Fener, Balat, Old Greek and Jewish Quarter Tour

4.9

97 reviews Event

WHEN Friday 3 January to Friday 10 January

ADDRESS , Fatih Directions

Explore the historic outer western area of Istanbul of Fener and Balat; away from typical tourist routes. Experience the local culture and lifestyle, and admire centuries-old colorful Ottoman houses.

Highlights

Explore the Fener and Balat districts away from main tourist area
Enjoy the photo taking of colorful Ottoman houses built in 19 & 20 century’s
Listen to the history of how Greek Orthodox, Jews and Muslims lived together
Visit the Greek Patriarch built in 16 century
Learn about the Jewish history with the Ottomans

Description

Meet your guide at the Itimat Fabrika Satis yeri/magazasi at the entry gate of the Spice Market in the heart of Istanbul. From here you’ll take the local tram to Fener to discover Istanbul’s colorful house left from the Greek and Jewish who lived in the area for centuries had left in 1980s. Travel by public tram to the colorful Fener and Balat district, one of the city’s oldest neighborhoods and at one time home to Istanbul’s Ottoman Orthodox and Jewish residents. See traces of Ottoman life, including wooden houses, mosques, churches, and synagogues, standing together and demonstrating the multicultural and religious ways of the Ottoman Empire. After walking along the cobblestoned streets of the Fener/Balat World Heritage area, colorful houses and stairs. You will continue along the historic Byzantine city walls that date to the 4th century and the story of how Ottoman concurred the Constantinople in 15 century. Sit a local cafe watch the local life pass by at the residential neighborhoods of Fener and Balat while siping your Turkish coffee or çay ( tea ) Visit the Bulgarian orthodox church of Sveti Stefan built in metal with an impressive barok architecture. Take a tram back to the Spice bazaar where the tour will end and your guide will help you with the directions to your hotel. Both tram tickets are included to the tour price so need to purchase any.

Includes

Guide Tickets for the tram to Fener and back to Eminonu A çay tea or coffee at a local cafe in Balat Entry to St. George Greek Patriarch Church Entry to Bulgarian church

Important Information

Please dress modest since we visit the traditional neighborhood.
Greek patriarch requires ladies and gents to have clothes cover shoulder and knees.
Please not that, the Greek patriarch may be closed without any notification, of it is closed it won’t be compensated with anything else as we will be visiting the Bulgarian church already included to the tour.