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Best Tours & activities in Istanbul (2026)

A good guide or host adds a great deal in Istanbul, whether you want context for the monuments or an introduction to the city's food. Urban Adventures, part of Intrepid Travel, runs half-day and full-day walks through Sultanahmet, the Grand Bazaar and the Hippodrome, with the longer version adding Topkapı Palace and Hagia Sophia. It suits first-time visitors who want an overview before exploring alone.

Food tours are a particular strength. Culinary Backstreets, which began in Istanbul in 2009, and Yummy Istanbul both run day-long walks that link the European side with Kadıköy on the Asian side by public ferry, with many tasting stops along the way. Turkish Flavours, operating since 2006, offers market tours, vegetarian tours and meals in a Turkish home. To cook for yourself, Cooking Alaturka in Sultanahmet runs hands-on classes and a Wednesday market tour that ends with dinner. Groups are small, so book ahead in spring and autumn, and mention dietary needs when you reserve, as some tours cannot cater for vegan diets.

5 places · Updated November 12, 2026

Our top 3 tours & activities in Istanbul

  1. Culinary Backstreets Istanbul Food tour, KaraköyThe neighbourhood food-tour company that began in Istanbul in 2009 as Istanbul Eats, known for its day-long Two Markets, Two Continents walk.
  2. Yummy Istanbul Food tour, SirkeciAn Istanbul food-tour company operating since 2013, whose Taste of Two Continents tour links the Spice Bazaar area with Kadıköy market by ferry.
  3. Urban Adventures Istanbul Walking tour, SultanahmetThe Istanbul arm of Intrepid's Urban Adventures, running guided half-day and full-day walks through Sultanahmet, the Hippodrome and the bazaars.

Tour operator

4. Cooking Alaturka

Cooking class and market tourSultanahmet

A Sultanahmet cookery school and restaurant running hands-on Turkish cooking classes and a weekly market shopping tour that ends with cooking and dinner.

View details — Cooking Alaturka