Alternative Istanbul Free Tour - Reviews

Rating of the activity

9.40 / 10

9.4017132216015 537 reviews | 15,474 travellers

77 traveler-submitted photos

Customer scoring

476

129

Type of traveler

Traveling alone (64)

Couple (201)

Group of friends (104)

With small children (19)

With older children (95)

Reviews from real clients who booked our products.

See only reviews with text

Jun / 01 / 2025

Oscar Chanquet

Montevideo, Uruguay

I travelled with my partner

La actividad en general fue buena, el recorrido interesante y la información proporcionada por el guía, provechosa. Lo que fue innecesario fue su opinión política con motivo de una marcha por Palestina que se estaba desarrollando durante el tour. Sobre todo cuando califica de ignorantes a los manifestantes, podemos discrepar con otras ideas, pero no descalificar a quienes las profesan. Máxime en un tour donde es probable que existan opiniones diferentes y no vamos a debatir para exponerlas.

The overall activity was good, the tour interesting, and the information provided by the guide useful. What was unnecessary was his political opinion regarding a march for Palestine that was taking place during the tour. Especially when he calls the protesters ignorant, we can disagree with other ideas, but we can't discredit those who hold them. Especially on a tour where there are likely to be different opinions and we won't be debating to express them.

I travelled with my partner

En Civitatis nos esforzamos por contar con guías que se ciñen a los contenidos ofertados en los tours que se les asignan. Sentimos si este/a, en concreto, realizó algún comentario desafortunado. Aun así, podemos asegurar que su intención nunca fue crear polémica ni ofender a nadie. Translate this opinion into English.

At Civitatis, we strive to have guides who adhere to the content offered on their assigned tours. We apologize if this particular guide made any inappropriate comments. However, we can assure you that their intention was never to create controversy or offend anyone. Opinion translated. Show original.

Jun / 01 / 2025

Veronica

Santiago, Chile

I travelled with my partner

Un excelente recorrido por lugares menos turísticos masivamente hablando. La mezquita de Suleyman y sus alrededores son muy interesantes, el guía con un muy buen español, nos relató la historia del lugar. Paramos en una cafetería con un excelente café turco, donde nos regalaron una especie de pan con queso delicioso. Gracias por la buena experiencia! Translate this opinion into English.

An excellent tour of less touristy places. The Suleyman Mosque and its surroundings are very interesting, and the guide, speaking excellent Spanish, told us the history of the place. We stopped at a café with excellent Turkish coffee, where they gave us a delicious kind of bread with cheese. Thanks for the great experience! Opinion translated. Show original.

I travelled with my partner

May / 21 / 2025

Ignacio Fernández Sobrino

Spain

I travelled with my partner

El free tour por las mezquitas es realmente sorprendente, una experiencia que no te puedes perder. El guía es extraordinario, muy conocedor y amable, hace que la visita sea aún más especial. Pero ojo, al final de la visita en la zona de Soliman, hay un paisano vendiendo guías que intenta timar a los turistas con el cambio de monedas a billetes, así que hay que estar atentos y no dejarse engañar. Translate this opinion into English.

The free tour of the mosques is truly amazing, an experience you can't miss. The guide is extraordinary, very knowledgeable and friendly, making the visit even more special. But beware, at the end of the tour in the Soliman area, there's a local selling guidebooks who tries to scam tourists by exchanging coins for bills, so be careful and don't get fooled. Opinion translated. Show original.

I travelled with my partner

May / 08 / 2025

Ana Maria

Terrassa-barcelona, Spain

I travelled with my partner

Nos ha encantado, nuestro guía, Bora, ha hecho un tour muy interesante, nos ha llevado por zonas y barrios que no habría ido, y ha sido muy ameno, ha dado muchas explicaciones y contado detalles que no conocía. Realmente ha sido una tarde muy agradable Translate this opinion into English.

We loved it. Our guide, Bora, gave a very interesting tour. He took us through areas and neighborhoods I wouldn't have been able to see otherwise. He was very entertaining, providing many explanations and sharing details I didn't know about. It was a truly enjoyable afternoon. Opinion translated. Show original.

I travelled with my partner

Apr / 16 / 2025

Enrique

Vigo, Spain

I travelled with my partner

El guía hizo un recorrido por el mercado de libros, la universidad y varias mezquitas y tumbas de sultanes, contándonos la historia, anécdotas y normas de cada sitio, que de otro modo pasarían desapercibidas. Por el camino hicimos un descanso en una cafetería, donde nos invitaron a una especialidad local hecha de pan de pita con queso. Translate this opinion into English.

