Römisch-byzantinisches Erbe Istanbuls

Unsal is a well informed and helpful tour guide as we went through Byzantine monuments such as the city walls and Chora Church/Kariye Mosque. He speaks very well and was very prepared for our tour with pictures and took on all of our questions spanning thousands of years of Istanbul history. He was flexible for our pace and our interests too, which made for a very dynamic private day tour around the city. Food options he recommended along the way were very good as well. I would surely recommend him!

+1

We had a wonderful experience exploring Istanbul with Ünsal as our guide. It was a real pleasure getting to know him and discovering the city in his company. Our visit to Kariye Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Fatih Mosque, and the other historic sites was made even more enjoyable and meaningful thanks to the fascinating information and stories Ünsal shared with us. His knowledge, passion, and thoughtful guidance really brought Istanbul’s history to life. He was incredibly helpful, friendly, and attentive throughout the tour, and we truly appreciated all the effort he put into making our day special. He also took some beautiful photos for us, which will be wonderful memories of our time in Istanbul. We are leaving Istanbul with many beautiful memories, and we are very grateful to Ünsal for making our experience even more memorable. We would happily recommend him to anyone visiting Istanbul, and we hope our paths cross again someday! Thank you for everything, Ünsal! 😊

Our guide Unsal was extraordinary! This being a private tour he showed us all the important Roman Heritage sights which is not listed in the normal tours. He took time to discuss with us our interest level and at each of the historical places he explained every thing in detail. Helped us with lunch introduced us to a special sweet dish. Not only dropped us where we wanted but guided us again to our next activity and again helped us with dinner choices. A very friendly person it was like spending a day with a friend who knows so much about the many historical events that shaped Istanbul. He explained every thing about the art work in the Mosques added with pictures from his IPad, showing us how things were how things would be. Highly recommended tour.

I cannot recommend this tour high enough. Unsal is an excellent guide providing detailed descriptions of every place, while selecting sites off the beaten path. My knowledge of Roman Istanbul has increased tenfold, and i have tons of memories of the places we visited.

I took the Roman Byzantine Heritage tour with Unsal. I’m a history buff so really wanted to see and learn more about the Roman Constantinople history. Unsal ended up being the perfect guide. He is not only professional and knowledgeable but also very kind and a great company. The tour lasted several hours, almost the whole day, as even when the itinerary was followed pretty closely, the thoroughness of the explanations and the conversations resulted in an extended time. Other than the rush to reach some Mosques due prayer time schedules, there was never a rush to cover my questions and interests. The tour combined walking, metro rides and taxis, which were basically tailored to the my specific needs and preferences. Unsal complemented his explanations with digital material thru an iPad, which I thought it was nice. At the end of the day, he still wanted me to see an additional site that I missed during my first visit to Istanbul but unfortunately I was too tired and had to decline, however, that showed Unsal’s passion for his job and customer service excellence. At the end of the tour, he called a taxi for me and even rode with me to my hotel to ensure I would get there safe and sound. Great and highly recommended experience overall!

Unsal customised an itinerary for my second visit to Istanbul including the Roman Heritage area. The rich history and breathtaking artwork on display in all the places we visited was incredible. Unsal is a wonderful guide who paces the program and information based on your energy level and preference. I particularly appreciated the extensive personal photo collection which is used for reference during activities, as this helped highlight key information and intricate design details in the areas visited. I highly recommend Unsal as a reliable and engaging person. His guiding style will allow you to explore Istanbul effectively and in keeping with your specific areas of interest, whilst helping you to learn so much about the history of this fascinating city.

In 2024, I joined "Istanbul Essentials for First Timers" route with Ünsal - such a great experience that I had to come back for more. Eager to explore the city’s deeper layers, I booked him once again, this time focused on lesser-known historical gems. After coffee at Sirkeci, we took the metro to Kazlıçeşme and walked to Yedikule Hisarı, a former fortress with Istanbul views. A short bus ride brought us to Mevlanakapı, part of the restored Byzantine walls. My favorite stop was Chora Church, also known as Kariye Camii, in Edirnekapı. Dating back to the 4th century, it’s renowned for its exquisite Late Byzantine mosaics and frescoes depicting biblical stories, particularly the life of the Virgin Mary. Having served as a church, mosque and a museum, its layered history is fascinating. We made brief stops at the restored Tekfur Sarayı and the Aqueduct of Valens and visited the Fatih Mosque Complex before ending at Zeyrek Mosque, a beautifully restored Byzantine church overlooking the Golden Horn. Along the way, I tried my first chicken dürüm and we had Turkish tea and desserts. Ünsal’s knowledge and passion made the day unforgettable. Teşekkür ederim!

+6