Two-Day Istanbul Tour
The complete Istanbul: a day among the great icons of the Old City, then a second day of your choice — the Food Tour or the Two Continents experience.
Explore tour
Private Turkey & Istanbul Tours Made Around You
Custom-built itineraries with a licensed local guide — no hidden costs. Istanbul and Turkey, the way you want to travel.
5.0 · Rated Excellent by 34 travelers on Tripadvisor Licensed Guides Fully Private Tours Transparent Pricing Travelers' Choice
Istanbul, Privately
A City Best Seen at Your Own Pace
Off The Beaten Path is an owner-operated private tour company, and every day we run is built around the people on it.
Every tour is fully private and tailor-made around your passions — whether that is history, food, culture or the vibrant neighborhoods of the city. You travel alongside a licensed local guide at your own pace, with everything priced clearly and agreed in advance.
Signature Experiences
Our Istanbul Tours
Explore Istanbul, privately. Every itinerary is designed around your interests, blending the great icons with the local side of the city.
Istanbul Old City Tour
The great icons of empires — Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace and the Grand Bazaar — with the history and stories behind them.
Explore tour
Istanbul Food Tour
Eat your way across the city with a local guide — street classics, family-run restaurants and market tastings on both the European and Asian sides.
Explore tour
Two Continents — Off the Beaten Path
Cross from Europe to Asia and discover the local neighborhoods, viewpoints and everyday life of Istanbul.
Explore tour
Private Bosphorus Tour
See Istanbul from the water on a private yacht cruise along the Bosphorus. You pass fortresses, palaces and waterfront mansions, with a glass of tea in hand as you sail between two continents.
Explore tour
Istanbul Stopover Tour
Turn a long layover or an overnight into a real city break. A private car meets you at the airport and the whole day is timed around your flight.
Explore tour
Istanbul Shopping Tour
Hand-knotted carpets, Iznik tiles, leather and gold in the Grand Bazaar and the workshops around it. Your guide tells you what a piece is worth, and the dealers ship it home for you.
Explore tour
Tailor-Made Istanbul Tour
No set route and no checklist. Tell us what you love and we design the day entirely around you, with the guide matched to your interests.
Explore tour
Hire a Private Guide
The guiding on its own. A flat US$275 for your party of up to six people — you choose the sites, and each entrance is paid at the door.
Explore tourBeyond Istanbul
Custom Turkey Journeys
Extend your trip with a seamless, custom-made itinerary across Turkey.
Istanbul + Cappadocia
See the city and the fairy chimneys: explore the Ottoman and Byzantine heritage of Istanbul, then watch the sunrise as hot-air balloons rise over Cappadocia.
Istanbul + Cappadocia + Ephesus
Add the ancient world: walk the marble streets of Ephesus and visit the Aegean coast, all woven into one seamless journey.
Build Your Own Turkey Journey
Visit Pamukkale, Gallipoli and beyond on a fully custom itinerary, designed around your dates and interests.
Fixed Departures · Maximum Ten Guests
Or Join Our Small Group Tour
Twice a year we run one eight-day journey through Istanbul and Cappadocia for a group of no more than ten. Five-star and cave hotels, a yacht of your own on the Bosphorus, a balloon flight at dawn, and two days in Cappadocia with nothing scheduled at all.
One price per person, based on two sharing, with internal flights and every entrance fee included. Departures run May 24 and September 6, 2027 — and each one closes as soon as the tenth place goes.
Why Travelers Choose Us
The Off The Beaten Path Difference
Fully Private
Your group alone, with a guide and a vehicle kept for you. The day belongs to you.
Custom-Made
Built around your interests, and changed on the day whenever you want it to be.
Licensed Local Guides
Every day is led by a licensed, English-speaking guide who lives in the city you are visiting.
Transparent Pricing
A written itinerary agreed upfront. No hidden costs, no forced shopping stops.
Easy Booking
Plan by email and pay securely by card — with WhatsApp on hand for last-minute and urgent needs.
Travel That Gives Back
We plant trees with the TEMA Foundation for every booking.
Amazing Cross-Continent Food Tour
We had a wonderful Istanbul food tour that took us through both the Asian and European sides of this vibrant city. We began our day with a delightful breakfast, sampling delicious local dishes that we might not have tried on our own. Everything was truly perfect and full of flavor, making it a memorable experience.
The Best Guided Tour We've Ever Had
We were guided on an unforgettable two-day journey through Istanbul, expertly blending historic landmarks, culinary delights, and hidden gems away from the crowds. It was truly the best guided tour we've ever experienced. Eager to explore more, we're already planning our next trip to Turkey.
Perfectly Planned Istanbul & Cappadocia Family Trip
Our trip to Istanbul and Cappadocia was expertly tailored, ensuring everything proceeded flawlessly. The hotels, tour guides, drivers, and restaurants exceeded our expectations. We enjoyed an unforgettable six-day family adventure.
Delicious Gastronomic Tour in Istanbul
My mother and I enjoy trying different cuisines and learning about the culinary culture and local recipes to cook at home. While we were in Istanbul we had the Turkish food experience and absolutely loved it. Our guide was passionate and knowledgeable about Turkish food, as well as Istanbul's culture and history. It makes the day more pleasant knowing what was behind each taste and stop. Truly a remarkable experience.
Private Istanbul Tours
Absolutely phenomenal. We spent three outstanding days in Istanbul and every experience was personalized for our enjoyment. We managed to combine visiting historic sights, bazaars, craft workshops, and tasting delicious local foods, and were given several local tips for our free time. It was one of the best holidays we have had.
Solo Female Travel to Istanbul
I had an amazing solo trip to Istanbul and spent two fantastic days exploring the city. We didn't just visit the tourist sites; we also explored off the beaten path locations and, of course, did some shopping. It felt like I had known my guide for ages, and we'd already made plans for my next trip. Highly recommended for an unforgettable time in the city.
Travel in Comfort
Private Chauffeur, on Request
Prefer to be driven? A private chauffeured Mercedes Vito or Sprinter is available on request. It is especially recommended if you are staying beyond the Old City, Karakoy, or the T1 tram line — we handle door-to-door pickup and transfers so your day stays effortless.
We also offer private airport transfers — a smooth, door-to-door ride from the airport to your hotel on arrival, and from your hotel back to the airport for departure, so the first and last moments of your trip are completely stress-free.
Offered as a premium add-on at additional cost. Just let us know and we will include it in your quote.
Travel that gives back: for every tour we welcome, we donate to the TEMA Foundation to plant a tree in Turkey. Since 2021, our guests have helped us plant over 350 trees.
Who We Are For
We are not the cheapest agency in Istanbul, and we have never tried to be.
We are a small, licensed, owner-operated agency. Our lead guide has twenty-two years in this city and the others each have more than fifteen. Every day is private, for your group alone. Your itinerary is written down and agreed before you arrive, and the price we quote is the price you pay. We accept no commission and no kickbacks from any shop, restaurant or vendor, so nothing on your day was chosen because somebody paid us to choose it.
Guests come to us when the trip matters. Three generations traveling together. A first visit someone has waited years for. A return to a city they already love. If price is the thing you are comparing, there are cheaper agencies in Istanbul and we will tell you so honestly. If you would rather spend your days with people who know this city and have nothing to sell you, you have found us.
Begin the Journey
Ready to See Istanbul Your Way?
Tell us what you would love to experience and we will craft a private itinerary built entirely around you.