A passionate story teller with amazing historical background knowledge, dry sense of humour (you blink and you miss it), he is an Istanbul gem. I highly recommend hiring him to see anything he chooses to show – you will find out more than you hoped for and all unforced l, conversational style.

I wasn’t expecting that type of performance. Storytelling skills of the tour guide is exceptional! I don’t think there is any other guide exist that can describe the building so well. Make sure to add this activity into your bucket list for visiting this splendid building with him. Thanks Can.

Guide was friendly, knowledgeable and passionated about the Basilica Cistern. Happy to answer any questions. We came away with a lot more knowledge about this amazing piece of history. Definitely a bonus being able to skip the line at the entrance.

An exceptional guide and an unforgettable experience!

We were incredibly lucky to find Oğulcan and book his tour at the last minute. We had been particularly drawn to his tour options and biography, especially his background in history, and our expectations were high. He exceeded every single one.

We booked a tour of Topkapı Palace, including the Harem, followed by the Basilica Cistern. The Harem was of particular interest to us, so we were delighted when what had originally been a group booking turned into a private tour.

From the very beginning, Oğulcan was fantastic. We arrived almost 20 minutes early, and he was already there waiting for us! He immediately tailored the experience to our interests, and what followed was a fascinating, entertaining and genuinely memorable journey through Istanbul’s history.

His historical knowledge is exceptional. What particularly impressed us was his ability to explain not only the historical events themselves, but also the different interpretations and sometimes opposing views of historians, alongside his own considered perspectives. It made the experience so much richer than simply being told dates and facts. He also cleverly incorporated multimedia using his iPad, bringing additional context and depth to the stories and places we were exploring.

And then there’s his personality. Oğulcan is warm, engaging, witty and clearly very proud of his country and its extraordinary history. His English is absolutely phenomenal, genuinely native-level, right down to the clever wordplay and subtle humour. We laughed a lot, learned an enormous amount and enjoyed every minute.

We saw everything we had hoped to see, never felt rushed, and came away with a far greater appreciation of the places we had visited. He also took photographs for us, shared his personal recommendations and favourite places, and gave us wonderful tips for the rest of our time in Istanbul.

There is a real difference between a guide who has memorised a script and someone who truly understands, loves and can bring history to life. Oğulcan is very much the latter.

We feel incredibly fortunate that we found him. If you’re considering booking a tour with Oğulcan, don’t hesitate. He is an exceptional guide and made our visit to Istanbul all the more special.

Thank you, Oğulcan, for a wonderful experience!

We had an absolutely wonderful experience exploring Istanbul with Can as our private guide. The Basilica Cistern, Hagia Sophia, and Topkapi Palace were all truly amazing, and Can’s exceptional historical knowledge, insight, and storytelling brought each place to life in a way that was genuinely special. He helped us appreciate not only the incredible architecture and history, but also the stories, people, and cultural significance behind these extraordinary places. His passion for Istanbul made the experience all the more memorable. We couldn’t recommend Can more highly to anyone looking to discover the history and beauty of this remarkable city!

Oğulcan’s tour of Topkapı Palace was one of the highlights of my trip to Istanbul. I was visiting the palace not only as a traveller, but also to gather information for a special project I’m working on, and he very kindly adapted the tour to my particular interests and research needs. He was absolutely perfect for this and provided me with an incredible amount of useful information.

He is incredibly well prepared and has an impressively deep and detailed knowledge of the palace, Ottoman history and everyday life, yet he presents all of this in such an accessible, engaging and effortless way that the tour never feels overwhelming.

He also has a very warm and likeable personality, which made the whole experience even more enjoyable. I came away with a huge amount of useful information and a much better understanding of the palace and its history.

I wholeheartedly recommend Oğulcan to anyone visiting Topkapı Palace — especially if you are genuinely interested in history and want to go beyond the usual tourist experience.

A truly great experience with 'Can' who took provided a top-notch tour going beyond our expectations, adding some crunchy details to the historical background, had a great sense of humour and provided additional tips for the visits and not-to-miss places. If you are lucky or booking out of the high season the tour may even be a totally private tour! Higly recommended guide ! You can book eyes closed and hands cuffed !

Terrific guide - he was personable and knowledgeable. Made our tour fun for everyone.

Incredible tour! We did a full day tour with Can and couldn't have been happier - his knowledge and enthusiasm for the city was simply amazing. There were so many details within the sites that we would have missed without Can's insider knowledge. Would definitely recommend this tour if you're visiting Istanbul!

Oğulcan is one of the most, if not the most, knowledgeable guides I've ever met... anywhere. Whether it was my 6 year old or a 40 something year old friend, he answered everyone's questions with the same care, enthusiasm, and crazy knowledge. Want to know the height of the dome? The year construction started? Why Medusa is upside down? You name it, he had not only an answer but also a story. On top of it all, Can was the nicest guy, always ready with helpful visuals, super flexible, and tirelessly helpful (did I mention he took care of all entry tickets and we never had to wait in line?). Can't recommend him enough!

Highly recommend using this tour company! We were given so much context to truly appreciate the historical sites we visited. Oğulcan was extremely knowledgeable and funny. He even gave us great recommendations of how to spend our remaining time in Istanbul.

We had the pleasure of spending several days with Can in Istanbul, and he elevated the entire trip. What sets him apart is that he's a historian first and a guide second. His knowledge is impeccable, and his genuine love for Turkish history and culture comes through in everything he shares. You're not getting a rehearsed script; you're getting someone who lights up talking about his city.

He took us well beyond the obvious must-sees to lesser-known but absolutely stunning spots we would never have found on our own. And he's remarkably attentive to the group: open minded, flexible, and constantly adjusting his pace and style to what we needed in the moment.

On top of all that, he's simply a kind-hearted person who is a joy to spend time with. If you're considering a guide in Istanbul, look no further. Top marks all around.

Great experience. Informative and flexible. I would highly recommend.

Fantastic experience - highly recommend. Oğulcan tailored a day long tour that covered both sides of Istanbul. He was very friendly and extremely knowledgeable, so much so that I found the Hagia Sofia leaning in to learn something new. We are typically a figure it out type of couple when in a new city. I’m so glad we didn’t do that here, we had such a better day thanks to Oğulcan!

He proved to be an exceptionally talented storyteller and so much more than just an ordinary tour guide. Our whole family loved him. He’s such a charming person and speaks fluent English. We would recommend him in any situation and anywhere. Thank you for everything, Can. 🙏🏻

Tour was awesome ✨ Thanks for everything and we’d suggest to everyone.

He is the most calm, knowledgeable and talented person I’ve met ✨ Incredible tour guide throughly gifted skills. Many thanks to Can 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