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A person carrying a tray of food items on their head. 1
An ornate religious interior with golden altars, statues, and a chandelier. 2
A narrow street with colorful buildings, a parked car, and a person walking. 3
A historic building with domes and a minaret, a clear sky, and a tree with pink flowers. 4
A clothesline with various garments hanging, a building with a red-tiled roof, and a tree in the background. 5
By Real Istanbul Tours

Reviews

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional
Free cancellation available
Price is ฿3,759 per adult
See tickets

Features

  • Free cancellation available
  • 6h
  • Mobile voucher
  • Instant confirmation

Overview

  • How about uncovering the hidden gems of Istanbul—places where locals go and tourists often miss? On this tour, you’ll see the city through the eyes of a local, hopping on trams and ferries to explore its fascinating mix of history and modern life. Starting in the vibrant Karaköy area, you’ll uncover Istanbul’s secrets, experiencing its rich past and lively present together. Along the way, you’ll immerse yourself in the daily life of Turkish people, visiting the old Greek and Jewish districts, the bustling Tahtake market, the majestic Süleymaniye Mosque (Istanbul's largest historical mosque), the charming second-hand bookseller's market, and much more. This is a chance to dive deep into the heart of Istanbul and see it like never before!

Activity location

  • Karakoy
    • Karakoy, Turkiye

Meeting/Redemption Point

  • MADO Karaköy Sahil
    • No:3 34425 Rıhtım Caddesi
    • 34425, Kemankeş Karamustafa Paşa, İstanbul, Türkiye

Check availability

Private Tour Option

  • Activity duration is 6 hours6h
    6h
  • English

Private Historic Off the Beaten Path Tour of the Real Istanbul

Language options: English
Price details
฿9,021.37 x 1 Adult฿9,021.37
Total
Price is ฿9,021.37
Until Wed, 14 Oct

Small Group Tour

  • Activity duration is 6 hours6h
    6h
  • English
Language options: English
Starting time: 9:30
Price details
฿3,758.90 x 1 Adult฿3,758.90
Total
Price is ฿3,758.90
Until Wed, 14 Oct
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What's included, what's not

  • Inclusions
    Professional guide
  • Inclusions
    Lunch
  • Inclusions
    Public transport; ferry and tram
  • Inclusions
    Light refreshment with tea on the ferry ride
  • Exclusions
    Tipping your local guide.
  • Exclusions
    Hotel pickup and drop-off
  • Exclusions
    Drinks on the lunch
  • Exclusions
    Practice of hookah at favourite local hangout ( Optional you can skip if you like )

Know before you book

    • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
    • Public transport options are available nearby
    • Travellers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
    • Minimum capacity is 2 persons. We reserve the right to cancel a tour due to insufficient reservations. We will do all we can to reschedule your tour or a refund will be provided.
    • A maximum of 12 people per booking
    • Our tours are done by public transport and walking so if you have any serious mobility issues, we advise you to book a private tour
    • Parents of children under 6 years are advised to book a private tour
    • On Religious Fests Grand Bazaar and Spice Bazaar are closed.
    • On Sundays: Grand Bazaar is closed.

Activity itinerary

Karakoy

  • 25m
We'll begin our tour in Karaköy, offering a chance to see Istanbul from a more local viewpoint. After your guide gives a brief introduction to both Istanbul and Karaköy, we'll head to Balat, enjoying freshly bought bagels or pastries along with Turkish tea during our ferry ride.

Balat & Fener Tour

  • 50m
In Balat and Fener, former Greek and Jewish districts, we’ll explore the buildings that have outlasted the communities once living within them. As we trace the rich, cosmopolitan history of Istanbul—shaped by Christian and Jewish cultures alongside their neighbors until the 1960s—we'll reflect on the shift from the past to the present. Walking through side streets greeted by clotheslines, we'll reminisce about the lost area culture and ponder the meaning of events that once unfolded here. Today, Fener and Balat are vibrant with colourful cafés, antique shops, and a diverse mix of people, offering us a unique glimpse into this evolving area. After exploring this fascinating area, we’ll hop on the tram and make our way to Eminönü.

Cathedral Church of St George

  • 20m
Located in one of the oldest parts of Istanbul, in Fatih, the Cathedral Church of Saint George is a Greek Orthodox Church which is still in working order

Tahtakale District

  • 55m
We’ll take a quick look at the Egyptian Spice Market, popular with tourists, before heading to the Tahtakale Market, where locals do their shopping. This is also where we’ll enjoy a delicious lunch, immersing ourselves in the vibrant atmosphere of the area.

Misir Carsisi (Spice Market)

  • 25m
Vividly coloured spices are displayed alongside jewel-like lokum (Turkish delight) at this Ottoman-era marketplace, providing eye sweets for the thousands of tourists and locals who make their way here every day.

Suleymaniye Mosque

  • 40m
After lunch, we’ll indulge in some Turkish delight at a local spot, with no pressure to shop, and take in the grandeur of the Süleymaniye Mosque. We’ll also learn more about the Islamic faith, gaining insight into its teachings and significance.

Istanbul Universitesi Rektorlugu

  • 25m
Next, we'll learn about the Turkish education system as we explore the area around Istanbul University.

Sahaflar Carsisi

  • 10m
We’ll also visit the historic bookshop market where has been a book and paper market since Byzantine times.

Corlulu Ali Pasa Medresesi

  • 25m
An old madrasah which turns into a coffee shop

Location

Activity location

  • LOB_ACTIVITIESLOB_ACTIVITIES
    Karakoy
    • Karakoy, Turkiye

Meeting/Redemption Point

  • PEOPLEPEOPLE
    MADO Karaköy Sahil
    • No:3 34425 Rıhtım Caddesi
    • 34425, Kemankeş Karamustafa Paşa, İstanbul, Türkiye

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