Greek Orthodox Patriarchate : History dates back to Hagia Sophia to their new location after many stops. Greek Orthodox Patriarchate is a fresh start after leaving their beloved most incredible temple of history.
Greek Orthodox Highschool : A school holding on to its roots standing on top of Fener like an eagle.
Church of St. Mary of the Mongols : A church including the story of a brave woman who was sent from Constantinople to the lord of steps, Mongolia.
Colorful Stairs : Now, it is time for the updating your Instagram account with the hot spot of taking photos of colorful stairs.
Dimitrie Cantemir House of Romanian Prince and Lord of Bogdan (Moldovia )
Panagia Paramythia Church : Orthodox church standing for its last days about to vanish from the history before its last visitors see it .
Jewish essence within an alcohol seller store which was once hot place for many rich and youngs..
Colorful Houses: For every visitor of Fener-Balat to never miss taking their photos.
Ahrida Synagogue : The biggest synagogue of Balat with its special praying area reminds everyone of how Jewish people came all the way from Spain to the lands of the Ottoman Empire.
Sveti Stefan Church : The Masterpiece of Bulgarians and their secrets to making their own church in front of the eyes of the Greek Patriarchate.
It was a really good tour and Yunus is a quite good tourguide. The places we visited and the explanations were amazing with lots of interesting details. Strongly recommended!
First time doing a solo tour. Right from meeting my guide Yunus and the group, solo I was not. Genuine brief interactions and connections for the duration of the tour. Who knew there was a lot of history I did not know about the 4th Holy city. Yunus is passionate about what he does and it definitely helped keep me engaged which made for an enjoyable tour. Thank y'all. Till next time.
Great tourist guide with interesting stories and a lot of information. Would recommend 😊
We met Kubra at the meeting point where she made sure to wait until all participants arrive. She was very friendly and attentive to everyone needs. She made the history of the area come alive with her lively commentary and involved everyone is the discussions. She did a great job of keeping everyone engaged and her knowledge was second to none. I highly recommend this excursion to everyone. Thank you Kubra for a great experience.
I had an incredible experience on this tour! Yunus was not only extremely knowledgeable and fun, but he also genuinely cared about everyone in the group. He went above and beyond to make sure everyone was comfortable and having a great time. I would definitely recommend his tour to anyone visiting! Thank you Yunus!
Yunus is a really good, enthusiastic and engaging guide. In a group of 15 he kept everyone together and moving, without feeling rushed. A thoroughly good experience and well worth searching out for a 3 hour tour of Fener & Balat
Absolutely fabulous tour. This tour was a last minute decision by us - yet it turned out to be the most enjoyable tour we’ve been on in a long time. Yunus is fun, informative, helpful and just the best guide - he knows his history! If Fener and Balat had an ambassador role it should be given to Yunus for life. I can’t overemphasise just how great this tour was. We didn’t even notice the rainy weather! Just go on this tour - you’ll love it!!
Yunus was a great guide. Very informative, entertaining and overall a great experience. Would highly recommend.
Kbra was an enthusiastic and knowledgable guide. She was very personable despite the large group size. Be prepared to spend a lot of time on your feet with this tour. Great area to see, especially if you’re looking for good pictures.
Excellent Highly recommended
Brilliant tour. Yanush, the guide was very knowledgeable and entertaining. The area and its history were fascinating. Tour lasted 2.5-3 hours, but the time flew by. Would definitely recommend. Lots and lots of cats 😀.
Excellent tour, Yanus was great and very informative. Very steep hills but stains was very patient and made sure everyone was safe.
Guide was very informational, he did not skip anything, and he was very informative about the regions, did a great job explaining
Fener and balat were so charming and historical. Yunus is by far the best guide I have had. His clarity , sequential thought process and overall knowledge and overall personality is beyond exemplary.
Yunis made the walk very interesting, he is friendly and knowledgeable. It was good to see another side of Istanbul.
Super friendly and animated guide. A lot of information to digest, which makes the visit more meaningful. Highly recommended. It started slow at first with the walks, but later on, lots of walking (up hills). So, be prepared to walk a lot. Guide was very helpful with taking photos too. I appreciate that!
Yunus is a tour guide pro! He is so engaging, knowledgeable, friendly, and really fun to spend the day with. He has a wealth of knowledge.
The tour itself, in terms of a visit, was most disappointing. The places are not particularly interesting, only a couple of sights/sites of note. Fener is a scruffy, unattractive area - Balat more atmospheric though. Guide was very good, engaging & knowledgeable.