The guide toured the book market, the university, and several mosques and sultans' tombs, telling us the history, anecdotes, and rules of each site that would otherwise go unnoticed. Along the way, we took a break at a café, where we were treated to a local specialty of pita bread with cheese. Opinion translated. Show original.

I travelled with my partner

Apr / 16 / 2025

Jesus Bescos Cano

Spain

Un recorrido distinto, en el centro pero fuera de los lugares más turìsticos, para terminar en el complejo de la Mezquita de Suleyman. El guía, Boran, muy ameno, tranquilo y cercano, se extiende en aspectos menos tratados en los tours más típicos. Un buen comolemento a esos tours. Translate this opinion into English.

A unique tour, in the city center but away from the most touristy spots, ending at the Suleyman Mosque complex. The guide, Boran, is very pleasant, easygoing, and approachable, and expands on topics less covered in more typical tours. A good complement to those tours. Opinion translated. Show original.

Apr / 15 / 2025

Elena

Sevilla, Spain

I travelled with teenagers

Justo lo que nos faltaba para enamorarnos aún más de Estambul!!. Un recorrido por "otras" mezquitas, barrios diferentes, el mercado de libros, la historia del tercer fundador de Estambul....Nuestro guía Engin, fué muy atento, ameno y divertido. Compartió con nosotros muchas anécdotas y curiosidades de Estambul y su historia. Translate this opinion into English.

Just what we needed to fall in love with Istanbul even more! A tour of "other" mosques, different neighborhoods, the book market, the story of Istanbul's third founder... Our guide, Engin, was very attentive, engaging, and fun. He shared with us many anecdotes and interesting facts about Istanbul and its history. Opinion translated. Show original.

I travelled with teenagers

Apr / 15 / 2025

Inmaculada Benavente Lopez

Madrid, Spain

I travelled with my partner

Es un tour muy interesante que te muestra otra cara de Estambul a lo típico que ve todo el mundo. Nuestro guía Engin ha sido increíble, simpático, contando cosas muy interesantes y siempre pendiente de todos. El obsequio a mitad de tour de el pan con queso ha sido un detalle. Translate this opinion into English.

It's a very interesting tour that shows you a different side of Istanbul than the typical ones everyone else sees. Our guide, Engin, was incredible, friendly, shared interesting information, and always took care of everyone. The mid-tour gift of bread and cheese was a lovely touch. Opinion translated. Show original.

I travelled with my partner

Apr / 14 / 2025

Ana

Spain

I travelled with friends

Nuestro guía, Yunus, es un enamorado de estos maravillosos barrios y eso se nota en cómo da las explicaciones, cómo te recomienda desde lugares para una foto como de lugares para comer. Disfrutamos muchísimo del tour y comimos genial gracias a sus indicaciones. Translate this opinion into English.

Our guide, Yunus, is passionate about these wonderful neighborhoods, and it shows in the way he explains things, recommending everything from photo ops to places to eat. We thoroughly enjoyed the tour and ate delicious food thanks to his guidance. Opinion translated. Show original.

I travelled with friends

Apr / 08 / 2025

Alfonso

Madrid, Spain

I travelled with my partner

Una actividad excelente. Un paseo diferente, que se adentra en las curiosidades tanto históricas como cotidianas de Estambul. La apariencia ligeramente excéntrica de Enguin, nuestro guía, se vio ampliamente superada por su vasto conocimiento de la ciudad y su historia. Además, brinda un amplio abanico de consejos sobre como aprovechar mejor nuestra estancia en Estambul. De hecho, el mayor punto positivo de esta visita es precisamente Enguin, un tipo fantástico. Translate this opinion into English.

An excellent activity. A unique tour that delves into both the historical and everyday curiosities of Istanbul. The slightly eccentric appearance of Enguin, our guide, was far outweighed by his vast knowledge of the city and its history. He also offered a wide range of advice on how to make the most of our stay in Istanbul. In fact, the biggest positive of this tour was Enguin himself—he was a fantastic guy. Opinion translated. Show original.

