Off the Beaten Path of Real Istanbul Tour
Off The Beaten Path of Real Istanbul Tour - Small Group
Get an in-depth look into what Istanbul is really about. We have designed this unique Istanbul walking tour to introduce our guests to real Istanbul. An alternative tour to see a different side of Istanbul, the secret of Istanbul.
Duration
6 Hours
Departure
9.30 am
Group Size
2 – 12 People
Meeting Point
Pudding Shop Lale Restaurant
Details will be provided with email.
Highlights
- Full day off-the-beaten-path Istanbul walking tour.
- Feel Istanbul just like a local on a walking tour of Istanbul with using ferry and bus like locals.
- Visit some top attractions in Istanbul like Grand Bazaar, Corlulu Ali Pasha Madrasah, Suleymaniye Mosque and a lot more…
- Visit St. George Church ( Ecumenical Patriarchate Church ) in Fener district near the Golden Horn
- Hear the history of Greeks and Jewish people in Istanbul in the Fener and Balat district
Itinerary
Our tour begins at the ancient Hippodrome where thousands of spectators were entertained and kept happy by the chariot races then we will navigate through the labyrinth of streets and passages that are home to more than 3000 shops known as the Grand Bazaar. Make sure you have practiced your bartering skills!
After looking at Grand Bazaar, we will have a rest and you will get to experience traditional Turkish tea or coffee and a popular Turkish pastry called “borek” all while enjoying the ancient practice of hookah at a favorite local hangout.
We will then make our way to one of Istanbul’s oldest markets- the Old Book Bazaar Sahaflar Çarşısı; located on the site of the Byzantine Empire’s book and paper market. We continue the academic theme with a tour of the campus of Istanbul University.
Our next stop in our journey is Istanbul’s largest mosque- Suleymaniye Mosque; an Ottoman Imperial mosque located on the Third Hill of Istanbul. This mosque is breathtaking due to the size and not to mention its interior beauty.
Get ready for your senses to be enticed during our visit to the Spice Bazaar. Upon entering the bazaar, immediately you feel the electricity in the air. Your senses will be filled with bright colors and powerful aromas of the exotic spices that will surround you.
Istanbul is a city that has a rich religious history and now is composed of many different religions. Our next stop will be the Church of St. George. Since the 1600s, this church has been the location of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople and is recognized as the spiritual leader of the Eastern Orthodox Religion.
Our day concludes with an old-world cultural experience like no other city has to offer! Our tour of the Old Greek and Jewish District (Fener- Balat) will make you feel as if you have stepped back in time. The neighborhood is full of historic wooden mansions, churches, and synagogues that date back to the Byzantine and Ottoman periods.
We have personally designed this tour for our guests to really get into the crevices of our great city. Your day will be filled with abundant information, fascinating stories, and experiences that you could not have with any other tour guide company!
Tour Price:
70 Euros per person (12 years old and older )
40 Euros for children between the ages of 6 and 11.
For families with children under 6 years old, we recommend considering our private tour option, which can be tailored to better accommodate younger children.
Please Note
Regular group tours only happen in English, this tour can be customized as private for your party in English and Spanish languages
This tour involves entering Suleymaniye Mosque. Ladies and gentlemen are required to dress appropriately by covering their shoulders and ensure coverage past their knees. Ladies will need to cover their heads.
What is Included
- Licenced tour guiding
- Tram and ferry rides
- Pastry with Tea or Turkish Coffee in a local place
- Kebab or Pide sampling
- Sampling Baklava, some other local tastes
What is not Included
- Foods and drinks are not mentioned in the itinerary
- Tipping tour guide
- Personal expenses
Booking Request
Small-group tours are conducted in English, with the option to request private tours in both English and Spanish.
We offer private tours that can be customized to your preferences. Our licensed guides can meet you at your hotel in the city center at a time convenient for you. Contact us to plan your tailored experience.
It is advisable to wear full-length skirts or pants, along with long-sleeved tops, and keep a scarf handy to cover your head when visiting a mosque. However, it is worth noting that most mosques offer free clothing to cover yourself upon entrance.