Historic Off the Beaten Path Tour of the Real Istanbul
Overview
See Turkey like a local on this historic off-the-beaten-path tour of the real Istanbul. Go where the locals go, and experience life in the back streets of Istanbul. Wind through the hills of Fener, home to the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate Church and colorful Greek and Ottoman Houses. Meeting point is Pudding Shop Lale Restaurant
Inclusions
- Light refreshment
- Practice of hookah at favorite local hangout
- Professional guide
- Public transportation; ferry and bus
- Lunch
- Entry/Admission - Serefiye Sarnici
What to expect
Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: Serefiye Sarnici, Binbirdirek Mh. Piyer Loti Cd. No: 2/1, Istanbul 34122 Turkiye
The Theodosius Cistern is one of many ancient cisterns of Constantinople that lie beneath the city of Istanbul, Turkey. Please note: Depending visiting times, it may be changed with Binbirdirek Cistern
Duration: 20 minutes
Pass By: Kapali Carsi, Kalpakcilar Cad. Sorguclu Han No: 22, Istanbul 34126 Turkiye
The colourful and chaotic Grand Bazaar is the heart of İstanbul's Old City and has been so for centuries.
Stop At: Corlulu Ali Pasa Medresesi, Mollafenari Mh., Istanbul 34120 Turkiye
An old madrasah which turns into a coffee shop
Duration: 25 minutes
Pass By: Istanbul Universitesi Rektorlugu, Fuat Pasa Cad. Beyazit, Istanbul Turkiye
Founded in 1933, Istanbul Universitesi (Istanbul University) is a non-profit public higher education institution located in the metropolis of Istanbul.
Stop At: Suleymaniye Mosque, Prof. SIddIk Sami Onar Cd. No:1 Süleymaniye Mah, Istanbul 34116 Turkiye
Süleymaniye Mosque. Built by the most important architect of Ottoman times, Arhitect Sinan, this superb monument is Istanbul's largest mosque complex
Duration: 25 minutes
Stop At: Sahaflar Carsisi, Istanbul 34430 Turkiye
The Second Hand Book Bazaar has been a book and paper market since Byzantine times.
Duration: 5 minutes
Pass By: Tahtakale District, Istanbul Turkiye
Great street bazaar that you will see almost everything is being sold and very popular bazaar by locals
Stop At: Misir Carsisi (Spice Market), Rustem Pasa Mahallesi, Erzak Ambari Sok. No:92 Eminonu - Fatih, Istanbul 34116 Turkiye
Vividly coloured spices are displayed alongside jewel-like lokum (Turkish delight) at this Ottoman-era marketplace, providing eye candy for the thousands of tourists and locals who make their way here every day.
Duration: 25 minutes
Stop At: Balat & Fener Tour, Istanbul Turkiye
Formerly Istanbul's Greek Orthodox and Jewish neighborhoods, today Fener and Balat are known for their dilapidated yet beautiful old houses and more...
Duration: 50 minutes
Stop At: Cathedral Church of St George, Fener Rum Patrikhanesi Sadrazam Ali Pasa Cadesi, Fener, Istanbul 342 20 Turkiye
Located in one of the oldest parts of Istanbul, in Fatih, the Cathedral Church of Saint George is a Greek Orthodox Church which is still in working order
Duration: 20 minutes
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: Serefiye Sarnici, Binbirdirek Mh. Piyer Loti Cd. No: 2/1, Istanbul 34122 Turkiye
The Theodosius Cistern is one of many ancient cisterns of Constantinople that lie beneath the city of Istanbul, Turkey. Please note: Depending visiting times, it may be changed with Binbirdirek Cistern
Duration: 20 minutes
Pass By: Kapali Carsi, Kalpakcilar Cad. Sorguclu Han No: 22, Istanbul 34126 Turkiye
The colourful and chaotic Grand Bazaar is the heart of İstanbul's Old City and has been so for centuries.
Stop At: Corlulu Ali Pasa Medresesi, Mollafenari Mh., Istanbul 34120 Turkiye
An old madrasah which turns into a coffee shop
Duration: 25 minutes
Pass By: Istanbul Universitesi Rektorlugu, Fuat Pasa Cad. Beyazit, Istanbul Turkiye
Founded in 1933, Istanbul Universitesi (Istanbul University) is a non-profit public higher education institution located in the metropolis of Istanbul.
Stop At: Suleymaniye Mosque, Prof. SIddIk Sami Onar Cd. No:1 Süleymaniye Mah, Istanbul 34116 Turkiye
Süleymaniye Mosque. Built by the most important architect of Ottoman times, Arhitect Sinan, this superb monument is Istanbul's largest mosque complex
Duration: 25 minutes
Stop At: Sahaflar Carsisi, Istanbul 34430 Turkiye
The Second Hand Book Bazaar has been a book and paper market since Byzantine times.