I travelled with my partner

Apr / 07 / 2025

Adrián

Santiago De Compostela, Spain

I travelled with teenagers

Perfecto, muy cercano hablaba muy bien el idioma y nos explicó todo genial, y si tenías dudas le preguntabas y te las solucionaba sin problema, he estado en muchos free tour y en algunos te pedían una cantidad de dinero desde el principio, en este caso nos dejó claro que era algo que decidíamos nosotros y que no había presión yo iba a dejarle unos 10€ por persona y optamos por dejarle más. Un placer y espero volver pronto. Translate this opinion into English.

Perfect, very friendly, spoke the language very well and explained everything to us brilliantly. If you had any questions, just ask him and he'd answer them without any problem. I've been on many free tours, and some of them asked for a specific amount of money from the start. In this case, he made it clear that it was something we decided and there was no pressure. I was going to leave him about €10 per person, but we opted to leave him more. A pleasure, and I hope to return soon. Opinion translated. Show original.

I travelled with teenagers

Mar / 20 / 2025

Vincenzo

Genova, Italy

I travelled with teenagers

Beautiful tour! Our guide Salih was really great. He gave us so much information about the history of Istanbul so we could better understand all the facets of this cosmopolitan metropolis. He speaks excellent English and we had no problem following the descriptions of the places we visited. He also took us for a traditional snack. He was really a great guide! Recommended!

I travelled with teenagers

Mar / 12 / 2025

Juan Jose Gracia Gimenez

Murcia, Spain

I travelled with friends

Nos encanto la actividad. Descubrimos la verdadera cara del estambul local y conocimos mucho mas la historia de esta gran ciudad. El guia Egis habla muy bien español y fue muy ameno. Mucho mas recomendable que el free tour normal, en el cual nos quisieron cobrar por adelantado y nos hablaron muy mal. Translate this opinion into English.

We loved the activity. We discovered the true face of local Istanbul and learned much more about the history of this great city. The guide, Egis, speaks excellent Spanish and was very entertaining. Much more recommendable than the regular free tour, where they tried to charge us in advance and treated us very rudely. Opinion translated. Show original.

I travelled with friends

Mar / 02 / 2025

Juan Pablo

Barcelona, Spain

I travelled with my partner

El free tour por Estambul con Engín fue una experiencia increíble. Su conocimiento sobre la ciudad es impresionante y su español, impecable. Nos llevó a probar un bocadillo delicioso y respondió todas nuestras preguntas con paciencia y amabilidad. Además, nos dio excelentes recomendaciones para comer, pasear y visitar. Su trato fue cordial, siempre mostró predisposición y su entusiasmo por compartir la historia de la ciudad era evidente. Super recomendado para conocer Estambul! Translate this opinion into English.

The free tour of Istanbul with Engín was an incredible experience. His knowledge of the city is impressive, and his Spanish is impeccable. He took us to try a delicious sandwich and answered all our questions with patience and kindness. He also gave us excellent recommendations for places to eat, walk, and visit. His approach was cordial, always welcoming, and his enthusiasm for sharing the city's history was evident. Highly recommended for exploring Istanbul! Opinion translated. Show original.

I travelled with my partner

Nov / 07 / 2024

Jose

Las Palmas, Spain

I travelled with my partner

ABSOLUTAMENTE RECOMENDABLE!!!! Nos tocó con Engin de guía y la verdad que una pasada!!! Te da muchísimos datos históricos sobre todos los monumentos que vamos viendo y te hace el tour super ameno. Además es super atento con el grupo y trató de buscar sitios para sentarse para la gente que tenía dificultades. Nos enseñó las zonas menos turísticas de Turquía y nos habló sobre las costumbres de l@s turc@s. Por último nos recomendó cosas que ver al final de tour menos conocidas que merecían la pena. Translate this opinion into English.

ABSOLUTELY RECOMMENDED!!!! We had Engin as a guide and he was really amazing!!! He gives you lots of historical information about all the monuments we see and makes the tour super enjoyable. He is also very attentive to the group and tried to find places to sit for people who had difficulties. He showed us the less touristy areas of Turkey and told us about Turkish customs. Lastly, he recommended lesser-known things to see at the end of the tour that were worth it. Opinion translated. Show original.

I travelled with my partner

Jun / 08 / 2025

Anonymous

Jun / 08 / 2025

Anonymous

Jun / 08 / 2025

Xandra

Bilbao, Spain

I travelled with friends

Jun / 08 / 2025

Anonymous

Jun / 07 / 2025

Anna

Canet De Mar, Spain

I travelled with friends

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Alternative Istanbul Free Tour - Reviews

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