Istanbul Off the Beaten Path Day Trip with Guide, Lunch and Transfers
by Real Istanbul Tours
Choose from 2 available options
How do you want to book?
✓Confirmation before Wed, 9 Sept - card's only charged if it's a yes. If it's a no, still time to book on Viator.
Book on Viator Confirmed right away, but you pay full price.€200Overview
This six-hour day trip in Istanbul includes a professional guide, lunch, and all public transportation fares using trams and a ferry. The tour begins in the Karaköy neighborhood, where the guide provides an introduction to the area. From Karaköy, participants take a ferry to Balat, a district known for its old Greek and Jewish neighborhoods. Here, the group walks through streets and side alleys, observing historic buildings and the changing neighborhood atmosphere. After exploring Balat and Fener, the tour continues by tram to Eminönü. Next, the group visits the working Greek Orthodox Cathedral Church of Saint George in the Fatih district for about 20 minutes. The tour then moves to the Tahtakale district, where the Egyptian Spice Market is briefly seen before lunch at the local Tahtakale Market, a place frequented by local shoppers. After lunch, the group visits the colorful Misir Carsisi (Spice Bazaar), followed by a 40-minute stop at the Süleymaniye Mosque, Istanbul's largest historical mosque. At a nearby shop, participants can try Turkish delight without obligation to purchase, while the guide discusses Islamic teachings. The tour continues to the area around Istanbul University to learn about the Turkish education system. Then, there is a visit to the Sahaflar Carsisi, a historic second-hand book market dating back to Byzantine times. The final stop is the Corlulu Ali Pasa Medresesi, an old madrasah now operating as a coffee house. Tea is served during the ferry ride. Optional activities such as smoking hookah at a local hangout are not included. This tour focuses on neighborhoods and sites off the beaten path, using public transport and walking to explore parts of Istanbul less visited by tourists.
Highlights
What's included
What's not included
Itinerary
Karakoy
The tour begins in Karaköy with an introduction to Istanbul and the neighborhood by the guide. From here, the group boards a ferry to Balat, enjoying freshly bought bagels or pastries and Turkish tea during the ride.
25 min
Balat & Fener Tour
In the former Greek and Jewish districts of Balat and Fener, participants explore surviving historic buildings and walk through side streets lined with clotheslines. The guide discusses the area's multicultural past and its transformation into a neighborhood with colorful cafés and antique shops. After this walk, the group takes a tram to Eminönü.
50 min
Venerable Patriarchal Church of St. George
Located in the Fatih area, this Greek Orthodox Cathedral Church of Saint George remains active and is one of Istanbul's oldest churches.
20 min
Tahtakale District
The group briefly visits the Egyptian Spice Market, a well-known tourist spot, before moving on to the Tahtakale Market. Here, locals shop and the group enjoys lunch amid the lively market environment.
55 min
Misir Carsisi
At this Ottoman-era marketplace, colorful spices and Turkish delight (lokum) are displayed, attracting both tourists and locals.
25 min
Suleymaniye Mosque
After lunch, the tour includes a visit to the Süleymaniye Mosque, Istanbul's largest historical mosque. Participants also have the opportunity to try Turkish delight at a nearby shop and hear about Islamic faith and its significance.
40 min
Istanbul Universitesi Rektorlugu
The tour continues around Istanbul University where the guide provides information about the Turkish education system.
25 min
Sahaflar Carsisi
This stop is at the historic bookstore market, which has functioned as a book and paper market since Byzantine times.
10 min
Corlulu Ali Pasa Medresesi
The final stop is an old madrasah that now operates as a coffee shop.
25 min
Meeting point
Meeting point is Caribue coffee Karakoy. Please note, there are lots of caribue coffees Kemankeş Karamustafa Paşa, Rıhtım Cd no 3 , 34425 Beyoğlu/İstanbul, Coffee shop is looking water and 30 second walk from the Galata Bridge on the Karakoy side.
End point
It ends near Grand Bazaar in an old madrasah where we will have coffee.
Languages
Cancellation policy
- Cancel at least 24 hours before start for a full refund.
