Gems of the Asian Side
Most visitors to Istanbul never cross to the Asian side — and that is exactly what makes this tour so special. On this private Istanbul Asian side tour, you’ll leave the tourist crowds behind and discover a completely different face of the city: quieter streets, colorful neighborhoods, local markets, and one of the most elegant Ottoman palaces on the Bosphorus.
Unlike typical sightseeing tours, this private Istanbul Asian side tour takes you through the authentic everyday Istanbul that most travelers never see — from the charming pastel houses of Kuzguncuk to the grand waterfront rooms of Beylerbeyi Palace and the lively seaside atmosphere of Üsküdar. Furthermore, your licensed guide will bring the history and culture of the Asian side to life at every stop.
In short, if you’re looking for a private Istanbul tour that goes beyond the classics, this is it. As a result, you’ll return to the European side with a deeper, more complete understanding of this extraordinary city. For those who want to go even further, an optional private van upgrade adds a visit to the magnificent Çamlıca Mosque — Istanbul’s largest — with panoramic views across both continents.
Looking for more Istanbul experiences? Check out our Istanbul Classical Tour, our Istanbul Magnificent Tour, or browse all of our Istanbul private tours.
About this activity
- Free cancellationCancel up to 48 hours in advance for a full refund minus the payment processing fee (up to 5%)
- Duration5–6 hours
- Live tour guideEnglish
- Pickup includedIf your hotel is centrally located, your guide meets you at your hotel
- On foot & public transportOr a private van for the whole tour (+$150)
Where you’ll visit
- Kuzguncuk: One of Istanbul’s most charming and photogenic neighborhoods — famous for its colorful wooden houses, cozy cafés, and a strong sense of local community rarely seen in the city center.
- Beylerbeyi Palace (closed Mondays — replaced with Yıldız Palace on Mondays): A stunning 19th-century Ottoman summer palace right on the Bosphorus shore, known for its elegant marble interiors and royal gardens.
- Üsküdar Center: A historic and lively district on the Asian shore — home to imperial mosques, seaside promenades, and the vibrant everyday life of Asian Istanbul.Additional Stop — Private Van Option Only:
- Çamlıca Mosque: Istanbul’s grandest and most recently built mosque, perched on the city’s highest hill with breathtaking panoramic views over both continents.
What’s included
- Professional licensed tour guide (English or Spanish)
- Private tour
- Meet-up at your hotel: If your hotel is centrally located, our tour guide will meet you directly at your hotel. This applies to hotels in Taksim, Galata, Karaköy, or Sultanahmet.
- Lunch
- Public transportation fees (ferry, metro)
- Private van (optional upgrade — see pricing below)
- Admission fee — Beylerbeyi Palace (800 TL ≈ 19 USD per person)
- Tips for your guide — not mandatory, but recommended if you are happy with the tour
Good to know
- Walking level: moderate. 5–6 hours on foot, by ferry and by metro, with some hilly streets in Kuzguncuk and Üsküdar. Prefer to walk less? Add the private van (+150 USD for your group) when booking. If your hotel isn't in Taksim, Galata, Karaköy or Sultanahmet, you'll reach the meeting point by tram or metro.
- Closing days: Beylerbeyi Palace is closed on Mondays — on Mondays we visit Yıldız Palace instead.
- Mosque dress code: shoulders and knees must be covered, and women also cover their hair — bring your own scarf if you can (covers are available at the entrance, some mosques charge 2–3 USD). Shoes come off inside mosques.
- Prayer times: mosques close to visitors for a short time during each prayer, and for longer at Friday noon prayer — your guide plans the route around them.
- Entrance tickets: Beylerbeyi Palace is paid at the entrance (about 19 USD per person).
- Photos: welcome everywhere on the tour; inside mosques please be discreet and don't photograph people praying.
Prices
| Group size | Price for the group |
|---|---|
| 1–8 people | $240 |
| Private vehicle for the whole tour (optional) | +$150 per group |
Private tour: the price is for your group only, no strangers join. Your exact total is shown in the booking form before you pay.
Groups of more than 8 people: please contact us
Guest reviews
Guides our guests mention on this tour: Kaan
- EdithMay 2025
We travelled to Turkey on January and booked a private tour in Istanbul. Our guide, Kaan, was incredibly knowledgeable and made the experience both fun and informative. The private tour allowed us to explore at our own pace, which we really appreciated. It was a wonderful experience, and we highly recommend it to anyone visiting Istanbul
- FelixFebruary 2024
We booked Reminder Tours for a 2 day private walking tour of Istanbul. Our guide was Kaan. The tours were excellent as was Kaan,. He clearly understood where our interests lie and adjusted the tours to fit our objectives. Kaan was very knowledgeable and a great conversationalist. We had the best time. We highly recommend both Reminder Tours and our guide Kaan.
- OliviaAugust 2022
I was shocked how beautiful was Asian Side. It is a great tour for those who would like to see more local side of the Asian side.
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