Istanbul Kick Start Tour First Time Visitor Essentials

Just arrived in Istanbul? Start your trip on the right foot with the Istanbul Kick Start Tour — a friendly 2-hour walking orientation designed for first-time visitors. You’ll discover the heart of the historic peninsula while learning everything you need to navigate, enjoy, and understand this complex and beautiful city. This is more than a walking tour — it’s your personal Istanbul briefing. Your local expert will share tips on transportation, customs, safety, language, and food, while giving you a brief historical overview of key landmarks like Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque (from the outside). By the end, you’ll feel like you belong here. We finish the tour at the legendary Puding Shop (Lale Restaurant) — a 1960s traveler hub once loved by overland backpackers and Beat Generation writers — where you can rest, eat, and plan the rest of your journey with confidence.