Tour Days : Everyday
Duration : 7 hours / 08:30 – 17:00
Tour Highlights : Mahmut Pasha Bazaar, Tahtakale, Spice Bazaar, Eminönü, Balat, Galata Bridge, Karaköy, Kadıköy, Taksim Square, Istiklal St., Galata Tower, French St., Nevizade St.
The best way to get to know a city is to experience it like its locals. The right way to explore the real Istanbul is through travelling on its ferries carrying people back and forth to Karaköy and Kadıköy, from the European side to the Asian side, walking around the local street markets, having a day in Balat neighbourhood and discovering its old streets with colourful wooden houses, having a cup of Turkish coffee or tea in the old cafes, and such as watching little kids playing football in the back streets.
Our guide will meet you at your hotel’s lobby at 08:30, and you’ll head for Eminönü Square by tram or other public transport. We recommend you wear comfortable clothes and walking shoes for today.
Mahmut Pasha Bazaar: With one end at the Grand Bazaar’s entrance and the other at the Spice Bazaar, Mahmutpaşa Street is a place where you can find any need of any house in the world and all kinds of products at the cheapest prices. Wedding dresses, kitchenware, curtains, electronics, hardware, all types of food, and hundreds of spices… This part of Istanbul offers a grand synthesis of Europe and Asia. We will walk from Mahmut Pasha to Tahtakale through the downhill and narrow streets, which have been an active place serving as a trade centre since the Byzantine and Ottoman periods.
Spice Bazaar: Locals call it the Egyptian Bazaar, a miniature replica of the Grand Bazaar, with an extra aroma of spices in the air. Here, we will wander among the shops of inviting shop owners selling Turkish delights, sweets, and spices displayed on meticulously prepared stalls. Among the crowds of people and smells of spice, you will soon feel a strong hint of coffee in the air, which means you are getting close to Kahveci Mehmet Efendi’s shop, a famous family business that is around since 1871. It is a shop where the most delicious coffees in the world are sold. We recommend you have some Turkish coffee here.
Balat: After this busy market, we will visit the New Mosque with its eye-catching architecture in Eminönü, and then we will head to the Balat neighbourhood by bus. The Jewish, Greek, Armenian, and Muslim communities have lived together in Balat’s colourful houses and narrow stone-paved streets for centuries. Here, you’ll find places of worship of all religions, as this place preserves its authenticity that embraces three religions and cultures to this day. Having a cosmopolitan structure that houses the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople alongside various synagogues and churches like Sveti Stefan, this area has become a popular destination frequented by artists and photography lovers in recent years thanks to its old coffee houses, small cafes, small family restaurants, and antique shops.
Galata Bridge: Eminönü Square and cross the historical Galata Bridge to arrive in Karaköy on foot. From here, we’ll catch a city line ferry for a trip to Kadıköy. Don't forget to buy a Turkish bagel to feed the seagulls chasing the ferries. On our way to Kadıköy, we’ll see the Topkapı Palace, Hagia Sophia, and Süleymaniye Mosque from afar, as well as the Maiden's Tower and Haydarpaşa Train Station, among many other historic structures.
Once we arrive in the modern district of Kadıköy, we will start exploring it immediately. We will visit Tellalzade Street, which is famous for its antique dealers selling interesting old items that may interest you. After our walking tour, we’ll return to the pier and take the ferry to Kabataş on the European side. From there, we’ll take the underground tram up to Taksim Square.
Taksim Square: It is one of the modern symbols of Istanbul. Taksim Square has been the meeting place of lovers and friends for many years and the heart of the city that never sleeps.
Istiklal Street: Formerly known as Grande Rue de Pera, Istiklal Street was the heart of Beyoğlu, the modern district of Istanbul of the 19th century. It is never void of people as it has been the entertainment center of Istanbul for a long time. This pedestrian-only street is lined with the most popular shops, sightseeing spots, stylish restaurants, residences and boutiques, cafes, consulate buildings of various countries, galleries, cinemas, and theaters. When 19th-century travellers described Istanbul as the Paris of the East, they referred to Istiklal Street and its part-European, part-Asian culture. Istiklal Street starts at Taksim Square and ends at the historic Tunnel building. You may walk through this crowded and cheerful atmosphere or take a short trip with the historic tram.
French Street in Istanbul: French Street on Istiklal, formerly known as Algeria Street, located behind Galatasaray High School, had been renovated with a project carried out by Parisian architects and was turned into a famous entertainment centre with stylish cafes, pubs, and taverns. During this renovation, century-old coal-gas lamps were imported from France, and a sound system circling the street was installed, contributing to its unique atmosphere.
Antique Shops: The side streets of Istiklal Street are heaven for antique item hunters as the antique shops of Beyoğlu and its old bookstores will offer you countless treasures to discover.
Nevizade Street: Çiçek Pasajı (a.k.a. Cité de Péra), and Nevizade Street are located in the central part of Istiklal Street. They are famous for their authentic taverns and lively atmosphere, where you can dine outside having delicious appetizers, fish, and grilled food. We guarantee that, while eating here, you will make new friends in a few minutes with the neighbouring tables. Street musicians frequently visit these streets, which you can enjoy while having dinner. It will be one of the most beautiful nights of your Turkey trip.
