredible guide of 29 years, who made the city’s layers of history come alive. We started at the Blue Mosque, where Ottoman grandeur meets Islamic artistry, its blue Iznik tiles shimmering like the sky. Just steps away, the Hippodrome whispered stories of Roman chariots and Byzantine emperors, a reminder that this city has been the heart of empires. Then came the awe of Hagia Sophia—once a cathedral of the Eastern Roman Empire, later an Ottoman mosque, and now a symbol of the crossing paths of Christianity and Islam. Only non-foreign Muslim men are allowed on the first floor. We arrived at the noon prayer time, where we were blessed to listen to the call to prayer. Standing beneath its massive dome, you feel the weight of centuries where Romans and Ottomans shaped a city at the crossroads of continents and faiths. What a way to start our journey in Istanbul!

Sel was an amazing tour guide. He was very easy to get along with, showed us all the great sites. He spoke excellent English and was very flexible and easy to be around.

Sel was the most wonderful guide. I would recommend him to anyone who is looking for a very knowledgeable guide, who can explain Istanbul’s history and culture superbly and clearly and in a way that made it exciting and comprehensible for both the adults and the kids in our group. Sel took us around at the perfect pace and adjusted the day according to the kids’ needs for breaks and entertainment and the adults’ interests in history and handicrafts. If you are looking for a guide, do not hesitate to book Sel - highly recommended, and a great communicator to plan the day ahead of time! Thank you, Sel, we all had a wonderful time!

My tour was arranged thru Celebrity cruise and honestly, it would be hard to imagine a more knowledgeable and gifted tour guide than Selcuk to take you thru Istanbul over the course of 2 days. His clear, thought provoking comments thru out the tour were well paced, well researched and spoken with a commitment that demanded our attention. And he has a pretty wily and dry sense of humor which surfaces from time to time. I left feeling like I truly had more than a tourist visit and hope others will be encouraged to look him up if the are lucky enough to get the chance.

Sel is savvy, knowledgeable, and kind. He customized the tour for our group to fit our time schedule and preferences. He chose an essential set of historic sites, and incredible local restaurant, and a curated list of shops for us in the bazaar. You can tell that he has been hosting tours for many years. He helped us steer clear of scams and find great deals on extra special items in the shop. I would recommend Sel to anyone.

We just completed our guided tour with Sel (Selcuk Sebilcioglu) of old town Istanbul and so glad we choose Sel, being just the two of us. Sel was very knowledgeable, not only of the historical sites that was the subject of the tour, but could provide all the back ground stories that are associated with historical sites. Even an old limestone wall had history which Sel could explain, provide answers and make the guided experience such a pleasure. Istanbul is full of history and Sel made sure all our points of interests were covered and explained in the most interesting way. I highly recommend Sel as your tour guide.

My husband and I were blown away by Istanbul’s beauty and culture. There was so much to see and experience. Sel did such a great job. He was knowledgeable and informative. Just as important for us, he was a super nice guy and we enjoyed spending time with him. He thoughtfully organized and customized our tour to maximize our time and experience. He respectfully answered all my questions about cultural norms and expectations such as how/when to cover my head in the mosque. We enjoyed our tour enough that we booked another tour with him for October 2025!

Amazing experience. Selcuk was a wonderful guide educating us on the culture, geography, and the significance of the sights. Walking through history was remarkable. Cherished our time here in Istanbul. Highly recommended.

Selçuk is an incredibly knowledgeable tour guide ! There was nothing he was unable to answer and was fun and entertaining to be with for the day. We visited The Hippodrome, Ayasofya, Basilica Cistern, the Blue Mosque & Grand Bazaar. Had an amazing lunch with lovely mixed mezze and a selection of delicious kebabs. We purchased a beautiful carpet with Selçuk providing first class advice whilst introducing us to all the right people in all the right places !

Selcuk was an excellent guide, professional, dedicated and really understood what I wanted to see and personalized my tour. I highly recommend him.

Sel is one of the good ones. He was knowledgeable, punctual and flexibility. He asked for my input on sites that would interest me and ones that he thought were must sees. With that approach and his narrative I was able to visit many of the highlights of Istanbul in two days.

Sel was terrific. English was flawless. Knowledgeable, considerate and punctual. We enjoyed his well planed guided tour very much.

A close friend of mine recommended Sel for our family trip to Istanbul. We had engaged him for a 3-day Private tour of Istanbul. From the moment we embarked on our Istanbul journey with Sel, it became clear that he is not just a guide, but a true connoisseur of Turkish culture, history, and the intricate tapestry that weaves through every corner of Istanbul. The depth of knowledge and passion that Sel brought for each day of the tour is palpable, transforming a simple visit into an immersive and enlightening adventure With nearly three decades of guiding travelers through the wonders of Turkey, Sel has honed an unparalleled expertise. Whether it’s navigating the bustling streets of Istanbul, unveiling the hidden gems of the Grand Bazaar, or recounting the stories of ancient empires at Hagia Sophia, every moment was enriched by a profound understanding of the locale’s history and significance. He had answers to every question that our family had. He crafted the itinerary for us, booked tickets for all major attractions. His food recommendations were great. Before entering the museums or places of interest, we would show us the picture or video of the attractions and tell us about the history of the attractions we should focus on. This helped us not to miss any key attractions and also stay on schedule. Through anecdotes, local interactions, and insider tips, he provided us a deeper appreciation of the contemporary Turkish way of life. From culinary delights to traditional crafts, Sel opened the door to authentic experiences that are often missed by the casual tourist. Had a wonderful time in Istanbul, thanks to Sel

