Excursions in Istanbul: 10 attractive options from guides

You can travel in different ways, and if the main purpose of the trip is to fully get acquainted with the city or to explore its secret areas, then the main issue here will be the organization of a worthy tour. You can do it yourself, or you can order an individual walk from a local resident. Today in Istanbul there are many private guides and companies offering a wide variety of tours. They are distinguished primarily by prices and routes, as well as the level of organization. After studying the reviews of travelers, we compiled our rating of the best guides conducting tours in Istanbul in Russian.

Sketching tour of Istanbul

• Price: 30 € per participant
• Takes: 5 hours
• Group size: maximum 6 people

This individual tour of Istanbul is organized by a local resident who speaks Russian and conducts it in a non-standard format. Especially the tour will be appreciated by tourists with a creative touch, keen on drawing. You will go for a walk in the most picturesque areas of the city, see firsthand the vibrant neighborhoods and enjoy the authentic oriental atmosphere. In addition to the fact that the guide during the tour shares interesting historical facts and reveals the innermost corners, he organizes a real master class on drawing on the bright streets of Istanbul. During the lesson, even tourists who are completely unprepared for painting will have the opportunity to express their emotions and impressions of the metropolis in colors.

The tour is conducted by a local resident named Lera, who is a professional illustrator with 17 years of experience. She has been living in Istanbul for about 2 years and during this time she has already managed to discover its hidden places and the most delicious establishments. Lera is able to arrange an unpredictable journey through the metropolis, in which you will be able to see many interesting objects. If you value a non-standard approach to business, then you should definitely try out this tour of Istanbul.

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Photo Adventure: the picturesque beauty of slums

• Price: 107 €, this is a fixed price, regardless of the number of participants
• Takes: 3 hours
• Group size: maximum 4 people

Private tours in Istanbul in Russian can be very unexpected and ambiguous. It is such a tour that the local guide Gala offers, which was able to discern the beauty of the city in its slums. You are expected to walk along the historical outskirts of the metropolis - the Fener and Balat districts. During the tour, they will tell you about the legends of the quarter, intrigues that once wandered around the local intelligentsia, and also demonstrate how the transformations of the modern world affect the old district of the metropolis. This is one of those excursions that will show you the inside of the majestic Istanbul and plunge it into the color of its slums.

Guide Gala - an experienced traveler who has traveled half the world in the last decade, speaks excellent Russian. Of particular interest to her are the countries of the Middle East and in particular Turkey. For many years, the guide lives in Istanbul and professionally studies not only the local language, but also the history of the country. Gala's routes are unusual, her stories are fascinating, and the organization of excursions is at a high level. If you are not interested in the standard information about Istanbul, and you are looking for an exclusive, in the framework of which it will be possible to make original photos, then this tour is for you.

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This is Istanbul

• Price: 35 € per participant
• Duration: 6 hours
• Group size: maximum 12 people

If you are looking for an individual sightseeing tour of Istanbul in Russian, then you should pay attention to the "This is Istanbul" tour. It is definitely suitable for those who first go to the metropolis and want to get acquainted with its main attractions. As part of this walk, a guide takes you to the key sites of Sultanahmet Square and the Besiktas district. In addition, you can visit the embankment of the Sea of ​​Marmara and enjoy panoramic views of the Bosphorus from the Sapphire observation deck.

Tours are organized by a local resident named Amrul, who has 8 years of experience in the tourism industry. It is important to note that he collaborates with a whole team of Russian-speaking tour guides. Therefore, keep in mind that when ordering an individual walk you can be given the perfect other person. In general, tourists note the professionalism of this team, demonstrating excellent knowledge of the history of the city, the desire to answer additional questions and the ability to cheer up.

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Istanbul European

• Price: 50 €, this is the standard cost of the tour
• Takes: 4 hours
• Group size: maximum 2 people

Russian-speaking guide in Istanbul Natalia offers to go to the most European region of the city of Beyoglu and take a walk through its quarters. You will have the opportunity in an individual format to get acquainted with the landmark objects of the district, such as the Galata Tower and Istiklal Street, as well as visit Orthodox churches in Karakoy. And at the end of the tour, according to your desire, the guide organizes a tasting of delicious baklava in Istanbul. And all this pleasure will be framed in interesting stories about the secrets, legends and history of the area.

A local resident Natalia has known Istanbul for more than 8 years and is ready to show her tourists both its ceremonial appearance and its not very attractive side. The guide is well-educated, well versed in the history of the Ottoman Empire and does his job with genuine pleasure. A walk with Natalia is not ordinary, it brings a lot of unforgettable impressions and new knowledge.

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Group walk along the Bosphorus

• Price: 25 € per participant
• Duration: 1.5 hours
• Group size: maximum 10 people

An individual sightseeing tour of Istanbul from the waters of the famous Bosphorus Strait promises to be very exciting. In 1.5 hours, the guide will show you many iconic objects of the city, among which are palaces and majestic mosques, bridges and picturesque areas of the metropolis. During a boat trip, the guide tells many interesting facts and legends about the strait itself and about the structures decorating its coast. All these fascinating stories are accompanied by fresh sea breezes, Turkish tea and picturesque landscapes of Istanbul.

