Walking tours in Istanbul
A walking tour gives you Istanbul at street level, with someone to explain it. The most comfortable months are May to September, with highs around 78°F (26°C) and about 6 rainy days a month.
Photo: Arild Vågen, CC BY-SA 3.0
Top walking tours in Istanbul
Old Town Of Istanbul - Orientation Walking TourFrom $17View 
Istanbul Old City Highlights: Private Walking TourFrom $90View 
Half day Fener-Balat Walking Tour in IstanbulFrom $19View
Tours from Viator. Good Outing may earn a commission when you book, at no cost to you.
Istanbul neighbourhoods
The city's main districts, a good way to choose a route or a theme:
- Historical Peninsula
- Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, Topkapı Palace and the Grand Bazaar.
- Galata
- The Galata Tower, steep lanes and the Karaköy waterfront.
- European Bosphorus
- Waterside palaces and fish restaurants along the strait.
- Golden Horn
- The inlet with Balat's colourful streets and old churches.
- New City
- İstiklal Avenue and Taksim Square.
- Asian Bosphorus
- Wooden mansions and fortress views on the Asian shore.
- Kadıköy
- The Asian side's food market and lively streets.
- Princes' Islands
- Car-free islands reached by ferry, with old wooden mansions.
- Eastern Suburbs
- Harbourside villages and ocean beaches.
How to pick a good walking tour
- Free tours are paid in tips at the end. Paid tours cap the group size and usually go deeper into one theme.
- Wear shoes you can walk in for two to three hours, often on cobbles or hills.
- Book an early start in hot months. Guides keep to the shade, but midday streets still bake.
- Pick one theme (old town, food, history, street art) rather than a tour that tries to cover the whole city.
Istanbul month by month
Averages for Kireçburnu, 1991–2020.
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F (°C) | 48 (9) | 49 (9) | 54 (12) | 61 (16) | 70 (21) | 78 (26) | 82 (28) | 83 (28) | 76 (25) | 68 (20) | 59 (15) | 51 (11) |
| Low °F (°C) | 38 (4) | 38 (4) | 41 (5) | 47 (8) | 55 (13) | 63 (17) | 69 (20) | 70 (21) | 63 (17) | 56 (14) | 49 (9) | 42 (6) |
| Rainy days | 17 | 15 | 13 | 10 | 7 | 7 | 5 | 5 | 8 | 12 | 14 | 18 |
| Sunset (15th) | 6:00 pm | 6:38 pm | 7:10 pm | 7:43 pm | 8:15 pm | 8:38 pm | 8:35 pm | 8:04 pm | 7:14 pm | 6:24 pm | 5:46 pm | 5:37 pm |
Questions
When is the best time for walking tours in Istanbul?
May to September. Expect highs around 78°F (26°C) and about 6 rainy days a month. The least comfortable months are January and February.
Where can I book walking tours in Istanbul?
The tours above book on Viator. Compare group size, duration, what is included and the cancellation terms before you pick one.
