Istanbul Fener & Balat Tour – Private Only

Discover the hidden gems of Istanbul’s most colorful and historic neighborhoods with a private guide. This full-day walking tour takes you deep into the cultural heart of the city, where East meets West and history lives on in every corner.

Tour Highlights:

• Start at Kadir Has University in Cibali, once a tobacco factory and now home to the fascinating Rezan Has Museum.

• Walk along the Golden Horn coastline to visit the Iron Church (St. Stephen of the Bulgars) — a rare church made entirely of cast iron.

• Head slightly inland to see the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate, followed by a walk uphill to the majestic Phanar Greek Orthodox College, known for its striking red-brick façade.

• Take a well-deserved break with refreshments at the charming Café Vodina, where you’ll also enjoy a local lunch.

• After lunch, visit the Fethiye Museum, home to beautiful Byzantine mosaics.

• Continue to either the Chora Church, renowned for its world-famous mosaics and frescoes, or the Ahrida Synagogue (advance permission required).

• Nearby, you can also walk a portion of the Theodosian Walls, the legendary ancient city walls of Constantinople.

• If you still have energy, visit the Tekfur Palace (Blachernae Palace), a lesser-known but impressive Byzantine structure.

• End the day at Ayvansaray Ferry Port and enjoy a scenic ferry ride back to Eminönü, where you’ll have the chance to try Turkish street food for dinner.

From there, you can continue your evening in Karaköy or take a ferry across the Bosphorus to Üsküdar for a night stroll on the Asian side of the city.