ISTANBUL WALKING DAILY TOURS

Meet the guide at the Kabataş Pier
every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday at 8.45 am.
Price: 40,00 € / Students and seniors: 35,00
Boat ticket is included in the price.
Büyükada, literally “Big Island” in Turkish, is  the original Princes' Island, and the largest and most populated of the Princes’ Islands. Büyükada was used as an exile destination and as a monastery region during the Byzantine Christian period. During the Byzantium, the island was also used as a prison for those who were opposing the Emperor.  It was Büyükada where the Byzantine empresses Irene and Zoe and Anna Dalassena were sent on exile. After his deportation from the Soviet Union in February 1929, Leon Trotsky also stayed for four years on Büyükada. We see mansions, palaces, churches, convents and much more..We meet the guide at the pier and take the regular cruise boat to the island. Splendid Hotel, Hamidiye Mosque, Santa Pasifico Church, Meziki Mansion, Christ Church, Convent of St. George are some of the places to be visited on the tour.

Meet the guide at the Kabataş Pier
every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday at 8.45 am.
Price: 40,00 € / Students and seniors: 35,00 €
Boat ticket is included in the price.
In fact, Heybeliada means “Saddle Bag”. It was a traditionally fishing town until the beginning of the nineteenth century  Its ancient name, Chalki, is refered to coper mining activities in the past.  This is Princes’ Islands’ second largest island, where will  see the bulk of the summer houses – fabulous 19th century villas, as well as a beach promenade. Byzantine Emperor V. İoannes Palaiologos, Abbas Halim Pasha-the Governor of Egypt in the 19th century, Hüseyin Rahmi, who is a distinguished Turkish author, are among the famous that  they spent most of their life time on the island, The island is home to several schools – the Aya Triyada (Holy Trinity) Monastery, the Turkish Naval Academy, Priest School and the Greek Orthodox High School.   The last surviving Byzantine church in the island – Church of the Virgin Mary – the Kaariotissa, Convent of St George, St Nicholas Church, House of İnönü – the second president of Turkey are some of places that are on our list.

Last days of the Ottoman Dynasty
Meet the guide by the ticket office of the Dolmabahçe Palace Museum
every morning at 9 pm. (except Mondays and Thursdays)
Price: 25,00 € / Disables: 20,00 € /Children below 6 years are free of charge
Price includes the admission to the Museum
Imagine a palace with 285 rooms, 6 baths (hamam), 68 toilets and a ceiling made of 14 tonnes  of gold! Dolmabahçe Palace is one such architectural jewel, built by the Ottoman Sultan Abdulmecid between 1843 – 1856, checking out the modern approach to architecture with an essentially French influence. The rich tastes and splendor of the era is evident in every corner and artifact in the decor. You just can't miss the Bohemian crystal chandeliers, the Crystal Staircase or the largest handmade Hereke rug in the Great Ceremonial Hall. Our guide – expert on 19th century Otoman history – will  take you step by step deep to the history of the palace and to its related stories full of legends, myths and poems.

A day in the Sultans’ House
Meet the guide by the entrance of the Harem (inside the Topkapı Palace Museum)
every morning at 10.55 am. (except Tuesdays)
Price: 25,00 €
Price includes the admission to the Museum. To be able to participate to this tour you need to buy the entrance ticket to the Topkapı Palace Museum.
The Harem is - The House of the Ottoman Sultan. It is a mystical place of pleasure. The Harem is one of the most enticing institutions of Ottoman history, perceived to represent family and sexual traditions far diffrent from those of the Western world. The Harem in Topkapı Palace have remained largely secret despite of interest to outside world. We invite you to join to the most fascinating tour of İstanbul. You will be witness to many stories that probably you have never heard or have never read about. Your guide expert on Harem History or “Haremology”  will lift the veil that hangs between you and The Harem and will present you the secret stories behind the iron doors of this fascinating place full with bedrooms, swimming pools, and baths.

Meet the guide at your hotel every evening at 18:30 pm.
Price: 60,00 €
Price includes: Guide in English, transportation, kebaps, starters, simit, local drinks (limited), tripe soup, tea, Turkish coffee, Live Music.
This is a real traditional night in Istanbul. You won't see professional belly dancers or folkloric dances. No touristic places - but you will see much more than that!
We will take you where 'real people' go to dine in a 'Turkish Way'. You will see and have a chance to meet local people having fun with their friends. We start the evening in a traditional 'Simit Bakery'. Simit is a bread roll which is covered with grape molasses and sesame seeds. We take our simits and visit one of the local ıraathane'- which literally means reading rooms-but-really is a coffee shop with lots of men with mustaches playing cards or back gammon! After having traditional Turkish tea in a traditional tea glasses we visit another traditional place: Ocakbaşı-which is a traditional self-service barbecue restaurant - where you sit by the fire and grill your kebaps, along with glass of Turkish Raki of course! We continue our gourmet journey passing, seeing and sniffing by some Turkish Restaurants. And finally we end up in a Meyhane – a traditional Tavern where you taste 'Meze', drink 'Rakı' and listen to live Turkish Music performed by Gipsy Musicians. Well if you think that's it for the night, you are wrong! We will offer you a traditional 'İşkembe Çorbası' which is a 'Tripe Soup'- the same way Turks complete their evening after being sated with 'Turkish Rakı'..And of course no Turkish Night is 'a complete' without tasting the 'Türk Kahvesi'-Turkish Coffee. Sounds tasty huh! And to give it quality, you will be escorted by a Professional guide who will explain to you everything that you will need to know.

