Istanbul in Colors: Balat Tour

Recommended by 100% of travelers

Istanbul, Turkey

2 hours (approx.)
Group discounts
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

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Overview

Discover the often-overlooked Fener and Balat neighborhoods on a private walking tour in Istanbul. As you stroll past the colorful buildings and charming businesses, your guide will offer insights into the area's Greek Orthodox, Jewish, and Muslim history. You'll visit significant landmarks like the Spice Market (Misir Carsisi), Saint George's Church and Ecumenical Patriarchate, and Saint Stephen's Orthodox Church (Bulgarian Iron Church).

Enjoy the personalized experience of a private tour in Istanbul
Explore an area of Istanbul that mosts tourists miss
Listen to immersive commentary throughout the tour
Begin the tour when it suits your vacation schedule

What's Included

Professional Guidance
All Local Taxes

Tips
Food & Beverages
Transportation

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting point

Cafe Society
Rüstem Paşa, Kalçin Sk. No:13, 34116 Fatih/İstanbul, Türkiye
In front of "Cafe Society" very nearby the Spice Market(Spice Bazaar) and Hamdi Restaurant

End point

Saint Stephen’s Orthodox Church
Balat, Mürselpaşa Cd., 34087 Fatih/İstanbul, Türkiye

Itinerary

Misir Carsisi (Spice Market)

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Fener & Balat

45 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

St. George

20 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Bulgarian Orthodox Church

20 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Not wheelchair accessible
Stroller accessible

Service animals allowed
Most travelers can participate
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 20 travelers

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Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Gallery picture 1 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 2 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 3 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 4 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 5 (from a traveler's review)

Reviews

5.0

based on 93 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

We perform checks on reviews

Best Tour

Wendy_B, Feb 2026

I think this was my favourite place and tour. Rose was so nice, welcoming and genuine. It would be shame not to see these places if you are visiting Turkey. A must do tour for sure. Highly, highly recommend!!

I had such a great...

Ashley_S, Oct 2025

I had such a great experience exploring Fener and Balat. Rose was very knowledgeable about the area and it was interesting learning about the darker and sad history of this part of the city.

Fabulous tour with Rose

Helen_G, Jun 2025

This is a fabulous walking tour of Istanbul . Our guide Rose was exceptional . Nothing was too much trouble and she was very informative and kind . Could thoroughly recommend this tour .

Phenomenal!

Nicolas_M, Oct 2024

Every thing was memorable. We arrived at Cafe Society and had Turkish Coffee and shared a baklava. In the Spice Bazaar we bought magnets of the places we travel. The wall across the Bosphorus near St George Church. St George Church with the relic of Jesus’ Cross and the martyrs. Finally the colorful neighborhood. Rose - The Guide was professional and very knowledgeable. We must definitely go on another tour with her!

Fun tour

Robert_A, Oct 2024

Rosie was a great guide. She had interesting insights to the places on the tour and was definitely proud of her city and job. I really liked the St George church! Would recommend to others.

Super tour in this up and coming area of Istanbul

Sarah_S, Oct 2024

Great tour around Balat. It was just my friend and I. We started in the Spice Market with lots of turkish delight tasters and then on to Balat. We would not have found the church with the splinter from the cross of Jesus or the Iron Church made by the Eiffel Tower people. Be warned this area is all cobbled and there are a lot of hills. Wear trainers! Loved the stories of what happened in this area. We would not have known any of this without a guide. You will need a credit card or Istanbulkart to pay for the tram.

Colorful Tour

May_P, Sep 2024

The tour with Rose was great! She was friendly, very knowledgeable, and informative. Since there were only 3 of us (including our guide), we were able to manuever the streets easier and pretty much received a private tour. Highly recommend this tour and Rose.

Fun tour … Rose is the bedt

Jose_W, Aug 2024

Just loved my walk about on this tour. Rose is just sensational and a fun person to talk to. She was knowledgeable about facts and details of Istanbul and Turkiye, and it was great. We shared a common passion for photography and i enjoyed just discussing ideas with her. Rose is awesome. I highly recommend the walk around. We had so many laughs I definitely plan to cone back to Turkiye and when I do I will book tours with Rose, my nee go to guide in Turkiye

Amazing Tour Experience

Marilyn_B, Oct 2023

Elif was so amazing and informative! I expected a group but the one on one was made it a more personal experience. Without doing research I was expecting to only learn about the neighborhood houses but instead I learned SOOO much more! This was an amazing experience with an amazing guide!