Galata Tower: Built as a watchtower by the Genoese in 500 AD, Galata Tower stands at a height of 62 meters with 11 floors. It is currently used as an exhibition area and museum today. Throughout history, the Romans, Venetians, Genoese, and Ottomans have used it for various purposes. As the most important and oldest monument in the historical Galata neighbourhood, it is also one of the symbols of both Beyoğlu and Istanbul. You can reach the top of the tower, which offers the most magnificent views of Istanbul, halfway by elevator and halfway by stairs.
At the end of our tour, you will return to your hotel by public transport or taxi. 
Istanbul walking tour
Regular Group Tours are English-guided package tours with mixed nationalities of a minimum of 20 people and a maximum of 40 people on the specified dates. Regular Group tour prices are fixed.
There is a child age restriction based on the character of the tour and generally, children under 8 years of age cannot participate.
Private Tours, on the other hand, is between 1 person and 40 people. It usually consists of small and private groups such as Families, groups of friends, or professional groups. No other travelers are allowed in Private groups. In private tours, the guide is given according to the group's request (available in Turkey)
Guaranty Departure Tours have a definite departure regardless of the number of people on certain dates.
The minimum and the maximum number of people and child age requirements are specified in the tour information.
The number of tour places varies according to the theme of the tour. Group tours are a minimum of 20 people - a maximum of 40 people. There is no limit on the number of private tours, usually between 1 and 18 people.
You can bring clothes and auxiliary items according to Turkey Tour regions and Tour season. During the winter seasons, you should bring thick and cold protective clothing and rain protective clothing.
Items such as clothes and umbrellas are required against rains that may occur in Spring and Autumn. In summer, have sunglasses, sunhat, comfortable walking shoes, swimming clothes, and equipment in lake and seashore tour programs.
It is appropriate for men and women to wear closed clothes in religious areas such as Churches, mosques, and synagogues. In Turkey, which is a Muslim country, mosques are not visited during prayer times. Mosques are visited after worship.
After you write your contact information such as the name of the tour you prefer, the tour code number, the date of the tour, the number of people to attend, on the tour request form, you can send us your request by reading and approving the rules written in the (Terms and conditions) section.
Your registration is done and your official confirmation is sent to you. Then you make some payment.
Tour payments are made by money transfer systems such as bank transfer or Western Union.
Visitors can withdraw money in Turkish Lira, Euro, and US Dollars with their bank cards from ATMs in Turkey. Most ATMs offer English or other language options for foreigners' convenience.
Visitors can use their credit and debit cards for all kinds of shopping. During the tour, you can travel to smaller towns or villages far from the city center, where your credit card may not be valid, so it is recommended to always have cash, foreign currency, and Turkish Lira with you.
Two-pin sockets used in Europe are also widely used in Turkey.
If you are using a three-pin socket, it is recommended to bring a converter adapter.
If you want to use your own country's GSM operator in Turkey, you should ask your GSM operator to activate the international roaming function of your mobile phone before coming to Turkey. Or you can get a new SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) card from one of the local GSM operators such as Türk Telekom, Vodafone, to use while you are in Turkey.
Foreigners in Turkey can drive in Turkey, provided that they always have their passports, international driving licenses, and their car licenses with them. It is legally forbidden to drink and drive and there are penalties. In Turkey, the vehicle is driven on the right side of the road.
Banks working hours 09:00 – 17:00 money transfer ends at 16:00.
Shopping Centers: 10:00 – 22:00
Pharmacies: 08:00 – 18:00 In each region, one on-duty pharmacy remains open between 18:00 and 08:00 at night.
There is a pharmacy on duty that remains open in every region on Sundays and public holidays. It is a legal obligation to keep the pharmacies on duty open.
For the treatments, you want to have in Turkey, travel agencies that have work and agreements with Hospitals and Doctors, who are experts in their fields, provide communication with the patient by transmitting the patient information to the relevant hospitals and Doctors. Travel Agencies, during the treatment period, provide services such as flight tickets, hotel or house reservations for accommodation, transfer services, and tour organizations for the patient and their relatives.
Hair transplant, Dental treatment, Aesthetic Plastic Surgery tour packages are among the most preferred health tourism packages in Turkey.
Compared to other European and Asian countries, Turkey has a large number of JCI (Joint Commission International) accredited hospitals and medical institutions. It has world-renowned Doctors who are experienced in their special branches and private or corporate hospitals equipped with modern medical devices. You don't have to wait in line for the highest quality medical treatment people deserve. Moreover, prices are much cheaper than world standards. You can find the best quality medical treatment at the lowest price in Turkey. You can find the best quality medical treatment at the lowest price in Turkey Hospitals. Such as Dental treatments, Hair Transplantation, Aesthetic & Plastic Surgery, Oncology, Urology, IVF – In Vitro fertilization, Cardiology treatments.
For foreigners who come to Turkey, there is no other vaccination obligation other than the Covid 19 Vaccine. It is obligatory for foreigners who come to Turkey during the Covid-19 Pandemic to be vaccinated or have a PCR test 72 hours before. In addition, there is an obligation to document this information.
As in all countries of the world, Cpvid-19 travel rules change from time to time according to countries. For this reason, you should learn the current travel data from the Turkish Consulate in your own country before traveling.
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