Fener and Balat Tour Istanbul

8 hours Free cancellation Private tour

About this activity

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.

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At a glance

Duration: 8 hours
Confirmation: Instant confirmation
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Your group only
People per booking: 1–15
Guide: German, English, Spanish
Operated by: Olea Travel

What is included

Included

Included: Tour Guide

Not included

Not included: Food & Drinks

Itinerary

Greek Orthodox Church of Ayios Yeorgios

one hour

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.
Bulgarian Orthodox Church

one hour

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.
The Virgin Mary Syriac Church

one hour

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).
Balat

one hour

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.
Istanbul Toy Museum

one hour Admission included

Balat Toy Museum hosts thousands of toys in 15 categories that attract the attention of not only children but also visitors of all ages.
Ahrida Synagogue

1 h 30 min Admission included

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.