Tatyana has been living in Turkey for more than 5 years, she is a professional journalist and guide. It offers dynamic, fun and informative tours in Russian through the waters of the Bosphorus and seeks to show Istanbul with its own eyes. Tourists note an interesting and relaxed presentation of information, friendliness and dedication of the guide. But some travelers were unhappy with the high price of an hour and a half walk on a public ferry.

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Bazaar and coffee, wonderful day

• Price: 69 €, this is a fixed tour price
• Takes: 4 hours
• Group size: maximum 5 people

Russian-speaking excursions in Istanbul can be not only very informative, but also budget-friendly. If you are planning to set aside a day for shopping when visiting the city, then Zarem's guide, who arranges tours of the famous bazaars of the metropolis, will help you. During the tour you will try real Turkish coffee, visit the Grand Bazaar and the Egyptian market, and also learn all about the history of these pavilions. The guide will help you find shops with the best prices, as well as tell a lot of interesting information about Turkish ceramics and carpets. And the final part of the tour will be held in a restaurant on the Bosphorus coast for national dishes.

The guide Zarema is in love with Istanbul and is ready to share her feeling with all the guests of the city. She is an excellent storyteller, knows the hidden corners of the markets and is able to endure any crazy shopping of her sightseers. Tourists note that the theme of bazaars and oriental coffee on the tour is revealed at 100%. So if you are looking for a similar individual tour in Istanbul in Russian, then be sure to consider this option.

Read also: What to buy in Turkey for a gift to relatives?

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Istanbul for its

• Price: 88 €, this is the standard cost of the tour
• How long: 3.5 hours
• Group size: maximum 3 people

Some individual tours of Istanbul help travelers to look at the city with a completely different look. Guide Maria, guiding you to take a walk along the tourist trails of the metropolis, not well-trodden by tourists, is guided by this goal. This tour is not about sights, but about craft and gastronomic culture. Together with the guide you will go to the local bakery, antique shop, carpet factory and Turkish delight, where you will personally see how the famous Turkish products are made. In addition, you will have the opportunity to visit one of the observation platforms of Istanbul and enjoy beautiful views of the Bosphorus.

Maria is fluent in Russian, knows a lot of places not known to ordinary people and is ready to organize an exciting tour for "her". She selects routes around the city based on your individual wishes. An interesting presentation of material, optimism and sensitivity of the guide allow you to feel at home in Istanbul.
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Great trip to the Bosphorus

• Price: 120 €, this is the standard price
• Takes: 7 hours
• Number of participants: no more than 2 people

If you want to visit the maximum of remarkable places in Istanbul in one day, you can book this tour in Russian. As part of the program, you will sail around the Bosphorus, visit its narrowest and widest part, visit the European and Asian regions of the metropolis and see many unique objects. And in the fishing district of Sariyer, you will have the opportunity to try amazing seafood dishes. It is important that the guide in addition to popular places shows attractions that are unfamiliar to most travelers.

The Dora guide is distinguished by deep knowledge of the topic of Istanbul and Turkey, easily shares interesting facts and tells the story without boring dates and numbers.

The guide guides you according to your individual needs. It should be borne in mind that this is a fairly long walk, which can take up to 10 hours.
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Turkish street food

• Price: 88 €, this is a fixed price for the tour regardless of the number of participants
• Duration: 3.5 hours
• Group: maximum 6 people

If you consider yourself a real gourmet and would like to try not only common Turkish dishes, but also outlandish national food, then go on a gastronomic tour in Istanbul in Russian. The guide will individually show you the most delicious places in the city, as well as give recommendations on unusual dishes. Among them you will find stuffed mussels, fish kebabs, roasted chestnuts and more.

Kristina has been living in Istanbul for several years, speaks fluent Russian and Turkish, and willingly shares her experience with tourists. The tour is 100% consistent with its name, but in addition to gastronomic tips, the guide is ready to give useful recommendations on absolutely any matter you are interested in. It should be borne in mind that the dishes you order during the tour are paid separately (about 10-15 € per person).
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Istanbul nightlife, or bar time

• Price: 125 €, this is a fixed price for the tour
• Takes: 4 hours
• Group size: maximum 4 people

The network presents a huge selection of individual tours in Istanbul in Russian, the prices of which are quite variable. But one tour clearly stands out from the rest - a walk through the bars and pubs of the metropolis and an introduction to its nightlife. As part of the program, you will go to the Istiklal youth district, visit the Kadikoy bohemian quarter and see authentic establishments where a diverse audience gathers.

Local resident Tatyana offers only safe routes and is ready to take into account all your wishes. In addition, she gives good recommendations on cocktails and food. The guide organizes a fun and atmospheric evening, which you will want to relive again a few more times. In addition to this walk, she organizes other excursions in Istanbul.
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