Additional info
Istanbul Off the Beaten Path Day Trip with Guide, Lunch and Transfers
by Real Istanbul Tours
Choose from 2 available options
How do you want to book?
✓Confirmation before Wed, 9 Sept - card's only charged if it's a yes. If it's a no, still time to book on Viator.
Book on Viator Confirmed right away, but you pay full price.€200Overview
This six-hour day trip in Istanbul includes a professional guide, lunch, and all public transportation fares using trams and a ferry. The tour begins in the Karaköy neighborhood, where the guide provides an introduction to the area. From Karaköy, participants take a ferry to Balat, a district known for its old Greek and Jewish neighborhoods. Here, the group walks through streets and side alleys, observing historic buildings and the changing neighborhood atmosphere. After exploring Balat and Fener, the tour continues by tram to Eminönü. Next, the group visits the working Greek Orthodox Cathedral Church of Saint George in the Fatih district for about 20 minutes. The tour then moves to the Tahtakale district, where the Egyptian Spice Market is briefly seen before lunch at the local Tahtakale Market, a place frequented by local shoppers. After lunch, the group visits the colorful Misir Carsisi (Spice Bazaar), followed by a 40-minute stop at the Süleymaniye Mosque, Istanbul's largest historical mosque. At a nearby shop, participants can try Turkish delight without obligation to purchase, while the guide discusses Islamic teachings. The tour continues to the area around Istanbul University to learn about the Turkish education system. Then, there is a visit to the Sahaflar Carsisi, a historic second-hand book market dating back to Byzantine times. The final stop is the Corlulu Ali Pasa Medresesi, an old madrasah now operating as a coffee house. Tea is served during the ferry ride. Optional activities such as smoking hookah at a local hangout are not included. This tour focuses on neighborhoods and sites off the beaten path, using public transport and walking to explore parts of Istanbul less visited by tourists.
Highlights
What's included
What's not included
Itinerary
Karakoy
The tour begins in Karaköy with an introduction to Istanbul and the neighborhood by the guide. From here, the group boards a ferry to Balat, enjoying freshly bought bagels or pastries and Turkish tea during the ride.
25 min
Balat & Fener Tour
In the former Greek and Jewish districts of Balat and Fener, participants explore surviving historic buildings and walk through side streets lined with clotheslines. The guide discusses the area's multicultural past and its transformation into a neighborhood with colorful cafés and antique shops. After this walk, the group takes a tram to Eminönü.
50 min
Venerable Patriarchal Church of St. George
Located in the Fatih area, this Greek Orthodox Cathedral Church of Saint George remains active and is one of Istanbul's oldest churches.
20 min
Tahtakale District
The group briefly visits the Egyptian Spice Market, a well-known tourist spot, before moving on to the Tahtakale Market. Here, locals shop and the group enjoys lunch amid the lively market environment.
55 min
Misir Carsisi
At this Ottoman-era marketplace, colorful spices and Turkish delight (lokum) are displayed, attracting both tourists and locals.
25 min
Suleymaniye Mosque
After lunch, the tour includes a visit to the Süleymaniye Mosque, Istanbul's largest historical mosque. Participants also have the opportunity to try Turkish delight at a nearby shop and hear about Islamic faith and its significance.
40 min
Istanbul Universitesi Rektorlugu
The tour continues around Istanbul University where the guide provides information about the Turkish education system.
25 min
Sahaflar Carsisi
This stop is at the historic bookstore market, which has functioned as a book and paper market since Byzantine times.
10 min
Corlulu Ali Pasa Medresesi
The final stop is an old madrasah that now operates as a coffee shop.
25 min
Meeting point
Meeting point is Caribue coffee Karakoy. Please note, there are lots of caribue coffees Kemankeş Karamustafa Paşa, Rıhtım Cd no 3 , 34425 Beyoğlu/İstanbul, Coffee shop is looking water and 30 second walk from the Galata Bridge on the Karakoy side.
End point
It ends near Grand Bazaar in an old madrasah where we will have coffee.
Languages
Cancellation policy
- Cancel at least 24 hours before start for a full refund.