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Vacantier

Activity Istanbul, Turkey

Backstreets of Istanbul

9 hours Free cancellation Private tour
Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

Backstreets of Istanbul

About this activity

The tour starts in Balat, exploring the Golden Horn side of the historical peninsula. Balat was – and still is – a unique neighborhood, where the Muslims, Orthodox Christians, and Jews have been living together as friends and neighbors, since the days of the Ottoman Empire.

You can see clothes, boasting a rainbow of colors, hanged to dry between balconies of opposite houses; and the inhabitants of Balat are in no way less colorful than what they wear.

İstanbul is simultaneously a historical and a modern city that offers the best for every taste. You start your second day of the tour drinking your morning coffee, at a restaurant with the breath-taking view of Bosphorus, in the trendy "high society" neighborhood of "Bebek". You will be sitting in Europe, looking at Asia: a very unique experience.

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At a glance

Duration
9 hours
Confirmation
Instant confirmation
Ticket
Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group
Your group only
People per booking
1–10
Guide
Arabic, German, Russian, Japanese, English, Italian, French, Spanish
Operated by
TRAVELIUM

What is included

Included

  • Included: Transportation from/to your address via proper, comfortable vehicle
  • Included: Professional tour guide experience in various languages

Not included

  • Not included: Drinks and all personal expenses
  • Not included: Lunch
  • Not included: Museum of Innocence - 30 TRY/per person
  • Not included: Entrance fees: Museum of Innocence

Itinerary

  1. Balat

    3 hours

    The tour starts in Balat, exploring the Golden Horn side of the historical peninsula. Balat was – and still is – a unique neighborhood where the Muslims, Orthodox Christians, and Jews have been living together as friends and neighbors since the days of the Ottoman Empire.

    Its identity is mainly unchanged, with old-style, narrow, colorful houses, each 3 to 4 stories, shops on the first floor, along the narrow streets. There are even some "ghost houses" waiting to be discovered. You can see clothes boasting a rainbow of colors, hung to dry between balconies of opposite houses, and the inhabitants of Balat are in no way less colorful than what they wear.

  2. Museum Of Innocence

    2 hours Admission not included

    If you can find the hidden street, you walk down long stairs called the “French passage,” full of colors and some statues. There, you will find Nobel Laureate Turkish writer Orhan Pamuk’s contemporary museum named after his novel “The Museum of Innocence.”

    Admission fee: 30 TRY/per person

  3. Bebek Park

    2 hours

    İstanbul is simultaneously a historical and modern city that offers the best for every taste. You start your second day of the tour by drinking your morning coffee, at a restaurant with a breathtaking view of Bosphorus, in the trendy "high society" neighborhood of "Bebek." You will sit in Europe, looking at Asia: a unique experience. Then you walk along the Bosphorus, hop on a taxi, and reach to discover the chic streets of sophisticated Nisantasi, which is constantly buzzing with shoppers hanging around elegant cafés and classy boutiques—another trendy and modern part of Istanbul. We will find many upscale clothes and jewelry, home textile shops, and restaurants there. This place is the heart of contemporary life in İstanbul, where many celebrities congregate.

  4. Grand Bazaar

    2 hours

    Istanbul has always been a major trade center of the world; since the city is the main junction point where sea and land routes intersect. Stepping into the Grand Bazaar feels like a journey in time, which takes you back to the golden age of the Ottoman Empire with all artisans, work, and shop owners hassling to sell the best of their products. Not only inexpensive touristic souvenirs but also upscale well-known family stores of jewelry, leather, antiques, art, replicas, ceramics, towels, home textiles, and more than you can imagine. Grand Bazaar, the oldest and most extensive "shopping mall" in the world, has 22 gates and 4000 shops. It first opened in 1461!

Meeting point and pickup

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

Pickup points

  • Harbour Suites Old City
  • Atlantis Royal Hotel
  • Vardar Palace Hotel
  • Gulseda Otel Apart
  • Imagine Istanbul - Sultanahmet
  • Hotel Inter Istanbul
  • Union Hotel Port
  • Xenia Hotel Istanbul
  • AHC Ayasofya Hotel - Special Class
  • Meddusa Hotel
  • Gulhane Corner Hotel
  • Chambers of the Boheme

and 1,867 more pickup points

Please be informed kindly that you are required to contact your agency, Travelium, at least 24 hours in advance in order to confirm excursion.

If you have book this activity less than 24 hours prior to the scheduled time, please contact us immediately after booking to confirm your excursion.

Please bear in mind, you will be asked to present your printed voucher and photo ID when you meet with your guide.

Cancellation

Free cancellation

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

If you cancel You get back
At least one day before 100%
Less than a day before 0%
  • The operator may cancel if the weather does not allow it; you then get another date or your money back.

Good to know

  • Wheelchair accessible

  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller

  • Service animals allowed

  • Public transportation options are available nearby

  • Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap

  • Transportation options are wheelchair accessible

  • All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible

  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Activities, prices and reviews are from Viator. Booking and payment happen on Viator; Vacantier may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Backstreets of Istanbul

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