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Offered languages
- German
- English
- French
- Spanish
If you’re the sort of tourist who likes to get off the beaten path and away from the crowds, then you can’t do much better than spend a day getting lost in the fascinating streets of the historically cosmopolitan Fener and Balat neighborhoods.
These two historical neighborhoods, located along the Golden Horn, have housed the Greek and Jewish communities of Constantinople for centuries. These old quarters promise a picturesque experience with their retro cafes and historical buildings. They are off the major tourist trail and their authenticity makes this guided tour worthwhile.
What's Included
Meeting and pickup
Your guide will meet with you in front of the Sur Balık (Fish Restaurant) which is next to the Kadir Has University building.
The tour finishes at Sveti Stefan Church. Balat ferry port is 6 min walk from the church. There is a ferry to Karaköy port every hour (50 past).
Itinerary
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1Cibali
The tour starts from the Cibali Tobacco Factory, the symbol of the neighborhood which tells much about the transformation process of the area.
30 minutes • Admission ticket free -
2Gul Camii
Gül Mosque will be our second stop with its mysterious story, which is going to tell us how Byzantine and Ottoman cultures were integrated.
30 minutes • Admission ticket free -
3Fener Rum Patrikhanesi
Then we will be heading towards Fener which offers a fantastic experience to its visitors with its authentic atmosphere including many interesting churches. The Greek Orthodox Patriarchal Church is an essential part of this tour because it’s the most sacred site for all of the 300 million Orthodox people in the whole world.
45 minutes • Admission ticket free -
Church of St. Mary of the Mongols (Pass by)
Church of St. Mary of the Mongols is the only Byzantine church of Constantinople that was not converted to a mosque. Since the fall of Constantinople, Saint Mary of the Mongols was always open to the Greek Orthodox people and has stood tall since it was completed in 1281.
Admission ticket free -
4Private Fener Greek High School
Fener Greek High School for Boys will welcome us in all its glory. It is the oldest surviving and most prestigious Greek Orthodox school in Istanbul, Turkey. Then we will take the narrow streets and slopes with colorful cafes, restaurants and antique shops of the neighborhood.
30 minutes • Admission ticket free -
5Balat
The rest of the tour will be in Balat where the less affluent Greeks and Jews of Istanbul lived in and home to an astonishing number of churches, mosques and synagogues. Walking through the splashes of color and the vibrancy of its street life, the crisscross of washing lines on the crumbling buildings, the synagogues, the churches, and the labyrinth of cobblestone streets.
1 hour 30 minutes • Admission ticket free -
Ahrida Synagogue (Pass by)
Ahrida Synagogue is one of the oldest in the whole of Istanbul. The once-thriving Jewish quarter of Balat was served by the great Ahrida Synagogue and it became one of the most important buildings in the entire neighborhood. Several renovations throughout the centuries have kept it true to its original architectural design.
Admission ticket free -
6Saint Stephen’s Orthodox Church
Sveti Stefan Bulgarian Church, the only church in the whole world which is made completely of steel.
30 minutes • Admission ticket free
Additional info
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Tags
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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Cancellation Policy
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
Rating
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
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