I did this tour on the first afternoon of my arrival in the city, and was a super nice walking tour for 3 hours. I learned about the different churches that were developed many years ago, and how one was even entirely constructed out of iron! To get to this location, one just has to take transportation across the Golden Horn, (an estuary that is the main inlet to the Bosphorus Strait), and to the waterfront where the guide will meet you. You'll go to the different churches, up a hill (for some good cardio), and to an old school that looks like it was inspired for the Harry Potter books. There's also one part of the neighborhood that is super cool, and is the backdrop picture for the tour on this very website, and the houses are painted in super bright colors. There's also alot of eateries around this area - ALOT! So even after the tour is over, if one wanted to go back and pick something up or do a sit down, that can always be done. We also stopped at a bakery where they have some of the nicest looking pastries and cakes, and unsurprisingly I bought a number of them to enjoy after the tour on the walk home. This tour as always with all the tours I've booked, was filled with lots of information and history, and made for a nice afternoon activity for anyone seeking something to do for some hours.
Thanks very much to Yunus. It was a spectacular experience… Going through all the history of people who lived in Fener and Balat, the mixture of religions, ancient stories and legends, and some colourful houses along the way! Very well organised tour, had some moments to ourself for pics, I totally recommend going to these neighbours and having a different taste of Istanbul. Thank you! Also best regards for your campaign of getting acquainted tourists with Bulgarian Iron Church!
Yunus our guide was very informative and made tour interesting. A beautiful place to walk around. I loved all the colour.
Yunus did an excellent job. Had a lot of history knowledge and very easy to understand. Answered all of our questions. He was a great reminder to bring Shaw and men where pants bc of church
Kubra was so sweet and knowledgeable. She handled our group of 11 adeptly and professionally and made the tour so interesting and fun!
Fantastic tour, lots of decorated cafes and colourful houses. Kübra is a wonderful guide and was very knowledgeable. Met some great people on the tour as well. Highly recommend!
Good hike up hills and many streets in charming interesting area of old Istanbul Guide was clear, informative and remembered everyone’s names right away .
Loved the tour! One of the must-dos for anyone visiting the city. It was definitely the best part of our trip and the most beautiful neighbourhood. It has a special significance because its history is deeply intertwined with that of the Greeks, Bulgarians, Armenians and Jews who lived in the area and it's an integral part of the city's history that all people should be aware of when it comes to this historic city.
Took a walking tour of Fener and Balat with tour guide Yunus. Saw this part of the city, which I’d never visited before. Lots of history over 500 years, including the main Greek Orthodox Church in Istanbul ( dating back to a time shortly after the fall of Constantinople). Easy to find the meeting spot using public transportation.
Very interesting tour. Our guide was vey informative and shared a lot of insights of the area Thank you!
There are city tours that show you places, and there are those that give places to you as a gift – and our tour with Fener Walks through the Istanbul neighborhoods of Fener and Balat undoubtedly belonged to the latter, far rarer category. Even before the tour began, the care behind this operation was evident: all relevant information, from how best to reach the meeting point to small but valuable tips on what to avoid, was sent to us in good time and in great detail via WhatsApp – a level of thoroughness that has become increasingly rare and that inspired confidence from the very first message. Punctual, warm, and visibly attentive, we were welcomed by our guide Kübra, who made sure before the tour even began that everyone in the group was properly equipped, appropriately dressed, and ready for the hours ahead – a genuine concern for the group's comfort that set the tone for everything that followed. Over the course of a good three hours, she then led us through the winding lanes and up the hills of Fener and Balat, and revealed herself to be a truly enchanting storyteller: warm-hearted, open, radiating an infectious enthusiasm for her subject and drawing on what seemed an inexhaustible well of knowledge about the turbulent history of these two districts and their inhabitants. Every question was answered patiently and thoroughly, and every corner seemed to hold its own story, which she brought vividly to life. Along the way, she pointed us toward excellent restaurants and, at each significant spot, gave us ample time to explore on our own and simply let the atmosphere sink in. What makes this tour especially remarkable is its deliberate distance from Istanbul's well-worn tourist trails: no rush, no crowds, but rather a calm, almost intimate approach to two neighborhoods that have so much to tell and so rarely receive the attention they deserve. For us, this tour was a true highlight of our time in Istanbul, and we can wholeheartedly recommend Fener Walks, Kübra, and – as we understand it – her brother as well, with whom she runs the company together. Anyone wishing to experience Istanbul beyond its postcard images will find themselves in excellent hands here.
Was really nice experience to feel that city.
Easy to find meetup location, Yunus delivered clear and interesting explanations of each area. We learned much about the Fener-Balat area to keep the history alive. The couple of extreme hills were expected and manageable with good breaks by Yunus. After the tour we spent time in the area eating lunch, having coffee, and visiting shops. At the base of the big hill, near the painted steps, there is a juice/coffee stand—delicious side stop during the free time break!
This was an amazing experience and Kubra was an exceptional guide. The things we saw and the history/knowledge that Kubra shared were enlightening. This tour is a must do!