If you have only a few hours in Istanbul this is a tour that will blow your mind! Imagine yourself  driven around Istanbul in old Anerican automobile in assistance of a professional guide and Turkish oldies music on a background. We have cars such as a 1950’s and 60’s Desoto, Chevrolet or Plymouth. Our driver will collect you from your hotel in his charming vintage car and gives you and your party a half day tour of İstanbul’s highlights. And for good measure, after the tour he'll take you to wherever you'd like to go in Istanbul. Or how about this? If it's your last day in Istanbul, you could book and then afterwards we can take you and your luggage right to the airport!

Meet the guide at your hotel
Price: 85,00 €
Price includes: Guide in English, transportation, fish sandwich, Turkish tea / coffee  Route:
Sultanahmet, Sirkeci, Sarayburnu, Ahırkapı, Çatladıkapı, Kumkapı, Kadırga, Langa, Bayazıt, Kapalıçarşı, Üniversite, Şehzadebaşı, Süleymaniye, Vefa, Şehzadebaşı, Unkapanı, Zeyrek, Aksaray, Yusufpaşa, Haseki, Cerrahpaşa, Esekapı, Samatya, Yedikule, Belgradkapı, Silivrikapı, Mevlanakapı, Topkapı, Sulukule, Edirnekapı, Kariye, Eğrikapı, Ayvansaray, Balat, Fener, Cibale, Tahtakale, eminönü, Sultanahmet.

Meet the guide at your hotel This tour is organised 7 days a week/upon request. 4 person is required for departure.
Price: 85,00 €
Price includes: Guide in English, transportation, fish sandwich, Turkish tea / coffee  Route: 
Sultanahmet, Sirkeci, Unkapanı Köprüsü, Azapkapı, Şişhane, Taksim, Gümüşsuyu, Dolmabahçe, Beşiktaş, Ortaköy, Kuruçeşme, Arnavutköy, Bebek, Emirgan, Fatih Köprüsü, Beykoz, Kandilli, Kuleli, Çengelköy, Beylerbeyi, Boğaz Köprüsü, Beşiktaş, Dolmabahçe, Tophane, Köraköy, Sirkeci, Sultanahmet.

Meet the guide in the courtyard of the Eyüp Mosque
every Monday at 9 am.Price: 20,00 € / Students and seniors: 16,00 €
This area lies outside the historical peninsula and the city walls. In this area we see many mosques, mousoleums, graveyards, fountains as well as old imarets-eateries-for poor people. Being outside the city walls the area has long been used as a major Muslim shrine. Today Muslims from all over world pay visit to this holly place. Our tour begins with a visit to the Mosque of Eyub al Ansari - the standard bearer of Prophet Muhammed – and continues to the Mousoleum of Sokullu Mehmet Paşa, a Grand Vizier of Selim II-of Bosnian origin, the Mosque of Zal Mahmut Paşa-the son in law of Sultan Selim II-,  the Mousoleum of Sultan Resat, the Tekke (Convent) of the Kalenderi Sect. These are only some of the places we will visit. Our walk will then continue uphill through the Eyup Cemetery and end on Pier Loti Hill.

Meet the guide at the entrance of the Hagia Sophia Museum
every Monday afternoon at 2 pm. Price: 20,00 € / Students and seniors: 16,00 €
The Divan Yolu was the "Road to the Imperial Council" during Ottoman times. In the Byzantine period it was the Mese Street, the main boulevard leading from the city center on Seraglio Point to the Porta Auera 'The Golden Gate' where it met the Via Ignatia ; the road to Rome. We start by a tall marble shaft called the Milion which still stands at the beginning of Divan Yolu. We continue our walk and see some of Ottoman sultans' Mousoleums, Mosques, medreses -schools- Roman forums, Byzantine monuments such as Çemberlitas (the Burnt Column) and the remains of the Theodosian Arc d'Triumph.

