Home Cooked Istanbul

Try Turkish life with a family meal and an evening mingling with locals at some of their favorite places on this Istanbul food tour. An expert local guide will meet you at the meeting point, from which you'll wander through the streets of historical Sultanahmet en route to meet a local family.

Turkish people’s sense of hospitality is world famous, and on this tour, you'll have the opportunity to experience it first hand. Meet the family and settle in for a typical Turkish meal. There is a little bit of English spoken in the household, but your bilingual guide will be there to help translate. Chat informally with all members of the family and hear what it's like to live in Turkey today. Sharing a meal with a local family is a great privilege and an opportunity to get real insight into local family life.

After feasting on delicious Istanbul food, it’s time to take a stroll through the backstreets. Get your camera ready on this Istanbul walking tour for the picturesque wooden houses that line the streets in various states of repair. Get a sense of the communal style of life in Istanbul and learn about the various socio-economic groups that live here. Then, head to a popular local hangout to enjoy fabulous views of the Marmara Sea. Find a comfortable spot to watch games of pop-up football or strike up conversation with the locals. There will definitely be many games of backgammon being played, and if you don’t know the rules, your local guide will give you the lowdown.

Afterwards, you will have the chance to try two of Turkey’s favorite pastimes - tea drinking and Narglie (waterpipe) smoking. Sit back, relax and enjoy. At the end of the adventure, you are free to return to your hotel or continue your own personal exploration of Istanbul. Your guide will be able to suggest some more local hidden gems for you to explore!