Backstreets of Istanbul
The tour starts in Balat, exploring the Golden Horn side of the historical peninsula. Balat was – and still is – a unique neighborhood, where the Muslims, Orthodox Christians, and Jews have been living together as friends and neighbors, since the days of the Ottoman Empire.
You can see clothes, boasting a rainbow of colors, hanged to dry between balconies of opposite houses; and the inhabitants of Balat are in no way less colorful than what they wear.
İstanbul is simultaneously a historical and a modern city that offers the best for every taste. You start your second day of the tour drinking your morning coffee, at a restaurant with the breath-taking view of Bosphorus, in the trendy "high society" neighborhood of "Bebek". You will be sitting in Europe, looking at Asia: a very unique experience.
Options
Backstreets of Istanbul
Pickup included
What's included in Backstreets of Istanbul
(Subject to Option Inclusions)Itinerary
Balat
The tour starts in Balat, exploring the Golden Horn side of the historical peninsula. Balat was – and still is – a unique neighborhood where the Muslims, Orthodox Christians, and Jews have been living together as friends and neighbors since the days of the Ottoman Empire. Its identity is mainly unchanged, with old-style, narrow, colorful houses, each 3 to 4 stories, shops on the first floor, along the narrow streets. There are even some "ghost houses" waiting to be discovered. You can see clothes boasting a rainbow of colors, hung to dry between balconies of opposite houses, and the inhabitants of Balat are in no way less colorful than what they wear.
Museum of Innocence
If you can find the hidden street, you walk down long stairs called the “French passage,” full of colors and some statues. There, you will find Nobel Laureate Turkish writer Orhan Pamuk’s contemporary museum named after his novel “The Museum of Innocence.” Admission fee: 30 TRY/per person
Bebek Park
İstanbul is simultaneously a historical and modern city that offers the best for every taste. You start your second day of the tour by drinking your morning coffee, at a restaurant with a breathtaking view of Bosphorus, in the trendy "high society" neighborhood of "Bebek." You will sit in Europe, looking at Asia: a unique experience. Then you walk along the Bosphorus, hop on a taxi, and reach to discover the chic streets of sophisticated Nisantasi, which is constantly buzzing with shoppers hanging around elegant cafés and classy boutiques—another trendy and modern part of Istanbul. We will find many upscale clothes and jewelry, home textile shops, and restaurants there. This place is the heart of contemporary life in İstanbul, where many celebrities congregate.
Inclusions
- Transportation from/to your address via proper, comfortable vehicle
- Professional tour guide experience in various languages
- Drinks and all personal expenses
- Lunch
- Museum of Innocence - 30 TRY/per person
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
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Pickup and Dropoff
Choose to be picked up from a list of locations
Please arrive at the pick up point 60 minutes before departure time.
Additional Information
Please be informed kindly that you are required to contact your agency, Travelium, at least 24 hours in advance in order to confirm excursion. If you have book this activity less than 24 hours prior to the scheduled time, please contact us immediately after booking to confirm your excursion. Please bear in mind, you will be asked to present your printed voucher and photo ID when you meet with your guide.
