Home Cooked Istanbul

  • Best price guaranteed
  • No booking fees
4.8 Based on 3 Reviews
  • duration 3.5 hours
  • tour type Small group
  • age requirement 1-95 yrs
  • max group size 12
  • guiding method Fully guided
  • Tour Code BM-2223
  • Footprint Carbonneutral CO2 emissions resulting from all trips on Bookmundi will be offset via investments in carbon reduction projects.
  • Operated in English
  • Starts/Ends Istanbul, Turkey
HIGHLIGHTS
  • Enjoy a meal with a local family in Istanbul and learn about the cultural customs
  • Take a stroll through Sultanahmet
  • Learn the secrets of the locals' favourite games and pastimes
  • Enjoy the national beverage in a teahouse
  • Try a Turkish waterpipe
  • Chat informally with a locals and learn what its like to live in modern day Turkey
  • Show more
The Home Cooked Istanbul tour starts and ends in Istanbul. The Home Cooked Istanbul is a walking tour that takes 3.5 hours.

Nothing beats home cooking, especially Turkish home cooking. Join this Istanbul tour to be treated to a feast at a local family's home, as well as other oh so Turkish pursuits: drinking tea, playing backgammon, and hitting the water pipe!  
ITINERARY

Try Turkish life with a family meal and an evening mingling with locals at some of their favourite haunts 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 Istanbul tour you'll have the opportunity to experience it first hand. Meet the family and settle in for typical Turkish meal. There is a little English spoken in the household but your bilingual guide will be there to help translate - all part of the authentic local experience!

Chat informally with all members of the family and hear what its 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.

Afterwards, head to a popular local hangout to enjoy fabulous views of the Marmara Sea. Find a comfortable spot to watch games of football pop-up, 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 or how to play our local guide will give you the lowdown.

After this oh-so-local part of this Istanbul tour, there’s a chance to try two of Turkey’s favourite 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!

Following recent safety incidents we recommend that you check your government's advice for their latest information on travelling in Turkey before your departure and ensure that your travel insurance covers you for all areas of your itinerary. We have links to prominent government travel advisories and regular updates on issues affecting this trip on our Travel Alerts page -  ;

WHAT'S INCLUDED
Meals
  • Dinner and drinks with a local family
Guide
  • Local English-speaking guide
Others
  • Narglie waterpipe.
WHAT'S EXCLUDED
  • Extra drinks at the teahouse
  • tips or gratuities for your local guide.
CUSTOMER REVIEWS
4.8 - Excellent
Based on 3 reviews
  • Ms. Janet S.
  • On Aug 06 2016
4.4 - Very Good
Very Good
Fatih was excellent. Knowledgeable and friendly. I enjoyed the shisha and backgammon.
  • Mr. Guy H.
  • On Apr 19 2016
5 - Excellent
Excellent
Guide engaging and informative with excellent English. Format was ideal - great way to interact with a culture and people one wouldn't otherwise get to experience on such a short visit. Home-cooked food terrific, and local shisha... Read more
  • Mr. Vera W.
  • On Nov 25 2015
5 - Excellent
Excellent
Can was a perfect guide and the trip was a wonderfull experience. The meal was great and thank you so much, that you even paid attention to my request for a vegetarian meal.
Why Book with Bookmundi
What are customers saying about Bookmundi
Excellent
4.65 Average 674 Reviews
GOOD TO KNOW
CANCELLATION

Cancellation for this product is free up to 48 hours before the chosen start date - full refund will be given. If cancelling less than 48 hours before the chosen start date no refund applies.

Meeting start point :

Pudding Shop Lale Restaurant, Divanyolu Caddesi No. 6, 34400, Sultanahmet. The restaurant is located on the street where the tram lines runs through Sultanahmet, approximately a 3-minute walk from the Sultanahmet tram stop.

Meeting end point :

Sultanahmet. Your local guide can provide instructions on how to get back to your hotel or you are free to continue your own personal exploration.

COVID-19 Safety Measures

This trip incorporates the following COVID-19 measures:

  • This tour follows established guidelines that are in line with the World Travel and Tourism Council’s ‘Safe Travels’ framework against COVID-19.
  • Hygiene and safety guidelines will be followed to ensure your well being is looked after during travels.
  • All travellers 18 years and older will be required to be fully vaccinated.
NEED HELP OR HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT THIS TOUR?
If you have any question about this tour or need help with planning a trip, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us. We're ready to help.
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