Hello, I am Serhat Engul, an Istanbulite who has dedicated almost 25 years to the tourism industry. Before becoming a licensed tour guide, I worked for several years in hotels, which gave me a deep understanding of what travelers really need and expect. For the past two decades, I have been guiding guests from all over the world through the streets of my hometown, Istanbul.
On this site, you can find information about the private walking tours I offer in 2025 and beyond. These tours cover the most historic districts of Istanbul such as Sultanahmet (Old City), Beyoglu (Taksim), Fener & Balat (Golden Horn), Ortakoy & Bebek (Bosphorus), and Kadikoy (Asian Side). I carefully design the itineraries to make the most of your time, avoiding long tourist lines whenever possible.
During our tours, we usually begin at a convenient central meeting point and visit the city’s most iconic landmarks first. Then, I love to take you off the beaten path—into quiet streets, hidden courtyards, and authentic neighborhoods—where the real stories of Istanbul’s history and culture reveal themselves.
Half Day Tours in Istanbul
My half-day walking tours (lasting around 3 to 4 hours) are designed for curious travelers who want to experience Istanbul’s history, culture, and everyday life without feeling rushed. Along the way, you’ll not only hear the stories of the city’s great empires but also get a taste of local neighborhoods and food traditions.
These itineraries have been shaped by years of feedback from my guests, and I always try to deliver the maximum insight in the most enjoyable way. While many tours provide a broad overview of the city, I also offer thematic experiences that dive deeper into specific eras—such as the Byzantine history tour, which uncovers the hidden legacy of Constantinople.
Storytelling to the Heart of Istanbul
Beyond guiding, I also explore Istanbul through creative storytelling.
In my free time, I write on two sister projects:
Istanbul Stories — fable-style tales told by a seagull, a cat, and a mouse who witness the city’s soul from different corners,
and Byzantine Stories — dreamlike journeys through Byzantium seen through the eyes of Stavros, a modern narrator who bridges past and present.
Both projects reflect the same passion that drives my tours: helping people feel the spirit of this timeless city. Until now, I’ve been doing this through the Istanbul Clues website (link above) using various images, maps, and descriptive texts. But now I’m trying to do it through fictional worlds I’ve created around animals and people (links below).
Explore My Storytelling Projects
Serhat Engul on TripAdvisor
Over the past two decades, I have had the privilege of guiding travelers from all around the world—especially from the USA, UK, and Canada. Many of them kindly shared their impressions on my TripAdvisor page, where you can read honest reviews of their experiences with me.
Among the most mentioned highlights in these reviews are the Sultanahmet (Old City) tour, the Byzantine history tour, and the Fener & Balat walking tour. These districts are full of layers of history, and they truly come alive when explored with the context and stories that a local licensed guide can provide.
Contact Me
If you would like to learn more about my private walking tours in Istanbul, please feel free to reach out through the contact form on this site.
I usually respond to emails within 24 hours, and during the busy travel season it may take up to 48 hours. Either way, I will get back to you as soon as possible.
Looking forward to hearing from you,
Serhat Engul
