When you imagine exploring Istanbul — a city layered with empires, faiths, colors, and culture — your experience becomes infinitely richer when shared with someone who truly knows its soul. That’s where Tour Guide Ozgen steps in.

Ozgen is not your average tour guide. Born in Istanbul in 1990, raised on the city’s streets and stories, and later trained as both a licensed professional tour guide and a historian, Ozgen offers travelers a rare blend of deep knowledge, genuine hospitality, and a passion that only comes from living the city inside and out.

An Istanbul Native with Global Perspective

Raised in Istanbul until the age of 17, Ozgen’s early education was shaped by the city’s energy and multicultural influence. After graduating from Doğuş Schools, he moved to Canada to continue his education and improve his English — a move that would later set the stage for his successful career in tourism.

Originally enrolling in a psychology program, Ozgen spent three years abroad before returning to Turkey. But while his formal psychology studies didn’t lead to a clinical career, they honed something even more vital: his ability to understand people, connect across cultures, and build trust with travelers from all over the world.

That natural ease with people soon led him into the travel industry, where he found himself thriving. Encouraged by a family friend and guided by his lifelong passion for history and geography, Ozgen decided to formalize his new path by earning a license as a professional tour guide.

From Tour Guide to Historian

While many guides stop at licensing, Ozgen’s thirst for knowledge didn’t end there. In 2015, he officially became a licensed tour guide (TUREB License No. 4503), but his dream to become a historian still lingered. Determined to offer more than scripted facts, Ozgen enrolled once again in university — this time to study history.

He balanced his work as a full-time guide with academic studies, dedicating summers to sharing Istanbul’s secrets and winters to poring over ancient texts. In 2021, he proudly graduated as a professional historian. Now, when you tour with Ozgen, you’re not just getting stories from a guidebook — you’re walking through time with someone who has academically studied the events and places he’s showing you.

Specialized Tours for Every Interest

One of the qualities that sets Ozgen apart is the diversity of his tours. Whether you’re a foodie, an architecture buff, a history lover, or a repeat traveler to Istanbul looking for something new, he tailors each experience with precision and care.

Here are just a few of the experiences he offers:

• Cultural & Historical Istanbul Tours: Dive deep into the layers of Byzantine, Roman, and Ottoman rule through the city’s iconic monuments like Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, and the Blue Mosque.

• Chronological Istanbul Tour: A unique journey through time that connects the dots from ancient Constantinople to modern-day Istanbul in a single, coherent narrative.

• Istanbul Off-the-Beaten Path: Explore quiet backstreets, forgotten neighborhoods, and hidden courtyards that most tourists never see.

• Culinary Istanbul Tours: Savor the flavors of the city, from local meyhanes and spice markets to street food hidden gems.

• Day Trips from Istanbul: Take guided excursions to Gallipoli, Troy, Bursa, or even Edirne, with transportation and context provided every step of the way.

More Than Just a Guide

Ozgen’s tours aren’t just about sightseeing — they’re about connection, story, and discovery. His background in psychology makes him a patient and empathetic host. His training in history ensures accuracy, depth, and insight. And his certifications — including voice training, fencing, wine tasting, and historical fencing instruction — add colorful dimensions to the way he presents information.

Many guests comment on how Ozgen brings history to life with charisma and detail, whether he’s explaining the ancient rituals at the Hippodrome or sharing tales of sultans and saints in Sultanahmet.

Why Travelers Love Touring with Ozgen

With a 5-star rating across dozens of reviews, guests frequently highlight his:

• Clear and fluent English

• Warm and engaging personality

• Ability to adapt tours to your pace and interests

• Punctuality and professionalism

• Local recommendations for shopping, dining, and photography

For solo travelers, families, history buffs, or first-time visitors, Ozgen’s tours are more than a checklist of famous sights — they’re an immersive experience with someone who genuinely cares about your understanding of the city.