Fener & Balat: Istanbul’s Living History — Private Walking Tour

5.0 (5 reviews) 5 hours Free cancellation Private tour

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5.0

Fener & Balat: Istanbul’s Living History — Private Walking Tour — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

Fener & Balat: Istanbul’s Living History — Private Walking Tour, photo 2 — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

About this activity

Discover Fener and Balat beyond their colorful streets on a private walking tour that brings together history, culture and everyday neighborhood life.

Explore the Greek Orthodox, Jewish, Armenian, Bulgarian and Muslim heritage that has shaped this part of Istanbul, while your guide connects its churches, synagogues, markets and streets with the people, migrations and stories behind them.

Along the way, pause at a local tea house for traditional Turkish tea and baklava, and enjoy the neighborhood at a relaxed pace. With a private guide, there is time to ask questions, follow the stories that interest you and experience Fener and Balat without having to keep up with a large group.

Half-day Tours Private and Luxury Private Sightseeing Tours Cultural Tours Historical Tours Walking Tours Ports of Call Tours Shore Excursions

At a glance

Duration: 5 hours
Confirmation: Instant confirmation
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Your group only
People per booking: 1–8
Guide: English, Spanish
Operated by: Food Trail Istanbul Tours

What is included

Included

Included: Private guiding service by an expert tour guide

Not included

Not included: Lunch
Not included: Gratuities
Not included: Transportation

Itinerary

Tekfur Sarayi

Passing by

The Byzantine Tekfur Palace is the only surviving structure of Blakernia Palace, that was used mostly between the 11th and 15th century. This three-story Byzantine palace is situated just within Istanbul's city walls near Edirnekapı gate. This is a unique structure as it is the only Byzantine Palace left standing in the world.
Vlaherna Meryem Ana Church

45 min

You will see a very beautiful historic church which is located near the northern tip of the walls of Theodosius. The church was built by the Empress Pulcheria (ca. 450-453), and her husband, Emperor Marcian. This little shrine has the Hagiasma which is the fountain of holy water where water flowed out of the hands of the marble statue of the Virgin Mary.
Ahrida Synagogue

Passing by

Istanbul hides many amazing religious places that create rich religious and cultural life. Ahrida synagogue which dates back to early 15th century is a beautiful example of this mosaic.
Bulgarian Orthodox Church

45 min

St Stephen of the Bulgarians Church (Sveti Stefan) is a cast Iron Church on the Golden Horn. The church consists of poured iron slabs that were floated on cargo ships from Vienna, down the Danube River, across the Black Sea, through the Bosphorus, only to then be mounted on-site.
Stop 5

Passing by

This beautiful Red School structure is one of the city’s few remaining Greek orthodox schools. Since its establishment, the school educated the children of prominent Greek and Bulgarian families of the Ottoman Empire.
Fener & Balat

one hour

These picturesque neighborhoods were once Istanbul’s Greek Orthodox and Jewish neighborhoods. Today Fener & Balat are famous for its vintage stores, designer cafés, colorful old wooden houses and amazing churches.
Fener Rum Patrikhanesi

45 min

The Fener Greek Orthodox Patriarchate Istanbul has been the spiritual center of the Greek Orthodox world since around 1600.This compound of buildings located behind the sea walls fronting the Golden Horn includes the beautiful 19th-century Patriarchal Church of St George.
The Walls of Istanbul

Passing by

You will see one of the most impressive monuments of late antiquity. The Theodosius Land Walls were built in the 5th century during the early reign of Emperor Theodosius II (ruled 408–450)and withheld all attacks until 1453.

Meeting point and pickup

The operator picks every participant up from their accommodation or the points below.

Pickup points

Atlantis Royal Hotel
AHC Ayasofya Hotel - Special Class
Meddusa Hotel
Gulhane Corner Hotel
Akdeniz Hotel
Faros Hotel Old City
Kupeli Hotel
The Hotel Istanbul
Best Town Palace
Aprilis Hotel
Flower Palace Hotel
Royal Bosphorus Hotel

and 439 more pickup points

We can pick up from centrally located Sultanahmet, Sirkeci, Karakoy and Taksim hotels, for non-central hotels MEETING POINT can be set by guest affter booking.

This tour can be operated as Shore Excursion Tour for cruise passengers from GalataPort.

Using your ticket

Hotel pickups means your guide will meet you at the hotel if centrally located, exact pickup time will be advised on reconfirmation. Hotels out of city center are subject to another meeting point.