Share this tour
Offered languages
- German
- English
- Spanish
Fener
Fener has been an important Greek neighborhood since the 16th century during the Ottoman period. The Fener district, where the Greek Patriarchate (Constantinople Ecumenical Patriarchate) and the Rum Erkek Lisesi (High School) are located, is one of the must-see districts of Istanbul with its narrow streets, small shops, churches, and especially the patriarchate and high school buildings.
Balat
Balat district, which is adjacent to Fener, is an old Jewish district. Just like the Fener, this district is a favorite of all visitors, but especially photography enthusiasts, with its churches, synagogues, small shops, and colorful and narrow streets.
On this tour, you will encounter a completely different face of Istanbul and you will find traces of Greek and Jewish cultures that have lived in these lands for centuries.
What's Included
Meeting and pickup
After the reservation, we will contact you to decide on the exact meeting point.
Itinerary
-
1Greek Orthodox Church of Ayios Yeorgios
It is known as the center of the 250 million Christian orthodoxy in the world, in other words, the Vatican of the Greek Orthodox. Many valuable objects, including that from the 5th century, can be seen in the Aya Yorgi Patriarchate Church (St.George), which shares the same courtyard with the patriarchate.
1 hour • Admission ticket free -
2Bulgarian Orthodox Church
Located on the shore of the Golden Horn and also known as the Iron Church, the Bulgarian Church (Aya Stefanos/Sveti Stefan) is an original and charming historical building that attracts a lot of attention with its architectural appearance. Iron parts weighing 500 tons used in the construction of the church were produced in Vienna between 1893 and 1896 and transported to Istanbul by ships via the Danube and the Black Sea.
1 hour • Admission ticket free -
3The Virgin Mary Syriac Church
The Church of the Virgin Mary in Balat is also known as the Bloody Church. It is a church built at the end of the 13th century and is also known as the Mongolian Saint Maria (Saint Mary).
1 hour • Admission ticket free -
4Balat
Various antique and vintage stores and shops selling mirrors are lined up in the bazaar. Small cafes and restaurants are in this area to take a break.
1 hour • Admission ticket free -
5Istanbul Toy Museum
Balat Toy Museum hosts thousands of toys in 15 categories that attract the attention of not only children but also visitors of all ages.
1 hour • Admission ticket included -
6Ahrida Synagogue
Ahrida Synagogue, located in the Balat district, took its name from the Macedonian town of Ohrid. It is the most magnificent of Balat Synagogues. The Teva (Torah reading chair) of the synagogue resembles the bow of a ship. According to one belief, this form is reminiscent of Noah's Ark, while according to another claim, it symbolizes the Ottoman galleys that brought the Sephardi from Spain to the Ottoman Empire.
1 hour 30 minutes • Admission ticket included
Additional info
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Tags
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Show more
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.
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Your guide to the flawless travel experience
Top Searches
Get our app