Duration: 5 minutes
Pass By: Tahtakale District, Istanbul Turkiye
Great street bazaar that you will see almost everything is being sold and very popular bazaar by locals
Stop At: Misir Carsisi (Spice Market), Rustem Pasa Mahallesi, Erzak Ambari Sok. No:92 Eminonu - Fatih, Istanbul 34116 Turkiye
Vividly coloured spices are displayed alongside jewel-like lokum (Turkish delight) at this Ottoman-era marketplace, providing eye candy for the thousands of tourists and locals who make their way here every day.
Duration: 25 minutes
Stop At: Balat & Fener Tour, Istanbul Turkiye
Formerly Istanbul's Greek Orthodox and Jewish neighborhoods, today Fener and Balat are known for their dilapidated yet beautiful old houses and more...
Duration: 50 minutes
Stop At: Cathedral Church of St George, Fener Rum Patrikhanesi Sadrazam Ali Pasa Cadesi, Fener, Istanbul 342 20 Turkiye
Located in one of the oldest parts of Istanbul, in Fatih, the Cathedral Church of Saint George is a Greek Orthodox Church which is still in working order
Duration: 20 minutes
Additional information
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Meeting point is Pudding Shop Lale Restaurant to departure the walking tour
- Minimum capacity is 2 persons. We reserve the right to cancel a tour due to insufficient reservations. We will do all we can to reschedule your tour or a refund will be provided.
- Stroller accessible
- A maximum of 10 people per booking
- Our tours are done by public transportation and walking so if you have any serious mobility issues, we advise you to book a private tour
- Near public transportation
- Parents of children under 6 years are advised to book a private tour
- On Religious Fests Grand Bazaar and Spice Bazaar are closed; May 2nd, 3rd, 4th, July 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th in 2022
- Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
- Face masks required for travelers in public areas
- Face masks required for guides in public areas
- Face masks provided for travelers
- COVID-19 vaccination required for guides
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
- This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 10 travelers
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Ticket delivery
You can present either a paper or an electronic voucher for this activity.
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start time of the experience.
Christopher_B
March 2023
Atahan was a friendly and knowledgeable guide who made our tour such a nice experience. Even in the rain he had a bright smile and personality. We learned so much from him. Thank you. Chris and David.
Atahan was a friendly and knowledgeable guide who made our tour such a nice experience. Even in the rain he had a bright smile and personality. We learned so much from him. Thank you. Chris and David.514saminam
November 2022
It was a long day tour. However, they reduced the experience with fewer locations. I took the tour before. They didn't take to any hookah place or the church. Finished at a location and expected to return on your own. Wasn't very satisfied.
It was a long day tour. However, they reduced the experience with fewer locations. I took the tour before. They didn't take to any hookah place or the church. Finished at a location and expected to return on your own. Wasn't very satisfied.Debbie_M
November 2022
What a great tour! Our guide, Salih, was truly amazing. He had such a wide knowledge base of everything Istanbul and beyond. And we really were off the beaten path. I highly recommend this tour!
What a great tour! Our guide, Salih, was truly amazing. He had such a wide knowledge base of everything Istanbul and beyond. And we really were off the beaten path. I highly recommend this tour!Matt_B
November 2022
Great day exploring Istanbul with Salih. He was a terrific guide and made it a great experience. Would highly recommend.
Great day exploring Istanbul with Salih. He was a terrific guide and made it a great experience. Would highly recommend.Grant13
May 2022
What a fantastic tour, our guide was great, easy to chat to, full of interesting information and pretty laid back. There were only two of us on this tour with our guide and when we agreed we would like to eat like a local he found a great street restaurant where we had an excellent kebab sitting ...
What a fantastic tour, our guide was great, easy to chat to, full of interesting information and pretty laid back. There were only two of us on this tour with our guide and when we agreed we would like to eat like a local he found a great street restaurant where we had an excellent kebab sitting on stools by the roadside. We also had tea in a quiet cafe in a hidden laneway with some locals, it was a truly authentic experience. The places we saw were not on any of the main tourist site tours which was just what I was after as I had seen all the main attractions. This tour is really worthwhile21saharj
May 2022
it was a great experience to walk through the old part of the city and see how the people used to live. the visit to the church was superb. a must see. the 15 minutes light show in the cisternae was magical.
it was a great experience to walk through the old part of the city and see how the people used to live. the visit to the church was superb. a must see. the 15 minutes light show in the cisternae was magical.