Balat/Fener

Phyllis_H, Oct 2023

Rose, my guide, showed me places I would never have found. She is highly knowledgeable in everything Turkish as well as the area we went to Fener and Balat. I enjoyed my tour immensely.

Great overview of the Balat area

Phil_M, Sep 2023

Our guide Berk gave us an informative and cultural insight into the Barat neighbourhood - a hidden and non-touristy part of Istanbul. Customers should note that the picture of colourful umbrellas on the Viator advert cannot be photographed on the tour as only patrons of the cafe there are permitted to take photos and there is insufficient time on the tour to drink at the cafe.

Awesome

Jenny_P, Aug 2023

Elif is a wonderful guide. We started at the Egyptian bizzare ( also called The Spice Market.) Then we walked around Balat and explored many quaint, quirky and interesting places. Had plenty of time for coffee or juice along the way. Elif pointed out many features we would have missed on our own, as well as providing a historical background. Thanks Elif for a wonderful afternoon.

Highly recommended

John_L, Aug 2023

Elif was our wonderful guide on this highly memorable tour of the Balat area. Elif's commentary was highly knowledgeable and delivered in a very friendly and enthusiastic way. Highly recommended to see parts of Istanbul apart from the tourist areas.

Great tour

Nadine_L, Aug 2023

Guide was very pleasant and easy to work with. Took her time explaining the sites and areas and recommendation for lunch was fantastic! Didn't feel rushed or cheated.

Colorful Istanbul

Imoh_U, Jun 2023

Our flight was delayed meaning we would miss the tour as scheduled that day. While on commute, we reached out to Rose and she was able to accommodate us by rescheduling the tour for another day. Rose met us and showed us the colorful and historic sites. She was knowledgeable of the area and history and very personable. Thank you Rose for the experience!

Incredible tour!

Dawn_I, Jun 2023

The best tour in Istanbul! The tour guide was so knowledgeable, wonderful and we had such fun. Cannot recommend highly enough!

Scenic walking tour

AnneLinonis, May 2023

Enjoyable walking tour of some of the neighborhoods of Istanbul. Our guide, Rose, was very knowledgeable and provided us a lot of historical background information. I would recommend this tour.

Response from Host, Oct 2023

Your valuable feedback means the world to us. We're thrilled to hear that you enjoyed your experience, and your kind words truly motivate us to continue striving for excellence.

Elif was awesome!...

Quinez_S, Sep 2022

Elif was awesome! Personable and friendly. Took me to the beautiful spots in balat and went above and beyond by acting as my personal photographer. Definitely recommend the tour

Response from Host, Oct 2023

Your valuable feedback means the world to us. We're thrilled to hear that you enjoyed your experience, and your kind words truly motivate us to continue striving for excellence.

A diffirent side of Istanbul

LUkas_d, Apr 2022

Very interesting morning. Rose was a very knowledgable guide, it was interesting to learn the history of the Greek and Jewish communities that lived in the area. Lots of photo oppotunities in the colourful streets.

Response from Host, Apr 2022

Thank you very much for your lovely review. It was pleasure for me.

Beautiful Balat Tour

ANA_R, Oct 2025

Excellent guide and excellent tour of Balat and surroundings. Very punctual the visit and a great and friendly guide

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Excelente Tour

Gabriela_P, Jan 2024

Rose fue muy amable y considerada, además de que es experta en el tema, tiene buena conversación de otros temas de interés

Absolut empfehlenswert!!!...

Nicole_L, Dec 2022

Absolut empfehlenswert!!! Kontakt vorab via WhatsApp hat super geklappt. Elif war der allerbeste Guide und eine ganz herzliche und zauberhafte Person. Sie hat sich aufmerksam um mich gekümmert, die Tour meinen Wünschen angepasst und tolle Fotos von mir gemacht. Wir hatten sehr viel Spaß und haben uns die ganze Zeit unterhalten. Es war schön sie kennenzulernen. Jeder sollte diese Tour buchen!!!!!

Response from Host, Oct 2023

Your valuable feedback means the world to us. We're thrilled to hear that you enjoyed your experience, and your kind words truly motivate us to continue striving for excellence.