Passages, Inns, People, Churches…
Taksim to Galatasaray
Meet the guide in Taksim Square just at the entrance of theTaksim Metro Station
every Tuesday morning at 9 am. Price: 20,00 € / Students and seniors: 16,00 €
The area that is now known as Beyoğlu historically covers the area from Taksim to Tunel. The name originates from Bey Oğlu (literally Son of Governor) and was particularly used by the Turks to describe Luigi Giritti, son of Andrea Gritti, the Venetian Bailo during the reign of Suleiman the Magnificent. Istiklal Caddesi is the name of the main road of Beyoglu. We begin our stroll in "Taksim”, which means water-distribution center, which was set up by Sultan Mahmut I in 1732. We walk along the rails of the old tram which has been renovated and is still used nowadays. Armenian Catholic Churches, Greek Ortodox Churches, monuments such as Cumhuriyet Abidesi (Monument of Republic), and the Galatasaray Hamam are some of the places of interests on our tour. We will dip into small alleys and passage ways, - such as at the Afrika Han. The charming Balık Pazarı (Fish Market) and Çiçek Pasajı (Flower Passage) are the champagne cocktails of our walk.

In the trail of Architect Sinan
Meet the guide by the Istanbul University Tram Station
every Wednesday morning at 9 am. Price: 20,00 € / Students and seniors: 16,00 €
Istanbul is a city on seven hills. The Süleymaniye area is located on the third hill of the historical peninsula. This tour covers the historical districts from Süleymaniye - the largest Mosque complex of the Ottoman Empire – to Vefa. Do you know why Suleyman is named  The Magnificent? Lets listen to our guide speaking about the greatest of Turkish Architects-Sinan - and the most beloved son of Süleyman The Magnificent - Şehzade Mustafa-the Prince. We walk in and around Vefa and have a chance to taste the traditional refreshment-Boza. Our stroll covers many other historical buildings and stories.

The Story of the Conquerer Includes stroll in the famous Wednesday Open Air Market Meet the guide in the courtyard of Fatih Mosque
every Wednesday afternoon at 2 pm. Price: 20,00 € / Students and seniors: 16,00 €
Mehmet II. is the Ottoman Sultan known as The Conquerer. He was 21 years old when he conquered the city of Constantinople. What is the story behind his success? Did you know he could speak 6 languages fluently!! We stroll around the large Fatih Complex, and see -Roman Colmuns, Byzantine Churches, Gothic Cisterns and Large Mosques. The commentary of your guide will bring alive for you the amazing world of the Ottoman Sultans. The most interesting, the liveliest and the most colourful of Istanbul's street bazaars-Çarsamba Pazarı - is the highlight of this tour.

Meet the guide at the entrance of Yedikule Train Station.
every  Saturday afternoon at 2 pm.
Price: 20,00 € / Students and seniors: 16,00 €
The best place to feel the antiquities are city walls. Our stroll through history begins in Yedikule Fortress - Dungeons where many diplomats were imprissoned when the Ottoman Empire declared war on that country. Not only diplomats – but some Ottoman sultans were also put in jail and executed in some of the dungeons here! What else? We see the Gates of the walls, the cemetery of the Ortodox Patriarchs and the miraculous Ayazma of Balikli, some Works of Architect Sinan, and more churches. Highlight of the tour is the opportunity to walk on the historic walls. First we walk on the walls in theYedikule Fortress, than we walk over a kilometer from Belgrate Gate to Silivri Gate - This will definitely keep your feet on the ground.

Meet the guide at the entrance of the Greek Ortodox Patriarchate
every Sunday morning at 9 am. Price: 20,00 € / Students and seniors: 16,00 €
Fener is derived from a Greek word 'Fanari' meaning 'lantern' or 'lighthouse' in Turkish. It was a district of prominent and predominantly Romaic (Greek Ortdodox) families up to the beginning of the 20th century. It is the part of Istanbul where the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople is situated. Did you know that Phanariotes dominated the administration of the Patriarchate. Listen to the story of Phanariotes who served as dragomans to the Ottoman government and to foreign embassies. If you are interested in visiting a Byzantine Church in use or in seeing the only church made of iron and steel in the world – do not miss this walk. Get ready to see houses, pavements, palaces and other structures of the area which are being protected by a UNESCO project succesfully implemented over the last decade.

Meet the guide in Balat at the Balat Bus Station
every Sunday afternoon at 2 pm. Price: 20,00 € / Students and seniors: 16,00 €
Balat is located on the sothern shores of the Golden Horn. It is one of the Jewish districts where Jews were re-settled during the time of the Ottoman Empire. We walk in Balat and find ourselves in intriguing streets with amazingly colourful life. Synagogues, Armenian churches, Romaic churches, Byzantine remnants and Ayazma's are part of todays adventure. Although once it had seven synagogues, now it has only two in good condition: Ahrida and Yambol Synagogues. The cast-iron Bulgarian Orthodox church of St. Stephen of the Bulgars, the city walls and the ruins of the Byzantine palace known as Tekfur Saray, the Armenian Church of Surp Hreşdagabet are among many other places we visit during this tour.