Best of Istanbul: private guided tour to Fener-Balat

Free cancellation

Place: Istanbul

Duration: 7 hours

Language: English, French, Spanish, German

Mobile voucher accepted

Instant confirmation

Private group

Hotel pick up

Why you’ll love this…

Explore Istanbul's Balat and Fener districts with a local tour guide
Expand your knowledge with the explanations of your private guide
Customize your itinerary as you wish and set your pace accordingly

What to expect

Enjoy total immersion in the rich history of Istanbul, exploring some of its most iconic monuments and neighborhoods, from the grand Suleymaniye Mosque to the vibrant Balat and Fener districts.

Your first stop will be the majestic Suleymaniye Mosque, the largest mosque in the city, where you can enjoy a stunning view of the Golden Horn and the Bosphorus from the garden terrace. Next, head to the Church of St. George in Fener, the seat of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople since the 1600s, a significant spiritual center for the Eastern Orthodox Church. Then, wander through the colorful streets of the Balat district, where old Ottoman houses stand alongside art galleries and design shops. Don’t miss the Bulgarian St. Stephen Church, or Iron Church, an architectural wonder made entirely of prefabricated cast iron.

A visit to Istanbul wouldn’t be complete without seeing Chora Church (Kariye Mosque), famous for its stunning Byzantine mosaics and frescoes depicting scenes from the life of Christ and the Virgin Mary. This hidden gem offers a glimpse into the artistic and religious grandeur of medieval Constantinople.

Finally, end your journey with a scenic ride on the cable car up to Pierre Loti Hill, where you can take in breathtaking panoramic views of the city while enjoying a cup of Turkish tea or coffee, completing an unforgettable Istanbul experience.

If you're staying in the areas of Sultanahmet, Taksim, Beyoglu, Ortakoy, Laleli, Sisli and Besiktas, you'll meet your guide directly at your hotel and start the tour from there. Please provide your pick-up location at checkout
If your accommodation is outside these areas, you will have to meet your guide at: Haliç-fener Vapur İskelesi, Yavuz Sultan Selim, Ayvansaray Cd. 2, İstanbul. Please confirm the meeting point with the local operator after booking
Museum tickets are not included in the price of this tour. Children under 7 can get free entrance tickets in museums. Please make sure that you have the passport of children as museums will verify their ages for free tickets
This tour is available in English, Italian, French, Spanish, German and Portuguese
Prices are per group (1-8 people) and not per person

What’s included

Private tour

Pick-up and drop-off from designated areas

What’s not included

Entrance fees

Roundtrip transportation

Cancellation policy

Receive a 100% refund if you cancel up to 24 hours before the experience begins.

Booking fee

Good news! No extra fees are applied to this booking.

Location

Haliç-fener Vapur İskelesi, Yavuz Sultan Selim, Ayvansaray Cd. 2, 34083 Fatih/İstanbul, Turkey

Meeting point:

If you're staying in the areas of Sultanahmet, Taksim, Beyoglu, Ortakoy, Laleli, Sisli and Besiktas, you'll meet your guide directly at your hotel and start the tour from there. Please provide your pick-up location at checkout. If your accommodation is outside these areas, you will have to meet your guide at: Haliç-fener Vapur İskelesi, Yavuz Sultan Selim, Ayvansaray Cd. 2, İstanbul. Please confirm the meeting point with the local operator after booking.