Our day with Sel was the highlight of our time in Istanbul; he curated a terrific day of seeing sites, learning about the history and culture of the city and the country, visiting museums, and experiencing the local food and crafts - rug weaving and ceramic making. We were traveling with our twin 16 year-old boys and Sel was great about engaging with them, finding topics of interest to discuss and involving them throughout the conversations of the day. He was incredibly knowledgeable and the level of detail and information was perfect for our family; we appreciated his insights and ability to connect history to today's world so what we were learning and discussing could be appreciated by our teens as relevant to their lives. Sel had a keen sense of when to do what throughout the day; he had created a great outline of a plan for what we were going to see but due to some inclement weather and unexpected long lines at one of our stops, he suggested we pivot and go to lunch and wait to see if the lines cleared up. Sel wisely provided us with three different options for lunch and we picked a kebab place,Galeyan, which was delicious and had a great vibe. His plan worked great and after a great lunch the lines were shorter and we were able to get inside quickly. Because of Sel's navigation throughout the day, we got to see everything on our "must see" list - even if it meant in a slightly different order than originally planned. We liked his "structure with flexibility" approach to the tour and the day and really appreciated everything he shared - and we learned. We would 100% use Sel again if we return to the city and highly recommend him to anyone looking for someone knowledgeable and personable to guide you while you are in Turkey.

Fantastic tour! Guide was SUPER knowledgeable and able to answer every single question we had! He let us adjust the tour to our needs and on what we wanted to see. The lunch restaurant he suggested for lunch was one of the best meals we had the whole trip. He even helped us book Turkish Baths the following day. This was a great, comprehensive tour of Istanbul. Even my 9 year old daughter had a great time and learned a TON! Highly recommend!

We had a great full day guided tour with Selcuk! He took us all around the old city to see all the major sights (the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sofia, Topkapi Palace, Hippodrome, Grand Bazaar) and provided a lot of interesting historical and cultural information. He also took us to a fabulous Turkish lunch! He was also really good with our kids- 12 and 8 years old. We all had a fabulous time. We'd highly recommend taking a tour with Selcuk!

Sel was terrific and very knowledgable. Regretfully our ship was late getting into port so we had to adjust the plan of what we were going to be able to see on the fly, but he was very helpful in providing information about when and how to get into the sites we had to eliminate from our time with him. It was helpful to learn toward the beginning of the tour that he would lead us to the best places to take photos in more crowded venues (eg., the Hagia Sofia). All in all, a great tour.

Sel was a wonderful host on our day in Istanbul, knowledgeable & congenial Excellent communication and English clarity Contacted us day before tour start which is very reassuring Pivoted easily to our requests, we had an delicious lunch & he got us to our next stop at tour finish..thank you Sel!

Sel took us on a day and a half tour of all the wonderful sites of Istanbul, recommended a great hotel and fed us amazing food. Informative, generous and fun to be with!

Sel was amazing. So knowledgeable and good spirited. Took us to great sights, and gave great recommendations for things to do and places to eat both before and after our actual tour. I will recommend Sel to any friends that come to Istanbul in the future

Sel is everything you want in a Private Guide - very knowledgeable, easily understood, excellent English, understandable accent, flexible, considerate, pleasant personality. We spent a pleasant, informative day touring Old Istanbul with Sel. He was everything we wanted in a private guide and we felt very secure and well informed. We highly recommend him.

We had the best tour with Sel. He was extremely organized and we were able to see all of the major sites in Istanbul in just one day! He met us right outside of the cruise terminal which was so helpful. He knew which ones to do in which order so that we minimized lines and he was so knowledgeable and we learned we so much on the tour about the history of the city. He also took us to the best Turkish lunch and my whole family loved it! He found us a great rug shop as we were interested in buying a rug. It was super cool to see how they make the rugs. Also, at the grand bazaar he was able to direct us to reputable shops as well which we really appreciated as it would be impossible to navigate the Bazaar alone. We are so thankful that we had Sel guiding us and we highly recommend him to anyone who is visiting Istanbul for an unforgettable day! My whole family agreed we had the best time!

The tour was amazing! Sel took us to the best historical places in the city. He is very nice, friendly and professional. It was great to have him as a guide, as he gave us a lot of knowledge and answered all our questions. Highly recommend a tour with him!

Our tour with Selcuk took in the Blue Mosque, the Hippodrome, Aya Sophia and the Basilica. Selcuk was interesting and very knowledgeable with a unique way of bringing the history of Istanbul to life. It was a pleasure to spend the day with him and obtain a real insight into the culture, politics and way of life of the city’s inhabitants over the ages. We would definitely recommend him to anyone looking for a guide.

Our tour with Selcuk took in the Blue Mosque, the Hippodrome, Aya Sophia and the Basilica. Seljuk was interesting and very knowledgeable with a unique way of bringing the history of this fascinating city to life. It was a pleasure to spend the day with him and obtain a real insight into the culture, politics and way of life of the city’s inhabitants over the ages. We would definitely recommend him to anyone looking for a guide.

Selcuk was great. One of the most knowledgeable people about middle east history, turkish history, and religious history you could possibly meet. His explanation of the historical significance of each sight is amazing. Takes time to explain, answer questions, Including those about the country, home life, government, struggles, obstacles, etc. His intent is to expose clients to high end Turkish cuisine, which often involves a visit to a rather high end restaurant, but realize the mid day meal in Turkey is their largest meal, thus more time, options, expense. Every experience was great! Would absolutely use Selcuk again!