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Private Istanbul Guide: Discover the Secrets of Istanbul with Unforgettable, Personalized Experiences!
Connect with Serif Yenen and his curated team of expert guides to craft custom itineraries tailored to your unique interests.
Check availability, start your journey, and create lasting memories.
Contact us at (info@serifyenen.com) or via
WhatsApp: +905335911303
A Selection of Themed Private Tours
Explore our curated collection of private tours, each built around a captivating theme.
These thoughtfully designed itineraries highlight the most exclusive sides of Istanbul and can inspire your own customized experience.
VIP Tours and Luxury Travel Experiences
Renowned personalities like Pope Benedict XVI, Oprah Winfrey, Princess Michael of Kent, Matt Lauer, Lester Holt, Bob Brier, and Dr. Zahi Hawass have all entrusted their tours to Serif Yenen.
Now, it's your turn to discover unparalleled experiences with Serif Yenen as your trusted guide.
Lectures by Serif Yenen
As a renowned Guest Lecturer at the Smithsonian, Serif Yenen delivers enthralling lectures on Istanbul and Turkey's history and culture.
Savor the convenience of personalized talks at your preferred location, such as your hotel.
History of Byzantium Tour with Robin Pierson & Serif Yenen
Two Unique Journeys: Istanbul–Cappadocia in April 2026 and Istanbul–Ephesus–Pamukkale in May 2026
Travel alongside Robin Pierson, host of The History of Byzantium podcast, and Serif Yenen, as they lead you through these thoughtfully curated historical tours.
Blog Posts About Travel To Turkey
From iconic sights to secret corners —explore Turkey with me through stories, tips, and hidden gems shared from my own journeys. My blog is here to inspire your travels and help you experience Turkey in a more authentic way.
Private Tours
Explore Istanbul, Ephesus, Cappadocia, and more!
Book a private tour with Serif or his team in Turkey today!
Culinary Experiences
Culinary experiences: Walking tours, street food tastings, cooking classes, wine history tours, wine tastings and 10-day culinary tours of Turkey.
Private Cultural Workshops
Immerse Yourself in Turkish Local Culture with hands-on workshops.
Let us arrange a Private Cultural Workshop for you.
Serif’s YouTube Channel
Serif takes viewers on an immersive journey through captivating seminars, virtual tours, uncovering hidden gems, and sharing intriguing "did you know" facts.
Serif’s International Lectures
Serif is an international speaker who gives comprehensive lectures about Turkey. Take a look at his upcoming lectures…
Who is Serif Yenen?
Click on the video above to see a 3-minute video presentation about Serif and his services.
Serif Yenen’s Quick Guides
Serif is the author and publisher of Quick Guide Publications, Maps, Films and Videos.
You can view Quick Guides online or download them.
Buy Serif’s Publications at Amazon
Serif wrote many guidebooks, prepared maps and made films. He does all of these with a field experience of many years as a guide. He knows his audience so well and his publications are so helpful for travellers.
Serif’s Travel Documentary Film
In Serif’s awards-winning film (Istanbul Unveiled), an American woman visits Istanbul, interviewing interesting characters in both popular and out of the way settings, about topics all wondered about.
Turkish Tour Guide (Istanbul Local Tour Guide)
Şerif Yenen (born 1963) is a Turkish tour guide, travel agent, guidebook author, international speaker-lecturer, trainer and travel destinations consultant. He is the Private Istanbul Guide. (Istanbul Local Tour Guide)
He broke new ground in the Turkish travel industry as a Private Istanbul Guide and wrote the famous English “Turkish Odyssey”, known as “Turkey’s first guidebook written by a Turk”. This groundbreaking work brought him wide recognition and acclaim. In addition, Serif has authored numerous other guidebooks (Quick Guide Publications) that showcase his deep knowledge of Turkey’s rich history, culture and travel destinations.
Turkish Travel Writer
Serif’s guidebooks are not only popular with travelers, but are also used as textbooks or recommended reading material at various universities. His extensive and insightful writings have earned him a reputation as a trusted authority on Turkish travel and culture.
Şerif’s articles and columns have been published in international magazines and national newspapers.
He also drew attention as the producer, director and writer of the acclaimed travel documentary “Istanbul Unveiled”, which won eight international awards.
Turkish Travel Lecturer
A distinguished Smithsonian lecturer, Yenen has given several fascinating presentations at the Smithsonian Institution. As a Private Istanbul Guide, his areas of expertise include ancient civilizations of Anatolia, Turkish history, culture and travel. He has also been invited to share his knowledge in respected international academic societies such as Boston University and the Penn Museum, among others.
As a part-time instructor, Yenen has taught a number of interesting lectures on Turkey’s Cultural Heritage, Travel Writing and Blogging, Anatolian Civilizations and Tourist Guiding at both Bilgi and Boğaziçi Universities for several years. His passion to share his expertise in these fields is evident in his dynamic teaching style and commitment to educating students about Turkey’s rich cultural heritage and history.
With over thirty years of experience in the Turkish travel industry, Serif is an experienced travel manager who manages his own travel agency duly registered with the Turkish Ministry of Tourism and Culture.
Organizes VIP Tours and Luxury Travel Experiences for Celebrities and Notables in Istanbul and Turkey
His expertise is in organizing high-end tours, private tours, excursions, sightseeing tours, vacations and extraordinary adventures in Istanbul and throughout Turkey.
Serif’s expertise extends to designing and arranging various tours, meetings, congresses, incentives, destination wedding and honeymoon arrangements anywhere in Turkey.
Pope Benedict XVI, who relied on his impeccable services, guidance services.
Continuing her passion for organizing private tours focusing on culture, history and culinary experiences, Serif also has a membership in Chaine des Rotisseurs, which showcases her passion for food.
Alongside his exceptional work in the travel industry, Serif actively shares his knowledge and experience via his live YouTube channel with fascinating videos on a variety of interesting topics: https://www.youtube.com/SerifYenen ↗
Thanks to his diverse talents and achievements, Serif continues to share his deep-rooted passion for Turkey’s culture, history and travel experiences with a global audience, making a lasting impression on travel literature and media. (Istanbul Local Tour Guide)
You can find detailed information about Şerif Yenen on the About Private Istanbul Guide page and on Private Istanbul Guide Wikipedia ↗.
