Fener and Balat - Old Greek & Jewish Quarter
Description
This tour is to the neighborhoods far away from main touristy parts of the city and it is about experiencing the real Istanbul. In this afternoon walking tour, we take you away for an introduction to the local life style of Istanbul. We will start with experiencing of using tram. Visiting the residential neighborhoods which will give you the chance to see how locals live in this cosmopolitan city. We will sit at the local cafes to sip cay tea and see how local get social. We will pass through the local markets, bakeries, tea houses. We will learn how the Constantinople was concurred by Ottoman in 1453.
Tour Options
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reviews(87)
Beyhan was an amazing guide. She knows a lot about the the city and the history. She took me to the hidden spots which I may have not known if it wasnt for her. 10/10
Superb experience! Our guide was outstanding, and the tour was absolutely fascinating. We loved every minute of it. To top it all off, we were treated to a lovely cup of tea at the end—such a thoughtful gesture. Without a doubt, this was one of the best guided tours we’ve ever had.
This was an incredible tour packed full of insights and history of the city of Istanbul. The tour was set at a really easy and enjoyable pace with so much to take in, lots of variety and an absolute highlight for my stay in Istanbul! I would highly recommend to anyone who has an interest in history, early settlement , identity and culture including architecture and just getting acquainted with the real side of Istanbul along the way.
Dear Karen, Thank you so much for your wonderful review and for joining our tour! We’re delighted to hear that you found the experience both insightful and enjoyable. Istanbul is a city with thousands of years of history and a unique blend of cultures, and it’s always rewarding to know that our guests leave with a deeper understanding of its heritage, architecture, and local life. Your kind words about the pace of the tour and your recommendation mean a great deal to us. It was a pleasure sharing the “real” side of Istanbul with you, and we hope to welcome you back one day to explore even more of this amazing city. Warm regards, Salih & My Local Guide Istanbul Team
We were in Istanbul for 5 days and visited this area that is a bit outside the traditional sites; we like to explore on our own and took the ferry to the other side of the city, a place we had looked for in the city guide and found interesting, with different, colorful, and peaceful architecture, small cafes, and steep streets; it is a good option for a quiet afternoon and to take beautiful photos from the top of the hills.
We had a fantastic private tour with Beyhan and would highly recommend her. She was so friendly, passionate and incredibly knowledgeable about the history and culture of Fener and Balat. We loved exploring the churches, colourful streets and learning the colourful stories behind them, it was a side of Istanbul we would never have discovered on our own. One of the highlights of our trip. Thank you Beyhan!
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We’re delighted to hear that Beyhan made your visit to Fener and Balat such a memorable experience. She truly loves sharing the rich history, culture, and unique stories of these fascinating neighborhoods, and we’re so pleased that her passion and knowledge helped you discover a side of Istanbul you might otherwise have missed. Your kind words mean a great deal to us, and we’ll be sure to share them with Beyhan. We hope to welcome you back to Istanbul for another unforgettable adventure!
Had and amazing time! Beyhan was a great tour guide and taught me so much. Highly recommend!
Thank you so much for your kind review! We are glad to hear that you enjoyed your experience with our guide Beyhan. She is a young and enthusiastic guide and very happy show you around Istanbul and sharing its culture, local life and history with you. I’m so glad you had an amazing time and that you enjoyed the experience. Thank you for your recommendation, and I hope to welcome you back to Istanbul again one day!
We had a fantastic private tour with Beyhan and would highly recommend her. She was so friendly, passionate, and incredibly knowledgeable about the history and culture of Fener and Balat. We loved exploring the churches, colourful streets and learning the stories behind them, it was a side of Istanbul we never would have discovered on our own. One of the highlights of our trip. Thank you, Beyhan!
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We are delighted to hear that you had such a fantastic experience exploring Fener and Balat with Beyhan. She is truly passionate about sharing the rich history, culture, and hidden stories of these unique neighborhoods, so it’s wonderful to know that her enthusiasm and knowledge made the tour so memorable for you. We’re especially happy that you enjoyed discovering the churches, colorful streets, and the local stories that make this part of Istanbul so special. Thank you for choosing to explore with us and for your kind recommendation. We hope to welcome you back for another adventure in Istanbul in the future!
Birak was wonderful, showing us a side of Istanbul outside of the typical tourist spots. He is extremely knowledgeable about the history and religion, tying together themes from the 1400s to current day. We could not have asked for a better guide. He also talked about current culture in the areas we visited. At the end of the tour Burack gave us a recommendation for dinner which was spot on. I highly recommend both the tour and especially Burack as your guide.
A very nice, entertaining, and beautiful walk for great photos.
Excellent walking tour with an exceptional guide. His knowledge and explanations of everything were great. He answered every question and was a wealth of knowledge about Istanbul and the area we toured.
