Hello, We would like to find some small group walking tours in Istanbul (like most European cities provide). Unfortunately we have only found guides who want to provide a private tour at an expensive price for an individual or couple. Some guides must be offering these? Does anyone know resources for them. Thanks
Posted by
Twin Cities of MN
6789 posts
There are suggestions for tours in Istanbul as well as for local guides in the Rick Steves Istanbul guidebook (pages 37-39). I don't see anything similar to "Paris Walks" or "London Walks". Maybe your hotel would have suggestions? Also, I think I'm remembering that in some of the more recent Istanbul posts there were Istanbul tour guides that responded to some questions.
Posted by
OP
Richmond, VA, USA
7 posts
Thanks. We contacted one of those guides who was only interested in what I describe in my post.
Posted by
Washington DC
28899 posts
One reason group walking tours may not be very common in Istanbul is that the sidewalks are so often narrow, crowded or non-existent. It would be difficult to keep a group together and safe, traffic being what it is.
Posted by
Salem, Oregon, USA
2989 posts
You might need to find a more specialized tour instead of something general. I have no experience with this company, but they are recommended frequently for food tours. https://culinarybackstreets.com/category/cities-category/istanbul/
GetYourGuide also lists quite a few smaller group tours, you may be able to identify tour companies that way. https://www.getyourguide.com/istanbul-l56/
Posted by
36 posts
I was just in Turkey for two weeks on an organized our and arrived with a friend in Istanbul one day early and had an excellent 'group tour' with Real Istanbul Tours. We did the 'off the beaten path' tour to Fener, Balat, Suleymaniye mosque, Rustem Pasha mosque, and few other places and were the only two signed up. 70 E cash at end of the almost full day tour with guide Salih Cam that included some tastes of borek, turkish coffee, turkish delights and local transit. He was super personable, knew his stuff, flexible with the sites we wanted to see and time spent etc. It was a wonderful day! Check out their website.