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Fener Balat by Cruise

(44)
per person (min 6 person) 30
  • 4 Hours
  • Museum
  • History
  • Accessibiliy
  • Shopping
  • Audio Guide
  • Tour Guide

Fener Balat by Cruise

Do you want to discover deeper and more traditional places that are out of the conventional? Come and join this short 4-hour tour that will take you through streets, mosques and surprising places to get a closer look at Turkish culture and its more traditional contrasts. In addition, you will take a boat ride on the Golden Horn of Istanbul. Book with us and don't miss it!

Included in the Tour

  • Pick up from hotel free of charge, but return at your own expense.
  • Golden Horn cruise ticket.
  • Public transportation ticket.
  • Accredited official guide fluent in English.

Not Included in the Tour

  • Food and beverages.
  • Return transfer.

Itinerary

This tour will start by picking you up at your hotel; then we will head towards Karakoy area and board our boat as the first point. Boarding time will be from 13:45 hours. For 40 minutes, in the company of our guide we will be able to appreciate on the horizon the beautiful mosques raised on the famous 7 hills of Istanbul which we will then be able to walk around, passing through different neighborhoods and going into less touristy areas, which in these modern times still reflect the daily life of 500 years ago.

Once our short cruise is over, we will get off near the Eyup Mosque to walk downhill along the coast and the bay of the Golden Horn, mingling with the Turkish inhabitants, entering its streets, to admire the remarkable contrasts of its architecture and especially in the cultural, harmoniously coexisting the eastern and western.

During 4 hours we will appreciate several places, taking a city bus that will bring us to the second point of our destination, the Fatih Mosque (Fatih Cami) in Turkish, "The Mosque of the Conqueror", a prime example of Turkish-Islamic architecture in Istanbul and was built by the emblematic Turkish architect Mimar Mehmet.

Then we will visit the Yavuz Selim Mosque, the second oldest imperial mosque in Istanbul and was built by one of the great sultans of the time, Suleiman the Magnificent.

Then we will pass through the neighborhood of Carcamba, a very traditional and conservative place that will show us the most authentic Turkish daily life, Here we can find several important monuments dating from the Byzantine era and its streets will discover a peculiar way of life, whether its stores, bars, etc.. It is an area rarely visited by tourists.

Continuing with the tour we will go to the bohemian neighborhoods of Fener and Balat, to see their charming houses and streets. Undoubtedly, they are the neighborhoods or areas with more history of all Istanbul. In these Jewish neighborhoods you will appreciate its colorful architecture and cultural richness.

We will then visit the splendid red brick building, shaped like a castle, called "The Red School". This building houses the Greek private school, one of the schools that are still active and that stands out for its architecture and historical value. Another of the monuments to appreciate will be the Iron Church, a temple of the Bulgarian spirit in that Turkish city, related to the struggle for ecclesiastical independence of the 30s and 40s of the nineteenth century, is the only orthodox iron church in the world.

This was the culmination of this pleasant and memorable tour of the places less frequented by tourists.

Begin your afternoon in Karaköy, a vibrant and historic neighborhood where modern cafes and art galleries blend seamlessly with the area's rich maritime history. Explore its bustling streets, which are filled with both traditional shops and contemporary spaces.
Embark on a scenic cruise along the Golden Horn, offering stunning views of Istanbul's historic skyline. This relaxing tour allows you to see the city from a unique perspective, passing by significant landmarks and capturing the essence of Istanbul’s beauty.
Arrive in Eyüp, a historically significant district known for its religious importance. Visit the Eyüp Sultan Mosque, a pilgrimage site for many Muslims, and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of the surrounding area, including the picturesque Eyüp Cemetery.
Continue to the Fatih Mosque, one of the most important religious and architectural landmarks in Istanbul. Built by Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror, the mosque stands as a symbol of the city’s Ottoman heritage, with its grand structure and serene courtyards.
Visit the Yavuz Sultan Selim Mosque, perched on one of Istanbul’s seven hills. This mosque offers stunning panoramic views of the Golden Horn and is known for its simplicity and historical significance, reflecting the legacy of Sultan Selim I.
Explore the charming neighborhood of Balat, famous for its colorful houses and winding streets. The vibrant buildings and picturesque staircases make Balat one of the most photogenic spots in Istanbul, rich with history and culture.
Conclude your day with a visit to the Iron Church (St. Stephen Church), a unique Bulgarian Orthodox church made entirely of cast iron. This striking building, located along the shores of the Golden Horn, is an architectural marvel and an important symbol of the city’s diverse heritage.

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