Generic filters
Search in title
Generic filters
Search in title

Free Walking Tour Istanbul

Explore Istanbul with expert guides on Free Tours

Free Istanbul Walking Tour

Free Istanbul Tours is a local tour company founded by a group of passionate, licensed tour guides who call Istanbul home. Our team is deeply in love with the city and its rich culture, and we are eager to share that enthusiasm with our guests. We take pride in offering an authentic experience that showcases the history, traditions, and everyday life of this magnificent city. Our goal is to provide a fun, educational, and immersive tour while promoting sustainable and responsible tourism.

We offer two unique free tours, each designed to highlight different aspects of Istanbul's history and culture. The first is our Old Town Tour, which is perfect for first-time visitors looking to explore the heart of Istanbul. This tour offers an excellent introduction to the city’s Turkish heritage, as well as its Islamic roots. During the tour, you'll have the opportunity to visit one of Istanbul’s iconic mosques, where you’ll learn about the significance of Islam in the city’s daily life. Additionally, you'll gain insight into the art of bargaining, with a guided visit to the famous Grand Bazaar. Here, you'll not only experience the vibrant atmosphere of this ancient market but also learn how to haggle with the local vendors, a traditional skill that is essential to navigating the bazaar. The Old Town Tour is an engaging way to experience both the inner and outer beauty of the city's landmarks, offering a well-rounded glimpse into its rich history.

The second tour we offer is the Afternoon Tour, titled "Alternative Tour - Daily Life, Customs, and Stories of Istanbul." This tour takes a deeper dive into the everyday life of the people who live in this vibrant city. As the name suggests, we cover a wide range of topics, from local traditions and cultural practices to education, health systems, and even weddings. Through fascinating stories and personal anecdotes, our knowledgeable guides provide insight into how Istanbul’s residents go about their daily lives, offering a glimpse into a side of the city that many tourists may not typically encounter. This tour is perfect for those looking to understand Istanbul beyond its famous landmarks, offering a unique and enriching experience.

With over ten years of experience in providing free walking tours and twenty years of guiding experience, our team has honed the art of storytelling, ensuring that every tour is engaging and memorable. We have received excellent feedback from our guests over the years, and we continually strive to improve our tours based on their input. Our priority is to ensure that each guest has a meaningful, enjoyable experience during their time in Istanbul, whether you’re exploring the historic streets of the Old Town or discovering the hidden gems of daily life.

We truly love what we do, and it brings us immense joy to see visitors connect with Istanbul on a deeper level. We would be thrilled to have you join us on one of our tours and look forward to showing you the many wonders of this beautiful city. Come experience Istanbul through the eyes of locals who are eager to share their love for this incredible place.

Pictures from our walks

Group photo istanbul 4
Group photo istanbul 4

Istanbul group 3
Istanbul group 3

Istanbul walking tour guide
Istanbul walking tour guide

Istanbul Group 3
Istanbul Group 3

Istanbul Group 2
Istanbul Group 2

Istanbul Group 1
Istanbul Group 1

Contact Guide
Email communication preferred.
+905417692277

What visitors think about Free Istanbul Walking Tour?

jbushman2017
Rating: 5 out of 5
My wife and I took the Alternative Walking Tour / Parts Unknown at 2.30 pm and it was terrific. We have taken multiple walking tours and this was one of the best. The tour was really about the culture and lifestyle of everyday Turks and it was lead by a local tour guide. We visited a number of different places but the locations were less important than the narrative and personal stories of the guide. My wife and I had been traveling around Turkiye for the last 3 weeks and had many questions about customs and traditions of the country. All our questions were answered here.I also liked that the walking tour ended right on time which is not easy to do but was appreciated.
travelnotenuf
Rating: 5 out of 5
What a treat! I’ve been to Istanbul a few times before, but hopping on this tour was a great choice! The tour was informative and Mohammed was energetic, lively and had a great sense of humor. He was very engaging! He welcomed questions and made himself available after the tour to help with needs (helped get us back to our accommodations). Both my husband and I thoroughly enjoyed our day.
Julienne Yen D
Rating: 5 out of 5
We initially booked the Walking Tour and Food Tour. After the Walking Tour, we were so impressed, and enjoyed ourselves so much, that we decided to go on the Alternative Walking Tour. While the Main Walking Tour covers the famous sites, and delivers an excellent crash-course in Istanbul's long, long history, the Alternative Tour is an insight into all else: culture, politics, every day life. It was also nice to explore some quieter, local parts of the city. The Food Tour was also excellent, and definitely come hungry. Book a tour with these guys. You won't regret it!
CHECK MORE ON TRIPADVISOR

Frequently asked questions about the tour

Do we go inside of Blue Mosque?

We aim to visit a mosque during our tours to share insights about Islam. However, if the lines are long and might impact the quality of the tour, we'll take you to an alternative mosque so you can enjoy a more seamless experience.

Where does this tour end?

Our tours conclude just a 7-minute walk from the Grand Bazaar, where your guide will recommend some great local restaurants. The tour lasts approximately 2.5 hours.

Can I tip with credit card?

Unfortunately, Apple Pay, PayPal, and similar payment methods are not accepted in Turkey. Tips can only be given in cash, using Turkish Lira, Euros, US Dollars, or Pounds.

Are the tour guides licensed?

All of our guides have completed four years of tour guiding studies and are fully licensed. They possess extensive knowledge about Istanbul, its history, and much more, ensuring you have an informative and enriching experience.

Is there a dress code?

As our tours include an inside visit to a mosque, we kindly ask that you dress modestly. Ladies should cover their head, shoulders, and legs, while men should wear shorts that cover their knees. Scarves are available at the mosque free of charge, or you are welcome to bring your own.

Get inspired by the Free Tour Community Blog

Want to know more about our tours?




Previous Next
Close
Test Caption
Test Description goes like this