Hidden Gems of the Istanbul: From Galata Tower to Balat

4.6 (7 reviews) Istanbul, Turkey
Duration4h - 6h
Free cancellationFull refund up to 24 hours before
Instant confirmationYour booking is confirmed right away
TicketMobile or paper ticket accepted
LanguagesEnglish
Private tourOnly your group will participate

Overview

Let's have an incredible journey around Istanbul's colorful streets! We will walk along the Golden Horn from the Galata Tower, through the backstreets of Galata and Karaköy, the Kamondo Stairs, one of the most spectacular staircases in Old Istanbul, and the SALT GALATA building, one of the oldest banks, to Balat and Fener, two colorful neighborhoods on the Golden Horn's old residential side.

We will visit the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople (St. George), which is still regarded the center of faith for Orthodox Christians, as well as explore the colorful staircases, bright wooden Ottoman mansions, the Iron Church (Sveti Stefan), and Balat's medieval lanes. Then we'll take a boat to Karaköy to visit the Golden Horn, a mythical stretch of the Bosphorus.

Accompanied by a professional tourist guide, we will learn about Istanbul's full history and the locations we will visit, including exclusive admission chances and the ability to purchase tickets without waiting in line.

What's included

  • Donations for Churches
  • All Taxes
  • Professional English Speaking Guide
  • Transportation by Ferry
  • Free Tasting For Drinks and Dessert
  • Gratuities
  • Galata Tower Entry Ticket

What to expect

  1. Galata Tower
    45m · Admission ticket not included
    onsidered among the oldest towers in the world and one of the symbols of İstanbul, Galata Tower (Galata Kulesi) was included in the UNESCO World Heritage Temporary List in 2013. Galata Tower, one of the most important structures that make up the silhouette of İstanbul, was used as a long-term fire watchtower and was named Galata Fire Tower.
  2. Kamondo Stairs
    15m · Admission ticket included
    The Camondo Stairs are Art Nouveau-style stairs in the Galata district of Istanbul, Turkey. The stairs, completed in the 1850s, were built by the House of Camondo.
  3. SALT Galata, Istanbul
    20m · Admission ticket included
    Salt Galata houses the Salt Research Gregory Michael Kiez Hall, a specialized library; the Salt Research Ferit F. Şahenk Hall, which researchers can use upon registration; the Auditorium, where talks and conferences are organized; and exhibition and event spaces. Salt Galata also hosts a permanent exhibition that sheds light on the 145-year history of the institution with documents from the Ottoman Bank Museum Collection.
  4. Karakoy Rihtim
    20m · Admission ticket included
    We will take our ferry.
  5. Patriarchate Of Constantinople
    30m · Admission ticket included
    The Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople is one of the fifteen to seventeen autocephalous churches that together compose the Eastern Orthodox Church. It is headed by the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople.
  6. Balat Colored Stairs
    15m · Admission ticket included
    Balat promises you a nice day with its cute cafes, colorful streets and houses that smell of history.
  7. 20m · Admission ticket included
    Balat, which has a rich Byzantine heritage, is an old Jewish neighborhood and still has a large Jewish population. In addition, the Sephardim, who were exiled from Spain in the 15th century, settled in Balat. Most of the houses in Balat, which is protected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and some of which have been restored, were wooden before the 18th and 19th centuries. However, due to the many fires that broke out here, most of the wooden buildings were burned down and masonry buildings were then preferred. There are very few single-story buildings and the houses are usually built in twos or threes.
  8. 25m · Admission ticket included
    The Bulgarian St. Stephen Church, also known as the Bulgarian Iron Church, is a Bulgarian Orthodox church in Balat, Istanbul, Turkey. It is famous for being made of prefabricated cast iron elements in the Neo-Byzantine style. The church belongs to the Bulgarian Christian minority in the city.
  9. Golden Horn
    20m · Admission ticket included
    We'll watch the European and Anatolian sides of Istanbul from the estuary. We will discover the magnificent view of Istanbul on the magnificent waters of the sea.
  10. 30m · Admission ticket included
    One of the oldest bazaar in istanbul. We will taste turkish dessert and drinks free.

Meeting and pickup

Meeting point

We will meet front of the Tünel Station of Beyoğlu.

End point

We will end at the Spicy Bazaar.

Additional information

  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Cancellation policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Reviews

4.6 (7)
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$105.00 per person
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  • Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts
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  • You'll choose your date and travelers and pay on viator.com. Prices vary by date, group size and option.
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