Galata Tower - Fener-Balat Neighborhoods & Golden Horn by Ferry | 4 hours

6 Reviews | Istanbul
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Inclusions / Exclusions

  • Mobile ticket
  • Offered in: English
  • Donations
  • Galata Tower entry ticket (*if all-inclusive option selected)
  • Professional English Speaking Guide
  • Transport by Ferry, Tram, Bus
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
  • Gratuities

Overview

If you are looking for something off the beaten path, consider our walking tour from Galata Tower, through backstreets of Galata and Karaköy, then across the Golden Horn to Balat and Fener neighborhoods, two of the most interesting on the old city side of the Golden Horn, followed by a ferry boat ride back to Karaköy. Home to Greek and Jewish communities for centuries, Fener and Balat are fascination places, an area that is largely still "undiscovered" by tourists. Starts by exploring the Galata tower, learning it's history and that of the area surrounding it , seeing the beautiful views from the top of the tower; then take a ferry across to explore the charming neighborhoods of Fener and Balat, a very architecturally colorful area. Enjoy delicious Turkish desserts and tea at a local cafe; relaxing on the final leg on the ferry ride home.

Itinerary

  • Galata Tower

    We will see great Istanbul panorama from top of this tower. One of the city’s most distinctive sights, this great fortification dating back to 1348 was erected by Genoese Italians. (Your guide helps you get the ticket for Galata Tower. 350TL per person admission is not included in the tour price.)

    1 hour

  • Kamondo Stairs

    Elegant set of 19th-century art nouveau stairs en route to the Galata Tower, popular for photos. In the Ottoman era, Beyoğlu (then known as Pera) was the European Quarter of Istanbul. Home to embassies and trading centers, as well as fine 19th-century, Parisian-style apartment houses.

    15 minutes

  • Fener & Balat

    Colorful streets of Fener and Balat await you. One could describe the combined neighborhoods of Ayvansaray, Balat, and Fener as a miniature chronicle of the Byzantine, Ottoman, and modern times. These streets have hosted the most influential of empires along with their monuments; housed a mosaic of communities.

    1 hour 30 minutes

  • Fener Rum Patrikhanesi

    Ecumenical Patriarchate is recognized as the spiritual center (basically the “Vatican”) of the Eastern Orthodox Christians.

    15 minutes

  • Bulgarian Orthodox Church

    This is a curious, neo-Gothic white-painted church and interestingly made up from cast iron sections. Built or should say “cast” in Vienna in 1896 and carted all the way to Istanbul.

    15 minutes

  • The Walls of Istanbul

    The walls of Constantinople were the greatest fortifications of the medieval age. With various towers and gates, large sections still stand more or less intact today.

    15 minutes

  • Galata Koprusu

    Bascule bridge that spans the Golden Horn provides both a real and symbolic link between two important parts of Istanbul.

    15 minutes

Sample Menu

Additional Info

  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • IF ALL INCLUSIVE OPTION IS NOT SELECTED: Galata Tower entry fee (30 EUR pp) is not included in the tour price.
  • Please arrive at least 5 minutes before the activity starts as finding a taxi and traffic congestion are always a problem.

Free Cancellation

December 10100% refund
December 11No refund

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

  • For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
  • If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
  • Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
  • Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
  • This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Reviews

4.7

6 reviews

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews
  • 5 stars
    4
  • 4 stars
    2
  • 3 stars
    0
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  • 1 star
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Reviews by TravelOne travelers

Showing 1-3 of 4 reviews with 5 stars

Excellent exploration of Fener-Balat and the Galata area

Published on Sep, 2024

Excellent introduction to some local neighborhoods. Views from Galata tower excellent. Our guide, Hüseyin was knowledgeable and friendly offering excellent commentary and insights. Walking the neighborhood and understanding it was formerly Jewish was interesting. Crossing the golden Horn on foot by bridge to the Fener-Balat area was fantastic. Stopping for tea at a local shop in a small street, seeing the oldest mosque in Istanbul (built by Arabs in 715 AD in Galata) and the Orthodox patriarchal church was fascinating. A quick bite at a local stop and the ferry ride topped off a delightful trip. Highly recommend

Super illuminating afternoon walking tour

Published on Nov, 2023

Erol is the best tour guide I've had in Istanbul! My fiance and I learned so much about the history of Istanbul and the Ottoman Empire, and also got some personal and current details about life in Istanbul that really helped us understand the culture. Balat is also probably my favorite neighborhood that we explored this time in Istanbul. Despite freezing weather and rain, Erol made the afternoon such a treat!

Fascinating multi cultural history experience

Published on Nov, 2023

This tour is a must do experience for those looking to explore a the multi-cultural side of Istanbul. Our guide Erol was a literal treasure trove of fascinating stories about the history of the Christian / Jewish / european populations and the unique ways they interacted with the Turks after the fall of Constantinople in 1453. Make sure to try to borek at the bakery!

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