Bohemian Neighbourhoods Fener and Balat Walking Tour

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| Istanbul, Turkey

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5 hours (approx.)

Hotel pickup offered

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Overview

The areas of Fener & Balat dating back to Byzantine times are rich in history, culture and art. They have historically been home to different communities and religions. A walk through these historic neighborhood offer travelers a unique experience where past and present mingle in colorful cobbled streets, designers cafés and shops are lined with traditional coffee houses. This is the kind of place where you can join locals in buying fresh veggies and fruits from a cart and try authentic Turkish food in local eateries.

What's Included

Skip the line priority to buy museum tickets
Private tour for your family
Private guiding service by an expert tour guide

Lunch
Museum tickets
Gratuities
Transportation

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Meeting and Pickup

Pickup point

Pickup details

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.

What To Expect

The Walls of Istanbul (Pass 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.

Vlaherna Meryem Ana Church

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.

45 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Ahrida Synagogue (Pass 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

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.

45 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Private Fener Greek High School (Pass 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

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.

1 hour • Admission Ticket Free

Fener Rum Patrikhanesi

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.

45 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Tekfur Sarayi (Pass 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.

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Additional Info

Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby

Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Frequently Asked Questions

(6)

Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Bohemian Neighbourhoods Fener and Balat Walking Tour?

A: You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund. For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (+03). Read more Apr 2025