An excellent walking tour of the Fener and Balat neighborhoods. The guide Yunus is knowledgeable, passionate about art and history, and provides plenty of insightful context throughout the visit. Great value for money and highly recommended for anyone visiting Istanbul.
Excellent tour to the two most beautiful areas of Istanbul. Our guide was very kind and he provided useful informations for these areas af the historical buildings.
Teşekkürler Yunus for an amazing half day walking around Fener and Balat. The tour was very informative about the history of the area, and also a nice and relaxed pace to enjoy the unique and colourful sights, streets and local vibes of Balat and Fener. You were also very helpful with recommendations for places to eat and other places to see in Istanbul. I could not recommend this experience enough. Many thanks for a wonderful experience today.
Our experience was wonderful. Our guide Yunus was thorough, well spoken and a great guide overall. He made the tour that much better. Highly suggest booking with him.
Our tour guide ,Unis, is a tremendous communicator and historical story teller. His style ensures that you capture an undertanding and feeling for each point of interest on the tour. We learn so much from his knowledge sharing. He told us exactly where to stand to take the best shot . We highly recommend this tour with Unis. You will be delighted with his patriotic love for Istanbul. Greg and Anh.
Yunis was amazing best tour guide ever so enthusiastic knowledgeable engaging and interactive. I highlynrecommend. The tour was amazing
Yunus was an excellent guide. Sprinkling us with historical facts at just the right points along the tour in a fun and interesting way. There are some steep hills but not more than a few minutes of walk. Very much enjoyed and would recommend to anyone visiting Istanbul.
Yunu was fantastic! He stopped along the way for pictures, spoke clearly and concisely, was incredibly knowledgeable, and good natured. he was very professional, and fun. He was excellent with historical facts and thought through all the needs we might have. I was very impressed and would highly recommend him.
Kübra led a super fun and informative tour of the Fener and Balat neighborhoods in Istanbul. These neighborhoods are offbeat and beautiful and a bit off the beaten track. Kübra clearly knows the area extremely well, as well as Istanbul history and culture. She is able to synthesize what she knows in a clear and entertaining way. My husband uses a walking stick and these neigborhoods have some pretty steep hills, so we were a bit worried we might not be able to keep up. But Kübra was very patient with us. She made sure that everybody in the group of about 15 people was safe and could hear everything she had to say along the way. And at the end, she helped us all get back to where we needed to go. We highly recommend this tour.
This is a really good way to see an alternative district in Istanbul. Yunus is a talented, knowledgeable and entertaining tour guide who ensures his disparate groups all have fun.
Our guide Yunus is so knowledgeable and friendly. My 9 year old son said he is one of the best guide he met so far as he is able to make all the dry historical facts sound super interesting. The Fener and Balat neighbourhood is really unique and beautiful. There is quite a fair bit of walking but my parents who are in their mid 70s are able to do the walk and I’m proud of them.
Yunus led an amazing trip through the history of the old Greek and Jewish quarters of Istanbul. His enthusiasm and knowledge bubbled over through his portrayal of this historic area as well as his illustrative storytelling. Thoroughly recommended!
Man go for it. It was wonderful experience specially the guide Yunus is a gem 10/10. He gives insights about the places right from the beginning to the end. Even he voluntarily assisted in taking pictures too. Simply going all the way to make your trip , comfortable & memorable. Got to know a lot about the place. Enjoyed every bit of it. Going back with lots of good memories. It’s good to take a day out of crowded Sultanmehmat area and explore Balat & Fener.
This was an excellent tour. Our guide, Leo, gave us time for pictures and shared so much of the interesting history of the area. There are some steep hills, but he took them slowly and allowed everyone to catch up. I would highly recommend this tour.
This place was eye candy for me. So much history in such a small and colorful location. My tour guide Yunus was an excellent speaker. Ge was fluent in english and presented the historical information in a captivating manner. I highly recommend this tour but do take in mind that there is one very steep hill. The guide will allot for some a fee moments to rest.
We had the most amazing walking tour covering Fener and Balat neighborhoods. Our tour guide, Yunus, was very knowledgeable about the place and the history. He was very engaging and told the history in a very entertaining style that made you want for more. I have to add that I highly appreciated his punctuality, he started the tour o’clock and allowed us time to explore on our own at the main stops, continuing the tour at the perfect pace. Top notch tour in Istanbul.
Wouu Yunus was arranged for an off-the-beaten-track contemporary art tour. I got to see lots of hidden gems, great galleries. I also asked to be taken to an authentic restaurant and had delicious lunch. We ended the tour at Balat and were dropped off at the Iron Church . I highly recommend it. Great man
Outstanding guided tour Bugra is an excellent guide. He was extremely friendly, knowledgeable and accommodative. He was well versed in both English and Spanish.
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