Fener-Balat & Piere Lotti Hill -Walking Tour 

Leave the main tourist precincts behind for an afternoon and explore the outer historic western area of Istanbul with the Istanbul Heritage walking tour. This tour will take you off the normal tourist trail and show you the Golden Horn and the rich Byzantine and Ottoman history that exists near the old city walls of Istanbul. 

​Cruise down the Golden Horn; see the colourful Ottoman houses near the UNESCO World Heritage precinct; walk the old Byzantine city walls; visit the sacred Eyüp  Mosque complex; take a cable car to the picturesque Pierre Loti Café and see the spectacular 180 degree views of Istanbul that inspired the 19th century author of the same name. 

Tour Highlights

  • Cruise the world famous Golden Horn - the world’s longest natural harbour. 
  • Photograph the colourful new and ruined Ottoman houses of Fener and Balat.
35 Euro per Child 6-11
60 Euro per Adult
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  • Enjoy a cable car ride to the top of one of the seven hills of Istanbul.
  • Learn about the historic Pierre Loti Cafe, the inspiration for French author, Pierre Loti's 1879 book, Azıyade.
  • Drink Turkish çay from a tulip glass whilst you take in the best panoramic view of Istanbul from the Pierre Loti Cafe.
  • Explore the 1,600 year old Byzantine walls of Constantinople once the protector of city.
  • Enjoy the ferry ride ( public transportation ) in the Golden Horn cruise back to the center. 

Tour Schedule

Duration: Between 4 & 5 hours
Meeting point: İtimat Fabrika Satış Yeri/Mağazası
Rüstem Paşa, Avrupa Yakası, 34116 Fatih/İstanbul
( At the entry of the Spice Bazaar. Gate Balik Pazari kapisi)

Google map : İtimat Fabrika Satış Yeri.

Starting time: 13:00 PM

Approximate finishing time: 18:00 PM

Finishing point: Eminönü or Karakoy Harbour or you can finish in Sultanahmet area depending on your evening plan or where you're staying. Your guide can describe how to get back to your hotel in your own time. ​

Tour Details

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Child Policy:
Walking tour, City orientation, Historical sites, Storytelling, Hidden gems, History & Heritage, Walking & orientation, Local life & Culture

This tour is designed for those interested in Ottoman and Byzantine history, religion, writing, photography and relaxing boat cruises. 

English speaking local guide, tram to Eminönü Harbour, Golden Horn ferry ride, cable car to Pierre Loti Cafe,  a çay, turkish coffee or soft drink at the panoramic Pierre Loti Café, walking in the Eyüp district, visiting the city walls, visiting Balat/Fener district and public bus fare back to Eminönü.  

Extra drinks and shopping expenses.Tipping to the guide. Recommended amount  5-10 USD per person
 
This tour has daily departure for maximum of 10 people.

Children aged 6 to 11 years are 35 Euro per child. Children above the age of 12 are charged full price. Parents of children under 6 years are advised to book a private tour. 

Itinerary 

Our meeting point is the Itimat Fabrika Satış Magazası at the entrance of the Spice market  – located in the heart of the main tourist area of Istanbul.  From our meeting point we will get the local tram to the bus station in a short walk. In Eminönü we catch a public bus to the colourful Fener/Balat district (bus approx 10 minutes). This is one of the oldest districts in Istanbul where Ottoman Orthodox and Jewish people once lived. Here you can see a lot of the traces of the Ottoman life. Wooden Ottoman houses, mosques, churches and synagogues all next to each other which shows the multicultural and religious ways of the Ottoman Empire. The area is so unique it is listed by UNESCO as a world heritage site. After walking through the cobblestoned streets of Fener/Balat we walk alongside the historic Byzantine city walls which were built in the 4th century AD during the time of Constantine the Great. Arriving in Eyüp, we visit the historic Eyüp Mosque Complex which is a sacred and mystical area where locals and pilgrims come to visit the mosques and the tombs of Muslim saints. From here we take a short cable car to the famous Pierre Loti Cafe which is a popular meeting point for locals. Enjoy the greatest panoramic views of Istanbul while sipping a drink in one of the cafés where French Poet Pierre Loti was inspired to write Aziyade, a part biography / part love story about his escapades in Istanbul in the late 1800s. After taking photos and enjoying the breathtaking views we walk back down to Eyüp to catch the local ferry to cruise the blue waters of the Golden Horn to Eminönü Harbour. This ferry ride gives you great photo opportunities of Istanbul’s Golden Horn with Ottoman houses, shipyards, the old and new Galata Bridge, Ataturk Bridge, city walls, mosques, churches and other historic and modern sites. Eminönü Harbour is where our tour finishes.  You are free to take photos of the picturesque Galata Bridge, Galata Tower and other quintessential Istanbul sites from this central location. 
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